Texas Library Association Conference & Meetup - 2015 #TXLA15

It's that wonderful time of year again...TLA!! Librarians and book lovers come to one town in Texas for the largest state-wide library conference, and of course that's TEXAS! Over 4,500 people have already registered for the event. Not a librarian and would like to attend? You can! Purchase an exhibit hall pass that let's you in all three days.

I have hosted a get-together for bloggers and librarians every time we all have a chance to get together and I'm thrilled to partner with YART and SCBWI this year! So.....The Young Adult Round Table, Literary Lonestars, and Austin SCBWI present the 5th Annual YA / Kidlit Everything Meetup! This is a come and go event with open invitation to all YA/Kidlit enthusiasts, but please RSVP with Rafflectopter below. There will be appetizers for all to enjoy on us, but please feel free to order dinner on your own. Of course, there's an open bar - silly question! Bar tab on you....hope to see you all there!!

Tuesday, April 14th, 7-10pm
Champions Sports Bar & Restaurant (all ages)
Menu HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'll be presenting with Naomi Bates, Karen Jensen, and Melissa Marr on Radical RA on Tuesday at 4pm. I'm also moderating the YA Contemporary Literature: The Next Hot Thing with Michelle Knudsen, Chris Lynch, CJ Lyongs, Julie Murphy, Jason Reynolds, and Andrew Smith on Thursday at 1pm. Lastly, I'm on the Local Arrangements Committee and helping with social media for the conference. We've been meeting monthly since last August so we're excited to see the conference finally here!

This post will fill you in on everything you need to know to attend TLA like a pro if you have any questions, ask below and I'll try to help!

Details:
April 14 - 17th, 2015

Austin Convention Center
Registration is still open and you can register on-site
No need to be a librarian to attend, although a TLA membership is super rad!

Info:
NO wheels on the exhibit floor
You can bring up to 5 items to be signed per author, per visit
Bag checks will be outside the exhibit hall on the Trinity Street side
US Post office in the Exhibit Hall during hall hours
The TXLA 15 app is only available to attendees who are registered

Parking ranges and there are two convention center garages - maps and directions HERE
Being a volunteer is cool! I'm doing it, she's doing it, we're all doing it. More info HERE
Other FAQs HERE

Author Info:
A list of authors who are signing can be found HERE (authors sign in author area and in exhibit booths) and the full schedule is HERE
The TXLA 15 app has the signing times for the authors (booth and author area)

Exhibit Hall:
Exhibit hall map can be found HERE
Exhibit hall pass for the week varies and info HERE
Tuesday 4/14: 5:30-7:30
Wednesday 4/15: 10:15-5:00
Thursday 4/16: 9:00-4:00
Friday 4/17: 9:00-12:00

Fun:
YART (Young Adult Round Table) is hosting a Texas Tea with awesome authors on Wednesday, the 15th from 4-5:20pm. This event always sells out so get your tickets online now! More info and a list of authors HERE

Texas Library Association Conference & Meetup - 2014 #TXLA14

It's that time of year! In THREE weeks, the largest state-wide library conference will start. This year, we are San Antonio bound - think river walk, think shenanigans! I'll be presenting on Tuesday - PR on a Budget, and Thursday - Be Prepared: Best Practices for Scout Projects in the Library  I'll also be moderating the Women of YA panel bright and early on Friday after the YART business meeting. Join me and Ava Dellaira, Rachel DeWoskin,  Laini Taylor, Robin Wasserman, and a secret guest!

This post will fill you in on everything you need to know to attend TLA like a pro and info about a meetup that you don't want to miss. If you have any questions, ask below and I'll try to help!

Texas Library Association Conference & Meetup - 2013 #TXLA13

It's that time of year! In TWO weeks, the largest state-wide library conference will start. This year, we are all Fort Worth bound! Last October I gave a little sneak peak into some of the amazingness that will happen. Check it out HERE. I'll be presenting on Tuesday Texas Book Festival and on the same day Blogging and Social Media: Best Practices for Serving Youth. I'll also be moderating the YA Powerhouse panel on Saturday! Come see me!

This post will fill you in on everything you need to know. If you have any questions, ask below and I'll try to help! We hope you join us!

Details:
April 24 - 27th, 2013
Fort Worth Convention Center
Registration is still open
Exhibit Hall Pass for the week is $40 (online or at door)
No need to be a librarian to attend, although a TLA membership is super rad!

Sneak Peek - Texas Library Association in Ft. Worth- April 24-27

It's that time of year again! TLA puts out the preliminary schedule of sessions and I drool over the amazing lineup they have. I got a sneak peek this summer for the YART sessions, but now it's real. REAL! So, let's take a look at who is joining us at TLA in April. Oh, and come see me Wednesday at 2pm - Blogging & Social Media: Best Practices For Serving Youth.

General Session - everybody scream together!!

Texas Library Association Conference - 2012 Wrapup (+Giveaway)

Another TLA has come and gone, and I am already counting down the days until 2013! It really is one of my favorite literary vacations. This year, I was a busy bee. Take a look at some of the fun that took place.

I presented first thing on Tuesday. Look at the size of this room! TLA asked if they could film the panel so there were spotlights and two cameras. The room was more full than time of photo. ;)

Class of 2K11 dinner - love this group of uber talented writers!

Texas Library Association Conference - 2012 #TXLA12

It's that time of year! In TWO weeks, the largest state-wide library conference will start. This year, we are all Houston bound! Last October I gave a little sneak peak into some of the amazingness that will happen. Check it out HERE. I'll be presenting on Tuesday and moderating the "Right Now" panel with Katie Ellison, Madeline George, Jessi Kirby, Morgan Matson, Megan Miranda, and Jackson Pearce on Thursday. Also, I'll be volunteering for YARTs TT4L and the Texas Tea.

This post will fill you in on everything you need to know. If you have any questions, ask below and I'll try to help! We hope you join us!

Details:
April 17 - 20th, 2012
Houston Convention Center
Registration is still open
Exhibit Hall Pass for the week is $20 (online or at door)
No need to be a librarian to attend, although a TLA membership is super rad!

Info:
NO wheels on the exhibit floor
You can bring up to 5 items to be signed per author, per visit
Bag checks will be in Exhibit Hall C (Lobby) and D near Placement Center - $3 per bag
US Post office in the Exhibit Hall during hall hours
Get the TXLA 12 phone app - it's super easy to use
Parking ranges from $10-$19 depending on location. Map and rates HERE
Being a volunteer is cool! I'm doing it, she's doing it, we're all doing it. More info HERE

Sneak Peek - Texas Library Association in Houston - April 17-20th, 2012

Being trained in the art of the Librarian has its perks. I'm just a wincey bit inquisitive and have a knack of finding out things. (my kids are doomed, btw) So when I was buzzing around the TLA website as I often do, I happened to notice the Preview Program Sessions. I knew what this meant! You guessed it - these awesome people are slated to present and sign in Houston at TLA next year!

I must say, this lineup is fanny-pack-tastic! Take a look at all of these amazing writers below:

AND that's not all. The list goes on and on! 

*insert disclaimer*

In the past, there have been a few authors that did not sign downstairs with the crowd. For example, Jeff Kinney signed Wimpy Kid upstairs after his panel. I cannot guarantee that these people will be in the exhibit area. Likely, yes! If I had to guess, Judy Blume will sign after her panel upstairs.

Thank you for putting up with my antics last night. TLA is a fantastic event and deserves the buzz. There will be much talk over the next couple months. Stay tuned! You can find more info about the conference HERE including the previewed programs on the right-hand side. Registration is not open, but I'll let you know when it does. 

So, start saving money and head to the library slash bookstore and read these fabulous books! What do you guys think? Who are you dying to meet? Hope to see you all in Houston next April. 

TLA Swag Giveaway Winner

Congratulations goes to....

AwesomeNiks @ Wickedly Sweet Books

You have won some major signed swag from TLA. An email has been sent to you, and you have 72 hours to respond. A big thank you goes out to everyone who entered. Heidi @ YA Bibliophile won a mini swag pack for guessing the first book I scored at TLA - Sweetly by Jackson Pearce.

TLA Wrap-up (& Giveaway)

After months and months of planning and a few short bouts of anxiety, TLA was finally here! Last year, I was asked to be on the Local Author's Committee and one of three people assigned to man the Author's Area. I was excited to help and be a part of one of the best organized and attended book conventions. We had our 70+ volunteers and were more than ready for the exhibit hall to be open on Wednesday. I picked up Stephanie and headed on down to the convention center early to take pictures of move in day.

Our lovely tool kit for conference week

Harper 

Main aisle on move in day

Wednesday was the first day the exhibit hall was open! Many TX bloggers met up and waiting in long lines together! We had so many books to bring back to the hotel that we asked the bell hop to walk down the street and get them. We tipped! Later Wednesday, we were invited to attend a reception hosted by Candlewick Press in honor of Lonestar Cynthia Leitich-Smith. The reception was attended by lovely authors, librarians, and folks from Candlewick. They had the best crab dip! 

Cari, me, and Stephanie @ Candlewick party

Later that night we headed over to meet Sophie Jordan and Tera Lynn Childs for dinner. We talked books and shared many laughs! No pictures of that...darn! 

Wednesday was the first day the exhibit hall was open! Many TX bloggers met up and waiting in lone lines together! 

SO FUN! I bet you are wondering about all of the lovely books I brought home. So...here they are! 

Unsigned

Signed

 All together now...

Signed books from Gerald McDermott

Collection of signed books

As you can see, I am up to my ears in new books! To celebrate...I will be giving away some awesome swag that I collected at TLA. Some of it is signed, some not. Also, there are signed bookplates from Simone Elkeles, Jonathan Maberry, and Lauren Myracle.

All you need to do is comment below with your email. You are able to get ONE extra entry if you can guess the first book I received at TLA. Same ole rules apply....**YA Bibliophile won the extra entry - Sweetly was the first book I picked up at TLA! Amazing how many people said the same book over and over again....huh.

*giveaway closed*