Texas teen book festival '19

Today, I attended the Texas Teen Book Festival at Southwestern University in Georgetown. It’s an annual gathering of YA book-lovers: authors, publishers, and readers alike.

I met many incredible people, including Rebekah Manley of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, who gave me wonderful advice. I also spoke with the author Aaron Zook, Jr., author of the Thunder and Lightning series, who offered encouraging words. Representatives from Red Salmon Arts informed me about their grassroots organization dedicated to promoting Latinx culture in writing. Bookpeople, one of my favorite indie bookstores, had a prominent presence.

I had the honor of attending a Badgerdog World Building workshop taught by the award-winning poet Sarah Matthes. True to Badgerdog spirit, her enthusiasm for writing was contagious. Sarah was brilliant in giving concrete examples for what World Building looks like, and had all the participants engaged and having a great time.

There were so many amazing authors launching and signing books, and plenty of fans ready to meet them with open arms (and costumes to match). I cherish any event that has so much positivity surrounding writing and creating, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be inspired.

Sarah Matthes teaching the World Building class... On the board are "real world" and imaginative ways to show love