I am home again after a wonderful weekend at our regional SCBWI conference at Asilomar. I started off by picking up Samantha McFerrin, >Harcourt Children’s Books, and Lin Oliver, co-founder of SCBWI, at the SJ airport. It was a beautiful day for driving. We stopped in Moss Landing and had a yummy lunch at The Whole Enchilada. (Note to self – must go back and try the margaritas. They looked delicious!) The weekend was jam-packed with talks by editors and talented writers and visits with friends, old and new. I had some time to chat, albeit briefly with and I can’t believe the weekend went by with only a chance hello to (why didn’t we get to know one another when you lived here in SJ?)
Cheryl Klein, Arthur A. Levine Books, used Millicent Min as a great example of voice. She won my heart when she said that plot could taught. Thank goodness! Rachel Orr, HarperCollins, struck a chord with us all with her stories of fighting for the right titles and covers for her books. Allyn Johnston, Editor-in-chief at Harcourt, had us (and herself) in hysterics when she talked about her tendency to get perhaps a bit too close to the writers she worked with. If you ever meet her, ask about her early performance reviews.
As always, the conference food left a lot to be desired but the location and the people made up for it all.
hello new friend!
Isn’t it wonderful to connect with everyone! Your conference sounds wonderful!
Re: hello new friend!
Yes, the face-to-face with people I haven’t met yet as well as old friends is probably my favorite part of a conference. I went to ALA a few years ago and the exhibits were nice, but the late night chats in our rooms were even nicer.
Sounds like a wonderful conference! And I want to read your book! 🙂
Thank you so much! Did you read the excerpt? You can at http://www.backup.susantaylorbrown.com/mybooks.html
Oh, Wow! I read the excerpt and it’s so wonderful…now I’m definitely going to have to get the book 🙂
Oh, to attend a conference! Lucky girl, you! 🙂
They are a must-do, at least once a year. I wish I could afford to go to more.
I had a great time this weekend. The only disappointment was not spending more time talking to you!
Ditto! We have friends up in Folsom and my daughter and my adorable grandson are in Citrus Heights, so maybe I’ll get up your way.
It sounds like a great conference! I heard you found Caren and you’re planning to meet somewhere again. I would have loved to hear Cheryl’s speech. I’m looking forward to seeing it posted on her blog. (Hmm….sassy thought of the day…she doesn’t seem to think posting it will hinder her speaking gigs!)
I did meet Caren and am looking forward to getting together with her. Sorry we didn’t manage a picture. I simply must get a lightweight camera. I got tired of lugging it around.
I’m so glad you had a good time! I’m going to my first local SCBWI conference in October, and I can’t wait. Libba Bray is going to speak at the conference. Yes, LIBBA BRAY!!!
It was great seeing you Susan! What a fabulous conference. I got there early with picture book author Dana Kassimakis Smith and we enjoyed walking by the ocean. Your post really captures some of the special memories! Thanks. LJS
Was great seeing you there!!!!!!!!!!!!