TBF or not TBF?

Linda Sappenfield — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:17:00 GMT

Last weekend's Texas Book Festival was, in the words of local Barnes & Noble public relations manager Frank Campbell, "the perfect storm". Owing to ideal weather, immediate follow-up to ACL, and over 200 notable authors on site, TBF 2010 was pleasantly swarming. I've heard that events predicted to be minor draws brought in overflow audiences, while top attractions generally surpassed those high expectations.

Attendees are resolving to show up earlier for events next year; competition for most any seat now appears to be a given. And the wait is worth it. The prospect of hobnobbing with fellow booklovers and acclaimed authors--for free!--on the Capitol grounds offers unique value.

For the best possible TBF experience, you would enjoy volunteering, as I did. Volunteers can get closer to the action; some festival-goers will even covet your free T-shirt! Second, do your homework. TBF is a vast undertaking, offering more options than you can manage. Study the schedule beforehand on the TBF website or in the Statesman's festival guide and do some prioritizing, factoring in wait times and distances between venues.

And there's a third strategy: share your insights with others. You can catch de-briefings on speakers you missed, follow up online, and acquire reading suggestions (not to mention gift-giving ideas).

Some of the best bits I heard at or about the festival:

Attendees at chef Alton Brown's packed Central Market session raved about Brown's contagious enthusiasm and consideration (obliging everyone with autographs and scooting parents with young children to the head of line).
Amanda Hesser (Essential New York Times Cookbook and food52.com) sold us on the NYT compilation, which I hadn't realized is not just a Craig Claiborne update; it includes significant historical and reader-contributed content. Ms. Hesser didn't miss a beat when asked (probably for the millionth time) how she stays "rail-thin" even though she bakes constantly.
Leila Meacham (author of Roses) referring to the tradition of Southerners sacrificing all for one's property or plantation: "Back then, you were your land. Today, some ladies are their handbags."
Jane Roberts Wood (author of the Lucy Richards trilogy and the recent Out the Summerhill Road), delightedly acknowledging this note from a reader: "I think your characters drink too much!"
And the author escort for Doug Chernack and Mike Bender, creators of Awkward Family Photos, claimed that she has never laughed so much or so hard in her entire life.

What not to miss at the festival

Linda Sappenfield — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:28:00 GMT

What would induce someone to give up a day off to volunteer for Texas Book Festival? Probably not the official volunteer T-shirt. TBF uniforms feature a different classy color each year, along with, alas, the customary tubelike fit. Those of us who fall between the intended-for-guys sizes can select one of two silhouettes: "shrink wrap" or "rectangle". If Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear ever spot me in my festival knitwear, they're sure to follow up with a WNTW Volunteer Edition.

On the plus side, volunteer shirts qualify you for impressive perks. The wearer is immediately identified with one of the nation's top literary events--instant prestige. Even if you haven't published a novel, discovered the next new voice in fiction, or escorted a famous author around the Capitol grounds yet, your apparel proclaims that you are Part of It All. To avoid getting an important writer lost en route to the book signing tent, I have elected not to escort. Selling logo merchandise in the tents has been fun in previous years, but this time I went for my dream job: Capitol Monitor.

CMs basically consult their festival schedules to confirm program times; point out restrooms; check for open beverages; record attendance; and watch the doors once seating capacity has been attained. I'm not sure which aspect of Capitol Monitoring I appreciated most. For one thing, being a CM means that you are in the capitol, and I am a major fan of that gorgeous edifice. Opening the House Chamber portal to let in latecomers, I turned the same doorknob that generations of legendary Texans reached for in their own comings and goings.

The "monitor" part is also rewarding, though, because CMs remain on hand throughout the program. Thus, I witnessed former Rolling Stone writer Jancee Dunn's response to a delightful panel discussion question. To an audience member's inquiry of which musical mega-star was the nicest, Ms. Dunn instantly named Barry White. A chorus of "Ohhhhh, Barry White!" erupted from attendees and panelists, and the briefest of Barry White love-fests played out before the session could resume.

Later, during Taylor Branch's Clinton Tapes program in the House Chamber, I managed to stop gaping at those vintage star-shaped chandeliers long enough to enjoy both the author's commentary and the range of Q&A topics posed by listeners. One gentleman was two spaces too far back in the question queue; the author had to leave in order to keep his appointment at the autograph tent. Graciously accepting that his queries would go unasked for the present, the young man told me what he'd wanted to say. Both points were excellent, and now I'm curious about them, as well.

I need to check out Branch's new book, hoping that the answers are within--and also pencil in Texas Book Festival on my 2010 calendar. The T-shirt is inevitable, but at least I can wear cute shoes.

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TBF or not TBF?

What not to miss at the festival