Presenting at the 13th annual San Antonio Book Festival was an honor. Around 100 authors were featured, including six with picture books. It was great to showcase my debut, THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: THE STORY OF JUNETEENTH AND HOUSTON’S EMANCIPATION PARK . In 2018 I vended at this festival with my self-published SOPHIE WASHINGTON series, so it felt like a full-circle moment to return with my traditionally published HarperCollins book.
Spirits were high on the gorgeous, sunny Saturday. Families seemed happy to take part in all the interactive, free activities. Besides presenting myself, I took in talks from children’s authors, Breanna Carzoo, Matt de la Pena, Kwame Mbalia and romance author Etta Easton. I fangirled with author Farah Rochon, another romance author I admire.
In between sessions it was fun to relax in the VIP room, where snacks and lunch were available and shop vendor booths. I bought my own San Antonio Book Festival tee shirt that I can’t wait to show off.
It’s been nearly a year since THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM released, and I am grateful to cap off my debut season with a lovely festival appearance. Thanks so much to the San Antonio Book Festival staff for including me in this event!
Tonya Duncan Ellis
Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal starred reviewed picture book, THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM: THE STORY OF JUNETEENTH AND HOUSTON’S EMANCIPATION PARK (HarperCollins 2024), COOKOUT CHEMISTRY (Charlesbridge 2027) and the SOPHIE WASHINGTON chapter book series. She is based in Houston, Texas.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
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