SOKY Book Fest 2019

I have a confession. I’m terrible at keeping secrets. So do you want to know a secret? SOKY Book Fest is one of my all-time favorite book festivals.

On April 26 and 27^th, I attended my second SOKY Book Fest in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Needless to say, it was AWESOME! Day 1 was Teen and Children’s Day with author presentations throughout the day ranging the gamut from picture books to YA, with a focus on getting kids excited about craft—both written and illustration. Day 2 included more author presentations and three dynamite keynotes by Angie Thomas, Rita Mae Brown, and Silas House. I participated in a picture book panel with Sherry Howard, Shutta Crum, Eddie Price, and Susan Eaddy, where much of the discussion seemed to focus on traditional versus nontraditional publishing.

I also had the opportunity to interview with the amazing Barbara Deeb from WKU-PBS/WKU-NPR for her show Outside the Book. Stay tuned for the interview.

Here are a few photographic highlights:

Pre-conference: While I was at LaGuardia Airport grabbing a quick breakfast, I spied with my little eye Skyhorse Publishing on the kiosk. How cool is that?!!!

Diana Murray and Greg Howard at the pre-conference author dinner, with Debbie Dadey in the background at the Preservation Tasting Room and Bottle Shop.

Artie Bennett et moi 

Diana Murray being interviewed by students. 

Wendy BooydeGraaff

Me and the crew: Phil, Jim, Harry, Wilcox & Griswold, and Hildie Bitterpickles

Sherry Howard 

2016 Picture Book Debuts (left to right):

Mary Reaves Uhles, Diana Murray, moi, and Wendy BooydeGraaff

Jessica Young and two adorable fans

Check out those author signatures! 

Group shot

Sara Volpi, SOKY Book Fair Coordinator extraordinaire

Meet the Authors Reception at Knicely Center 

Left photo: Stephen Messer, Wendy BooydeGraaff, Shutta Crum, and Diana Murray 

Creston Books in the house! Me and Ingrid Palmer 

Barbara Deeb during an interview for Outside the Book. 

Susan Eaddy

Wendy BooydeGraaff, moi, Susan Eaddy, and Jessica Young (photo by Susan Eaddy)

Adorable! 

I’d like to shout out a huge THANK YOU to Sara Volpi, SOKY Book Fest Coordinator extraordinaire, Barnes & Noble, Warren County Public Library, WKU Libraries, and to all the volunteers for making the conference so very special.