[fiction, instead of lies]

…I am. I so, so am.

It’s been so much fun meeting people whose names I only knew from their blogs. We are a shockingly beautiful bunch of people; the Poetry Princesses are not only gorgeous but vibrant and lively, and kind of hard to keep up with. (Try walking through the Exhibit Hall with Kelly Fineman. It is amusing, to say the least; it’s like following the Pied Piper.) I find that people are quick-draws on reading name tags; I’ve heard my name shrieked by people who I think are strangers until I take that slow second to find their name tag. Then I say, “OH!” I stood next to Carrie Jones and commiserated about having to take a picture and had no idea who she was for the whole five minutes of our conversation. (Dork Alert: Hello? could I actually LOOK at people’s names? What else is the purpose of wearing the stupid tag?)

A few thoughts:

Judith Haut, the VP for communications for Random House, is really and truly one of the nicest people in the world. If you’re ever in a roomful of people you don’t know, she’ll stand in a corner with you and drink coffee so you don’t look quite so alone,

Librarians are the BEST audience. Speed dating them at the YALSA event meant that I fell in love with all of them again. Librarians you are truly awesome human beings.

Children’s lit authors are crazy. Well, most authors are crazy, but seriously? Stand in a room full of children’s lit authors and see how long it takes you to laugh. Stand next to Libba Bray and Carrie Jones and see how long it takes you to smile and shake your head. Talk to Mitali Perkins, and you’ll find a grin blooming.

I am as big a fangirling dork as anyone. I had a silent jump-up-and-down-and-point moment in the Exhibit Hall. “Oh, my GOSH, that was Cory Doctorow!!! And he was wearing striped shorts!” Fortunately, the moment was silent; I prefer not to get a reputation as That Weird Girl. Well, anymore than I already have that reputation….

I love to watch Christopher Paul Curtis’ family hang out and watch him. There is such love in their eyes, and smiles on their faces.

Bookish People hug you even when you’re sweaty. I am ALWAYS sweaty here; either through nerves, or the fact that it’s 100°F here today. I am literally taking two showers a day. I am exhausted, and completely sick of the sound of my own voice.

But it is so fun being with my tribe.