The Latest News

writers' retreat on the beach!

10/28/2018

I should have posted a beach photo after writing that title, but I had to show that instead of luxuriating on the beach all weekend, we did actually work! Last weekend I attended the MG/YA Writers Retreat in Fort Lauderdale organized by the fabulous Allyson Levitt of editandgetit.com. I highly recommend any event she plans...she works hard and does whatever possible to provide the info and opportunities that writers need. She even added skypes with more editors at the last minute, just because she wanted to...how many people would do that, and not charge any more money?

Above is a photo from the Agents and Editors panel, including Jess Regel, Heather Flaherty, Krista Vitola, and Julia Maguire. Also pictured is me with Allyson's dog Lucy, who was the unofficial conference mascot, and me with Gary D. Schmidt, award-winning author and keynote speaker for the weekend.

The best part of the retreat, besides meeting so many great people, was my critique with Gary D. Schmidt. If you ever get the chance to have him critique your work, DO IT! I left his critique more motivated than ever. In fact, I'm going to quit writing this post and go work on the book I discussed with him...

The las vegas writers conference

4/30/2018

Last weekend I attended the Las Vegas Writers Conference for the first time. Yes, I live in Las Vegas, so it is strange that I never attended before. I guess I hadn't because it wasn't specifically for Children's Book writers. But oh my, I should have gone long ago! I left completely saturated with information and motivation to take the next step in my writing career.
In the photo above, I pose with the last straggler-attendees, after the special session on Sunday with Jane Friedman, in the blue/pink dress. All writers should follow her...she gives tons of invaluable advice!

March 27th, 2018

3/27/2018

This weekend was the reception for the contributors to the Henderson Libraries' anthology, Impressions: Freedom. My son and I drove all the way across town so that he could see his mom called up in front of everyone, honored to have been chosen as an author and artist in the collaboration.
But we got there late! When we arrived, all the names had been called and people had moved on to mingling. I picked up my copy of the book...it was so fun to see my work in there!
And my son did get two free cookies out of it. So he was happy, too.

a story and a drawing!

1/13/2018

I am excited to report that a short story and drawing of mine were accepted into Henderson Libraries' upcoming print anthology, Impressions. The theme was "Freedom," and my story is about the solo road trip my mom took when she drove to Vegas from Indiana to visit me years ago.

Getting something in print sure gives me motivation to keep writing!

Can I spend an entire vacation in a bookstore?

1/9/2018

We visited family in Portland this past weekend, and oh how I wished I could have spent an entire day at Powell's Books. But instead of leisurely picking up titles and strolling to the cafe for a latte, we spend about 25 minutes in the Children's section and then had to call it quits. But oh, my, the Children's section! I could spend a day just there. So the answer to the title of my post is yes, I could spend an entire vacation at Powell's. I am envious of the natives who have daily access to this store.
And by the way, I am declaring, now, here, officially on this blog, that one day I will do an author signing at Powell's. Yes, someday. I will make it happen.

the vegas valley book festival

10/13/2017

I am soooooo looking forward to the Vegas Valley Book Festival on October 21! It is located on the grounds of the Historic Fifth Street School, downtown, and is one of the things that makes Las Vegas feel like a real city... Yes, there is culture and art in Las Vegas!

painting and painting

9/6/2017

Ever since attending the LA SCBWI annual conference in July, I have been inspired to paint. This is my palette from my most recent painting. And I even found a local show to enter the painting in. Yea! The creative juices are flowing.

copyright law seminar

9/6/2017

I happened upon a local organization that is a great resource for artists and writers in Las Vegas. Last month I attended their first in a series of seminars about Copyright Law for Artists & Writers. How cool is that?

hanging on to the conference

7/14/2017

I have been back from the LA SCBWI Annual Conference since last Sunday night, and I am truly trying to hang on to the motivation it gave me. Not only did I meet many interesting people, but I also got an idea for one of my books. And as always, it is so great to be completely surrounded by supportive, like-minded people. At the conference, during the whole weekend, everyone is expected to chit-chat with the strangers nearby. So after a weekend of smiling and talking with strangers, suddenly finding myself in the airport was a rude awakening. I kept having to stop myself from smiling at people and reminding myself not to strike up conversations. Such culture shock!
And now I'm back home, back to my normal job and normal routine, and I'm trying to hold on to the great feeling I had at the conference...holding on to who I felt I was there. I like that person.

By the way, that is legendary Judy Blume being interviewed in the photo above.

SCBWI 2017

7/6/2017

I am in LA for the annual SCBWI Summer conference and I am so excited to have the luxury of focusing solely on my craft for three whole days! Why, you ask, did I post a photo of a drink? It is because I am taking part in my tradition of sitting in the lobby bar and people-watching. The people are mostly other writers here for the conference.