Wow, Wow, Wow

The Kansas City Literary Festival yesterday was great. The day was perfect—sunny and beautiful. The setting was perfect—the Country Club Plaza (which, for non-Kansas Citians, is a historic, Seville-inspired shopping district that’s a pure delight to wander through, even when there isn’t a festival going on). The festival-goers were perfect—happy, book-loving folks, many with their children, dogs, and grandparents in tow. It was a lovely day, with lots of everything going on, from music to booktalks to readings to cooking and robotics demonstrations to a giant python wrapped around the snake guy’s shoulders. The C-Span BookTV bus was even there, filming and interviewing.

Things were hopping at the Kansas SCBWI tent, too. Sheila Berenson did a great job of coordinating book drawings, author talks, face painting, and other events that drew a lot of kids, parents, and writers to our tent. I ran into old friends I hadn’t seen in much too long and made new friends I hope to see again soon.

This is the first Kansas City Literary Festival in this venue, and I read in the paper this morning that festival planners were so pleased with the outcome that they’ve already begun planning to make this an annual event.