What can I say about the first CHAPTERS reading? It was good? It was entertaining?
Words cannot describe how amazing the CHAPTERS reading was. From the location to the reading itself, this year GWN has really outdone itself. The event is fresh and new (and not only because of its location), but also because of the stories and ideas that the readers shared. (Plus, and hearing them got me excited for my own upcoming reading!)
The night was truly one to remember, especially with guest speaker Sonia Manzano, better known as Maria from Sesame Street. I got to interview Sonia before the reading. She is a gem: witty, strong, and holding truth in all that she says. While I was waiting for our interview I was rehearsing my questions. I thought it would be hard to communicate with her because of where she is in her life as an author, actress, mother, and working woman, and I was pretty sure I wouldn’t know what to say when she arrived. I even kept repeating my name and age in case I forgot.
When I heard she was in the elevator, I full-on panicked, yet all of that changed when she stepped out. The room seemed to mellow out, and I swear that objects in the room would have pulled towards her if her smile had influenced the atmosphere any more. She wasn’t Sonia Manzano the author, actress, mother, and working woman. She was Sonia, the amazing woman whose presence and influence puts a room at ease.
That strength that she radiated in our interview must have traveled throughout the auditorium during the reading, because while the girls were on stage, I couldn’t help but put my fist in the air to all of the great pieces of literature that were shared.
So what can I say about the reading? It was truly a community effort, and that night it really showed.
- Tea helped us kick off CHAPTERS in style — and there’s still three opportunities to be part of the magic! Get your tix now.
- Plus, check out photos from March!