This Saturday, July 23rd, I’ll be heading down Highway 1 to Carmel with a couple of writer friends to attend my first book festival. I know, what was I waiting for? Well, probably just the right timing, and–yeah–company. I’m not sure which one of us will drive. Probably the one who gets carsick on curves if they’re NOT driving:
or the one who worries that the person who IS driving will lean over to look at the incredible view and take us all off the cliff:
Have I mentioned I love Highway 1? Which probably means they won’t let me drive. Sigh.
So Saturday, from noon to 4:00, you can find me and a lot of other authors signing away at Local Authors Live. If you’re anywhere in the area, please do stop by.
And for those of you who’ve done this before, I’m trolling for ideas to make my table a little more cheerfully busy. I’m thinking a mini critique kit to give away with every book I sell–if I can find those really little gift bags & put in some tea, chocolate, and a must-have red pen. Some of those, in different colors, scattered around the table maybe? I’m up for any other EASY ideas!
Becky Levine 
Sounds fun! Have a great time.
A drawing with a bright festive entry box is usually a “draw.”
claudine
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Claudine, that’s a great idea. I could totally give a way a first-chapter or picture-book critique. Thanks! Now to dig out an old shoebox!
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I didn’t know about this, thanks. It’s about 3 hours away from me, but I needed an excuse to go to Carmel. If I go, I’ll look for you and introduce myself.
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Hey, I checked out your blog. If you’re coming from Fresno, remember the summer visit-the-coast rule: bring a sweatshirt. I worked in Pismo Beach as a kid, and we sold more sweatshirts to people from the valley who forgot about the fog! It’d be great to meet you. 🙂
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So true. I just went to Eureka a few weeks ago and thought I’d freeze to death. I often tell people that the coldest winter I ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco.
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Great quote. 🙂
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Sounds fun, and any author who gives me a bag of chocolate has a fan for life 🙂 Have a great time!
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I know. I’m thinking it may have to be chocolate jelly beans, because of the whole melting-in-the-sun-if-there-is-any-sun thing. But still…
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Have fun! A bowlful of candy always draws people to you!
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Yes, true. Unfortunately, it always draws my hand, too! 🙂
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Oh how I miss my critique group. It fell apart roughly ten months ago for various reasons. I’m attempting to join another one. What are your thoughts about various genres being in one critique group? My writing partner who has been by my side since I penned my very first line of my book. She would be a part as well as a few others. They are a solid group, not afraid to be tough, go to seminars, challenge one another, BUT most are YA. I will be doing a chic lit book AND a non-fiction, humorous parenting book. Yup, two at the same time. Oh…and my first book, Out of Breath, launches in four weeks; nervous breakdown here I come! Anyway…your thoughts…
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My group is mixed genre. The bottom line for me is trust and strong critiques, which our group is completely built on. I do look for fresh readers who are also kidlit writers, but as a core group, I’ll never let mine go. You (and they) can always ask each other to read a few books in your genre, to get more familiar with what they are critiquing. Good luck!
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How was the book festival? Sounds wonderful! I’ll have to check that out next year after I’m published. Are you a member of Central Coast or South Bay? I just sent in my check to South Bay…
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It was a great day, Susan!
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