How to use this Page

I went to KidLitCon in October 2015, and had a great time!

I wrote up something about it for School Library Journal: The Five Best Things About KidLitCon.

So if you want to know more about KidLitCon, check out my article.




Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Why, yes, it is July and in the 90s, so of course a blogger's thoughts turn to October, the cool climate of Minneapolis and OMG it's the KIDLITCON 2010!!!!!

Ahem.

As you may (or may not) know, the Kidlitcon AKA Children's and Young Adult Book Bloggers Convention is entering it's fourth year.

It began as a "wouldn't it be great if we could meet in person over a potluck dinner in Chicago" in 2007. Let me tell you, when I got on that plane for the first conference, part of me wondered if I'd be met by serial killers. Instead, I was met by awesome book bloggers, who eat, breath, and drink books.

Anyway, here is information and resources:

When: Saturday, October 23, 2010

Where: Minneapolis; hotel deals are still being finalized but the date and time are ON.

Note to self: make reservations ASAP. My plan is to fly in Friday morning and stay until Monday, because I have the time and want to have time to just hang out with everyone. But, since the conference is only one day, and a Saturday, it is possible to attend and not take any time off from work.

Have a great idea for a presentation? Here is the call for submissions for program ideas.

Here is the Blog: Kidlitcon 2010

The Kidlitcon floats across the country, in the hopes that eventually, one will be close enough to book bloggers that they can attend it locally. Individual bloggers host and organize it, which is a helluva lot of work, and which means that location also depends on local volunteers. It's a mix of authors and bloggers; this time around, the hosts are bloggers who are also in the publishing industry: Brian Farrey (hey, can we do something Whedon?), Andrew Karre, and Ben Barnhart.

More details, from the blog:

The rough schedule calls for a wine and cheese reception on the night of Friday the 22nd, a day of workshops and panels on the 23rd, followed by a closing conference dinner in the evening.

We're still working out the details of cost for the conference and hotel; we hope to have all the particulars very soon. Our goal is to make the cost comparable to past conferences. Once we've finished getting bids, we'll post registration information. BUT, if you send an e-mail right now to [email protected] with the subject line "Intent to Register," you will receive $5.00 off the cost of registration.

Follow us on Twitter here: www.twitter.com/kidlitcon2010
And here's the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kidlitcon-2010/137299689614524?ref=ts

My posts about Kidlitcon 2009. I couldn't attend 2008; and 2007.


Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Hey, in case you haven’t heard, there’s a great conference coming up for those in the Children’s and Young Adult literature/blogging field. If you’re a YA/Kidlit blogger, aspiring blogger, author, illustrator, teacher, librarian, editor, publisher–anyone who blogs about YA/Kidlit or would like to blog about it–this conference is for you. It’s the third-annual Kidlitosphere Conference, [...]

I recently began looking at my upcoming Fall calendar.

I think I need ice cream.

Here is the short version of what I'm doing and where I'll be; if any of you are at any of these events, let me know!

October 3

New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center Fall Festival, Trenton, NJ

October 15

New Jersey Youth Services Forum, Manalapan, NJ. I'm co-presenting the General Session, Listen to this! Audiobooks for K-12. Full program description here.

October 17

Third Annual Kidlitosphere Conference, Washington, DC. I'll be on a panel, talking a little bit about ARCS.

October 28

Internet Librarian 2009, Monterey, CA. I'll be on a panel: Technology: The Engine Driving Pop Culture-Savvy Libraries or Source of Overload? More information here.

November 7

New York Public Library Children's Literary Cafe, NYC. We'll be chatting about the Cybils.

November 13

New Jersey Association of School Librarian's (NJASL) Fall Conference, East Brunswick, NJ. You get to see me twice! First, Pop Culture 101 with Sophie Brookover; next, talking Audi0books.

November 23 - 24

ALAN, Philadelphia, PA. I'll be doing .... nothing! Except listening, learning, enjoying.

Oh, man. I need a LOT of ice cream.

© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Jen at Jen Robinson's Book Page answered MotherReader's Kidlitosphere Conference Meme and tagged me.

So here it goes!

Why did you decide to attend the KidLitosphere Conference?

It's funny; Robin Brande started it as a potluck supper. It seemed such an insane idea -- travel half way across the country? To meet people I'd never met? Isn't this exactly what we tell teenagers not to do? Up until I got to the hotel and met other people, I was thinking "what if this is some kind of scam?"

I'd had a chance to meet up with a handful of bloggers in "real life" at ALA or BEA, but the truth is because both of those conferences are so busy, it was always impossible to really schedule a drinks night, let alone anything else. And that is always so rushed.

As I saw these people I knew -- but didn't knew -- sign up for the Kidlit Conference, I knew one thing.

I didn't want to be left out.

So I took a deep breath and made the plane reservations.

Now, for the second one, I was close. I had sent in my conference fee and made hotel reservations; but just before the plane reservations were finalized, I found out my cousin's twins were being christened that weekend. Yeah.

So there is NO WAY I am missing Kidlit DC!!

Who was most like their blog? Who was least like their blog?

You know what is funny about bloggers? For the most part, we're word people. There is a reason some people blog, and others don't; and while some blogs go on and others don't. Not only that; when you're blogging day in and day out, your personality comes through. It has to, or no one would read your blog! Your voice is important.

I am a shy person.

No, really!!!

I am a shy person who is especially not at ease with people I do not know.

So I was really afraid of going to this conference, and, well, shutting down. Not being able to talk. I walked into the hotel lobby and was "what the hell have I done. I don't know anybody...."

But I was wrong -- because everyone was like their blog! I did know people; I knew everyone. It was so easy to talk and laugh -- like we'd all gone to summer camp together and just now were having our umpteenth reunion. The only problem was there was too little time; too many people I didn't have the chance to talk with.

What surprised you at the conference?

How much fun we had, for having just met. How nice it was to be with people who "get it"; you don't have to explain what a blog is, why you do it; you don't get the comments like "I could never do that because I have a life."

At the same time, you also get a broader perspective of why people blog. So many reasons; talking with authors and their perspectives, publicists and their point of views.

What will you always remember about the last conference?

That I couldn't go. I'm still upset. Online is great -- it created these friendships and connections that transferred quickly into "real life." Which then meant that the online connection is that much deeper.

Did you blog about the conference?

This is a trick question, right?

My posts: Round up of reports, including mine. More reports. And more. Photos. Esme's Bookroom Visit. My final post. My really final post.

Who do I tag?

YOU.

Also?

Please come to DC! It's only fun from the people who go, and the more the merrier. There is really nothing like it. ALA get together? Full of ALA business meetings. BEA? Full of BEA business, plus, starting next year it's mid week so that only works for people who can take off midweek. This is a weekend!!

© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Seriously, a few years ago Robin Brande suggested some kidlit bloggers get together for a potluck dinner and next thing you know, we are at our Third Annual Kidlitosphere Conference.

This is entirely volunteer; put together, run, organized, planned by members of the kidlitosphere.

Who is this for? Anyone who blogs about children's and teen books; writes or illustrates children's and teen books; comments at blogs about children's and teen books; or reads blogs about children's and teen books. So, yes, that includes you! This is YOUR conference!

"Conference" seems such a big, formal word about what is more a chance for people who know each other online to get together and talk about what they love with other people who get it.

Author Bonus: Since this is so intimate a gathering, it's a great way for authors to network with bloggers. MotherReader has some additional information at her blog: Book Promotion, A Conference Scenario. Librarians near the conference? Keep on eye out for what authors are attending, and contact them about scheduling a library or school visit!

Where is it? DC. Technically, Arlington VA, at the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel. A special conference rate has been arranged, but you need to reserve by September 16 (or until the block of rooms are filled)

Why DC? Because the first year was Chicago; then Portland; so now it's on the East Coast. Plus, remember the v word; volunteer. MotherReader, from the DC area, volunteered to organize this. Where will it be next year? I imagine not the East Coast; and it will depend on who steps up to organize. If you're within driving distance of DC, take advantage of this because I promise you, while I don't know where this will be next year, I can tell you this. It's very unlikely it will be on the East Coast.

When? Saturday, October 17. Things are scheduled from 8:00 to 5:00; plus, there may be informal excursions for whoever is around the day before and after. Plus, on Saturday, there is a dinner.

How much? $100; bringing someone who doesn't want the full conference but will be at the dinner? $50.

What are some of the formal sessions? The are listed at the Conference website. What isn't listed is just how fun it is to match the faces to the blogs; to turn to someone and with a straight face say, "Mother Reader, this is Tea Cozy." And to network and talk and laugh with other people who are passionate about books.

Who will be there? MotherReader started a list a couple of weeks ago at her blog. I know I've talked to a few people who said they are going, and aren't on the list (yet). Keep checking to see the attendee list.

Will you be there? I will!

Bonus Feature: So, which "I have a barn, let's put on a show" TV show/ movie do you remember?

© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Mark recently attended the second annual Kidlit Conference, a gathering of bloggers, podcasters, authors and illustrators, in Portland, Oregon.

During the conference Mark had the opportunity to meet and speak with some fascinating people. Take for example, Philip Lee, one of the founders of Lee and Low Books, an independent children’s book publisher that focuses on diversity.

On this edition of Just One More Book!!, Philip Lee tells Mark about life after his departure from Lee and Low and taking risks in publishing books about diversity.

Links to resources mentioned by Philip:

• Baseball Saved Us, the first book published by Lee and Low
• Voices of Diversity, Philip’s radio work at KBCS

The 2008 Kidlit Bloggers Conference will be held on September 27 in Portland, Oregon. Full details are at the Portland Kidlit blog, started just for the conference. If you think you can make, please go to the Portland Kidlit blog and leave your name; they need a rough headcount for planning purposes. This isn't a now or never, signed in blood sign up; it's a give us an idea for planning purposes whether we need a place that is small, medium, or big.

Here are my posts reporting on last year's conference, which was fabulous.

by Jacques Prevert translated and illustrated by Mordecai Gerstein Roaring Brook 2007 originally published as pour faire le portrait d'un oiseau by editions GALLIARD 1949 Thankfully, and perhaps because of its age, the publisher has refrained from printing "From the acclaimed screenwriter of the French classic Children of Paradise" because that would have prevented me from picking the book up at