Fun Was Had: Teen Book Con, Houston

Festivities and friendships began the night before at Valerie Koehler’s Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX.

From the writers’ perspective on stage, we saw hundreds of readers fill the auditorium for opening remarks and Chris Crutcher’s Keynote Address.

The 38 writers broke into 7 different panels, which convened 4 times each. Teens packed the rooms, spilling over to sit on the floor, and asked great questions about reading, writing, publishing, and what characters we would choose to be.

By far the most witty and stylish panel was the Power to the People Panel, including (from l. to r.) Mary Pearson, Caragh O’Brien, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Jennifer Nielsen, Morgan Rhodes, and Cinda Williams Chima.

Following the panels and Sharon Draper’s lively Keynote, readers lined up in the hallway of Alief Taylor High School to enter the gyms and ask writers to sign their books.

I had the chance to talk to so many nice readers, and to meet several bloggers I’ve known by email for ages. It was great to connect up with Kate of Ex Libris and Katie of Mundie Moms (both pictured).  I love how Texas teens say “Yes, Ma’am” so sweetly.

At the end of the day, the gym emptied out, and I had chance to visit some more with my writer friends. My entire visit to Houston was awesome. We should all move there.