Educational and Inspirational

By Trina Boice

I recently returned from a wonderful trip to BYU-Idaho in Rexburg where I presented 9 different classes at Education Week and attended others hosted by some really terrific speakers. I absolutely love Education Week and look forward to it every year. It's a chance to get my cup filled and rejuvinate. I always leave feeling inspired and motivated to do better in my life.

If you missed Education Week in Idaho, you're in luck...there's another opportunity at the BYU-Provo campus in Utah from August 17-21, 2009. It's a full week of classes on almost every topic you can think of from religion to marriage to finances and everything in between, running from first thing in the morning until late at night. If that weren't enough, there are also various concerts and performances to choose from each night, book signings by your favorite authors all day long in the BYU Bookstore, artist unveilings, special events for youth, and fun receptions and dinners all around campus. Oh yeah, and those famous BYU mint brownies. Heaven.

I love the thrill of learning a new concept. At the end of Education Week your brain is about ready to explode, brimming with new ideas to consider. You're shown how to look at certain scripture passages in a new way, how to use new parenting techniques to communicate with your rebellious teens, and where to find resources that will help you improve every aspect of your life. Love it. Plenty of fodder to kickstart your next writing project.

One of the things I love the most is that you get a chance to meet some of your favorite authors and hear them speak. I think it's so much more fun to read books after I've personally met the authors because then I can "hear" their voices in the written word.

Another thing I love is hooking up with my old friends who gather from all corners of the country to meet for dinner and catch up on what's happening in our lives. So girls, see you at Los Hermanos Monday night!

For more information on BYU's Education Week this summer, to register or to see the class schedule, check out http://ce.byu.edu/ed/edweek/registration.cfm

LDS Bookseller's Convention

By Trina Boice


When my first LDS book was published, I received an invitation to do a book signing at the annual LDS Booksellers Association Convention in Sandy, Utah. I never even knew that such an event existed. I left feeling excited, rejuvinated and completely inspired.

The good news is that this year's convention starts tomorrow! It takes place August 3-7 at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. The bad news is that it is only open to members of the LDS Booksellers Assocation and their guests. See what you can do to become a guest!

By the way, Cedar Fort has a terrific reputation for consistently having one of the best booths and is always decked out with impressive decor to coordinate with the theme for the year. This year's theme is "Discovering Treasures." As readers, we all know the thrill of finding a hidden treasure in a great book, whether it be a fun character, inspiring word choice, exciting adventure, or a new mind-expanding idea. Great theme. I wonder if there will be lots of pirates holding books, wandering around the convention hall this year?

I'm telling you, this event is fantastic! My friends call me a giggler...that is to say that I get all giggly and groupie when I meet famous people. It's embarrassing, really. The convention hall overflows with LDS "celebrities" you can meet and have sign their books, music CD's, artwork or DVD's. I brought my camera and made a real idiot out of myself....so much fun.

I love meeting people who have worked hard at improving their talents and who are doing amazing things. It energizes me and motivates me to try harder. Zig Ziglar said "Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully." You get the sense that all of these great musicians, artists and authors truly love the gospel and are trying to use their talents to build the kingdom. I love that.

It's also extremely invigorating to see the latest, greatest, and newest LDS merchandise to hit the market. I absolutely thrill to be around people who are creating, dreaming, and contributing something positive to the world.

To see the schedule of events and learn more about the LDS Booksellers Association, check out their web site at http://www.ldsba.com