New York SCBWI Conference!

The annual New York SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) has become an annual destination for Mary Jane Begin and me to promote our graduate programs in children's literature and illustration at Hollins University.SCBWI opened up the conference to sponsors two years ago and its proven to be a fabulous opportunity to spread the word to the 850 or so attendees. MJ and I make great roommates and we had a heck of a view this year. We quickly set up our table and went to grab something to eat at a fabulous diner.Back at the hotel, the Friday night party is THE party to attend. It's formally a portfolio showcase for a select bunch of illustrators.But it doubles as an opportunity for folks in the children's book industry to schmooze and reconnect. I've been doing this since 2001 and I know a lot of industry friends - it's so good to see them all! And I do mean ALL!MJ and I are like butterflies as we dance from one group of friends to another. We were most thrilled to see three of our students there: Caroline, Lisa, and Lauren!Lauren won the Student Illustrator Scholarship to be there. That is a VERY BIG DEAL out of all of those portfolios!!!! But we also got to reconnect with the fabulous heads of SCBWI who put toghether these wonderful events. Here we are with Kim Turrisi, Sarah Baker, and Tammy Brown. Thank you for all you do!!! I also reconnected with old friends from the SCBWI Carolinas region, Elizabeth Rawls, Ashley Belote, and Erica Wood (that’s Becky Shillington’s head on a stick since she couldn’t attend in person).We also got to connect with Heidi Stemple who joined our faculty this past fall to teach writing picture books. The students LOVED her, of course - knew they would! We went to lunch on Saturday at the French bistro around the corner from the hotel - lovely!Of course, the whole reason we go is to find potential new members for our Hollins family. I'm happy to report that I think we did! Can't wait to welcome them to campus!

New Yawk City!

It's become an annual pilgrimmage... I go to New York for the SCBWI winter conference, but go up a few days early to stay with my dear friends Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman. They have a lovely flat overlooking the Hudson and walking along it each morning is one of my favorite things to do - no matter how cold!The grand old trees greet me as if I'm entering Narnia. Where is Mr. Tumnus?Although my photos make it look like I had it all to myself, there were actually doggies and their humans everywhere. But it was COLD. Polar fleece is not the easiest thing to pack, but for walks along the Hudson, I pack it happily!One morning, Delia went with me and we went the other direction, that I didn't even know about. It was just as stunning.Our big adventure this trip (we always plan at least one) was to go see CABARET by the New York City Theater. My friend Mikki Knudsen (author of The Library Lion) joined us. The theater itself had been completely transformed. The entrance felt like entering some shady speak-easy. The girls decided we needed to look tough in our photos.The insigna for the show was a large eye.But this is all I get to show you because they wouldn't let us take photos inside where they'd reconfigured the theater to be in the round with cafe tables, little lamps, and gold fringe hanging everywhere. It was meant to mimic a bordello and it did! It was fabulous! That said, the interpretation of the musical they chose to share was more raw and emotional than the typical performance, made especially more poignant in the fact that it could all be taking place today in today's political atmosphere. When the nazi armband was revealed, reactions from the audience were strong and just as relevant now. It was so well done, but also deeply disturbing. So we went to dinner afterwards to decompress and discuss.      We found a fabulous Thai restaurant that we all enjoyed.Other than taking baths in their luxurious tub, I spent the rest of my time with them just writing. Something about being in the home of two writers makes it very easy to get so much done, and I did!
     On Friday, I packed up my considerable suitcase, and caught the subway to the hotel for the conference. More in the next post!