Ready. Set. Tour! Those were my marching orders for October, so I was off to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the lively Novello Festival of Reading, a month-long literacy initiative.
One of the things I love about regional conferences and book festivals is that they afford me the opportunity to hang out with old friends (like the fabulous and funny Libba Bray, the magical Pat Mora, the mellow James Ransome, and the easygoing Eric Kimmel), and to make new friends (Tony Abbott, Coleen Paratore, Jeff Smith, and Wendelin Van Draanen).
Thanks, guys, for helping Coleen and me celebrate our birthdays on the road. Special thanks to Tony Tallent for making that a priority in the midst of a packed schedule. Running this program was an already Herculean task, so such added touches were especially appreciated.
Between visiting schools and talking with teachers and librarians, I ran off to see the Fiber Art International, a gorgeous exhibit of textile art. I LOVE fiber art, and came away with a few ideas for my own work with paper and mixed media. I can't wait to try out a few new techniques. Yum!
Speaking of which, I sampled some tasty Jamaican food in NoDa, an artsy section of Charlotte. Between the art galleries, gift shops, and curried goat with yams, I made myself right at home!
Then it was back home, again, for a minute.
What's up next? The Artistic License Art Fair, where I'll man a table to sell my paper creations (handmade books, cards, decorated wood boxes, and cuffs). Then I'm off to Providence, Rhode Island, for another literacy festival.
Good news: I just sold my first chapter book series! It will be awhile before it reaches bookstores, but I'll let you know when that happens. First, we have to find an illustrator to take on the project.
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Also, The Road to Paris made a state list. I can't tell you which one, though. Not yet. They told me to keep it secret until they make a formal anouncement.
During October, I was involved with a fundraiser for Inspire, an organization that supports foster care kids who have aged out of the system. Inspire provides housing, life-skills training, counseling, and mentors to help them through the college years, until they can finish school, gain their independence, and build a solid foundation for their future.
This year, all my proceeds from the art fair will go to Inspire.
For more info on them, go to www.inspirelifeskills.org.
