recognizing joy

As an introvert, I tend to avoid crowds whenever I can. But as an author, I’ve had to learn how to handle myself and manage my anxiety when participating in a book fair. Sometimes it’s straight up romper-room chaos—fluorescent lights in a gymnasium, screaming kids racing around, and a migraine by the end of the day. I don’t do many book fairs (I also don’t get that many invitations) but sometimes the experience is just amazing. I really enjoy the Brooklyn Museum’s children’s book fair and I LOVE the annual African American Children’s Book Fair at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore. As I sat in the quiet car last night heading back to NYC, I honestly couldn’t count all my blessings—I’d start a Facebook post and then go back and edit it to add the name of another person who lifted my spirits or presented me with an opportunity. I never went back to that sound meditation class I tried last month, but I do feel a difference in myself…it started last fall, I think, when I went to London and had such a wonderful trip. When I put it into words, my trip didn’t sound that impressive but the feeling I had while I was there was unmistakable: joy! And I felt that again yesterday at the book fair. There was the quiet before the storm (below) and then the crowd grew (above) and my laptop battery died so I couldn’t hide from the public by focusing on the screen. I met so many engaged parents who wanted to let their children choose their own book, I saw kids’ eyes grow wide with wonder as I described a story to them, and I had other author and illustrator friends all around me so I felt supported and NOT anxious and that meant I was able to enjoy myself. Sales were steady and I only brought ten books home, so that means I sold about 40 (my strategy is to bring fewer copies of more titles). I wrote the first chapter of Dragons in a Bag in the hotel the night before, and feasted on bbq with friends once the book fair was over. The sudden downpour stopped just as we left the museum and Shadra took me to an excellent cake spot so I could get a slice before heading home. I received two invitations to speak in NYC while I was away, and I hope to return to Baltimore for future collaborations with the museum and the Enoch Pratt Free Library. The 5th annual book fair will take place at the museum on May 8, 2017 so save the date!