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Cyn and I are safely back from YAK Fest!  We had a great time road-tripping with Cory Putnam Oakes and Jessica Lee Anderson, although traffic on I-35 was the worst ever. (And we didn't allow anyone in the car who doesn't have three names in their byline).

Once we arrived in Keller, we were treated to a nice reception/dinner at the awesome Book Carriage Book Store.  The next morning, Simone Elkeles delivered a rousing keynote, followed by our panels!
 
On my panel,Krissi Dallas spoke about creating worlds and names therefor; Tracy Deebs talked about apocalypses and Pandora's bad rap; and Andrea White talked about the inspiration for Surviving Antarctica.

Many thanks to all the organizers, sponsors, and volunteers!

Here are some pictures:

Jason Henderson, Lori Aurelia Williams, Cory Putnam Oakes, Jessica Lee Anderson, and Cyn and Me.

The Elvis shrine at the Waco Chuy's

Cory, Cyn, Krissi Dallas, Me

Jason Henderson and Me

Road tripping!

Traffic jam in Waco

Cory, Jessica, a Yak, Krissi, Cyn and Me

This coming Saturday, I’ll be making my very first author appearance. How fun is that? And I hope you’ll be able to join the fun and attend YAKFEST ’13, where I’ll be moderating a YA panel. And wow, is it going to be a good one. I’m already a little starstruck just thinking about it!

I’ll get to ask YA authors Rosemary Clement Moore, Cory Oakes, Victoria Scott, Mary Lindsey and Jeff Hirsch to spill all their secrets, and my friend and fellow debut author, Julie Murphy, will also be moderating a fantastic panel with another all-star lineup–Jessica Anderson, Charles Benoit, Chris Crutcher, Simone Elkeles, Guadalupe Garica McCall, Jessica Warman, Lori Aurelia Williams and Shannon Greenland will appear on a comtemp YA panel.

I would love to see you there. Of course, I cannot promise I won’t hug you if you do. Did I mention I’m a hugger? Or…I also specialize in the awkward stare. And I’m pretty good at dropping things while talking. You know…whatever you prefer. We can work that out later.

For now, here are the important deets about YAK FEST:
WHEN: Saturday, January 19, 9am – 5pm
. Come when you can and stay for as long as you like, of course we want you there all day!

COST: TOTALLY FREE.

WHERE: Keller High School, 601 N. Pate Orr Rd. Keller, TX 76248

SOCIAL MEDIA:

https://twitter.com/YAK_Fest

https://www.facebook.com/YAKbookfest

http://teacherweb.com/TX/KellerHighSchool/YAKFest/apt1.aspx

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Simone Elkeles, BAM. That’s what we’re talking about.
Panels of AWESOME Breakdown: 


Keeping It Real – Jessica Anderson, Charles Benoit, Chris Crutcher (afternoon only), Simone Elkeles, Guadalupe Garica McCall, Jessica Warman, Lori Aurelia Williams and Shannon Greenland
This is Not Normal – Rosemary Clement Moore, Cory Oakes, Victoria Scott, Mary Lindsey and Jeff Hirsch

This is Not Normal Either – Krissi Dallas, Tracy Deebs, Greg Leitich Smith and Andrea White

Vampire Smack Down – Cynthia Leitich Smith, Rachel Caine and Jason Henderson

There will be books available for purchase from The Book Carriage, and they will be selling books all day. 
The Book Carriage will accept cash and credit cards.
 You may bring some books from home for authors to sign.
 Food and drinks will be available for purchase at lunch.
 Of course you can talk and have your picture taken with your favorite author(s) during the signing.  The YAKFEST Yak insists upon it.

Will I see you there?