Books, music, books, circus, more books…

Over the weekend, the Tucson Festival of Books brought big name authors as well as hundreds of lesser-known ones to the U. of A. campus. Abraham Verghese, author of “Covenant of Water”, an Oprah book club choice, was there talking about his book. Two literary power-houses, Lisa See and Luis Alberto Urrea, discussed “Historical Fiction”. And all day C-Span recorded every author, including Barbara McQuade, lawyer, author and MSNBC commentator, in Gallagher Hall in the Student Union Building. C-Span also handed out free big blue bags to carry books bought at the Festival. “Thank you, C-Span!”

But I didn’t want to see any of this.

Above, small figures of long-dead famous scientists line the archway entry to Koffler Hall.

Romance in the world of speculative fiction

I was here for the author talks. My list of must-sees began at 10 a.m. with the topic “Supernatural Romance.” It, like the other two talks on my list, did not require a free ticket ordered online for admission. But I got caught up in a parking mess and was 15 minutes late so I missed that one, but I wasn’t the only person turned away. The volunteer guarding the entry door in Koffler Hall said the room had filled up well before the talk began and she had been turning a steady stream of people away. I should have guessed that this topic would be super popular since Maas’s “Court of Thorns and Roses” and Yarrow’s “Iron Wing” are on the Amazon Best Sellers lists.

So, with nothing on my schedule until after lunch, I began cruising around the Festival. It was interesting and fun — even if you aren’t passionate about books. There were three stages with musicians and dancers. Delicious food including Frost and Tucson Tamale.

The Academy of Circus had its own place down in the Children’s area not far from the comic bookmobile where a “cowboy librarian”, left, was chatting with people. And 3 guys dressed as ghost busters were circulating through the crowds. No doubt they were escapees from the very popular Science Center section of the TFOB where children could find entertainment to go with STEM books.

But, as I said, I had come to listen to the author-talks. So, moving on…

Badass Women with Badass Heroines

The next on my must-see list was at 1 p.m.: “Badass Women with Badass Heroines.” Along with Etaf Rum (a Today Show Book Club pick) and rock music journalist Sarah Tomlinson, Margot Douaihy, author of the Sister Holiday books was speaking. Talk about a badass heroine — that’s Sister Holiday, a tattooed nun sleuth in a New Orleans convent. Determined to avoid being late I arrived at the Santa Rita room 15 minutes early. And failed again. The room was completely full and they had already posted a “Session Closed” sign on the door.

There I was–down to the last author-talk on my list: “Love in the Time of Monsters.” But it was scheduled for 3 hours later. Too long to wait. So I left. And I had mostly myself to blame. I underestimated how popular the topic of speculative romance fiction was. Next year I’ll arrive at the talks sooner.

On Sunday, I worked as an afternoon session Volunteer at the Indie Author booth where there were 12 authors who had self-published their books — both fiction and non-fiction. While the authors were busy selling their books I fell into a discussion with another volunteer who had the same experience on Saturday of being turned away from unticketed author talks that had been set up in rooms that were too small for the audience who wanted to attend. I hope the Tucson Festival of Books organizers take a look at this issue and come up with a solution.

Meanwhile, I would recommend that you volunteer to work at the Festival of Books next year. The people are very nice and interesting. And you get to talk with entrepreneurial authors PLUS you get a free t-shirt and free snacks. Join the Friends of the Festival, too, for bookish events held throughout the year.

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