R.L. Stine tells us that if you are a writer, your children will be nonreaders. He offers his son as an example. His son read book after book of Garfield cartoons but nary a Goosebumps. When we suggested Stine was putting us on about his son not reading his work he says, "That's something nice people like you say." Puzzling this over, we asked what types of literature Stine enjoyed as a boy and his response was, "Comics." Specifically he read horror comics and Mad (before it was a magazine). Later he tells us his son's major in college was English and the picture is complete. Stine's son is every bit the reader Stine is and so were each one of us sitting with him at the Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB) Author Dinner.

R.L. Stine fan Yvette (@BookmansPhoenix) poses with the acclaimed author of horror fiction for young readers.

We appreciate Stine's patience with our fanatical questions about his writing process and would he sign a zillion books for us and if he didn't mind pose for a photo? We weren't the only ones. Throughout dinner other attendees stopped by our table to express their gratitude for Stein's work. Eventually a small mob developed and Stine graciously answered questions, gave autographs and posed for pictures for all who asked.

Stine loves book festivals as much as we do. When he found out he was booked for just two sessions at TFOB, he requested two more. We recommend you do your best to attend one or two or all four.

Ghosts Are My Life
Solo Presentation, 10 - 11 a.m., Saturday, March 10
Education Building - Kiva Auditorium

R.L. Stine
Solo Presentation, 1 - 2 p.m., Saturday, March 10
Teen and Author Meeting Place

Fantasy: What's New and Who's Reading Now?
Panel, 10 - 11 a.m., Sunday, March 11
Koffler - Room 204

R.L. Stine
Solo Presentation, 1 - 2 p.m., Sunday, March 11
Teen and Author Meeting Place

Surprising fact: @R.L._Stine loves Twitter. He likes catching up with readers so take a moment to follow him. He's clever, quick and gives us goosebumps. Keep up with Stine, @Bookmans and all the booklovers this weekend by following #TFOB on Twitter.