I could not have written this post two days ago or even last night, but today--a day after the first SCBWI conference I have planned as the MD/DE/WV Regional Advisor--I can breathe a big sigh of relief and think of it as a success. The theme was "Creating Diversity in Children's Literature."
Of course there were glitches, including a last minute change of venue (to my house!) for the speaker dinner Friday night, a few audio visual problems, and too much light to see the powerpoint presentations properly. But the attendees were patient, understanding, and complimentary, our critiquers were thorough and helpful, and our speakers carried the day.
In the photo of the final Q & A panel above from left to right are author Linda Trice ("Building Blocks: First Steps Toward a Writing Career), keynote author Carole Boston Weatherford ("Genre-bending Children's Books"), author Mary Quattlebaum ("Catch an Editor's Eye, an Agent's Ear, and a Reader's Heart), illustrator/author/art director Christy Hale ("Creating a Space for Everyone"), Tricycle Press editor Abigail Samoun ("Tell Me a Story: Lessons from Five Masters of Plot"), and agent Mark McVeigh ("Cracking the Agent Code: How to Get an Agent's Attention in a Letter").
I owe heaps of thanks to my hardworking and supportive planning committee: Asst. RA Laura Shovan, Susan Detwiler, Naomi Milliner, Sue Poduska, Mary Bowman-Kruhm, and Lois Szymanski.
P.S. I'm hoping to get each one of our "potatoes" as conference speakers over the next couple of years--if not all together, then one by one!
8 comments:
It was a wonderful conference! The speakers were wonderful, the venue was lovely and the volunteers were the best! Most of all, the attendees were proof that we host the friendliest region! Thank you, Edie for all your hard work!
Congratulations Edie on a successful conference! I wish I could have been at that panel- it sounds like it was very interesting and you and Christie finally met in person!
So glad it went well!!
As a member of the planning committee, I appreciate the thanks but know that Edie was the primary force behind a super day.
Edie, congratulations. I look forward to being with you with other potatoes. Enjoy being on the other side of it.
Sounds like your hard work and planning paid off, Edie. Congratulations!
Thank you all for your comments! I'm feeling quite good about the conference now.
I hope you've had some time this past week to catch your breath, and feel good about organizing such a successful conference. Did you do anything to treat yourself after all that hard work?
And yes, it would be a delight to be a speaker at one of your conferences with other potatoes!
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