I’ve blogged about generosity at conventions, “Is it worth it for a writer to go to IRA?” (or any of the big conventions), setting goals for conventions, and following up afterwards. Now, I just want to take a minute to share some of the fun I had in Vegas. You can hover over images to see the caption (or click if the caption is a longer one). It was a fantastic trip, and I’m really grateful to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for sponsoring me so that I could go. Getting to attend when BookSpeak was on the NCTE Notables list was something I’ll always remember, I know!
Randy and I take a gondola ride at the Venetian.
Chorizo fonduta to die for
At Emeril’s–where Randy had seafood and I had amazing pancetta mac and cheese.
Across the street
We stayed at the MGM Grand.
MGM lobby
The Luxor
Body part art on the walls…
Pat Tillman Memorian Bridge
Hoover Dam — spectacular
At Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam — obviously
Before the New York! New York! roller coaster ride
During the New York! New York! roller coaster ride
Overlooking part of the strip
A few of the desserts I had at the Bellagio buffet
In the Bellagio conservatory
One of several indoor malls that used lighting and trompe l’oeil to make you feel like you were outside
In a mall
Fancy candies
Heading out to see the Beatles Cirque show
Outside the Venetian…I think
Gondola ride inside the Venetian
Some other couples on a gondola ride. Our gondolier had a wonderful voice.
On the gondola ride
Terry Farrell and Jonda McNair at a poetry session. Passionate poetry advocates!
Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, Janet Fagal, Meghan Nuttall Sayres, and Claire Rudolf Murphy at Project Pie
Janet Fagal, Meghan Nuttall Sayres, Claire Rudolf Murphy, and me at Project Pie
I got an f&g of Follow Follow, by Marilyn Singer. It’s fantastic!
The great booktalkers/committee members at the Orbus Pictus Award session
Fun to see client Polly Carlson-Voiles’ Summer of the Wolves book on display!
Janet Wong and Akiko Morimoto
Leslea Newman at our session
Me at our poetry session
Irene Latham at our session
Mary Lee Hahn at our session
Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, Mary Lee Hahn, Leslea Newman, Irene Latham, Janet Fagal, Janet Wong, Laura Purdie Salas–all from our poetry session
Janet Wong signs her Me and Rolly Maloo for me
Barbara Ward booktalks BookSpeak at the NCTE Notables session (video to come of that!)
We all wear pink in solidarity with organizer Sylvia Vardell’s breast cancer fight. Go, Sylvia! Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, Mary Lee Hahn, Leslea Newman, Irene Latham, Janet Fagal, Janet Wong, Laura Purdie Salas–all from our poetry session
12 Responses
Love!! I think Randy and you have a tour guide book opportunity for convention-goers, in you!!!!
Ha! I think most convention-goers just hit their casino…we sure had fun, though–til Ran got sick.
Love!! I think Randy and you have a tour guide book opportunity for convention-goers, in you!!!!
Ha! I think most convention-goers just hit their casino…we sure had fun, though–til Ran got sick.
Love it! Do you know where NCTE is in 2013?
Boston!
Love it! Do you know where NCTE is in 2013?
Boston!
That looks amazing! Thanks for sharing, Laura. Happy Christmas!
Thanks, Catherine–you, too!
That looks amazing! Thanks for sharing, Laura. Happy Christmas!
Thanks, Catherine–you, too!