Well my ruby slippers, suitcases full of my novel and my ruby slippers are back in Missouri.

The last few days have just flown by so quickly. Still I wouldn’t have traded the experience for all the world.

The last two evenings, Carla and I spent having “slumber parties” with Vivian and Jacque flitting back and forth between our rooms by way of the adjoining doors. We yacked about books and authors and all things writerly and anywhere in between.

Saying our goodbyes this morning was bittersweet. We’ll continue to keep in contact through email and Facebook but there’s no guarantee we’ll meet up with each other in person again.

Galund and Janet (the two other authors who had books debut at the festival) were great fun, too. I’m certain the friendships we forged this weekend will last for many years to come.

My suitcases are fully loaded with books. The one weighed in at 50 pounds give or take and the smaller one at about 45. Hopefully they’ll take the combined total weight and I’ll be under 100 pounds total.

My flight leaves the airport at 7:40 tomorrow morning so it will be another early morning but at least we’re only about 10-15 minutes from the airport.