The Latest News: YALSA Nomination and My San Diego Appearances

I was originally going to just make this post about my San Diego events, but I want to quickly add that I recently learned In the Shadow of Blackbirds received a nomination for the Young Adult Library Services Association's 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults! I'm so honored to see my book listed with the works of amazing authors such as the über talented Ruta Sepetys!!!

And now for the news about my trip.

Tomorrow I'm recreating Mary Shelley Black's journey from Portland, OR, to San Diego, CA. If you've read In the Shadow of Blackbirds, you'll know that the novel begins with my protagonist boarding a train bound for San Diego in the middle of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. I'm taking a much comfier route: a short flight involving snacks and some reading time.

On Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3, I'm speaking at San Diego High School and Grossmont High School, with presentations coordinated by The Yellow Book Road and Mysterious Galaxy. I'll let you know if signed copies of the book will be showing up in those stores afterward—there's a strong possibility they will. (Note: The San Diego History Center owns a wonderful photo of San Diego High School students wearing Spanish flu masks in 1918.)

On Saturday, May 4, I'll be at the Gaslight Gathering: Steampunk  & Victoriana Convention at the Town & Country Resort Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego.

My Gaslight Gathering schedule of appearances:

4:00-5:00 pm:
Victorian Gothic Literature Panel
Brittany Room

5:00-6:00 pm:
In the Shadow of Blackbirds Signing Session
Grand Bazaar Vendor Hall, Autograph Table

Yes, I'm dressing up for the steampunk convention! I have a lovely black WWI-style dress and will likely be wearing some Mary Shelley Black-style clockwork jewelry. In the Shadow of Blackbirds isn't a steampunk novel, but my main character loves clocks and technology and the works of Jules Verne, and she even owns a pair of lucky aviatrix goggles.

I'll post photos from the trip after I'm back next week! Hopefully, I can also snap some shots of my favorite San Diego haunted sites.