Reflections from the Road: Read.Write.Draw

Last Saturday, April 18, 2015, was the first ever Read.Write.Draw Children's Book Festival at the Hoover Public Library. A free, day-long event, the festival featured picture book authors, Jeff Mack and Lori Nichols, middle reader author Amber McRee Turner, young adult author Sharon Cameron, and Yours Truly, on hand to talk about my novel Frostbornand forthcoming sequel Nightborn,books one and two of the Thrones & Bones series.

The Hoover Library has an amazing performance space! I've spoken before on the stage in their cafe space, but had no idea they had a full on theater downstairs. I came on in the afternoon, after a marvelous potato bar lunch (courtesy of Full Moon Bar-B-Q) and after Amber McRee Turner. The talk was very fun, with some great responses from the audience. Also, someone in the audience actually knew what a "draug" was (first time!)

Of the other attending authors, I only got to hear Sharon Cameron's talk, but her novel,The Dark Unwinding,sounds intriguing. The setting was inspired by Welbeck Abby in Britain, and its interesting history and vast underground chambers and tunnels. (Check out the history, then check out the novel.)

The day ended with a wonderful dinner at DoDiYo's for the authors and the library staff.  Thank you very much to Children's Librarian Jeremy Davis, all the staff at the Hoover Library, and the Patton Creek Barnes & Noble for being on hand to facilitate book sales.

Read.Write.Draw was a big success, and I hope it becomes an annual event.