ALA 2012 – to ARC or not to ARC?

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            ALA was in Anaheim in 2012, and since I’d heard so much about it from the Twittersphere in years past, I decided to go along with a couple of my friends. I’d read through the loglines of all the books that were going to be there (at least, from the larger publishers,) and I created a “Wish List” of ARCs (advanced reader copies) I wanted to pick up. And I got some -- hooray! (When they have pallet-sized stacks of books, it's okay for non-bloggers/journalists to take them). I also got to meet and hang out with a bunch of cool writer folks afterwards at a couple of bars, as well as rub elbows with a few agents – though I felt too awkward to actually talk about my work with the agents, so instead I just came up with pun-filled and borderline offensive one-liners. Like I do. So, while I didn’t get on a first name basis with any of the agents, I did become online friends with a couple of writers who are pretty cool and who have stayed in contact with me somewhat. Which I appreciate, since I am the Unpublished Unwashed, and sometimes (not so much in the kidlit world, but sometimes) people can be a bit snobby. Here's a picture of me with YA writer extraordinaire Andrew Smith, a man who is decidedly UNsnobby, and therefore We like him (the royal We -- I'm getting a head start in snobbiness!;)

            Sidenote: if I ever become snobby, someone give me the what-for.

           Sidenote #2: I convinced my friend Abby to take a picture with GAME OF THRONES author, George R. R. Martin.

 
No, he did not come to the mixer afterwards. ;)

Graphic Novel Toolbox

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            I attended a graphic novel workshop on March 17, 2012 in Pacific Palisades. Mac McCool and Marla Frazee were the lecturers.  I was worried that I wouldn’t learn anything new, since I’d taken that 12-week long Graphic Novel History class at Art Center last summer. However, this workshop was more geared toward the production rather than the history of the medium. Whereas I’ve read quite a few books on the topic, it is always easier to take in the information in a lecture format, at least for me. Sure it was a superficial overview, but it was still a helpful refresher. And Marla Frazee’s talk reedified the need for thoughtful composition and emotional communication. Pictures to come...