Sunday, February 25, 2007

Friday Night Highlights

I was invited to party in Austin, Texas on Friday in celebration of Cynthia Leitich Smith's new book, Tantalize. I was telling Treebeard about Cynthia and Greg on the way to the capitol city Friday afternoon. After listening to my mini lecture, he commented that they sounded like extremely generous people.

Generous is the perfect word to describe them.

Their home was the setting for the party, the food was beautiful and delicious (very important.) There were these beautiful melt in your mouth roasted tomatoes and salmon and wraps and this amazing Italian cream cake.

I should have taken a picture.

Greg describes the menu at his blog.

There were so many people there and I was secure in the knowledge that I didn't know a soul besides Cynthia and Greg.

Aaacckk ...

Then I saw Julie Lake, author of the historical fiction novel, Galveston: Summer of the Storm about the 1900 Galveston hurricane. I hosted Julie at my library for an author visit a few years ago. She is so nice and rounded up people to meet me.

I should have taken a picture.

Brian Anderson writes the Adventures of Commander Zack Proton series. His series echoes the light hearted spirit of comic books (not Graphic Novels) of old. I met YA author Brian Yanksy (need to read his books) and Jo Whittemore author of The Silverskin Legacy.

I should have taken a picture.

Even though the party was in honor of Tantalize, Cynthia used the opportunity to introduce and showcase books by other Austin writers (generous, remember?) Kathi Appelt (I've cataloged and shared so many of her books with kids,) Helen Hemphill (I just received a copy of Runaround but did not get to talk to her,) Brian Yanksy, Jo Whittemore and April Lurie.

Then I got to meet Don Tate and his wife!!! It is sort of surreal and wonderful to meet people-you-feel-like-you-know-because-you- read-their-blog-but-you-don't-really-know-them but then they turn out to be even nicer and kinder than you could have ever imagined.

I was dazzled by the company and impressed by the community of writers in Austin, Texas. Their support and enthusiasm for each others' work is inspiring. It was an honor to be included Friday and I marvel again at the blessings the kidlitosphere has brought me.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, sometimes I really wish I still lived in Austin! Glad you had such a great time.

Don Tate II said...

It was SO nice to meet you! And I know what you mean about it feeling surreal. I didn't really know you by name at first, but then you said: "I'm Book Moot."

I was like, Hey!— I know who you are! Of course! It was truly a treat to meet you — a highlight of the evening by far.

MotherReader said...

Wow! That sounds like a blast! Very cool.

From my NYC trip, I totally get the thing about meeting people you feel like you know. It is a strange thing.

tanita✿davis said...

I've had that "should've taken a picture" feeling so often lately it's not funny... but sometimes you've just gotta live in that surreal moment!

This sounds like it was SO cool.

Chris Barton said...

I'm sorry I missed you, Camille -- I was in Houston while you were in Austin.

Treebeard did indeed nail Cynthia and Greg when he described them as extremely generous. Every local community of writers and illustrators should have a pair.

Anonymous said...

I'm honored to have had the pleasure of meeting you! Don't give up on Edward Tulane! :o)

Camille said...

I will read Edward Tulane, but right now I am reading Escape from Arylon.

Anonymous said...

You're too sweet! :o)