Pictures from the ACFW Conference

I returned home from ACFW feeling completely zonked. A combination of little sleep, tons of information, and a tremendous amount of socializing. (Especially for me, since I tend to be waaaaay quiet.) I met my agent in person for the first time.

Sandra and Me.

Not only is she wicked smart and business savvy, she's also beautiful and warm and has a heart for serving others. I loved the time I was able to spend with her and her other clients.


It's so funny that I talked about Julie Klassen's The Apothecary's Daughter last Thursday, because I had the privilege of meeting Julie over the weekend. Here's proof:

Me and Julie. 

My camera somehow got put on some weird setting before this picture was taken, but that's okay. Still proof. She was so generous with her time and indulged all my geeky questions about POV choices in The Apothecary's Daughter.


I also was able to hang out with some of your favorite authors.

That's Jill Williamson on the left and Heather Burch on the right (whom you haven't read yet, but I just know her debut, Halflings is going to blow up this February). Both Jill and Heather are very warm and high-energy. It was wonderful to be able to hang out with them in person.

And this is Jenny B. Jones, who probably gets as tired of being called cute as I do of being asked, "Are you a teenager?" But she is cute. And sweet.

As is Shellie Neumeier, whom I had the good fortune of running into in the bookstore at 11:00 at night.


I was also able to hang out with Betsy St. Amant, who's as gorgeous and sweet in person as she is on-line.

Me and Betsy.

Sarah Sundin taught a class that I hear was wonderful, and even though I wasn't able to make it, she still let me take a picture with her.

Me and Sarah.

One of the highlights of the weekend was when Erica Vetsch, my first writing friend (and current judge for the Go Teen Writers prompt!) learned that her book, Log Cabin Christmas, hit the New York Times Bestseller list! It was so exciting, and I completely understand why she wouldn't deign to take a picture with me, a lowly YA author. Here's where I would have put it had she bestowed me the honor:




















Actually, we took one together, but we must have taken it on her camera, which apparently found it's way home with Mary Conneally.

And it was a joy to hang out with my best friend, Roseanna White. Although it was pretty tough to walk anywhere without getting stopped by someone who wanted to talk to her about her wonderful books/reviews/publishing house, we did manage to sneak away for some lattes at Starbucks where we talked about important things like potty training.


Just thinking about the weekend makes me feel worn out all over again. I'm going to spend some time pouring through my notes and try to wrap my brain around everything I learned and how to pass it on to you guys.


Have a great Tuesday!