ALA Firsts

The American Library Association’s Annual Conference was in DC this year, and since I live close enough to commute, and I am a librarian, I took full advantage of this.

It was full of firsts for me.

My first time at the ALA conference.

My first time meeting my editor, Carol Hinz from Lerner.

My first time seeing my book, WAIT, REST, PAUSE: DORMANCY IN NATURE, in “the wild.”

My first time signing this book. I got to sign it for a dear friend, Rebekah Manley. Rebekah and I both went to Hollins and were in the same critique group in Roanoke. It was a joy to sign my first copy to her.

My first time meeting Laura Purdie Salas! She’s been a mentor to me through all of her online channels for many years. You can hear her talk about our meeting on weekly audio post here (June 28 edition). She took photos, but I realized I don’t have any on my camera. It was a lovely few hours chatting about the business of writing.

My first time seeing several of my Notable 19s debut group books in the wild. I snapped some pictures of them and got a few ARCs to take home.

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My first time seeing my Scholastic books in the wild at the Scholastic Booth.

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My first time at the Caldecott/Newbery Banquet!!

I also saw some critique group friends’ books out and about. 

 

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ALA was full of good sessions too! I listened to sessions about graphic nonfiction, how to do research at the National Archives, a Poetry Blast, a panel of historical fiction and nonfiction middle grade authors, and how to do Google searches with a Google Guru.

I also came home with heaps of new books!