The annual Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators summer conference has been over for several days, and I've finally recovered enough to post about it. This year's conference ties with my first conference in 2000 for memorable moments. So let's begin!
Over 1,300 people attended this conference, and here's a portion of them as seen from the stage.
When I introduced myself into the microphone, I told the attendees who pre-ordered one of these delicious donuts from me where they could get them. The first one was scooped up by Dan Santat, seen here nervously inspecting his bacon donut. Within seconds of this photo, that baby was gone!
I critiqued ten manuscripts at the conference, sitting down with each author for twenty minutes. While I love speaking at conferences, doing critiques is almost as enjoyable...which, apparently, makes me very weird (something I've never denied!).
Because I critiqued manuscripts, I was officially a faculty member. So I got to do something else I love...signing books! For some reason, there are a lot of great authors with last names beginning with A. Every time we sign books according to last names, I get to sit beside some of my favorite people. This time, I shared a table with Jim Averbeck.
Like most years, I had several books with me that I wanted other people to sign. Unlike previous years, most of them were signed for Isaiah. The one I meant to get signed a few months ago while visiting the illustrator's hometown is The Lord's Prayer. It's a beautiful picture book illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson, and written by...well...God. (Authors don't usually get to handpick their illustrators, and while I never asked Richard about it, it's obvious that was the case this time.)
Celebrating their 40th anniversary, SCBWI definitely brought out the biggies for this conference. Here's Mary Pope Osborne (Isaiah now owns a couple books signed by her)...
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Jay Asher is the author of the suspense novel for teens - Thirteen Reasons Why.
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Jay Asher is the author of the suspense novel for teens - Thirteen Reasons Why.
By: Jay Asher,
on 8/12/2011
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6 Comments on SCBWI 2011, last added: 8/13/2011
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SOOO jealous! I MUST go to the LA SCBWI conference one of these years! All the tweets and all your pictures look like so much fun!
I love NY but I think they need to step up their A game :)
SCBWI: Where the cool people meet the amazing people then go home and write better books! ((Love the pink bunny suit.))
Always great to see you! Great conference round-up! Being an "A," I look forward to signing next to you some year. *swoons* ;-)
This is so great - thanks for posting, Jay. I've loved seeing others' posts about the conference. I'll post my own shortly.
I completely agree with Kathleen's amazing people comment. I was so glad to meet you (and cut a rug with your bunny-suited self at the 40 Winks Pajama Gala). We writers and illustrators certainly know how to have fun.
You say this year's conference ties with your first in 2000? This WAS my first SCBWI conference. Talk about the epitome of thrilling and exhausting (in the best way). On the second day, I started planning next year's trip. I still can't get over how, everywhere I looked, I saw dedicated storytellers. Yeah. I'm so hooked.
Man, am I ever jealous! SCBWI 2011 sure does look like it was a totally fantastic event. Wish I could've been there...
And I do love your Ralphie bunny pajamas - I knew that's what you were going for with those! "He looks like a deranged Easter bunny!" LOL...
Great to finally meet you too, Jay ...and that Cocoa Puffs donut was one of my happiest fattening memories of the conference.