The last day of the festival is always the most bitter sweet. On one hand, you’re sad to bring the event to a close on the other, you’re glad to finally be able to sit down and get your voice back. I talked to hundreds of visitors today – all of them fantastic, but I gotta tell you, my voice is shot. Today when I gave my pitch at “Pitchapalooza” even on the microphone, I felt like I was whispering.

It’s all good though, I’d much rather lose my voice talking to readers about my books than anything else . (I guess losing your voice by screaming at a superbowl is a good way to go too.)

Lots of familiar faces this year – a couple of readers I met last year stopped by for the 2011 festival to purchase my other book or bring a friend to purchase a book as well. One reader, Debbie, came to get a copy of Always Room for Dessert. She also purchased a book from Theodore Crawford. I love it when a reader comes back – even if its just to give a kind word.  You can see Debbie in last year’s blog here.

A couple of thank you’s are due for making this year’s festival happen. One, I want to thank Oprah Moore for once again holding down the family while I was away for the weekend. I also want to thank Theodore “Theo” Crawford for sharing the tent with me. What a great author and friend. Working these festivals often means you’re at your table selling and signing all day, but you do do have to build time to eat, network and make a bathroom run. Theo, while selling and signing his own books would watch over my area, while I took a stroll from time to time.  I also want to thank my other tent partners, who I don’t recall by name. But we all looked out for each other – one authro even bought a bottle of champagne that we all split for some fun.   Shhh!!!

This year’s festival was worth a toast indeed. Even with the Friday night down pours, the attendance was still awesome. Lots of traffic, lots of  sunshine, lots of fun.

Looking forward to the 2012 festival.