First, look at this schedule. Scroll down most of the way to the bottom, to Session 2.02: Teen book bloggers forge a new reviewing model. Look at the names of the presenters: Lyn Miller-Lachmann (author of Gringolandia and also one of my favorite guests posts to ever go live on the blog), Ari Valderrama (of Reading in Color, one of my favorite book blogs), and Edi Campbell (of the blog Crazy Quilts, who is also a pretty fantastic librarian).
Also Maggie Desmond-O'Brien. Of Bibliophilia - Maggie's Bookshelf. Me. Here. Writing this now.
Unfortunately, in the latest installment of getting-sick-sucks-guys that is my life, I am no longer a presenter on that panel. In light of a joint decision by parents, doctors, and myself, I will not be attending ALAN 2011 in Chicago at all.
Yes. Getting sick sucks. Call me melodramatic (and I am), but I feel like my heart is breaking a little. A lot. Read that schedule again. Look at the line-up. I can't believe I'm missing this.
There is a bright side, though, namely that the panel is sure to be fantastic. You should go. I will be answering some questions by email, and Lyn has graciously included some screenshots of my blog and some info about my background in the presentation.
My fellow panelists have also agreed (very graciously) to pick up some signed books for me, which is wonderful. I have the best fellow panelists in the world.
None of that quite makes up for not attending an event that has been a year in the planning for me. I'm really, really devastated and sad. But I know I've made the right decision so I can get back to normal health-wise as quickly as possible, as much as this sucks.
I also know - pssssst - that an NYC trip may be in the works come May. I'd love to finally make it back to the Book Blogger Convention, as well as attend Teen Author Carnival and Book Expo America for the first time. So, I'm looking up, and hope to meet all of the lovely authors, bloggers, and writerly folks I'd made plans with at ALAN sometime soon.
Now, would that make a fantastic graduation present or what?
Cover Lust (34)
1 hour ago
6 comments:
Oh, big hugs, Maggie. Maybe you could do a Tweet-in or Skype presentation? :)
(And as an Aussie, I'm very jealous of all the amazing conferences I inevitably miss out on!)
You may not be at the panel in person, but your words and the blog will be there. Although we don't have Skype capability in the room, you can also text us with answers to any questions. I do that sometimes with my students who are absent.
Thanks for reminding me that I still have it pretty awesome, Stephanie. At least I live on the same continent! ;) If you ever make a trip Stateside, you should be sure to let me know! I hope you get to make it to BEA eventually - it's pretty spectacular.
Thank you, Lyn! That would be lovely!
I love the texting idea!
New York sounds like an awesome graduation present! Take best of care so you're reading for a bite of the Big Apple!
ugh! that should say 'so you're READY for a bit of the Big Apple!
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