Austin Teen Book Festival Wrap Up

So if you're a book lover in Texas you've probably heard of Austin Teen Book Festival. It's basically exactly what it sounds like an annual book festival for people who love Young Adult books. Over 30 YA authors go and there's panels and signings and tons of fun stuff. I went last year and had a blast and this year I had twice as many books. If you want to know what I did while I was there keep reading.

When I got there I caught the end of Libba Bray's Opening Keynote speech and if the end was anything like the rest it was a pretty amazing speech. Then there was a weird music video, signing light sabers, fake smoke and other things like that. Sadly I didn't get a picture but it was a sight to see.

Then I went to the We're Not In Kansas Anymore panel with Libba Bray, Leigh Bardugo, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Rae Carson, and Sarah Rees Brennan who threatened to kill the rest of them if they didn't get enough applause. It was very entertaining.


Sorry for the bad quality. It was a big crowd.

Then I went to lunch with one of my friends and we went and saw the Where We're Going, We Don't Need Roads panel with Greg Leitich Smith, Marissa Meyer, Rachel Cohn, Jeff Hirsch, Dan Krokos.
After that I basically wanted to buy all of their books.



After that people started lining up for the signings so I finished buying the books I wanted and got in line for Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl and waited in line for what seemed like forever. I got to meet them, get my books signed and get a bracelet and poster for the movie (ahhh movie!).

I may look somewhat calm but inside I was freaking out. My hands were shaking when I was in line.
Jasmine couldn't go so I had to do something for her since I knew she was most excited to meet them.

 

After that jumped from line to line dragging my huge bag of books and talking to people as I went.

Me and Tamara Ireland Stone. I can't wait to read her book!

Me and Jessica Khoury who is super nice. We had a nice talk about Doctor Who and how no one understands when it makes us cry. I'm so excited to finally get to read her book!



Me and Anna Banks who said she's writing Of Triton and assured me that there was plenty of kissing ;)



I had to add this one too. I'm not really sure what is going on here but it looks like we're best friends laughing at a private joke so that's cool. Also great photo bomb in between us.



A kinda blurry picture of me and Tara Hudson who is so nice and pretty. She told me when Elegy comes out and said not to brag to Jasmine about being there. I promised :)

The two Marissa's. Me and Marissa Meyer who I accidentally told how to spell her own name because I lost my post it note. Cinder was the first book I read when I got back and I absolutely loved it.

Me and Ally Condie. You think after signing all those books she would be tired and grumpy but she wasn't at all. I cannot wait for Reached!

Me and Libba Bray. This might be my new favorite picture. Libba is awesome, so is her shirt and Kami Garcia was the one taking the picture. I might have to read all her books now. At least after I get through the big, beautiful thing that is the Diviners.

Overall I had an amazing time. Despite my partner in crime not being there and being tired and achy by the end I met all the authors I wanted to and got to catch up with bloggers I hadn't seen in a while. I hope I get to go again next year!

If you went let me know in the comments who you were most excited to meet and if we ran into each other :)

-Marissa