I was asked to write a post about youth something unique to Texas that has to do with youth services. Well that took me less than two seconds! Below is what I wrote for YALSA:
You know that saying “Everything is bigger in Texas”? It’s true and when we talk about literary events for young readers and book lovers the saying couldn’t be more fitting. Devoted fans travel across the country, and teachers and kids pack in school buses at too-dern-early o’clock to spend the day with their favorite and soon-to-be favorite authors in Texas. There are more than just a few opportunities to discover new authors and series. Texas hosts a multitude of events throughout the year. Some are YA focused while others bring a mix of YA, middle grade, and picture books that are loved at every age.
Showing posts with label Austin Teen Book Festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Austin Teen Book Festival. Show all posts
Oct 30, 2013
Recap: 5th Annual Austin Teen Book Festival
Yes, yes....it has taken me a while to write this post. Don't look at me like that! Let's just say I was on a little break. For ten long months a handle full of us worked tirelessly at putting together a super fun day that brings teens the chance to meet some of the best YA authors out there. Here are some highlights from the awesome that took place on September 28th!
Special thanks to some AMAZING people that made the experience one of the most rewarding of my life. (I'm a sap). Steering Committee: Heather Schubert (Founding Director), Meghan Goel, Mandy Brooks, Julie Wernersbach (all from BookPeople), Cecily Sailer, and Tim Staley both from APLFF. Our fantastic volunteers who went above and beyond the call of duty: Stephanie Appell, Stephanie Pellegrin, Stacy Vanderever Wells, Shannan Harrington, Nancy Tuuling, Kate Sowa, Maria Soto, Kristin Rae, Magan Blasig, Jackie Clifton, and Katie Bartow. I truly owe you guys so many thank you's and cocktails! Now, let's get to some pictures! More on Flickr.
Feb 18, 2013
Save the Date: The 5th Annual Austin Teen Book Festival
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28th for the 5th Annual Austin Teen Book Festival! ATBF is the largest teen book festival in the country, and I have been lucky to be a part of the festival since year two. This year, I happily accepted the role of Director! I am honored, and will look to my blogging and librarian friends to help spread the word to our young fans.
There will be some changes including our location - now at the Austin Convention Center - but some things will stay the same. BookPeople is the exclusive book seller and a sponsor, we'll have 30+ amazing authors, and some awesome exhibitors.
Aug 21, 2012
Austin Teen Book Festival - 2012 (+Meetup)
If you didn't already know, Texas is pretty bad-a when it comes to literary events. Austin Teen Book Festival is one of my favorite events of the year! I have been lucky enough to be involved in some capacity for three out of the four years, and this year has been a blast running PR and media. Below is the scoop in order for you to have a good time and see all that you can see. First, check out the awesome poster made by my coworker Trina Bolfing from Westbank Community Library made for us this year!
Yes, you can copy it and post on your blog! Yes, you can print it out and hang in your classroom, library, or wherever you want! Now, let's get to some details of fest day:
The festival is FREE for everyone! No registration required, just show up!
WHEN: Saturday, September 29, 9:30am - 5pm
OPEN DOOR: Come when you can, and try to attend all day because you won’t want to miss the fun!
WHERE: The Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78704
PARKING: Palmer Events Center Parking Garage: $7
The festival is FREE for everyone! No registration required, just show up!
WHEN: Saturday, September 29, 9:30am - 5pm
OPEN DOOR: Come when you can, and try to attend all day because you won’t want to miss the fun!
WHERE: The Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78704
PARKING: Palmer Events Center Parking Garage: $7
Oct 21, 2011
Austin Teen Book Festival - Winners
Congratulations goes to....
Lucia has won a signed ARC of The Fox Inheritance. Bree, Brooke, and Melissa won some awesome signed swag! Emails have been sent to the winners. Thank you all for entering!
+157entries so farOVERcontest is over!AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Entry #70Lucia HuaEntry #134BreeEntry #53Brooke DeSpainEntry #11melissa portilloresults powered by Random.orgcontest powered by Rafflecopter.
Lucia has won a signed ARC of The Fox Inheritance. Bree, Brooke, and Melissa won some awesome signed swag! Emails have been sent to the winners. Thank you all for entering!
Oct 4, 2011
Austin Teen Book Festival 2011 Recap + Giveaway
I have been looking forward to the #ATBF11 for months! Literally! I was so honored to be asked to be on the planning committee this year along with other friends and passionate literacy folks. The night before the fest, we had a meetup at Threadgill's on Friday night. There were a total of 26 of us! Special thanks to author Geoff Herbach and Christina Mandelski for coming out!
We had a great time and there are many more pictures on Literary Lonestars! Feel free to pop by and take a gander.
We headed over to the event center bright and early the next day. Stephanie, Stacey, and I have been plotting/creating/crafting for a long time on how we could make the author green room look spectacular. Take a look!
The authors loved all of their goodies. The cookies were a big hit! Nope, we didn't make them - I ordered them from Kellie's Kandies & Cookies. Stephanie made the cute little paper flower pins, the two awesome wreaths, and a hell of a lot of mustaches. Stacey painted every single book and the globe. We all three made the awesome folded book art and I took care of the other table items and purchases. You may have seen us tweeting our craft over the past several weeks. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun to see it all come to together.
The day went by in such a blur. From passing notes to moderators and escorting our lovely authors everywhere, it was exhausting by so rewarding. After our day at the event center was over, the planning committee and authors headed over to The Highball for bowling and karaoke. LOVE that place! It was Sophie's birthday so there was cake on the menu.
Fun day, fun friends! I'm so ready for the Texas Book Festival and ALAMid in January!
This wouldn't be nearly as a fun post without a giveaway so here goes! There will be a total of 4 winners. The first winner will win a SIGNED ARC of The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson and 3 winners will win some signed swag from the fest.
We had a great time and there are many more pictures on Literary Lonestars! Feel free to pop by and take a gander.
We headed over to the event center bright and early the next day. Stephanie, Stacey, and I have been plotting/creating/crafting for a long time on how we could make the author green room look spectacular. Take a look!
The authors loved all of their goodies. The cookies were a big hit! Nope, we didn't make them - I ordered them from Kellie's Kandies & Cookies. Stephanie made the cute little paper flower pins, the two awesome wreaths, and a hell of a lot of mustaches. Stacey painted every single book and the globe. We all three made the awesome folded book art and I took care of the other table items and purchases. You may have seen us tweeting our craft over the past several weeks. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun to see it all come to together.
The day went by in such a blur. From passing notes to moderators and escorting our lovely authors everywhere, it was exhausting by so rewarding. After our day at the event center was over, the planning committee and authors headed over to The Highball for bowling and karaoke. LOVE that place! It was Sophie's birthday so there was cake on the menu.
Fun day, fun friends! I'm so ready for the Texas Book Festival and ALAMid in January!
This wouldn't be nearly as a fun post without a giveaway so here goes! There will be a total of 4 winners. The first winner will win a SIGNED ARC of The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson and 3 winners will win some signed swag from the fest.
Sep 12, 2011
Austin Teen Book Festival - October 1st - Updates!
What in the holy heck took me so long to write a blog post about this event? I have ZERO clue! This book fest is SO gonna rock your face off, so get on a plane, train, or hop in your car and truck your way down here October 1st! There are so many cool things in store for the authors and guests. I'm a lucky girl to help out with this event again this year. I think it is the most creative and fun event to be a part of. Here is the lo down:
You guessed it! With a wicked awesome Keynote like Scott Westerfeld, the theme is steampunk! You know him....he wrote the Uglies series and the Leviathan series. I've been a fan for a long, long time! The rest of the line-up is stellar. The authors were broken up into panels and they will be chatting about their books and writing during the breakout session. Here is how the panels broke down and the schedule:
Here are a few answers to your burning questions.
YES, they will have a ton of books for sale
YES, they take credit cards
YES, you can bring some books from home
YES, you can bring a bag with wheels
YES, food will be for sale
YES, you can have your picture taken with your favorite author
We are working on getting a list of exactly what books will be for sale up on the website - stay tuned!
Signing rules and food info are HERE
There will also be a steampunk band called Darwin's Prophet. There will be a cool green screen photo booth with artwork from Westerfeld's Leviathan. Bring your camera!
We could always use some more hands to help out for the day. If you are interested, send an email to [email protected] and let them know you're available.
Here is a map to the Palmer Events Center - parking is $7.
Austin bloggers will be hosting a get together on Friday night if anyone wants to meet up. Bloggers, bookers, friends....everyone is welcome! Here is the info:
Threadgills' - South (walking distance of Homestead) - 8pm
http://www.threadgills.com/locations.cfm
Feel free to grab the poster above and blog!
Can't wait!
**UPDATE**
We are still in need of volunteers for the afternoon of fest day! Please shoot an email to [email protected] if you can help out.
The website now has list of what books will be for sale and their prices. Check it HERE
There will be a special screening with a Q&A with co-author David Levithan at the South Lamar Alamo Drafthouse at 10pm! Tickets are on sale NOW. Seating is limited...get there at least 30 minutes early.
We will still meet at Threadgill's in case people are not able to make it to the movie. If you can stay for a short time, come on by!
You guessed it! With a wicked awesome Keynote like Scott Westerfeld, the theme is steampunk! You know him....he wrote the Uglies series and the Leviathan series. I've been a fan for a long, long time! The rest of the line-up is stellar. The authors were broken up into panels and they will be chatting about their books and writing during the breakout session. Here is how the panels broke down and the schedule:
Here are a few answers to your burning questions.
YES, they will have a ton of books for sale
YES, they take credit cards
YES, you can bring some books from home
YES, you can bring a bag with wheels
YES, food will be for sale
YES, you can have your picture taken with your favorite author
We are working on getting a list of exactly what books will be for sale up on the website - stay tuned!
Signing rules and food info are HERE
There will also be a steampunk band called Darwin's Prophet. There will be a cool green screen photo booth with artwork from Westerfeld's Leviathan. Bring your camera!
We could always use some more hands to help out for the day. If you are interested, send an email to [email protected] and let them know you're available.
Here is a map to the Palmer Events Center - parking is $7.
Austin bloggers will be hosting a get together on Friday night if anyone wants to meet up. Bloggers, bookers, friends....everyone is welcome! Here is the info:
Threadgills' - South (walking distance of Homestead) - 8pm
http://www.threadgills.com/locations.cfm
Feel free to grab the poster above and blog!
Can't wait!
**UPDATE**
We are still in need of volunteers for the afternoon of fest day! Please shoot an email to [email protected] if you can help out.
The website now has list of what books will be for sale and their prices. Check it HERE
There will be a special screening with a Q&A with co-author David Levithan at the South Lamar Alamo Drafthouse at 10pm! Tickets are on sale NOW. Seating is limited...get there at least 30 minutes early.
We will still meet at Threadgill's in case people are not able to make it to the movie. If you can stay for a short time, come on by!
Oct 19, 2010
#ATxTBF giveaway ends Fri at sundown...okay, midnight.
Austin Teen Book Festival was a huge success, and to celebrate my bookjoy, I am giving away some Swag and ARCs that I picked up for you all. Her is the loot:
Sophie Jordan - bookmark, book announcement, and sticker of Firelight
Kiersten White - bookmark of Paranormalcy
Nancy Werlin - 2 bookmarks - Impossible and Extraordinary
James Dashner - sneak peak of The Scorch Trials and a SIGNED bookmark of Maze Runner
Susane Colassanti - Waiting For You announcement, Take Me There announcement, & a SIGNED Something Like Fate announce
Contest ends Friday, October 22nd at midnight.
Kiersten White - bookmark of Paranormalcy
Nancy Werlin - 2 bookmarks - Impossible and Extraordinary
James Dashner - sneak peak of The Scorch Trials and a SIGNED bookmark of Maze Runner
Susane Colassanti - Waiting For You announcement, Take Me There announcement, & a SIGNED Something Like Fate announce
...but wait, there's more! I am also throwing in 2 galley's that I picked up at the festival. Rich and Mad by William Nicholson and Virgin Terriroty by James Lecesne.
Rules:
Follow this blog (please)
US address only
Fill out the FORM AFTER THE JUMP
Extra entries if you Tweet, blog of effbook about the contest
Extra entries if you follow me on Twitter - @jenbigheart - let me know who you are.
Good luck and happy reading!
Oct 6, 2010
Austin Teen Book Fest Interviews & Giveaway!
For those of you who couldn't make the #ATxTBF, I thought I would post some of the questions and answers that were posed during the panel discussion with Sophie Jordan, Kiersten White, Melissa de la Cruz, and Nancy Werlin.
What were some working titles for your book that were scratched?
Sophie Jordan - Amber - anything having to do with fire
Kiersten White - It was always Paranormalcy. The title for book 2 has changed. Book #3 was Supernaturally, but now that is the title to book 2.
What was your favorite book growing up?
Melissa de la Cruz - Lord of the Rings
Nancy Werlin - Harriet the Spy
Who would you want to play your main character if your book was a movie?
Kiersten White - Taylor Swift or AnnaSophie Robb
Sophie Jordon - a young Milla Jovovich
Nancy Werlin - I really can't picture anyone - I don't let my mind go there.
What is your favorite writing snack?
Melissa de la Cruz - It used to be cigarettes
Kiersten Jordan - Dr. Pepper
What did you buy with your first advance?
Sophie Jordan - built a patio in the backyard
Kiersten White - a car
Will we learn more about why Jacinda's twin sister Tamra didn't manifest in Banished (Firelight 2)?
Yes, you will, but I can't say anymore.
What led you to write Paranormalcy?
I was really bored. Someone said to write a vampire book, and I asked Why? People were already writing vampire books. I thought to myself, what could I do differently? What if they didn't want to kill the vampires?
How do you write so well?
Nancy Werlin - By writing a lot of crap!
Any spoilers?
Sophie Jordan - in Banished (Firelight 2), Jacinda will spend 1/2 of the time back at the pride where she has trouble getting along with Cassian's sister. Cassian's sister is a Visio Crypter - she can blend into her surrounding like a chameleon. In a sense, she is invisible. She's also a big brat!
Nancy Werlin - I am writing a book about death that will tie in Impossible and Extraordinary.
Melissa de la Cruz - Kingsley isn't dead!
Kiersten White - Evie spends a lot of time in the faerie world in Supernaturally (Paranormalcy 2).
What were some working titles for your book that were scratched?
Sophie Jordan - Amber - anything having to do with fire
Kiersten White - It was always Paranormalcy. The title for book 2 has changed. Book #3 was Supernaturally, but now that is the title to book 2.
What was your favorite book growing up?
Melissa de la Cruz - Lord of the Rings
Nancy Werlin - Harriet the Spy
Who would you want to play your main character if your book was a movie?
Kiersten White - Taylor Swift or AnnaSophie Robb
Sophie Jordon - a young Milla Jovovich
Nancy Werlin - I really can't picture anyone - I don't let my mind go there.
What is your favorite writing snack?
Melissa de la Cruz - It used to be cigarettes
Kiersten Jordan - Dr. Pepper
What did you buy with your first advance?
Sophie Jordan - built a patio in the backyard
Kiersten White - a car
Will we learn more about why Jacinda's twin sister Tamra didn't manifest in Banished (Firelight 2)?
Yes, you will, but I can't say anymore.
What led you to write Paranormalcy?
I was really bored. Someone said to write a vampire book, and I asked Why? People were already writing vampire books. I thought to myself, what could I do differently? What if they didn't want to kill the vampires?
How do you write so well?
Nancy Werlin - By writing a lot of crap!
Any spoilers?
Sophie Jordan - in Banished (Firelight 2), Jacinda will spend 1/2 of the time back at the pride where she has trouble getting along with Cassian's sister. Cassian's sister is a Visio Crypter - she can blend into her surrounding like a chameleon. In a sense, she is invisible. She's also a big brat!
Nancy Werlin - I am writing a book about death that will tie in Impossible and Extraordinary.
Melissa de la Cruz - Kingsley isn't dead!
Kiersten White - Evie spends a lot of time in the faerie world in Supernaturally (Paranormalcy 2).
With the authors....
Okay, now for the giveaway! Up for grabs is major swag from the festival.
Sophie Jordan - bookmark, book announcement, and sticker of Firelight
Kiersten White - bookmark of Paranormalcy
Nancy Werlin - 2 bookmarks - Impossible and Extraordinary
James Dashner - sneak peak of The Scorch Trials and a SIGNED bookmark of Maze Runner
Susane Colassanti - Waiting For You announcement, Take Me There announcement, & a SIGNED Something Like Fate announcement
...but wait, there's more! I am also throwing in 2 galley's that I picked up at the festival. Rich and Mad by William Nicholson and Virgin Terriroty by James Lecesne.
Rules:
Follow this blog
US address only
Fill out the form below
Extra entries if you Tweet, blog of effbook about the contest
Extra entries if you follow me on Twitter - @jenbigheart - let me know who you are
Good luck!
*Giveaway closed*
Oct 4, 2010
My Austin Teen Book Festival Haul
Two days later and I still can't come down..... Thought I would share my haul from the #ATxTBF with a little Slide show. Making this took me back. All the way to 2004 when MySpace was all the rage. I used to make these slide shows after every party or concert. Ha! Anyway, enjoy.
If you have pictures from the festival....email me and I will share with Twitter. I have a little secret - I was the official Twitter*er of the festival! Follow at @ATxTBF and use the hash above if you want me to RT your blog post or pictures. Anyone notice that Ellen Hopkins commented on my Festival Hangover post below? #dies
Here is one of my favorite pics of the day. Jon is so stinkin' cute, and he referred to me as Jen6 when he signed my book. *SWOON*
Sorry about the SuperPetPokes ad, just X out.
Oct 3, 2010
Austin Teen Book Festival Hangover!
Holy moly, what a day! Yesterday was the #ATxTBF! 15 authors were scheduled to appear with the awesome Ellen Hopkins as the Keynote. (Alexandra Adornetto of Halo had food poisoning) Ellen's speech was A-MA-ZA-ZING. I have seen Ellen speak before, but this time was special. Yesterday, October 2nd, marked the end of Banned Books Week, and Ellen's talk focused on the important topic. Lucky, right!?
Ellen has been "banned" three times. The first time was back in 2009 in Norman, Oklahoma, my home state. She was uninvited from a middle school visit after a parent demanded that Crank and Glass be removed from the shelves because of the content. The superintendent followed suit, and not only did he ban the books, he wouldn't allow Ellen to speak at the middle school or high school. The only saving grace was the librarian who had scheduled the school visit fought side by side with Ellen.
The second time was in Rochester, New York. This time, the librarian did nothing.
The third time will be a little more familiar for you. If you are a YA fan, then you have heard about it. Ellen was "uninvited" to attend the Houston Teen Book Festival in Humble Texas this year. She was told, "... [we] feared for the safety of the students if you were at the festival." In the end 5 out of 7 authors willingly withdrew themselves from the festival. The even was cancelled.
There was a reoccurring theme with these blatant forms of censorship; the complainers and superintendents DID NOT read the books they were so eager to ban. Crazy huh!
Here are some amazing quotes from Ellen herself:
"Librarians are gatekeepers, but are also supposed to champion books."
"I will continue to write bravely, and you will read the same way."
"If you can ban the President, you can ban books." - referring to the Presidential speech for schools
Ellen read a few of her fan letters for the audience. This was done to drive the point home that readers, teens, need these books. She doesn't write for money, for recognition, but because the events of her daughter led her to tell the story of how just a few bad decisions can alter the course of your life. Here are a few that spoke to me:
"Crank saved my life."
"[your books] touched our lives forever"
"When things are bad, I can always count on [your] books."
"...this book gave me the strength I needed..."
Check out Ellen's blog, you won't regret it! We are so lucky to have you champion books and the right to read!
MORE blog posts later that will include a mini-interview with Sophie Jordan!
Happy Reading!
Ellen has been "banned" three times. The first time was back in 2009 in Norman, Oklahoma, my home state. She was uninvited from a middle school visit after a parent demanded that Crank and Glass be removed from the shelves because of the content. The superintendent followed suit, and not only did he ban the books, he wouldn't allow Ellen to speak at the middle school or high school. The only saving grace was the librarian who had scheduled the school visit fought side by side with Ellen.
The second time was in Rochester, New York. This time, the librarian did nothing.
The third time will be a little more familiar for you. If you are a YA fan, then you have heard about it. Ellen was "uninvited" to attend the Houston Teen Book Festival in Humble Texas this year. She was told, "... [we] feared for the safety of the students if you were at the festival." In the end 5 out of 7 authors willingly withdrew themselves from the festival. The even was cancelled.
There was a reoccurring theme with these blatant forms of censorship; the complainers and superintendents DID NOT read the books they were so eager to ban. Crazy huh!
Here are some amazing quotes from Ellen herself:
"Librarians are gatekeepers, but are also supposed to champion books."
"I will continue to write bravely, and you will read the same way."
"If you can ban the President, you can ban books." - referring to the Presidential speech for schools
Ellen read a few of her fan letters for the audience. This was done to drive the point home that readers, teens, need these books. She doesn't write for money, for recognition, but because the events of her daughter led her to tell the story of how just a few bad decisions can alter the course of your life. Here are a few that spoke to me:
"Crank saved my life."
"[your books] touched our lives forever"
"When things are bad, I can always count on [your] books."
"...this book gave me the strength I needed..."
Check out Ellen's blog, you won't regret it! We are so lucky to have you champion books and the right to read!
MORE blog posts later that will include a mini-interview with Sophie Jordan!
Happy Reading!
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