Damn. I just told my husband today that my hope to make it in this business slowly but surely dies a little more with each passing day, that I wish I could just kill it outright and move on with my life. Then something like this announcement appears in my mailbox, and I get all excited again.
The best independent bookstore on the planet will hold its annual DNA Lit Fest March 28 & 29.
Two years ago I took No. 1 Son to the first day, which is for children. We watched Chris Raschka recreate his Caldecott-winning drawings for The Hello Goodbye Window. After he spoke, No. 1 Son showed Mr. Raschka his own drawing he’d made during the talk, which was of Chris Raschka drawing the hello goodbye window.
Later, as we waited out in the hallway of the auditorium for Kate DiCamillo to finish her presentation, No. 1 son met a gentleman wearing a dull gray suit and holding a bulky case. His name? Daniel Handler. He and No. 1 Son talked for several minutes, until Mr. Handler’s handlers whisked him backstage. No. 1 Son enjoyed the day, but of course had no clue how cool it truly was. That year the lineup was Handler, Raschka, DiCamillo, Molly Bangs, Lisa Brown and Naomi Shihab Nye.
This year the line-up is also made of awesome. Jane Yolen. Linda Sue Park. Giselle Potter (who will illustrate my friend and fellow JWKCer Ann Ingalls’ book THE LITTLE PIANO GIRL), Jon Muth (Zen Shorts), Laurie Keller (The Scrambled States of America) and the father-daughter team of Kate and Jules Feiffer (she of Double Pink and he of Phantom Tollbooth fame).
(And if you followed the best independent bookstore on the planet link above, you saw who will speak January 28 at 7pm at the Plaza Library.)
Damn.
I don’t want to hear ANY MORE negativity out of you, missy!! you will get published. keep at it. keep your eyes on the prize!
=)
Envious. Majorly envious.
*sigh*
Ha! Strangely enough, that’s exactly how I felt, too! Today I was feeling overwhelmed and worn out, and then I got all jittery and excited (altho’ apparently I’ve forgotten how to spell excited) when this showed up. I think we should put together a JWKC showing for both.
And then I heard about the fairy tales display they have going at the new library downtown, and I wonder why I live so far away. Sigh.
~ecb, who despite the overwhelmedness will have lemon bars for next weekend.
I sent an RSVP for 2 to MT Anderson if you want to be my date.
Omg, are you gonna hear MT??? And you have to sign up with your little one to go to the children’s day! I am too excited for you. And of course you have to keep writing. I haven’t given up yet so neither should you.
The only thing that will keep me from seeing MT Anderson is a blizzard. So pray for good weather.
But don’t you ever give up!
Usually the DNA Lit Fest falls on a no-school day, but this year the boys would have to play hooky. I think No. 2 son could easily miss, but Friday is test day for No. 1 son.
And I won’t quit writing, just querying
No snow! No snow! I can’t wait to hear about his talk! (You better fill us in.
)
I’m just curious. When you refer to your “No. 1 son,” are you referring to the one who was born first or the one you like the best?
you are evil
It was so good to see you at group this past week. You know you have one of the best smiles on the planet?? Hate that you’re on this see-saw writing wise…
Looking forward to seeing you at LM’s…you know I called shotgun, right? I don’t think my message got posted ont the listserv, but I so called it.
Chin up, girl!
It was great to see you too, Laura! thanks. Hope to hear some of your new stuff soon. Life on the seesaw is OK, I’m getting used to the queasy feeling. I’ll live vicariously through you all
As for shotgun, you may have to wrestle Kevin Dilmore…