Had a fabulous time in Tucson. Hard to believe that this was only the second year of Tucson's book fest, which is already the 7th largest in the US.

Sandwiched between my presentations I managed to sneak away and catch Elmore Leonard, and sons (both writers as well), being interviewed by Scott Simon or NPR fame. Wow, I can't imagine trying to become a writer with Elmore as your pater familias. Talk about pressure. Makes me glad my dad managed a Chinese restaurant.

I met dozens of fellow writers, not the least of which was Luis Alberto Urrea. In addition to being a finalist for the Pulitzer (along with his lovely wife, who is a research maven) Luis is a helluva speaker.

Speaking of speaking. I'll be at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe this evening, tag-teaming with Meg Mullins (Dear Strangers). See you there.