In addition to panels, workshops, keynotes, and the author reception that I have already posted blogs about, Winter Institute gave me time to socialize and visit area restaurants and bookstores.
An opening reception was held at Kepler’s in Menlo Park. For 54 years, Kepler’s Books has been one of the nation’s premier independent bookstores, famous for its outstanding author events, knowledgeable staff, and its broad selection of books, magazines and gifts. Its commitment to the local communities it serves has helped define the cultural identity of the San Francisco Bay Area. Having bus loads of booksellers arrive to sample wine and walk through the maze of books and gifts kept the people at Kepler’s busy. It was great to see new gift lines, e-book reader displays, and just talk about new books that were on display. After the reception, Morgan Entrekin from Grove/Atlantic organized a small dinner party at Tamarine, an excellent Vietnamese place in Palo Alto. It was a pleasant evening with good food and good friends.
After the Author Reception, I was a dinner guest of HarperCollins at Spencer’s. Seven of their authors were in attendance including: Ally Carter (HEIST SOCIETY), Jef Czekaj (HIP AND HOP), Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (ONE AMAZING THING), Tom French (ZOO STORY), and Lauren Oliver (BEFORE I FALL). Seated at my table were Jacqueline Winspear (THE MAPPING OF LOVE AND DEATH: A MAISIE DOBBS NOVEL) and Brunonia Barry (THE MAP OF TRUE PLACES). We had great conversation based on the question, if you were on a boat for ten days, what three authors–living or dead–would you like to have with you? Jamie Oliver and Jo Nesbo were two interesting choices…
Tours of Hicklebee’s were offered on the final day. Hicklebee’s specializes in children’s and young adult books. Hundreds of artifacts are displayed all over the store–the traveling pants, signed by Ann Brashares; the acorn that fell on Chicken’s Little’s head; Imogene’s antlers; plus a hallway filled with signatures and illustrations of the authors and illustrators who have visited the store. What a great store!
My final dinner in San Jose was hosted by George Gibson (Walker and Company) and Ken Holland (Macmillan Publishing Services) at 71 Saint Peter. Authors that joined us were Anchee Min (PEARL OF CHINA), Diane Meier (SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES) and Zachary Mason (THE LOST BOOKS OF THE ODYSSEY). Having read the three books in advance of the conference, gave time to ask questions and interact with the authors on a different level. It will be so easy to sell the books and add a few stories for those of you who have time to listen.