Sara Reyes | See You In Austin, or Texas Book Festival Ramblings...

Just realized it's been over 10 years that I started on this path, crusade, mission to meet and support authors. As I was rushing, literally, to finish up some can't-wait computer stuff, to jump in the car to make the drive to Austin for the Texas Book Festival, I had the strangest feeling of deja vu. And I realized I've been doing this since 1999. Maybe before that, but definitely 1999 was the year I started going to anything "book"ish -- conventions, signings, conferences, if authors would be there en masse, I made plans, found money and went. I've bought thousands of dollars more of books than I'll EVER read in this lifetime, almost all of which I've given away to my book club, through Fresh Fiction or as gifts to people. No one appreciates anything more than a signed book...especially if it's signed to them.

Anyway, there are days when I actually take stock, as in is this what I want to do? Am I having fun? Is it worth the little sacrifices -- and sometimes big sacrifices by my family -- to make these treks? But upon reflection, I have to say, YES. I do enjoy meeting authors, old friends I've read, new friends I'll start to read, and the fellow readers, they always make it so worthwhile. Kindred souls and all that!

So, two weeks ago I was in Indianapolis for Bouchercon 40. It was my first time at a really BIG mystery conference. I've been to regional ones for years, but this was my initial exposure to the wild, mad world of mystery aficionados. And they are as every bit fanatic as are science fiction, fantasy, romance and gamming fans. I think all fans share that enthusiasm, drive and general excitement. It's thrilling to watch and interact with fans of genres. They have a passion unmatched in ordinary life.

This weekend as I said, we're going to Austin for Texas Book Festival. Held the last weekend of October, it's located on the Capitol grounds in Austin. Open to the public (as in free except for the books you'll end up buying) it's a chance to stroll the beautiful Texas State Capitol buildings and gardens during a very pleasant time of the year. In Texas you really do need to pick the time of year to do outdoor stuff *grin*. Visitors get to sit in the House and Senate Chambers and listen to authors talk about their books. Over 220 authors, in some way connected to Texas, talk books, writing and life. It's an amazing weekend. And over the years it has become a family tradition to go. There is at least one author to appeal to our family's diverse literary tastes. This year it is Buzz Aldrin for my space-obsessed son and Jonathan Safran Foer for Gwen. I'll be checking out the YA sections with Rosemary Clement-Moore and P.C. Cast as well as some good old histories, plus Sandra Brown and Jane Smiley. As a family treat, we'll all be heading to the cooking tent to listen to Lidia Matticchio Bastianich as she talks about her new cookbook and gives us a sample. And I know, there will always be a surprise author I'll discover, so I'll keep my eyes and ears open and a mind waiting to be astonished that I missed XX for so long *grin*

Plus you can follow our adventures on Twitter: Twitter.com/FreshFiction or Twitter.com/ReelVixen if you like that youger and film fanatic persona of Gwen. Peaches is attending as well, so check out her photos at Peaches Blog. It's only slightly sad when a stuffed mascot has her own blog.

So if you're in the area -- and in Texas that means within about 500 miles -- be sure to go to Austin this weekend and check out the festival. And if you see our green Fresh Fiction tote or our pink shirts, be sure to say HI!!!

And as a special treat, this weekend's bonus prize will be something I picked up at Bouchercon 2009! So if you LOVE mysteries and or know someone who does, be sure to comment today or tomorrow on Sandi's blog post. You'll be entered to win something FABULOUS!

Until next time...
Get out there and READ a book...
Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 12-14, 2010 with Sherrilyn Kenyon!