Getting Ready for Book Expo America

Am I ready for Book Expo America? I’ve been waiting for this moment a long time, so in one sense I’m ready, but I’m not sure that I’m ready ready. How hard is it hop a train and sign a few copies of Deadwood at the Javits Center on May 31st? Not hard, and yet I’m afraid I’ll miss something.

  • Registration – check.
  • Badge number printed – check
  • Book signing scheduled for Spencer Hill booth 2567 – check
  • Bookmarks stashed – check
  • Plans to watch #WeNeedDiverseBooks panel – check
  • Vague plans to meet up with acquaintances – check
  • Outfit planned – sort of
  • Train schedule planned – check
  • Hair cut — well, not yet. Not sure that it will happen either…

It occurs to me that I haven’t really planned out much at all except when I’m supposed to be there, and that makes me nervous. But it’s about books, right? Reading, writing, buying, talking about books with readers, writers, publishing folks, and book buyers. I do that every day. I can do that on Saturday. I think.

I hope to see you on Saturday, May 31st, 1 pm at Spencer Hill, Booth 2567 –– or if you see me, flag me down from across the Javits Center.. You will make my day.

Now I better check the train schedule again…

Notes on a Diversity Hashtag: Project Mayhem

Listening to #WeNeedDiverseBooks, I realized the conversation wasn’t about me. And neither are the books I want to read.

When the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign began through the work of 22 writers and bloggers, I was enthusiastic. I was long familiar with the issue through Cindy Pon and Malindo Lo’s Diversity in YA campaign, and I had tried to populate my middle-grade novels with diverse characters. So I joined the conversation.

Read more on Project Mayhem >>

Proud to be a Mayhemmer

I‘m thrilled to announce that I’ve joined the wise and wild minds of Project Middle-Grade Mayhem, a blog of kids’ writers in a community for readers, teachers, and librarians. I’ve been a long time reader of the site, founded by Hilary Wagner (Nightshade City) books, and I was honored to be invited by exiting member, Dee Garretson (Wildfire Run). I’m sharing my welcome with fellow Mayhemmers Jim Hill (Cape Cod Writers Center)  and Joanne Roddy (Jules and the Djinn Master) — good company!

My first post on Project Mayhem will be May 13 — looking forward to sharing some thoughts (once I come up with them).

Read the announcement >>