Mid-Atlantic SCBWI Conference

I just returned from our fantastic regional conference.
Talk about a shot in the arm.... Between the joy of sharing a ride with a wonderful illustrator friend from town, having time to talk, share tips, meet new friends, comisserate with illustrators and writers, eat good food, and enjoy the pleasure of listening to accomplished writers and illustrators share stories of their journeys to publication....I'm stuffed to overflowing with inspiration.
It's such a blast to meet people in person who have only been known online, such as online illustrator/blogger cohort Courtney Pippin-Mathur. (Hi Courtney! It was a pleasure to meet you in person and see your colorful quirky art "in person" too...I love it even more seeing it first hand. Love those brown boots too.) and writers, hearing wonderful speakers such as Judith Greenburg , (what a hoot she is...she kept us all on our toes with her pictures and unusual scientific info) and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, author of Shiloh.
As always there were piles of glossy magazines, freebies, and publisher's brochures to pick up and delve into later for research.
The conference was full..sold out. It's a first rate event every year.
I'll write more tomorrow, and try to send a shot of Jackie Urbanovic's signature on the book I bought that she illustrated.
There's nothing quite like spending an invigorating day in the company of children's writers, illustrators, editors and publishers to fan the flame of creativity.