Cozy Launch & Comic Con

Wow, this weekend was a whirlwind! On Friday, I did Coffee & A Cozy. I enjoyed chatting about cover design, audiobook-making, and story creation. Here's the spread of treats: Fun time with friends!   I also participated in LA Comic Con on Saturday. Seeing people dressed up was one of the highlights. Look at the mighty crowd! Great statues on the convention floor... Costumes galore! Can you figure out who everyone is? (My fave is the first … [Read more...]

LA Times Festival of Books

"A thrilling time is in your immediate future." The last time I went to the Festival of Books, it was held at the UCLA campus (go, Bruins!). Most recently, though, the event occurred at USC. A weekend-long event (April 22&23), it gathered together readers, writers, and book-lovers. There were sessions for listening to speakers and opportunities to get signed books. Rows of booths (I was at the SCBWI one) provided a chance to hobnob with authors and also seek out services: the library … [Read more...]

Book Blast

"Your career plans look bright." Just a little FYI that Dragonfly Dreams is listed on the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Book Blast page. The site features hundreds of new titles, covering the interests of toddlers to teens. Go ahead and check out my page! If you click on the heart and "like" it, you'll hear a rousing cheer.   Also, don't forget that I'll be at the Manhattan Beach Library tonight (7pm) on a mystery authors' panel. … [Read more...]

SCBWI Summer Conference

"You are original and creative." For the past three days, I've been immersed in children's books at the annual SCBWI conference. Along with almost 1000 other attendees, I geeked out at the superstar faculty and the informative workshops. Here's a picture journey of my experience:           Fun fact: Here was my winning joke entry (theme of Olympics crossed with children's book or author): "Diver Wins Gold Medal After Tuck … [Read more...]

Book Parties!

"You are a true friend." Book celebrations are fun. There's nothing more exciting than launching your first book. (The parallel in parenting is the extravagant party given for your first-born at one year old.) I was super stoked to go to Sarah M. Chen's book launch yesterday. After years of fantastic short stories, she's penned a novella, Cleaning Up Finn. Knowing her, it'll be a gritty but mesmerizing read. Congrats, Sarah! P.S. Writing conferences are like book parties writ large. … [Read more...]