It's Okay to Be Chicken . . .

especially when you're at the amazing 2013 Florida SCBWI Conference in Miami.

For example, I'm sure the five people speaking on the "First Books" panel (Laen Ghiloni, Shannon Hitchcock, Nicole Lataif, Rob Sanders and Jessica Souders) were chicken, but they got up and made inspiring speeches anyway about the experience of publishing their first books.

Shannon Hitchcock telling the touching story of why she dedicated THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL to her son, Alex

Then we were off to Books and Books in Coral Gables where being chicken wasn't an option.  I thanked owner, Mitchell Kaplan, for his wonderful store and for being so supportive of authors.  I met with writers/illustrators/editors, etc.

Becky and Aaron from Books and Books operated the bookstore at our conference.

Aaron and Becky from Books and Books.  This photo was stolen from Augusta Scattergood's blog.

Saturday was filled with wise words from authors, illustrators, editors and agents.  We had the pleasure of hearing Bruce Coville, Rubin Pfeffer, Michael Sterns, Toni Buzzeo, Ellen Hopkins, etc.

Here's Bruce Coville, talking about the ripples that extend from what we do.  What a wise and witty speaker!

The evening found us at the Barnyard Stomp.  We were dressed as hillbillies, farm animals and even Honey Boo Boo Child. 

Becca Puglisi, Stacie Ramey, Me, Jill Nadler

Jill Nadler, Fred Koehler and me!

Sunday workshops included a workshop by Becca Puglisi, who, along with Angela Ackerman, are the authors of The Emotion Thesaurus.

One of the highlights of the excellent workshop was connecting with Augusta Scattergood, author of the highly acclaimed novel, Glory Be.

Augusta Scattergood and me, after a long, wonderful conference

As always, the conference tired me out and energized me.  It was GREAT to connect with old friends and make some fine new ones.  THANK YOU to Linda Bernfeld and all the people who worked so hard to make this conference so memorable.

My life is far richer for our Florida chidren's literature community!

Orlando? Check! Miami? Here I come . . .

What do you get when you combine Disney magic, kick-butt workshops and a hula hoop demonstration?

You get the awesome Florida SCBWI Mid-year Workshops and Intensives.

What fun!  It was an honor to be among the wonderful faculty.


Agent Tracey Adams and I had a great group in our middle grade workshop Saturday.  They were engaged, enthusiastic and full of funtastic ideas.

Tracey and I spent the day talking craft and marketing and . . . there was some hula hooping going on.  I mean, really, how can one talk about middle grade fiction without it?

Thanks, Fred Koehler, for bringing the hoop . . .

Tracey Adams, Fred Koehler and me

And then there was the lizard under the presenter table . . .

Here is Tracey taking a photo of someone rescuing the lizard.

By the end of the session, our heads were all ready to explode . . . with great ideas for writing middle grade fiction about, hmm, hula hooping lizards.  Yeah, that's it.  Hula hooping lizards.

During lunch, I had the pleasure of meeting author, Tracy Barrett.   Tracy and I recently presented at April is for Authors, but there were so many authors we didn't get a chance to meet, so I was delighted to enjoy lunch with Tracy.  And the tiramisu for dessert didn't hurt either.

Tracy Barrett and Donna.  Not shown:  Tiramisu

This conference was so well organized, it was a pleasure to participate.  Thanks to Florida's regional advisor, Linda Bernfeld, and amazing volunteers Kerry O'Malley Cerra, Dorian Cirrone, Marcea Ustler, Danielle Joseph, Curtis Sponsler, Laurie Taddonio and many others.  You do such a fine job!

And a big thanks for the lovely gift bag, waiting for me on the presenter's table.  Here are some of the goodies that were inside . . .

A lovely thank you card, Mickey Mouse pen, journal, homemade cookies, chocolate, bookstore gift certificate and commemorative pin, designed by Kathy Blackmore

After the conference, Danette Haworth, author extraordinaire, interviewed me for her cool iphone video.  Warning:  This video contains two adult women attempting to answer trivia questions.  It may not be suitable for viewers over the age of ten.

And the coolest part?  When the work was over, I got to enjoy a vacation with my guys at the Yacht Club, where they fold the towels like this . . .

And this . . .

What a fantastic, albeit exhausting, weekend!

Now, it's off to Miami for a presentation at the North Miami Beach Public Library.

If you are between the ages of 8 and a bazillion, this event is for you!

I'll be doing a presentation about the author's journey, including a reading from my new book, Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen, Q & A, prizes and a book signing.

Wednesday, June 20th at 2 p.m. at the North Miami Beach Public Library:  1601 N.E. 164 Street. North Miami Beach, Florida 33162

I haven't decided yet if there will be hula hoops involved.  Or lizards.