Texas Book Festival Photos I

Texas Book Festival was, as always, a rousing success! 

Congrats to all the organizers, volunteers, donors, participants, and everyone else involved! 

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are about to (literally) face the hurricane. 

Here are some pictures, in no particular order (I'll have another post later):

Chronal Engine in the sales tent

Phil Yates

Elaine Scott

Kinky Friedman, Elaine Scott, Jo Whittemore

R. Gregory Christie, E. Kristin Anderson, Don Tate, Roger Whittemore, Liz Garton Scanlon, Sean Petrie, Me, Jen Bigheart, and K.A. Holt at the Saturday night Texas Monthly party

S'mores at the Friday night Writing Barn party

 

Stephen Tobolowsky and me

Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann, Gary Schmidt

Governor Perry at the Saturday morning breakfast in the Governor's Mansion

Cynthia Levinson

E. Kristin Anderson goes through security

Kelly Bennett, Liz Garton Scanlon, Clay Smith

Shelly Ann Jackson, Jeff Crosby, and Harper

Roland Smith signs

Roland Smith and painted cow at the Driskill

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Last weekend, after Tweens Read, Cyn and I stopped by the Houston Museum of Natural Science, to check out their new paleo hall. (Here's my previous post about the museum).

Overall, I was very impressed by the number and quality of the mounts.  The exhibit is arranged as a "prehistoric safari," in which you begin your walk-through in the Pre-Cambrian and make your way forward through exhibits into the Pleistocene. 

The hall itself is rather stark, with the mounts on platforms like items of modern art.  Gorgeous backlit, ultra-realistic illustrations adorn the walls next to the exhibits, putting flesh and blood on the fauna and filling in the flora.

Highlights from the Age of Reptiles include three tyrannosaurs; a nesting pair of Quetzalcoaltus (and one soaring overhead); a hadrosaur mummy (a cast of Leonardo, I believe); a Triceratops skin fossil; an Acrocanthosaurus; and a host of aquatic reptiles and Mesozoic mammals and invertebrates.  The Age of Mammals displays were equally extensive.

Here are some pictures:

Dimetrodon!

Not a dinosaur

Dragonfly

Rhamphorhynchus

Psittacosaurus

Acrocanthosaurus

Deinonychus

Tyrannosaur

My, what big teeth...

Triceratops skin...

Cretaceous "Tasmanian devil"

  

2013 Books by Austinites

Here's a quick preview of books written and/or illustrated by members of Austin's youth literature community scheduled to be published in 2013!


PICTURE BOOKS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUNNY, by Liz Garton Scanlon, ill. by Stephanie Graegin (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, January 2013).

ROCKABILLY GOATS GRUFF, by Jeff Crosby (Holiday House, Fall 2013).

BALL, by Mary Sullivan (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Spring 2013).

OCTOPUS ALONE, by Divya Srinivasan (Viking, May 2013).

OTIS STEELE AND THE TAILEEBONE!, by Tom McDermott, ill. by Jeff Crosby (Pelican, September 2013).

THE YEAR OF THE BABY, by Andrea Cheng, ill. by Patrice Barton (Houghton Mifflin, May 2013).

THERE WAS A TALL TEXAN WHO SWALLOWED A FLEA, by Susan Holt Kralovansky, ill. by Deborah Ousley Kadair (Pelican 2013).

THE CART THAT CARRIED MARTIN, by Eve Bunting, ill. by Don Tate (Charlesbridge, Fall 2013).


CHAPTER BOOK/MIDDLE GRADE/TWEEN

JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE INTERSTELLAR TIME WARP, by Nathan Bransford, ill. by C.S. Jennings (Dial/Penguin 2013).

THE INVISIBLE BOY, by Trudy Ludwig, ill. by Patrice Barton (Knopf, October 2013).


YOUNG ADULT

FERAL NIGHTS, by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, January 2013).

ETERNAL: ZACHARY'S STORY, by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, February 2013).

HOMICIDAL ALIENS AND OTHER DISAPPOINTMENTS, by Brian Yansky (Candlewick, Fall 2013).

SOLSTICE, by P.J. Hoover (Tor/Macmillan, June 2013).

RIPTIDE, by Lindsey Scheibe (Flux, Summer 2013).

SCORCHED DRAGONBOUND, by Mari Mancusi (Sourcebooks Fire, Fall 2013).

PROMISE ME SOMETHING WHAT HAPPENED AT TALMADGE HILL, by Sara Kocek (Albert Whitman, September 2013).

ENTANGLED, by Amy Rose Capetta (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Fall 2013).

Tweens Read Book Festival 2012 Event Report!

Just back from Pasadena, Texas, and Bobby Shaw Middle School, where I had the pleasure of being a featured author at the Tweens Read Book Festival!

I was on the "Guys Write" panel with Tommy Greenwald (CHARLIE JOE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO EXTRA CREDIT); Trent Reedy (STEALING AIR); and Roland Smith (39 CLUES: SHATTERPROOF).  It was a great group -- the attendees asked insightful questions and we were able to share the tales of our publishing history and the stories behind the stories of our recent releases. 

Here are some pictures:

Signing the poster

Awesome CHRONAL ENGINE cupcake

Trent Reedy and his LEGO mockup of the plane from STEALING AIR

All the authors on stage

Me, prior to saying something profound

Me, saying something profound, while Roland Smith only feigns indifference

Keynote speaker Heather Brewer and friend

 

Shiny, happy books

Awesome GLS poster.  With dinosaur!

Me and Quetzalcoatlus at Houston Natural Science Museum

Thanks to all the committee members, teachers, librarians, administrators, sponsors, and booksellers, who spent more than just one weekend planning this great event!  Thanks also to the attendees, who gave up their Saturday to come to the school library, and didn't even have detention!

CHRONAL ENGINE LEGO trailer! Happy National Fossil Day!

In celebration of National Fossil Day, I'm delighted to unveil this awesome LEGO trailer for CHRONAL ENGINE.  It was made by (and stars the voice talents of) Owen Ziegler, the son of author Jennifer Ziegler. 

Also, for a chance to win one of five signed copies of CHRONAL ENGINE, go on over to CYNSATIONS!

Check it out:

2012 Tweens Read Book Festival

The panels have been announced for the 2012 Tweens Read Book Festival, in Pasadena Texas, on October 20, 2012!  I'll be presenting CHRONAL ENGINE on the GUYS WRITE panel with Trent Reedy, Roland Smith, and Tommy Greenwald. 

Here's the complete listing:

Panel 1:  Going Graphic!
Rachel Renee Russell
Dave Roman
Raina Telgemeier
Amy Ignatow
Panel 2:  Guys Write!
Roland Smith
Trent Reedy
Tommy Greenwald
Greg Leitich Smith
Panel 3:  Adventures for All!
Geoff Rodkey
E.J. Patten
Shannon Messenger
Heather Brewer
Stefan Bachmann
Panel 4:  From a Girl's Point of View
Lisa Schroeder
Diana Lopez
Shana Burg
Claire Legrand
Panel 5:  Dare to Debut
Lynne Kelly
W.H. Beck
Deron Hicks
Augusta Scattergood

Freeport Library visit

Yesterday, Cyn and I had a great time speaking at the Freeport Library, in Freeport, Texas.  Here are a couple pics:

Posing next to a shrimp boat outside the library.

On the beach.

Inspecting the tech...

Texas Book Festival 2012 Youth Literature Programming

The official schedule for this year's Texas Book Festival has been released!

I will be presenting CHRONAL ENGINE on the WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN panel:

THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
with Katherine Catmull, Lisa McMann, Greg Leitich Smith, and Catherynne M. Valente
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 1:00 - 2:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.014

Whether it's "Down," the Cretaceous Period, the stark world of Quill and the magical haven of Artimé, or "Fairyland," these authors take young readers out of the everyday world into realms where nothing is impossible. Chasing the shadows that have gone missing, dodging dinosaurs and kidnappers, and vanquishing an evil Puppeteer Queen is only the beginning of the wonderfully weird.

The signing follows immediately in the Children's Signing Tent.

Here's a tentative listing of the children's and teens panels for the 2012 Texas Book Festival.  Note that times and locations are subject to change, and that you should check the official schedule.  Note, too, that I haven't listed the appearances in the Children's Story tent, which is ongoing throughout both days of the festival.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2012:

CLASS ACTS
with Tim Green, Adam Rex, and Jon Scieszka
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

WE WROTE A PICTURE BOOK TOGETHER AND ARE STILL SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER
with Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann, Philip C. Stead, and Erin Stead
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.010

LUNCH LADIES, MUMMIES, AND CLASS CLOWNS
with Jarrett J. Krosoczka, James Luna, and Kirk Scroggs
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.012

TOGETHER, THEY COULD
with Winifred Conkling and Cynthia Levinson in conversation with the people they write about
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.036

A CLASSIC CONTINUED
with Return to the Willows writer Jacqueline Kelly
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 11:15 - 12:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.016

THE NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK A DAY ALMANAC
with children's book expert Anita Silvey
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 11:30 - 12:15
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.010

LINES THAT MAKE YOU LAUGH
with Tad Hills, Barney Saltzberg, Rob Scotton, and Philip Yates
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 11:30 - 12:30
Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

A CONVERSATION WITH MAUREEN JOHNSON AND MAGGIE STIEFVATER
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 12:00 - 1:00
Location: The Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church (1201 Lavaca, enter from Lavaca St.)

FANTASY GETS REAL
with Kristin Cashore, Cinda Williams Chima, and Jasper Fforde
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 12:45 - 1:45
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.036

IVY AND BEAN MAKE THE RULES
with Ivy and Bean writer Annie Barrows
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 1:00 - 1:45
Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

KAMI GARCIA AND MARGARET STOHL
talk about the finale of their Beautiful Creatures series
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 1:45 - 2:30
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.016

DRAWING ON THE LIVES OF ARTISTS
with Duncan Tonatiuh, R. Gregory Christie, and Don Tate
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 2:00 - 3:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.010

JENNY HAN AND SIOBHAN VIVIAN
on their new YA novel Burn for Burn
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 2:15 - 3:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.036

MOM, WISH YOU WERE HERE
with Karen Cushman, Rebecca Stead, and Gary D. Schmidt
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 2:15 - 3:15
Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

SAVE YOURSELF!
with Kristen-Paige Madonia, Ray Villareal, and Diana López
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 3:00 - 4:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.016

WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY
with Marie Lu, Katherine Applegate, Andrea Cremer, Bree Despain, and Michael Grant
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 3:30 - 4:30
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.036

BURIED ALIVE: 69 DAYS UNDER THE CHILEAN DESERT
with children's writer Elaine Scott
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 3:30 - 4:15
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.012

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS!
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 3:30 - 4:00
Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2012:

PAOLO BACIGALUPI
introduced by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 12:15 - 1:00
Location: Capitol Auditorium Room E1.004

JUST THE WRITE WORD
with Candace Fleming and Liz Garton Scanlon
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 12:30 - 1:30
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.010

A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE
with Hilary Weisman Graham, Michelle Hodkin, and David Levithan
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 12:30 - 1:30
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.036

THE LURE OF LORE
with Nikki Loftin, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, and René Saldaña Jr.
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 1:00 - 2:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.016

THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
with Katherine Catmull, Lisa McMann, Greg Leitich Smith, and Catherynne M. Valente
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 1:00 - 2:00
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.014

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
with Avi, Shana Burg, and Karen Cushman
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 1:15 - 2:15
Location: Capitol Auditorium Room E1.004

DAILY DANGERS, UNDERCOVER SLEUTHS
with Mac Barnett and Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 2:30 - 3:30
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.016

A TRIBUTE TO MADELINE L'ENGLE
with Hope Larson, Leonard Marcus, Rebecca Stead, and Charlotte Jones Voiklis
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 2:30 - 3:30
Location: Capitol Auditorium Room E1.004 

GARTH NIX AND SEAN WILLIAMS
talk about their new book Troubletwisters Book 2: The Monster
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 3:00 - 3:45
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.012

39 CLUES: CAHILLS VS. VESPERS
with Roland Smith
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Time: 4:00 - 4:45
Location: Capitol Auditorium Room E1.004