Wordy Girls

The feeling I get from lots of writers is that they think it's only worth going to an event if they think an editor will be there who might buy their manuscript. I think they're missing out on a lot of wonderful events because of that. As a writer, I think it's important to support literature-related events. And it's terrific to meet new people with shared interests.

Last night, I went to a Children's Literature Network event: A Conversation with Anita Silvey. It was great! Silvey, a former Horn Book editor, editor at Houghton, and now expert and entertaining booktalker, fielded questions about all aspects of children's literature for an hour. Then we had a lovely buffet dinner and spread out around member Catherine Thimmesh's beautiful house (Thimmesh is author of Team Moon, winner of this year's Siebert award). I met Debra Frasier and touched base with Kelly Dupre. I chatted with aspiring writers and authors and illustrators with forthcoming books. John Coy, Marion Dane Bauer, and other luminaries of children's literature were there.  It was a blast!  I even got to meet Jane St. Anthony and tell her how much my daughter Maddie and I are enjoying reading her book The Summer Sherman Loved Me.

Did I sell a book? Of course not! It wasn't that kind of event. But I chatted for a few minutes with the person in charge of buying children's books for the entire Hennepin County Library System.  How cool! And if I were smart, I'd have chatted up my current non-fiction books and forthcoming poetry books. And I spent a great couple of hours talking about my favorite thing, children's books, with other people who care passionately about them.

What children's literature events and conferences and reading are happening in your city? I hope you'll make the time to attend and support them. You might not come away with a book sale, but you'll enrich your children's writing career and make all sorts of interesting, supportive, engaging contacts (and maybe some friends). So get out there!