Books & Books Event

Holy hamsters! What a fun event at Books & Books yesterday!

There were some firsts at this event.

This is the first time I had an equal number of girls and boys in the audience. That was cool.

It was the first time my dad was able to hear me speak at an event. (He's visiting from New Jersey this week.)

Here's Dad with hubby, Dan, who drove and snapped photos and (most importantly) bought be a gigantic milkshake and fries when I was done. Thank you, guys!

It was also the first time anyone arrived with a LIVE hamster. Mhmm. Here is Reece, with his hamster, Buddy, hanging out with my hamster, Hammy, who is, um, a stuffed toy.


Here's Sofi, who happens to be a writer, too.


Thanks, Sofi, for the countdown e-mails until the event. You rock!

If you'd like to be a writer, like Sofi, here are two suggestions (besides read a lot and write a lot):

1. Get your hands on a copy of Writing Magic: Stories That Fly by Gail Carson Levine.

2. Subscribe to Funds for Writers: WritingKids by Hope C. Clark. Every two weeks, you'll find opportunties and contests for young writers in a wonderful e-newsletter.

Thanks to EVERYONE who came out to Books & Books Sunday to meet me and Hammy and have a fun time!