All In for the Tucson Festival of Books

The Tucson Festival of Books is this weekend, and I’m in for the full meal deal, from the beginning author reception on Friday evening to the Literacy Connects reception on Sunday after the festival closes.

This if the ninth annual TFOB, and I’m honored to have been a part of it from the very beginning.  When I did the keynote for the first one, I had no idea that the festival would grow into the third largest book festival in the country. Size matters, but so does quality, and it’s no accident that this is, as far as I’m concerned, the best run one of the bunch.

Why do I say that?  Because the people in charge, along with their army of volunteers, really care.  There’s no trash at the festival nor are there overflowing trash receptacles, either. You’re probably thinking, “Wait, she’s saying the festival is good became somebody handles the garbage?” You bet. That’s exactly what I’m saying!!

On the first day of that first festival, one of my fans tripped over an electrical cord and fell.  The people in charge sent a cart to pick her up and take her to a first aid station and on to the parking garage.  But do you know what they did next?  They sent a cart to pick ME up and take me to the garage so I could sign the woman’s book!  That’s paying attention to detail.

Shortly before one of the festivals, one of my fans, who happens to be blind, wrote to tell me that a whole group of my blind fans who were coming to the festival.  Would there be a chance of meeting with me privately?  I put the question to Bill Viner, and even with everything else on his plate, he arranged for a room in the Student Union where I was able to have a private program with those folks.  Thank you for that, Bill, and thank you for everything you and Brenda do for the festival and also for the community at large.

So the details are everything.  But why is the festival so important?  Because it supports literacy.  All you have to do is land in China or Russia to suddenly experience what it must feel like to be illiterate.  In the past nine years, TFOB has donated 1.4 million dollars to literacy programs throughout Arizona, including Tucson’s Literacy Connects.  I’ve had the honor of meeting a Literacy Connects client, Marcia, as well as her tutor, Trish. Marcia is someone who, struggling with dyslexia, didn’t learn to read until she was in her fifties.  Believe me, the Tucson Festival of Books is personal for her!

So, as I said, I’ll be at the festival throughout the weekend.  A full listing of festival appearances in on my website, www.jajance.com.  If you bring a pile of books, one way or another, we’ll get them signed, right, Rosie?  But if you see me out on the mall or in the dining tent, don’t be afraid to stop by and say hello.  I won’t bite, and if I’m not late to something else, I’ll be happy to chat.  One of the points of the festival is to give readers a chance to meet and mingle with the authors.

I’ve been to the TFOB when it was rainy and cold and also when it’s been windy and blustery.  The talking heads say it’s going to be mid-eighties this weekend, so wear sunscreen and a hat.  But come on down.

It’ll be fun.

10 thoughts on “All In for the Tucson Festival of Books

  1. Any chance of an East coast visit, like in the Charlotte area?? Please, pretty please!!!

  2. Thank you for taking the time to do what you do. Sounds like the organizers are doing it ‘right”.

  3. Arizona needs all the help it can get in its public schools.
    Hats off to you and everyone involved!
    Okay, hats on in the sun. Today’s weather is spectacular.

  4. Sometimes a person needs a headslap to stop and think that there are still people who still do not have the luxury of reading. Funny (not haha) that headslap is because we can read.

  5. I am 84 years old and have Macular Degeneration. I can’t see very well but love your books. I can only read them on Kindle because I can enlarge the print. Not able to drive so can’t attend the Book Festival. I would love to meet you. You are my favorite author. Love Joanna , Aly and Beaumont books. Have read most all of them before my eyesight failed. I’ve recommended your books to lots of people. Now my two sisters love them too. Keep up the good work.

  6. I just checked Tucson weather. 72 and sunny. Great for the festival. Hope a big crowd shows up. Expect a report next week.

  7. First as I always say, you write a heck of a book. From the first one I picked up to the preordered I am waiting for you are the best.
    Thank you for all you give back to your fans. Not just writing the books but you put yourself out there personally. I have read your blog for years and see how many people you help through the different groups you give back to. Education is a must. It is the RIGHT OF EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD. Without education we would have chaos.
    Again thank you for all you do….JAN

  8. We were at the TFOB yesterday and hear a book vender praise your work. We immediately researched you online and hope to meet you today. Can’t wait to purchase one of your book and possibly have you autograph it. Authors are wonderful souls and you seem to be a prime example of that.
    Thanks for All you represent and Don’t change.
    Your Newest Fans
    Richard Bellamy and Robert Devoe

Comments are closed.