FAME

The FAME conference (Florida Association for Media in Education) truly lives up to its name, at least from an author's perspective. Here authors of books for young readers are celebrities. Dozens of media specialists have asked to have their picture taken with me so that they can take it back to their eager students who reportedly will be wild with excitement at this glimpse of me. People act flattered if I sit with them at lunch or walk with them through the gorgeous hallways of this posh Hilton resort. People treat it as a huge honor to be able to collect an author - an actual author! - from the airport.

Here is what I've been telling these wonderful dedicated media specialists (whom I still want to call by the honorific title LIBRARIANS).

These students who are so excited about books and reading and who are thrilled by the sight of an author? Do you know why they are so excited? It's because of YOU. It's because of YOUR love for books, and YOUR love for kids - your contagious enthusiasm - your creative energy and excitement. We authors would be nowhere - unwept, unhonored, and unsung - if it weren't for you.

So thank you, thank you, thank you, Florida media educators. You are the best!