Take a seat… We’re just about to begin THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST launch party.
July 28 was a humbling day. Austin’s wonderful indie bookstore BookPeople graciously hosted my launch celebration for THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST and it was AMAZING!
I was so excited that my parents, aunt, childhood friend and goddaughter flew in to join my husband and I, making the party a week of fun. We made gluten-free cakes shaped like boats, got a cake with the bookcover on it, and made signs for the various foods and drinks — like, “The boy ate sea grapes on the beach (Not these. These are regular grapes.)” Then on the day, we set it all up at BookPeople on a tablecloth that looked like a glistening ocean. It was beautiful.
Next to the signing table, there was another treat. My good friend author Nikki Loftin had given my a beautiful blanket with the book’s cover on it the day the book came out. We clipped this to an easel so guests could take pictures.
Then people started arriving… By the time my presentation was scheduled to begin, all the 70 seats were filled and people were packed at the sides and the back. We estimated that over 100 people celebrated with me.
Author, mentor and wonderful friend Bethany Hegedus introduced me. Then with the whole group, we looked at how I became a writer, how THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST became a book, and how stories help overcome fears. Then I let everyone try their own hand at writing a “Once upon a time…” story, just like the boy in the book.
The event was fun, exhilarating, and wonderful, and I’m so grateful for all the people who shared it with me.
The following week, I had the amazing surprise of discovering that THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST was No. 1 on the Children’s/Young Adult Bestseller List in the Austin Statesman.
If you were there, THANK YOU for coming. And if you couldn’t make it, here’s the chance to join in some of the fun…
(Thank you to the incredible Dave Wilson for these fantastic photos.)
