Children’s book author by day. Dancing nun by night. Who wouldn’t want to read a kid’s book by someone like this?
Why do I write for young people? Well, sure, I love kids, but I also adore the people who write FOR them. I’m spending five glorious days at the Society for Children’s Writers and Illustrators right now.
If you write for young people, make yourself a promise. Put an SCBWI National Conference on your calendar for next summer. Save up. The inspiration, good will, and straight out fun are worth the headache of travel and budget busting. You’ll play, study, and (most important) find the friends and colleagues who will keep you dreaming and working when the creative times are lean.
I’m putting some pictures below, including some shots of the pool party in honor of Tomie DePaola’s 80th birthday.
A few hours of quiet time before the conference…
What’s not to love about eating poolside in LA?
Only a small part of Candlewick’s team. Megan McDonald (Judy Moody!) Mary Lee Donovan, and me
Lamar Giles and Linda Sue Park getting ready to record our podcast about diversity. Debut authors and writing legends all in one place.
Sure high tech set up for recording…(Hi Theo!)
With Linda Sue Park, Sharon G. Flake, and Lamar Giles. Some wonderful thinking about books, diversity, and how we can see more books about everybody
One amazing woman. The incredible Sharon G. Flake. A must-have speaker.
What the ballroom looked like for the panel on diversity (via Lamar Giles)
Tons of people came to the #WeNeedDiverseBooks poolside chat!
Poolside WeNeedDiverseBooks chat
with Michael and Antoinette Portis, Denise Doyen. (Not a Box? Once Upon a Twice?) Yep…them. (via Denise Doyen)
How’s this for a polite author? Kathy Ellen Davis left me a thank you note after my session.
with the lovely Carrie Gordon Watson – who sold a novel that she had to wrestle to the ground. Bravo! (via Carrie)
The fabulous John Parra’s art work graces an SCBWI bag, which I bought (of course).
Rockin’ the night away after a day of learning.
Yes. Those would be the Pope, nuns, and gondoliers.
Illustrators Eliza Wheeler, David Diaz and me
Thanks for sharing, Meg. I’ll start my savings jar today.
Do it, do it, do it Kristi!