The Winning Bet: A Book Festival in Show Low
On a clear day in August, I found myself in Show Low, Arizona. My original plan to go horseback riding fell through, but as I looked out my hotel window and saw a couple of deer bounding through the pine forest, I took it as a good omen for the day. I was there for the second annual White Mountains Festival of Books at the Elks Lodge.
I was one of many authors, both local and from out of town, there to sell my books. I was impressed with the festival’s setup. The tables were nicely spaced, making it easy to move through the room. They even provided a “light” breakfast that was anything but—yogurt parfaits, various muffins, different types of zucchini bread, and other tasty treats.
I was encouraged to attend by a fellow member of Tucson Sisters in Crime, Paula Winskye, who told me how successful the first festival had been. I’m always up for trying new festivals!
I made a reservation at the same hotel I’d used when I was in Pinedale for a library event. Did you know that Pinedale has the only covered bridge in AZ?
A Dog’s Road Trip
This trip was a bit different from my last one to the area. On a previous visit for a library event in Pinedale, I brought my newly adopted dog, Max. That was our first road trip together! Max has a strong fear of vet offices, so he was convinced the hotel reception desk was one. He finally relaxed once we got to the room and he could jump and bounce on the bed.
Max had a great time at the Pinedale library event because it was outside. We explored the grounds together, and he loved all the new smells. Sadly, since the Show Low festival was indoors, I had to leave him at home with a pet sitter. It was a nice change of pace to have some quiet time alone.
Books, Rain, and Happy Readers
The festival ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and was well-organized by the Arts Alliance of the White Mountains. Some authors came dressed in character costumes, and others decorated their tables. I decided to let my colorful book covers and interesting titles do the talking. I also wore my favorite blue Caribbean shirt, which received many compliments. It’s all part of the marketing! Although I was from the “big city” of Tucson, I felt very welcomed, especially after mentioning that I dreamed of riding Poncho, a favorite horse, through the nearby Sitgreaves National Forest.
The crowds weren’t as big as I’d hoped, but we did bring a welcome rain to the area! While the downpour might have kept some people away, I was fortunate to have good sales. I focused on my Arizona-themed books and sold at least one copy of eleven different titles. It definitely pays to have a variety of books to offer.
One of my books, Vampire…Tortoise?!, was chosen to be read in the children’s corner, which was a huge delight for me. I also donated a copy for the door prize drawing. The girl who won my book was so thrilled. That’s what keeps me writing and sharing my love of science.
Many people complimented my books, expressing their appreciation for seeing science in children’s literature and for the poetry they felt was important for a child’s cognitive development. I couldn’t agree more—I’m a firm believer that picture books should rhyme. A few people I spoke with were excited to have a book festival in Show Low and believe it will continue to grow. I have no doubt it will. The vendors included a wide variety of book genres and related items.
A Winning Tale
By the way, have you ever wondered how Show Low got its name? The town was named after a poker game. One of the players said, “If you can ‘show low,’ you can have the town.” The winning card was the deuce of clubs, which later became the name of the main street.
Entryway: A photo of a table with donated books and silent auction items.
My Table: Photos of my book display. My table was big enough for two, but since my friend couldn’t come, I spread out all my books.
Explore My Books
Want to learn more about Sonoran Desert animals and the creatures of the Caribbean? Find all my books, blog posts, and more on my author website!
