The Moravian Conference and One Thing Stolen News

There was this thing that happened in Moravian Bethlehem this weekend. This clutch of days, of hours spent among writers and friends in a town I quickly came to love. Joyce Hinnefeld—chair of the Moravian College English Department and creator of the Moravian Writers' Conference—you made something special happen, something rare. You dignified writing and writers by the program you assembled and the writers and editors you attracted. You—miraculously—gave me the opportunity to write and deliver a keynote about a topic that I think matters, and then to spend time with my friend A.S. King in dialogue: I will never be able to thank you. Josh Berk, for time with your beautiful family at the library you run so well, I thank you, too.

I returned to my little house that is my home to much work. The day was intercepted by utterly unexpected news. First, a review for One Thing Stolen in Horn Book Magazine, a publication I love very much, calling this book of mine a "unique, moving story." Thank you. Then, moments later, news that the book has been named a Parents' Choice Gold Award selection.

It is always hard not to be able to directly thank people who have been kind to me. Horn Book and Parents' Choice: I hope you find these words. Joyce and Josh, I send them to you. With deepest thanks.

Read more...

Moravian Writers' Conference: blessed to be joining the community

Many years ago, I found and read a book I loved, In Hovering Flight, and wrote about it here.

I never anticipated that Joyce Hinnefeld, that novel's author, would one day lead the writing program at Moravian College and create, as well, an extraordinary writers' conference that last year featured both Laurie Halse Anderson and Ursula Hegi. I never imagined that I'd receive an email from the beloved teen author/Bethlehem Area Public Library Executive Director Josh Berk that contained both a question and a bridge.

But both things have happened, and this June I will have the great pleasure of spending time with Joyce as well as Josh, as I participate in the Moravian Writers' Conference as a keynoter and panelist and (to make it all even more glittering) in conversation with the very special guest A.S. King. (King, we're gonna have to take our glorious private conversation public. You ready?) There are so many opportunities for area writers during this three-day (June 5 through 7) event—so many terrific writers, teachers, publishers participating.

(Another special bonus: my friend Nic Esposito of The Head and The Hand Press will be participating in the publishing panel.)

I invite you to learn more about all the presenters and the line-up here.

Read more...