I spent the day with like minds yesterday at the annual Oklahoma Book Festival at the Boathouse District in Oklahoma City. I was invited by the Enid Public Library to set up with them at the festival to promote the upcoming Enid Author Fest. We had t-shirts and everything! We went to the big city to see who we could recruit and also just to enjoy the day.

And it poured.

Until about noon and then the winds came right behind the rain! Then the sun came out and it was warm and beautiful.

There were food trucks and picnic tables and strangers were eager just to sit and talk about what they purchased for lunch.

Edgar Cruz and other musicians serenaded us, and we were lucky that our tent was close enough to the music to hear and not be blasted away. The wind took out some speakers near the stage – but its Oklahoma.

I attended several panel discussions with Anne Hillerman, Literati Press, Laura Bernhardt and others. Some I knew others I didn’t, and a few I got acquainted with.

My friend Martha Draper was so excited to meet her hero, Anne Hillerman, and get a chance to talk with her. Martha met Anne’s father, Tony Hillerman, during the time she lived in Santa Fe and has been a fan for years. I was glad Martha got a chance to meet her. She was very personable.

I spoke with Charles Martin of Literati Press (www.literatipressok.com) and we discussed my latest project working with Jeff Provine and Okie Comics (www.okiecomics.com) as I convert a short story based on my Glome books to comic book script. Jeff is helping me learn the art and Charles was also eager to help. Literati Press will attend the Enid Author Fest and put on a small workshop on comic book art and writing.

We also met John Otto, author of his book Sarge about a dog who becomes a mascot at a Veterans Center. John and his son, Payton are writing a series of books, about dogs in the prison programs in Oklahoma. John will speak at the Enid Author Fest on March 28, 2020 in Enid. Come and hear him and all the other authors and publishers who will be there. It will be a fun day. Save the date!

We headed home after a long day meeting people and barely got onto I-40 before we encountered a roll-over wreck and were detoured. But we got home. And I was tired. But I’ll do it again.

I can’t wait for the Enid Author Fest in March and then the Oklahoma Book Fest next fall. Of course, I’ll do it again. Why would I miss all the action?

Did you go to the Book Fest in OKC yesterday? What did you like best?