Austin Teen Book Festival 2011 wrap up

Yesterday we celebrated the 2011 Edition of the Austin Teen Book Festival.  Twenty-eight authors presented on five panels: Alternaworlds, I Heart Love Stories, Pen Fatale, Supernatural Suspense, and Real Life is Messy. 

Previously held at Westlake High School, the book festival moved this year to the Palmer Events Center at Auditorium Shores in the heart of downtown.

 In honor of keynote speaker Scott Westerfeld, the theme of the day was "steampunk."  The Austin Public Library had a steampunk photo booth and steampunk vendors showed their wares in the main hall.  The steampunk decor even made it to the author's green room, which included elegant book-ish decorations:

A middle school theatre troop performed Michael Jackson's Thriller with great aplomb and enthusiasm:

 Then we were led into the freight elevator for the trip to the panel site:

Attendance for panels was standing room only:

 Lunch was a traditional tortilla soup, with plenty of time for mugging to the cameras:

David Levithan, John Corey Whaley, and Andrea Cremer

Jeff Herbach and Christina Mandelski

Rosemary Clement-Moore, Brian Yansky, Jonathan Maberry (seated, foreground).  Heather Brewer and Greg Leitich Smith (standing).  Scott Westerfeld and Jenny Han (seated, background)

 There were more panels post-lunch and book sales (handled by BookPeople) and signings were massive:

The author-moderator after-party at Highball, featuring food, drink, bowling and karaoke, was also enormously fun.

Thanks to everyone who organized, planned, volunteered, and attended!  Can't wait till next year!