NoVaTEEN authors
Serious stuff, this authoring. From left: Authors Tommy Wallach, Jeff Garvin, Melissa Gorzelanczyk, Kathy MacMillan, Maggie Thrash, Janet B. Taylor and Jennifer Donnelly.

Is there anything better than a weekend surrounded by people who love books–readers, authors, booksellers and librarians?

No.

NoVaTEEN Book Fest was truly spectacular. It was such an honor to be part of their 2016 author lineup alongside superstars like Holly Black, Eleanor Herman, Julie Murphy, Josh Sundquist, Jennifer Donnelly, Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, and many more, including my sweet, sweet, sweet Sweet Sixteens.

Here are some photos that capture the essence of my trip.

Author Martina Boone and I at Yorktown High School. First school visit ever/FIVE classes. I was one tired author by the end of the day.
Author Martina Boone and I at Yorktown High School. First school visit ever/FIVE classes. I was one tired author by the end of the day.
My Janet
Me and My Janet (that’s Janet B. Taylor, author of INTO THE DIM). What a warm, lovable, hardworking author she is. I hope you all have the pleasure of hearing her say the word, “smoochin'” someday. <3
WANT. Yorktown High School has some seriously talented artists. — in Arlington, Virginia.
WANT. Yorktown High School has some seriously talented artists. — in Arlington, Virginia.
KathyMacMillan_Edward_MelissaGorzelanczyk
The force of the The Sweet Sixteens, Kathy MacMillan.
Me during the Pop Sonnets game.
Me during the Pop Sonnets game.
New York Times bestseller Holly Black.
New York Times bestseller Holly Black.
My station for signing.
My station for signing.
My editor sister Charlotte Huang. Love her!
My editor sister Charlotte Huang. Love her!
Head in the clouds. (A shot from the plane on the descent into Green Bay. Home again!)
Head in the clouds.
(A shot from the plane on the descent into Green Bay. Home again!)

Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who helped make NoVaTEEN an incredible experience. It’s a weekend I’ll never forget.

xo Melissa