Thanks, San Francisco! #GraphixTour2012

The Bay Area never fails to impress me. Some of the best bookstores, readers, and people live here--including my family and many of my best friends! James, Raina and Doug on top of Twin Peaks

The past week was a fast-paced tour of schools and bookstores all over the bay, with my friends and fellow Graphix authors Doug TenNapel and James Burks! We had a blast, visiting at least one (and sometimes two!) bookstores each day, and visiting seven schools in all! I got to meet so many wonderful new people, and even had some time to visit my favorite spots in the bay. (I was our driver for the week, which meant I could detour to the best burrito places.)

Here are a bunch of photos, just a few highlights of the trip.

Live DRAMA reading at The Reading Bug in San Carlos

My friend Bea's daughter proves SMILE is delicious, at The Reading Bug

Drawing the crowd's suggestions at Green Apple Books in San Francisco

Me and Theresa (from SMILE, remember?) with her delightful kids at Green Apple Books

Talking with everyone at Towne Center Books in Pleasanton

A gigantic crowd gathering at A Great Good Place For Books in Oakland

Squished into the tiny kids' area at AGGPfB

Standing-room-only crowd at Books, Inc. Laurel Village in San Francisco

The Comic Book Club at a middle school in Berkeley

Ava, who struck me immediately as a living embodiment of Callie, exactly how I picture her in my mind...except with blue hair instead of purple! She was helping direct the crowd at her school, totally professional and helpful; part of the drama club; AND a comics fan. Thanks for taking this picture with me, Ava!

Burrito break at La Taqueria! Featuring our Scholastic publicist extraordinaire, Sheila Marie

Meeting & greeting fans at Mrs. Dalloway's in Berkeley

Goofing off with the Drama Club & Gay-Straight Alliance at a middle school in Berkeley!

Dave snuck this photo of six kids reading SMILE at a school in Oakland

Thank you, everyone!!

My next leg of the tour is right here on the east coast, so another post is forthcoming!

Till then!

~raina