Tuesday evening
And yes, I realize it is now Friday evening. Perhaps I have been dilatory, but I prefer to think that's just how I roll.
Back to the topic: Tuesday evening, my sweetheart and I drove to my "local" independent children's book store, the marvelous Children's Book World in Haverford, PA, to see Linda Urban along with Joe Schreiber and Jacqueline Davies, who were there to discuss their new middle-grade books.
Joe, Linda and Jackie - Linda's answering a kid on the floor, by the way
I was really happy to run into Matt Phelan while I was there. Long-time blog readers may remember when I interviewed him here back in 2009, when The Storm in the Barn was first coming out. Here we are with his more recent graphic novel, Around the World, though we mostly discussed his next graphic novel, Bluffton, which comes out this summer (and which is largely about Buster Keaton). I was really happy to score an autograph in my new copy of Around the World, which I'd been meaning to get for ages (no, really!), and Matt bought a copy of At the Boardwalk, which I signed for his two children. Awww.
I have to say that I was really impressed by how well all three of the featured authors interacted with the people who'd come to see them - a mix of kid readers and their parents, plus a couple of adults who are on the path to writing for kids, as best as I can tell. They were all witty and interesting and very keen on connecting with the audience, which probably explains why they sold so many books while they were in the store. Of course, thanks to Linda, the store sold a copy of At the Boardwalk to one of the children present, who asked me to sign it for them, and pose for a photo. (Matt and I also signed autographs for a little girl who is collecting author signatures. Again, awww!)
Here I am with Jackie and Linda. Note the (probably correct) placement of the KLUTZ sign above my head. (Thanks, honey!)
Coming this weekend: a bit more about what I've been up to. Take it as a promise or a threat, whichever you prefer.
Back to the topic: Tuesday evening, my sweetheart and I drove to my "local" independent children's book store, the marvelous Children's Book World in Haverford, PA, to see Linda Urban along with Joe Schreiber and Jacqueline Davies, who were there to discuss their new middle-grade books.
Joe, Linda and Jackie - Linda's answering a kid on the floor, by the way
I was really happy to run into Matt Phelan while I was there. Long-time blog readers may remember when I interviewed him here back in 2009, when The Storm in the Barn was first coming out. Here we are with his more recent graphic novel, Around the World, though we mostly discussed his next graphic novel, Bluffton, which comes out this summer (and which is largely about Buster Keaton). I was really happy to score an autograph in my new copy of Around the World, which I'd been meaning to get for ages (no, really!), and Matt bought a copy of At the Boardwalk, which I signed for his two children. Awww.
I have to say that I was really impressed by how well all three of the featured authors interacted with the people who'd come to see them - a mix of kid readers and their parents, plus a couple of adults who are on the path to writing for kids, as best as I can tell. They were all witty and interesting and very keen on connecting with the audience, which probably explains why they sold so many books while they were in the store. Of course, thanks to Linda, the store sold a copy of At the Boardwalk to one of the children present, who asked me to sign it for them, and pose for a photo. (Matt and I also signed autographs for a little girl who is collecting author signatures. Again, awww!)
Here I am with Jackie and Linda. Note the (probably correct) placement of the KLUTZ sign above my head. (Thanks, honey!)
Coming this weekend: a bit more about what I've been up to. Take it as a promise or a threat, whichever you prefer.