with my talismans nearby, I write for Bank Street

Here I sit, my talismans nearby.

A stash of glass apples. A cyclops eye. Four paper dolls ascending to the sky. A bird on a limb by a Florentine artist. A gift from my feathers and fur friend, Beth Beverly. I am writing the talk that I will give at Bank Street Mini Conference on November 9th. I am thinking how lucky I am to have a job like this, which is no precise and single job, really, but a succession of possibilities, of questions asked, of the new next in a conversation that started long ago.

Here I sit, and I am writing sideways.

It's just an idea that I have.

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An amazing vista for writers and teachers at the Bank Street Mini-Conference: Please Join Us

I would be posting this event even if I had not already said yes to participating many months ago.

Because the Great Jennifer Brown (our children's book ambassador, as I always like to say, in honor of all she contributes to both Bank Street and Shelf Awareness and children's books in general) has assembled the cast.

Because the cast is exceptional.

Because those who say yes to this opportunity on November 9, 2013 in New York City will get to hear the thoughts of Roger Sutton (The Horn Book), Vicky Smith (Kirkus Reviews), Luann Toth (School Library Journal), and Sarah Smith (children's editor of The New York Times Book Review). They'll get to sit down and talk about Mo Willems, Margaret Wise Brown, Arnold Lobel, Judy Blume, J.K. Rowling, M.T. Anderson, Lois Duncan, Marcus Zusak, David Levithan, Elizabeth Wein, and so many others with working writers. They'll have a chance to participate in one-on-one manuscript and portfolio critiques with editors, agents, and art directors. And first thing in the morning, I will raise the great neon orange flag of Handling the Truth, in a talk about how we teach the things that matter.

Did I mention that the Great Jennifer Brown will be in the house?

Please check out all the details here. Please join us. And please do help us spread word.

Thank you.

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