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Rain and Reality
Apr. 3rd, 2004 09:32 pmThis has been such a strange couple of weeks. On Thursday I had to take off to do a Famous Writer Gig(tm). In my typical clueless fashion, I had no idea what I was getting into, really, except that I was going to Phoenix (and Gilbert and Tempe) and doing some panels and a reading and well, sf fans know. And one of my publishers was sponsoring it.
It turned out to be a VIP dinner for all the major library bigwigs in Arizona, give or take possibly a few, in honor of Ursula Le Guin. And a symposium on her at Arizona State. And the American Library Association's Arbuthnot Lecture--one of the big ones in the field of children's literature. And then the Arizona State Book Festival.
I did not meet the Governor. I went off with my publisher-sponsor. But I think I met everyone else. They were all very nice. My driver-host was the state librarian for records and arhives--who happens to a good friend of my publisher connection, and also an item with an old ICFA buddy--Susan, Milton Wolf sends his regards--and most of important (of course), a horse person. I'm afraid she's doomed. She has a lovely little black Morgan mare. She needs, really needs, a Fat White version. She's coming to visit in May, if not sooner.
We had a great deal of fun hanging together. And it was a great honor and pleasure to see Ursula again--she's one of my alltime favorite writers. I did a session at ASU with Nancy Farmer, on Ursula's work, in front of her, which was Interesting. Fun, but Interesting. Highly recommended: her new book of essays, THE WAVE OF THE MIND. I love her essays even more (dare I say it) than her fiction.
The book festival went well. I saw Dennis and Martha Lee McKiernan, but didn't catch up with John Vornholt. The reading/panel/question session was well attended and we had a good time discussing QUEEN OF THE AMAZONS and HOUSEHOLD GODS.
And best of all, I got to SLEEP IN for two whole mornings, have room service, be pampered. And was fed wonderful food. And could go to bed early. And not feed animals or clean stalls.
Which was nice because it rained. And rained. AND RAINED. The festival was outside, which had the organizers in a panic, but for the duration of the event, the sun was out, the grass was fairly dry, and all was well. In Tucson, it was raining. AND RAINING.
The next three days will feature More Adventures. It's a really good thing I got my car fixed is all I can say. At least, since it's so wet, riding won't be as urgent a commitment as usual--by Wednesday when I come up for air, it should have stopped raining.
Maybe.
It turned out to be a VIP dinner for all the major library bigwigs in Arizona, give or take possibly a few, in honor of Ursula Le Guin. And a symposium on her at Arizona State. And the American Library Association's Arbuthnot Lecture--one of the big ones in the field of children's literature. And then the Arizona State Book Festival.
I did not meet the Governor. I went off with my publisher-sponsor. But I think I met everyone else. They were all very nice. My driver-host was the state librarian for records and arhives--who happens to a good friend of my publisher connection, and also an item with an old ICFA buddy--Susan, Milton Wolf sends his regards--and most of important (of course), a horse person. I'm afraid she's doomed. She has a lovely little black Morgan mare. She needs, really needs, a Fat White version. She's coming to visit in May, if not sooner.
We had a great deal of fun hanging together. And it was a great honor and pleasure to see Ursula again--she's one of my alltime favorite writers. I did a session at ASU with Nancy Farmer, on Ursula's work, in front of her, which was Interesting. Fun, but Interesting. Highly recommended: her new book of essays, THE WAVE OF THE MIND. I love her essays even more (dare I say it) than her fiction.
The book festival went well. I saw Dennis and Martha Lee McKiernan, but didn't catch up with John Vornholt. The reading/panel/question session was well attended and we had a good time discussing QUEEN OF THE AMAZONS and HOUSEHOLD GODS.
And best of all, I got to SLEEP IN for two whole mornings, have room service, be pampered. And was fed wonderful food. And could go to bed early. And not feed animals or clean stalls.
Which was nice because it rained. And rained. AND RAINED. The festival was outside, which had the organizers in a panic, but for the duration of the event, the sun was out, the grass was fairly dry, and all was well. In Tucson, it was raining. AND RAINING.
The next three days will feature More Adventures. It's a really good thing I got my car fixed is all I can say. At least, since it's so wet, riding won't be as urgent a commitment as usual--by Wednesday when I come up for air, it should have stopped raining.
Maybe.
