Virginia Festival of the Book/Visit Home

I had a wonderful time at the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville. I didn’t get to stay for the whole thing, as I had to come up to MD to see family and friends, but what a magical experience. I’ve never been a speaker at a book festival before, and this one was a great start.

Being on a panel with Victoria Schwab was a wonderful experience. She is full of grace and class, and her fans absolutely adore her. I’m pretty sure it was because of her presence that our panel at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library was packed to the rafters. She must have signed fifty books afterwards. I loved her insights into how she develops superhuman characters and the line between heroism and villainy.

I also enjoyed what Erik Otto had to say about self-publishing and AI. I haven’t read his latest novel yet, but it’s at the top of my to-read pile.

As I type this, I’m sitting in the breakfast nook at my sister Lisa’s house. Combining my first book festival appearance with a visit with the woman who taught me to read in the first place is a rare treat. I hope everyone’s weekend is as lovely as mine….