I've really made it a point this year to try and break my patterns, step out of my shell. Recently we had an open mic at work, I decided to read
this poem I wrote years ago. Despite the fact that I was so nervous I nearly threw up (and a patron friend kept teasing me about the event on twitter all day), it went really well. People apparently really liked my poem, and my dyslexia did not decide to make an entrance. We were livestreaming it, as we do with most events, but the signal cut out while I was up. This is TOTALLY OK by me, because I know I'd watch it and criticize the deep shade of red my cheeks were turning. I may or may not read it again next time, at least I'll be slightly better prepared.
I've been photographing more and more book events. I tend to rely on Bridge to Books or the library for events to photograph, but last month I photographed an event at Barnes and Noble. I met the event coordinator when I was helping a coworker with her direct purchase, it turns out we have mutual friends in the book world and she remembered me from B2B's recent event at the B&N. She mentioned Laini Taylor would be doing an event there in the coming week, I offered to photograph and she got me in touch with Laini's publicist. The event was great and Barnes and Noble treated me really well as their event photographer.
Laini even thanked me for the photos in my book. Because I'm still a pretty amateur photographer, I never charge for the events.
When I started photographing for Bridge to Books, it was just because we're all friends and they know I have passion for photography, I never really expected it to become a regular thing. I love being able to combine both of the worlds I'm so passionate about.
One of my photos for Bridge to Books' event YA Rising Stars was used for a small Publisher's Weekly article they sent in. A friend from B2B recently told me that she and author Ann Stampler both recommended me to the Children's Literacy Council of SoCal who are currently looking to hire a photographer for their bi-annual event. It feels so amazing to be getting this kind of praise.
Between photographing the events, and finally stepping up my socializing on Twitter and I have been able to correspond with librarians from all over and some of my favorite authors. I'm interacting with some hilarious people, and probably pissing off others (I lost ten followers to a couple of Mormon jokes.)
Things are good. I don't know how to end this,
so have some photos:
B2B: Graphic Guise
YA Book Council's Wizarding Celebration
B2B: Middle Grade Authors at McKinley
B2B: YA Rising Stars
Laini Taylor at Barnes and Noble
Tao Nyeu and Salina Yoon at Unwind