The SCBWI NorCal Spring Spirit Conference Blooms in Elk Grove

As always, the SCBWI Spring Spirit Conference was a great opportunity to mingle with fellow writers and learn from wonderful children's book industry professionals. This year, I was delighted to join the faculty that included Ariel Richardson (Editor at Chronicle), Jennifer March Soloway (Agent at Starling), Nikki Shannon Smith (Author), Isabella Kung (Author/Illustrator), and Sally Kim (Agent with Andrea Brown). Thanks to the magnificent efforts of the regional co-advisors, Alma Galapon, Merry Miller-Gass, and Tony Tong, the day-long conference bloomed with an abundance of delicious food for body and the writing soul.

It was a pleasure to share my presentation "SHAZAM! Bringing Your Picture Book Biography to Life" during the morning breakout session. I discussed when I fell in love with biographies as a child, where I got the ideas for three of my picture book biographies, how picture book biographies might be structured, and most importantly, how authors need to find their voice to tell the story. Attendees asked great questions and it wasn't long before it was time to wrap it up.

A great day!

Until next year, SCBWI NorCal!