IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS in San Diego

Me, dressed for San Diego's Gaslight Gathering.

I spent the past four days traveling with In the Shadow of Blackbirds in its San Diego setting. I met high school students, librarians, booksellers, and other readers and enjoyed every moment.

To fully immerse San Diego students into the novel's 1918 setting, I had them wearing flu masks and smelling a bag full of raw onions. I also ventured into the world of steampunk conventions at San Diego's Gaslight Gathering.

A huge thanks goes out to the following schools, bookstores, etc., for hosting me:

San Diego High School
Grossmont High School
The Yellow Book Road
Mysterious Galaxy
San Diego County Library
Ara Burklund
Gaslight Gathering
My sister, Carrie
San Diego friends
Laura Mihalick at Amulet Books (who sent me down there in the first place!)

I've posted several photos from my trip, including pics from the novel's setting, on my Facebook page.