Views of the Neighborhood – Galveston Book Festival

Yesterday I was in Galveston for their Book Festival. I had to drive 41/2 hours. Such is the life of an Island dweller. Everything is hours away.

Galveston Book Fair

It was two lane road the whole way. This garbage truck in front of me was my best friend for twenty miles. He kept me from exceeding the speed limit. In fact, he was so concerned he held me at least five miles per hour under the whole way.

The Festival is in the grade school.

Here is the setup. You can tell we are in the gym by the doors.

I thought I would take a shot without the doors

Would you buy a book from this guy?

A view of the other setups around me.

More booths

Here is a far away shot of my booth.

Happy book lovers.

Final shot. Now for another 41/2 hours back to the island.

98 comments

  1. Wonderful event, dear John! And what is in the box named ‘Swedish fish’? You look great on the photo.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They are fish candies. They are like Gummy Bears only fish.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. How interesting! Thanks!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Have you ever had a gummy bear?

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Yes, I have. But the fish never!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Have a slight teaberry taste to them.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Mmmmm…delicious!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Good pictures, John. It looks like you had a table in a prominent spot. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Seemed that way. Thanks, Suzanne.

      Like

  3. Yes, I’d buy a book from that guy. Hope you had a successful day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Linda. 😀

      Like

  4. Gwen Plano · ·

    Terrific setup and great photos – especially of the thriller writer. Thank yous go to the truck driver who kept you safe. LOL. I know Galveston was hit badly by Harvey, it’s good to see that life is returning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Gwen. Galveston seems to be doing well. I did not see any damage. Yes thanks to the garbage truck driver. At the minimum he might have saved me a fine. 😀

      Like

  5. Of course I’d buy a book from that guy. As long as I got one of the fish (love those things). I hope it went well.

    Did you get “that feeling” walking into an elementary school?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I did get that feeling. The halls had that familiar “better beat the bell feel.” Thanks, Dan.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. “Would you buy a book from this guy?” What a great caption…I laughed out loud when I read it. Of course I would! I think you had the best looking booth, John. I’m curious did people go for the Swedish fish? The box caught my eye in the first shot. Happy Sunday! Rest up!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you , Jill. As expected people didn’t know what they were so it was an ice breaker. Thanks for the nice comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Love the Swedish fish addition. Hope you had a lot of fun. Have a safe drive back.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was fun. I call it new learning for sure.

      Like

  8. Well done, John. Very professional. Could we expect any less?

    But I dunno about Swedish fish, I’ve tried the fish that the Scandinavian Lutherans sell around here. Codfish soaked in lye? Really?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha ha. That kind of Swedish fish needs sneaking up upon. 😀

      Like

  9. Looks like it was a great event. Were the Swedish Fish for you or for the customers? Hopefully you didn’t have to share the road with a garbage truck on the ride home!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The fish were for the customers. I was lucky that the garbage truck was otherwise occupied.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Haha! Thanks, John.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. My theme was fishing. I had an old creel sitting there as well.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. You had easily the best set-up, John! (Visuals there in compact closeness at eye level – good planning!) Hope I’m assuming correctly: you had a Willett/Rocks upon returning to the island! Or, a nap! In any event, hope all went well – and safely! ♥

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I had to settle for a glass of wine. But it worked. Thanks, Billy Ray. 🙂

      Like

  11. Good morning, John,
    Maybe swimming would have been faster than driving?! 😀
    Well, even if I had known about this interesting venue it would have been “a tad” too far for me to drive there. 😉
    Talking of Galveston: we’ll be there for the Tall Ship Challenge at the beginning of April. The Tall Ship Parade coincides with my birthday on April 5, and we’ll be on board the schooner ‘When and If” for the parade. What a perfect birthday present my wife gave this “old salt”! 🙂 Oh, I’m so much looking forward to that event. Well, not exactly because it adds anopther year to my lifetime. 😀 We’ll be there for a few more days and we’ll surely enjoy our stay.
    Have a wonderful Sunday,
    Pit

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m sure you will enjoy it Pit. Happy Birthday in advance. I won’t be on social media then so here’s your greeting. 😀

      Like

      1. Thanks, John! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Great Gatsby, you had a nice setup there John!
    The Swedish fish would never be able to replicate your sweet personality though.
    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh my, Marc. I need to put you in my will. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m fine with a drink. Cheap date. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Nice going, to get the corner booth, John. It looks great. I’ve never heard of Swedish fish — must Google.
    But horsefeathers — what a drive… Rest up and have a lovely new week. Hugs!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Teagan. Hugs. 😀

      Like

  14. John Fioravanti · ·

    Nicely done – you had a very attractive booth set-up, Mr. John. Yes, I’d buy a book from that guy and hopefully have a nice chat too! Funny, I spent 40 years in three high schools (35 as a teacher) and to this day I don’t feel comfortable walking into any school. Glad to be gone? Youbetcha!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha ha. What makes them al look the same?

      Like

      1. John Fioravanti · ·

        Unimaginative architecture – not to mention the distinct aroma…

        Liked by 1 person

  15. This is great, John. I love book festivals too. As an author but a reader too. You had a great booth! Hope you had a great, successful day.
    These Swedish fish are my weakness 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Evelyne. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Yes, I’d buy a book, John! I hope you had a successful day and met lots of book readers with money in their pockets!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Noelle. Perfect world.

      Like

  17. Your booth looks awesome, John – very inviting! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Jan 😀

      Like

  18. A real happenin’ book festival and your books are front and center. Impossible to miss. Outstanding, John. Hope you had a favorable return after all that driving. No garbage truck on the way back, I hope. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nope I ditched the truck. Sadly sold only one book. There were only about 15 people who attended.

      Like

  19. Great looking set-up and a good location. You certainly seemed to stand out from the crowd. I hope many chose to by a book from that man. That drive to Galveston the back way is not fun. Glad you made it back safely!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes it was pretty grim when I lost all radio and cell service. Who knew there were such backroads.

      Like

  20. I hope it was a fun time, John, and worth it–by selling books and/or making new friends! Why are you so far from Galveston? I didn’t picture that. So are you way south of Galveston? Is your weather a lot different or not? Always with the questions!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, we are South and West of Galveston and we are a little warmer but not so much different. I noticed we have a lot more palm trees than Galveston.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hmm, yes, must be just warm enough by you then!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. That’s like here in Phoenix!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Except the humidity here is over 60%

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Yup, there is that. You have the beautiful ocean, but we have sweet-smelling air and a heat that is more than livable. UNTIL JUNE.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Can’t believe you didn’t take one of the dogs as a mascot. Surely they would have been helpful promoters. Hope the fair went well for you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The poor things would not enjoy a 9:00 to 2:00 event. It was an interesting experience.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Would you attend next year?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Definitely not. The turnout was dismal. The resort town of Galveston is not ready for a book festival.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Checkmark for Learning Experience.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Great setup, John! Looks like a wonderful event. I’m sure you lured them in with those Swedish Fish.😘 I love those things. Your booth looks beautiful. I hope you sold a lot of books.😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for the comments, Vashti.

      Like

      1. You’re welcome. 😀 Have a good night.

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Love the photos, John. I read through the comments and sorry to hear of the poor attendance, therefore poor book sales. 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yeah it was a real disappointment. Thanks, Jan

      Like

  24. Some fortunate individuals who got to meet you this weekend. Hope you enjoyed yourself. Man. Had I still lived there we could have finally shaken hands. I was 20 minutes from Galveston in League City for 10 years.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That would have beed great. Thanks, Audrey.

      Like

  25. Looks like a great event! I hope you sold a boat-load!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Michelle. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  26. An awesome event to be sure. I hope it went as expected.

    Tim

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Tim.

      Like

  27. I’d buy a book from you – and my son would eat all your Swedish fish. Sorry the attendance was so low.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, there is a lot of education by attending. Thank you, Teri.

      Like

  28. Book fairs are enjoyable! You’re coming along nicely with your books. I remember back when My GRL just came out. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Rhonda. I remember your nice support of My GRL as well. 🙂

      Like

  29. Sorry the attendance wasn’t there. Your setup looked very professional. Maybe offer a shot of redeye for each sale and see if you can get them lining up.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I would have had to go to the beach with a “follow me for a shot sign.” Thanks, Craig.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. You mean you had to FEED them, too?? Gee, the things they force authors to do nowadays, just to sell a few books! Seriously, I hope it was a success, John (and you ditched the garbage truck for the ride home!)

    Like

    1. Don’t see the garbage truck again. Thanks Debbie. 😀

      Like

  31. I hope you had a great day, and that long drive (both ways) was worth it, John. Was the garbage truck there to guide you back? It’s great meeting your readers and for them to meet the person behind the book.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes that is always fun. No the garbage truck had other places to go. Thank heavens.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. I have bought a book from that guy. 🙂 I see you put JC by the exit doors. Nice play as you never know when you’ll need a fast get-away. “)

    I hope the Book Faire was a huge success for you John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Deborah. Yes JC always needs fast way out.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Looks awesome, John. Cheers to you! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Natalie. 😀 Cheers back.

      Liked by 1 person