So you know how sometimes you meet someone and you just instantly click? That’s how it was with me and Maya, my teen guide for the morning. We had breakfast together and talked about everything from middle school to books. I loved hanging out with her, and we could have talked all day except it was time for the keynote address from Libba Bray.

I hate when people say, “You had to be there.” So sorry, but you really had to be there, because I’m afraid I just can’t give over to you how fantastic this keynote was.

Libba talked about lots of things but what really got me was when she talked about what she was like as a teen and how teens are perceived by the world: frightening due to their excellent ability to call out any inauthenticity (more…)

I’m so looking forward to Saturday! It’s the first annual Austin Teen Book Festival. I’m on a panel with the Delacorte Dames and Dudes, my pals Varian Johnson, April Lurie, Margo Rabb, and Jenny Ziegler. Other panels include: “Zombie v. Vampire” with Heather Brewer, Carrie Jones, Daniel Waters, and Cynthia Leitich Smith; “Fantasy” with Libba Bray, Justine Larbalestier, Rick Yancey, and Lisa McMann; and “Real YA Voices” with Matt DelaPena, Deb Caletti, and Terra Elan McVoy.

I have to say, what I’m really excited about is hearing the local teen bands that will be entertaining us throughout the day! These include: Edison Chair, Austin School of Rock, the Carson Brock Group, Krash, and Homeskooled.

For lunch, pizza, hot dogs, root beer, ice cream, snow cones, and kettle corn will be served.

How awesome does that sound? Huge thanks to uberlibrarian Heather Schubert for putting all this together!