CityLit Festival
Wow. What a great day.
I slept in until like 8:30. I was hungry (because I skipped my feed last night) so Mom made me some chicken nuggets. Then I put on my new earrings and my dress and we were off. Except that traffic was really bad on both of the major routes we drove on, and Mom was getting really despondent. She's like "That's it we're late." And she was going to turn back but I told her to keep going. She needs to have more faith. We were there 15 minutes early.
The festival was held at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore City. I had never been there before, but I really like it. It's huge, first of all. Three stories filled with books! The Central Hall, where I was, had high ceilings with like colorful decorations on the walls, and giant oil paintings of famous Maryland leaders. It reminded me of a state house or a church. There was a balcony above it so people were standing up there looking at stuff too. The hall was filled with tables with various venders and organizations. The upper floors were mainly workshops and such.
I browsed through the tables a bit first. They had information about the writing programs at local colleges, Hopkins, Loyola, Towson and Frostburg. So it turned into like a college information session, LOL. But they also had authors selling their books and giving stuff away, like pens. I talked to a guy who ran an independent book store and that was fun. I have to see about checking out that store...
Then at like 11:50 we met up with my Dad, but not his wife because she didn't come for some reason... which was a bit disappointing, in all honesty. But, anyway, we over to the stage area and there was only one seat left. My folks were nice about it and let me have the seat, and they stood off to the side. This guy came on and talked for a while about things going on at the festival, and then the readings started. My part was the Maryland Young Writer's Contest (first annual). The did an elementary school poetry finalist, two elementary school prose ones, middle school prose and middle school poetry, then high school poetry before finally my category, high school prose. The second place winner read first and then I went on (I got first place, if you weren't aware.) There were some really good pieces. Some of the little kids didn't articulate well enough or talk loud enough, but they're little elementary school kids. I really enjoyed the high school poetry reading, it was an amazing poem and the kind I can't write well, with humor. Some people didn't adhere to the word count limit, though, I don't think... meh.
But my reading went very well. I spoke clearly and slowly enough so people could hear me. I found out that I talk with my hands even when reading! But I was proud because I didn't rush and because even though I was really nervous I didn't start shaking. It's always easiest to read your own work, isn't it? My story is called "Alley Art Gallery" and I'll post it here as soon as I'm done with this. Anyway, people clapped as is custom and I got a certificate for winning.
Then the mayor of Baltimore City showed up so she had to get on stage to make her public relations speech and do her photo ops. She was like "When I was a little girl I loved this library"- the normal everyday-citizen stuff- and then talking about how great it is to get young people to love literature and how she looked forward to having all of us write great books- the appeal to voters through their children. But she talked specifically to me for a second; she was asking people about getting books published and she asked me if I was going to do that. I said "Hopefully" and she said "Good" and continued on with her speech and her whirlwind tour of the festival. I actually liked her, I thought she was really personable. Maybe not the best speaker, but a good politician in that she can appeal to a crowd. But, I don't know about even the good politician part because she's been indicted... it's kinda surprising they let her continue with her mayoral duties given that fact, but what do I know? Even if she's cleared I doubt her career will ever fully recover.
When the reading was over I got some hot chocolate and the others got coffees and we sat and drank them for a while. Dad said my story brought tears to his eyes, and then I almost cried. He got me a card that said "Congratulations" and then he wrote on the inside "You are TRULY amazing." And that almost made me cry, too. Why does he always do that?
Dad had to leave then to catch his bus, so Mom, Derek and I looked at more exhibitors' booths. Several people said they enjoyed my reading, which made me happy. I got some free literary magazines from colleges, so that's good reading. And a cool map of the famous writers and literary people who have visited Baltimore and where they went. There was a table of comic book artists and Derek was over there for a lot of the time. He got a free sketch drawn for him. There was also a drawing to win a giant stack of comic books which we entered for the heck of it.
Well, when we were done we left and were walking back to our car. The guys from the comic booth caught up with us and were like "Hey you guys won!" So Derek got a giant stack of old comics. There's some Flash ones and Hawkman and then a bunch I have never heard of, like Valor... and many others; I didn't look at all of them. They also threw in some of their comics and a novel too! How cool is that?
So, the festival was a very good experience for me. The literary community is so diverse and rich, and really welcoming too which I love. Plus, I mean, free books! What's not to like?
My mom took pictures while I was there.
(This one is taken by me. It has nothing to do with anything but my hair was actually cooperating today and I had to take advantage of it.)
Here is me reading. The wide shot allows you to see (some of) the audience, as well as my entire outfit, including shoes. They're probably like three inch heels, but I wore them all day! I was proud of myself.
A close-up of me during the reading. This is the best dress I have ever had. It gives me more pronounced curves, and hides my fat belly.
This is a posed picture, obviously. Standing next to the CityLit sign on stage. You can sorta see my earrings, which are the exact shade of the ribbon on the dress.
Here is a final picture of me, holding the certificate I won. I didn't want to take it, but both Mom and Dad insisted.
Yeppers. Those are my pictures. Sorry if they're huge. I fail at re-sizing.
I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go to the CityLit Festival and even moreso to read my work and get feedback. God has been amazingly good to me.
I slept in until like 8:30. I was hungry (because I skipped my feed last night) so Mom made me some chicken nuggets. Then I put on my new earrings and my dress and we were off. Except that traffic was really bad on both of the major routes we drove on, and Mom was getting really despondent. She's like "That's it we're late." And she was going to turn back but I told her to keep going. She needs to have more faith. We were there 15 minutes early.
The festival was held at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore City. I had never been there before, but I really like it. It's huge, first of all. Three stories filled with books! The Central Hall, where I was, had high ceilings with like colorful decorations on the walls, and giant oil paintings of famous Maryland leaders. It reminded me of a state house or a church. There was a balcony above it so people were standing up there looking at stuff too. The hall was filled with tables with various venders and organizations. The upper floors were mainly workshops and such.
I browsed through the tables a bit first. They had information about the writing programs at local colleges, Hopkins, Loyola, Towson and Frostburg. So it turned into like a college information session, LOL. But they also had authors selling their books and giving stuff away, like pens. I talked to a guy who ran an independent book store and that was fun. I have to see about checking out that store...
Then at like 11:50 we met up with my Dad, but not his wife because she didn't come for some reason... which was a bit disappointing, in all honesty. But, anyway, we over to the stage area and there was only one seat left. My folks were nice about it and let me have the seat, and they stood off to the side. This guy came on and talked for a while about things going on at the festival, and then the readings started. My part was the Maryland Young Writer's Contest (first annual). The did an elementary school poetry finalist, two elementary school prose ones, middle school prose and middle school poetry, then high school poetry before finally my category, high school prose. The second place winner read first and then I went on (I got first place, if you weren't aware.) There were some really good pieces. Some of the little kids didn't articulate well enough or talk loud enough, but they're little elementary school kids. I really enjoyed the high school poetry reading, it was an amazing poem and the kind I can't write well, with humor. Some people didn't adhere to the word count limit, though, I don't think... meh.
But my reading went very well. I spoke clearly and slowly enough so people could hear me. I found out that I talk with my hands even when reading! But I was proud because I didn't rush and because even though I was really nervous I didn't start shaking. It's always easiest to read your own work, isn't it? My story is called "Alley Art Gallery" and I'll post it here as soon as I'm done with this. Anyway, people clapped as is custom and I got a certificate for winning.
Then the mayor of Baltimore City showed up so she had to get on stage to make her public relations speech and do her photo ops. She was like "When I was a little girl I loved this library"- the normal everyday-citizen stuff- and then talking about how great it is to get young people to love literature and how she looked forward to having all of us write great books- the appeal to voters through their children. But she talked specifically to me for a second; she was asking people about getting books published and she asked me if I was going to do that. I said "Hopefully" and she said "Good" and continued on with her speech and her whirlwind tour of the festival. I actually liked her, I thought she was really personable. Maybe not the best speaker, but a good politician in that she can appeal to a crowd. But, I don't know about even the good politician part because she's been indicted... it's kinda surprising they let her continue with her mayoral duties given that fact, but what do I know? Even if she's cleared I doubt her career will ever fully recover.
When the reading was over I got some hot chocolate and the others got coffees and we sat and drank them for a while. Dad said my story brought tears to his eyes, and then I almost cried. He got me a card that said "Congratulations" and then he wrote on the inside "You are TRULY amazing." And that almost made me cry, too. Why does he always do that?
Dad had to leave then to catch his bus, so Mom, Derek and I looked at more exhibitors' booths. Several people said they enjoyed my reading, which made me happy. I got some free literary magazines from colleges, so that's good reading. And a cool map of the famous writers and literary people who have visited Baltimore and where they went. There was a table of comic book artists and Derek was over there for a lot of the time. He got a free sketch drawn for him. There was also a drawing to win a giant stack of comic books which we entered for the heck of it.
Well, when we were done we left and were walking back to our car. The guys from the comic booth caught up with us and were like "Hey you guys won!" So Derek got a giant stack of old comics. There's some Flash ones and Hawkman and then a bunch I have never heard of, like Valor... and many others; I didn't look at all of them. They also threw in some of their comics and a novel too! How cool is that?
So, the festival was a very good experience for me. The literary community is so diverse and rich, and really welcoming too which I love. Plus, I mean, free books! What's not to like?
My mom took pictures while I was there.
(This one is taken by me. It has nothing to do with anything but my hair was actually cooperating today and I had to take advantage of it.)
Here is me reading. The wide shot allows you to see (some of) the audience, as well as my entire outfit, including shoes. They're probably like three inch heels, but I wore them all day! I was proud of myself.
A close-up of me during the reading. This is the best dress I have ever had. It gives me more pronounced curves, and hides my fat belly.
This is a posed picture, obviously. Standing next to the CityLit sign on stage. You can sorta see my earrings, which are the exact shade of the ribbon on the dress.
Here is a final picture of me, holding the certificate I won. I didn't want to take it, but both Mom and Dad insisted.
Yeppers. Those are my pictures. Sorry if they're huge. I fail at re-sizing.
I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go to the CityLit Festival and even moreso to read my work and get feedback. God has been amazingly good to me.