Meetup Report

I always have a great time when I’m talking about writing, and last night at the Kansas City Writers’ Meetup, despite a raging head cold and being hopped up on DayQuil, I managed to ramble on about children’s writing for a solid hour. We were a small but dedicated group of writers, and I think (I hope) I passed on some useful information.

My friend Suzanne Lieurance started this group last fall, and she’s done a great job of meeting the needs of writers with very diverse interests and skills. A big pat on the back to Suzanne.

Meeting Up

Next Tuesday, February 27, I’ll be speaking about building a career in children’s writing at the monthly Kansas City Writers’ Meetup. The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Oak Park Library, 9500 Bluejacket, Overland Park, Kansas 66214.

I love to hang out with other writers, and I love to talk about writing—especially children’s writing—so this should be a fun evening.

Letters About Literature

This year I’m honored to be one of the judges for Letters About Literature, a Kansas Center for the Book project in which students in grades 4 to 12 write letters to authors of a books that have changed their lives. As I read through the submissions, I keep thinking WOW, do these kids know how to write, or what! The letters are written to authors ranging from Dr. Seuss to Jane Austen, and they’ve had me chuckling at times and choking back tears at others.

And every single one of them has humbled me. These letters remind me just how important children’s literature is. To kids and young adults, books aren’t just entertainment; they’re companions, friends, and—very often—a beacon in a confusing and sometimes painful world.