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If you are thinking about joining SCBWI or have allowed your membership to lapse, go to www.scbwi.org to sign up or activate your membership right away. This retreat is one of the wonderful benefits that membership of SCBWI offers. Dates for retreat in the Gauteng: 6 - 8 Nov; the Retreat starts at 17:00 on Friday and goes through to 14:00 on Sunday (Option to stay over on Sunday night at

Jenn, Rozenn, and LeAnne Jenn walking up the big hill Paddy and Joan cheer other delegates Phylis, LeAnne and Sindiwe on a walk to the hill above Goudini" /> Carol recording an eventRozenne, Phylis and LeAnne at dinner

For coverage of the SCBWI Retreat, click on the title above. It'll take you to brief reports on:From story board to published book: How to find your own way in the world of publishing - a talk by international literary agent Susanne Koppe. Blank page to under a child's pillow: the creative process - a talk by Editorial Director, Picture/Gift Books, Macmillan Children's Books, UK, Suzanne

I have just returned from the most glorious SCBWI retreat held at the Old Mission in Santa Barbara, organized by Alexis O’Neill, our tireless leader, whose dedication to children’s writers has fostered a community of storytellers. The weekend offered opportunities to work on manuscripts, meet new people, and visit with old friends in a relaxed and serene environment. I was one of forty writers who shared our work with each other as well as three (yes, three!) editors, including Stacy Cantor from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, Alexandra Cooper from Walker Books for Young Readers, and Kristin Daly from HarperCollins Children’s Books. These lovely young women read and critiqued manuscripts until their eyes were bleary.

Throughout the weekend, participants supported and encouraged each other, with the unspoken knowledge of how precious each manuscript is to its writer. This generosity of spirit and sense of kinship have given me the inspiration I need to do my best work, and I am deeply grateful. I’m looking forward to the months ahead as I continue to post interviews, write book reviews, revise manuscripts, and begin my work as a member of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee.

I'm still working on getting the Manitoba teachers' audio released. I'll post that episode soon. I promise. If you are looking for past podcast episodes keep scrolling down this page or click on the past/previous shows button. I've had a busy but eventful weekend. I spent Sunday and Monday of this week in [...]

Welcome back. I’ll be releasing a couple of shows back to back this week so keep listening. The other day Kathleen King co-host of Podcast for Teachers with whom I did a session at Podcamp New York sent me an e-mail to touch base, which I very much appreciate, and also to congratulate me [...]