Happy Birthday, Book!

One year ago today, you came into the world . . . and into my mailbox!



You were welcomed by family and friends . . .



And all manner of goodies . . .



Because you came into the world, you afforded me opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise, like meeting uber-passionate librarians at a cocktail party thrown by my publisher, Random House, at last year's ALA meeting in Philadelphia. I also had the pleasure of watching the award announcements, meeting the amazing people from Random House and getting to know these fine writers . . .

1. Liz Gallagher, who wrote The Opposite of Invisible
2. Maria Padian, who wrote Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress
3. E. M. Crane, who wrote Skin Deep

I also had the joy of giving a speech and workshop at the FL SCBWI conference and meeting the very funny and kind, Sid Fleischman.



What a busy year it's been! There were radio interviews, newspaper interviews and even a local TV interview. There were blog interviews and wonderful reviews, like these:

“Gephart mixes humor, intrigue and compassion in her entertaining first novel.” – Columbus Dispatch

“This entertaining novel offers believable middle school situations, a rip-roaring finale and a funny, memorable heroine.” – Buffalo News

“Fabulous middle-grade novel about an awkward spelling-bee champ whose governor mother is running for the Democratic nomination. Timely, funny and written in a great voice.” – Staff Pick at Children’s Book World

“Laugh-out-loud adventures combined with just the right amount of drama make this a great read.” – Minnesota Parent

There were book festivals, creative writing workshops and signings at indie bookstores in PA, NJ, OR, NY and of course, FL and many, many wonderful school visits.

Perhaps the finest moments throughout the year were e-mails, like this one from a young fan:

"I think it's the most awesome book I've ever read. I think it inspires young girls to be courageous. Your book has inspired me to make a difference in the world, and it gave me hope to be courageous, too."

Happy first birthday, book! Before you know it, you'll be out in paperback, reaching even more young readers. And best of all, early in 2010, you'll have a sibling -- HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL (WITHOUT GETTING YOUR HEAD FLUSHED), DEAL WITH AN EX-BEST FRIEND,UM, GIRLS AND A HEART-BREAKING HAMSTER.

Thanks everyone for helping make this such a memorable first year!

Donna

WHOSE AMI?

One morning, when our youngest son was two, we told him we’d go to Miami soon. Of course, “soon” turned into an hour of finishing up things around the house. Impatient, our son tugged on my pant leg and asked, “When we going to Your Ami?”

“My Ami?” I asked, confused.

He nodded vigorously. “Your Ami!”

“Ooooh,” I said, finally understanding. “We’ll go to Miami soon. Really.”

And we did.

This past weekend, I packed a suitcase and headed to Your Ami, er, Miami for the 6^th annual Florida SCBWI Conference.

Friday evening, I gave a short talk titled: “Don’t Quit!”

Later, at the speaker’s dinner, Sid Fleischman leaned toward me and said, “Your talk was fantastic.”

Sid Fleischman! The man who has a humor award named after him!

When I was able to breath, I thanked him.

Donna and Sid Fleischman

On Saturday, attendees enjoyed a bevy of inspiring and interesting speakers. Here's the schedule.

Saturday evening – “Ahoy, Matey!” – a nautical-themed dinner party.

Here I am with some of my sailor buddies . . .

Linda, Captain Dan, Riley and Donna

There were pirates . . .

Pirate Ena

Look who washed ashore . . .

Dan, Amy and Chery

And who dropped in from Gilligan’s Island . . .

"Where's the Skipper, Little Buddy? Was he, um, voted off the island?"

And here's Sailor Sylvia . . .

"Swab that deck! Critique that manuscript!"

All had boatloads of fun.

Sunday was filled with workshops. I taught one about finding and applying for grants. The participants were so much fun. I hope they all get big, fat grants to further their careers.

This bunch was only pretending to be studious while we waited for the rest of the group to return from lunch. "And yes, Paul, you may go to the bathroom!"

Three cheers to Linda Bernfeld (and a lot of dedicated volunteers) for pulling the conference together. To thank Linda for helping create a vibrant community of children’s book writers and illustrators in Florida, we chipped in to get her a big card and a spectacular cake, created by Gaby Triana. If you think Gaby bakes amazing book cakes, you should read the books she writes!

The titles on the book cakes were as follows:

1. Frying Nemo

2. Rhyme of the Agent Marinara

3. The Old Man and the Critique

4. 20,000 Leagues Under the Slushpile

5. A Cake of Nautical Puns

6. Pirates of Penned Rants

7. Tuesdays with Morays

After an energizing weekend, it was time to say so-long to friends and Your Ami, er, Miami.

Until next year. . .

Donna