This has been a tough week. Maybe one of the toughest. When we’re alone, sipping something warm, I will surely tell you what’s really going on. But for now, I must thank my friends for carrying me through. I received three loving phone calls, yesterday. Three different moments to remember life’s greater gifts. John Mayer also helped with this song ( Read more... )

Out of over 1100 people at the SCBWI Summer Conference, I gave a singular yogurt covered pretzel to MT Anderson-one of the greatest children’s book writers of our time. Of course, he asked first. That was at the LGBT poolside lunch where members and allies of the LGBT community met to chat about concerns, trends, and breaking through boundaries.

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Last weekend, I was thrilled to teach writers and hear about their works-in-progress at the first MuseWrite seminar.


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This weekend I fell in love again, twice. It started when Michelle Duster and I took a trip to Columbia College--where we checked out the room for the 10/10 seminar. (Cynthea Liu was/is off on a massive book tour, and Jen Cullerton Johnson was busy touching the lives of her students.)

I was in awe at the 618 S. Michigan Avenue building! When I was ( Read more... )

Cynthea Liu's PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE is drawing in readers of all ages. Yesterday, my niece became the newest member of the Paris Pan Fan Club.


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Today at Printer's Row a sense of community and closeness held dreams together.
SCBWI was proudly represented at the First-Timers panel.


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Before today turns into tomorrow and the week passes me by, I wanted to share one of the most inspirational moments of my writing career. Last Wednesday, I was invited to speak as an author. Really I'm not an author, yet, but I'm well on my way (six years to be exact). So FINALLY I was able to share my gifts with others.

The L.E.A.R.N. Charter ( Read more... )