
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.

Lamar Giles and Linda Sue Park getting ready to record our podcast about diversity. Debut authors and writing legends all in one place.

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

with Michael and Antoinette Portis, Denise Doyen. (Not a Box? Once Upon a Twice?) Yep…them. (via Denise Doyen)

with the lovely Carrie Gordon Watson – who sold a novel that she had to wrestle to the ground. Bravo! (via Carrie)
Thanks for sharing, Meg. I’ll start my savings jar today.
Do it, do it, do it Kristi!