(This is a post about the Florida Association for Media in Education conference, not about being famous in 2025, which I know very little about.)

So I mentioned last week that I want to do a better job of journaling those moments I want to be sure to remember. Last week was chock full of those, as I participated in my second FAME conference, but my first since having a book on the Sunshine State Young Readers Award List.

On Wednesday night I participated in the “Author Speed Dating,” where I spent 8 minutes at table after table of media specialists, talking up my two books. What was amazing, though, was how many of them had already read Benny Ramirez and the Nearly Departed and were enthusiastic fans! I have definitely never encountered so many readers of my work in one place! After the speed dating, I and the other SSYRA 3-5 finalists, and last year’s winner, were treated to dinner, and I had many wonderful conversations with some of Florida’s most dedicated media specialists. Walking back to my car that night, I felt like I was walking on clouds!

Thursday I had a signing, where a flattering number of folks brought up books for me to autograph, including several copies of AJ Torres and the Treasure of Captain Grayshark and even a copy of the anthology My Battery is Low and It Is Getting Dark, which contains my story “Brewing Insurrection.” After that I participated in a panel on how authentic Latine representation should reflect the diversity of experiences that Latine people have, and after that it was on to James Ponti’s Hurricane Party and finally Late Night Library Games.

After last year’s FAME, I had intended to volunteer for the funniest library game of all–“battledecks”–but I ended up chickening out. I know I’m not a quick thinker, and my anxiety on that score got the better of me, and also I was just starting to come down with con crud and not feeling mentally sharp. So it was probably for the best, but if I get another opportunity, I fully intend to work up the courage to participate! (As it was, honestly, I was barely a part of the late night event at all.)

Due to me getting sick, FAME didn’t end for me quite as well as it began, but it was still exhilarating to see all the love my debut novel was getting. I hope I get to do this again!

I wish I had photos to share. That’s something else I need to get better at. The thing is, I honestly hate seeing photos of myself, so that makes it hard to suck it up and take any.