A wide range of vendors setting up for the day at the Kansas Reading Association’s 2011 annual conference in Visser Hall, Emporia State University. Emporia, Kansas.

Fellow authors Roy Bird and Wyatt Townley, who were also part of the guest panel.

The audience of convention attendees begins to gather for our 10:00 a.m. panel discussion with authors.

Kansas Reading Association’s 2011 annual convention luncheon.

Paul Miles Schneider signs copies of “Silver Shoes” for the afternoon book-signing session of the Kansas Reading Association’s 2011 annual convention.

A group of Kansas University education majors with Paul Miles Schneider, author of “Silver Shoes,” at the 2011 KRA annual convention. A terrific group of future teachers. Their enthusiasm was contagious!

Downtown Emporia, Kansas. 2011. Oddly enough, in all my years growing up in Kansas, this was my first trip to Emporia, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Granada Theatre marquee in Emporia, Kansas. I was given complimentary gift certificates to The Sweet Granada – A Chocolate Cafe, and the Granada Coffee Co., which I happily used during my visit. Nothing says “welcome to town” quite like a cup of java and chocolate!

The store front of Town Crier Bookstore in Emporia, Kansas. 2011.

Catching up with a childhood friend, Lori Herbel Grimmett, at the Town Crier Bookstore signing in Emporia, Kansas. Lori is an elementary school teacher in Emporia.

Lori Herbel Grimmett and her son, an avid eight-year-old reader, search for a new book together at Town Crier Bookstore in Emporia, Kansas.