I was on the organizing committee of LitFest Pasadena this year and was tasked with curating the Middle Grade and Young Adult events. Honestly, I didn’t have any idea what I was signing up for — but I’m so glad I did! The people who put LitFest together, headed up by director Rosalind Helfand, are wonderful. And I got to meet so many authors who I admire and adore. Here are some of the highlights:
At our Kickoff Party on the Friday before the festival, I got to hang with fellow Middle Grade authors Sally Pla, Armand Baltazar and Henry Lien. I’m not going to lie, some fangirling took place!
Then the lovely Danielle Davis arrived …
I got to moderate the Middle Grade panel at the Pasadena Playhouse on Saturday. With Tom Rogers, Jennifer Torres, Armand Baltazar, Danielle Davis and Sally Pla. Love all their books and was thrilled to moderate. Plus, the questions from our very inquisitive audience were fantastic!
The Pasadena Playhouse Courtyard after the panel.
Then, we were joined by Tracy Holczer and Henry Lien for the Read Aloud Event. As you will see, it climaxed with Henry’s every enthusiastic reading of Peasprout Chen!
Danielle Davis reads from Zinnia and the Bees.
Tracy Holczer reads from her upcoming novel, Everything Else in the Universe.
Sally Pla reads from Stanley Will Probably Be Fine.
Armand Baltazar reads from Timeless: Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic (with his amazing illustrations – thanks Henry!)
Jennifer Torres reads from Stef Soto, Taco Queen.
That’s me. Reading from Open If You Dare.
And Henry Lien reads from Peasprout Chen to the delight of the audience!
Somehow I didn’t get a pic of Tom Rogers at the Read Aloud (although he read beautifully!) so thought I’d post this cool guy photo taken after all was said and done. (Thanks to Tom’s wife, Jen, for many of these photos!)
On Sunday, we had the YA panel with, can you believe this line up: Cecil Castellucci, Brandy Colbert, Isabel Quintero and Jeff Sweat. Moderated by the lovely Jennifer Brody.
Then at the YA Read Aloud, the panel was joined by Amber Benson, BT Gottfred, CB Lee and Amy Spalding. What a congregation of YA greatness!
The closing party was a blast even though my feet hurt.
Looking forward to the next LitFest Pasadena in May 2019!!