Running like a mad woman today, so I’m putting up some photos of last week’s travels. Met so many wonderful people – educators, literary philanthropists, fellow authors. This was also the first time that Ahora Si! magazine sponsored a tent at the Texas Book Festival where Latino authors and programming were available all day. Very cool!
Here are just a few shots.

With Melanie Griffin, archivist at USF, Dr. Joan Kaywell, and Kaywell committee chair James Leggett

How’s THIS for a set of wheels? My ride after the awards ceremony in Tampa. Thanks, Donna Heath!

Visiting cousin Carlos

A walk along the path. I love Spanish moss in the trees.

Yep. We’re in Austin.

The day begins in the best way: Maya Smart is my Texas Book Festival contact for the day

Thank you Texas Book Festival and Candlewick Press!

Maya and I handing out books after my talk with Reading Rockstars


Clay tiles in Zavala ES’s garden, which has chickens, goldfish, a bridge. Such a great space!

rooftop with the fab Nikki Loftin and Lydia Gil

The view from the amazing penthouse home of arts patrons Sandra and Walter Wilkie

Jamie and the lovely Maya Smart

The view from the author green room. Every party in Austin seemed to have a rooftop angle.

Day 1: Renee Watson! We were both in polka dots and offered to be bestseller Eric Litwin’s back up singers for Sing and Dance in Your PolkaDot Pants. We await your call, Eric.

Catching up with Monica Brown and Katheryn Russell Brown (Little Melba and her Big Trombone)

Book women trying to be divas in the restroom of the Four Seasons. With Jamie Tan from Candlewick, and authors Monica Brown (Lola Levine is Not Mean…and countless other award-winning titles) and Maggie Thrasher (Honor Girl)

Our Throwing Shade panel: moderated by Holly Green (left). Authors are Jessie Ann Foley, I. W. Gregorio and me