LA Conference Postcard

Greetings from L.A. – wish you were here, SCBWIers from MD-DE-WV!

Yesterday, I braved the 7-terminals LAX airport to find Stephanie McGregor, my conference roommate and ARA from Scotland. As I waited for Stephanie, some very angry security guards blocked people from walking into the next terminal. Turns out, there was a bomb scare. Talk about starting the trip with a bang.

Once we got to the hotel, Stephanie and I walked over to the mall next door. We’d be warned to pick up supplies at the grocery store, since meals are not included in this conference. Suddenly, the McDaniel College cafeteria doesn’t look so bad.

A charter bus picked up all the early arriving RAs and ARAs for dinner. We went to SCBWI President Steve Moser’s lovely home in Santa Monica. During the backyard buffet, Stephanie and I had the chance to meet and chat with RAs from all around the country. I met a few more of the 2k9 group, the RAs from Hawaii (one of whose last name’s Wikoff, is related to the town where I grew up: Wyckoff, NJ).

I also found out that my manuscript critique is with YA author and Nevada RA Ellen Hopkins. Ellen is an award-winning novelist-in-verse. Since I sent my MG poetry project, “We Rule the School: A Fifth Grade Yearbook,” I’m really excited about meeting with Ellen. Critiques are expensive at $100, but they’re half an hour.

For Poetry Friday, I’m hoping to interview Ellen about the popularity of novels-in-verse with teen readers. I’d love to post one of her favorite poems, too. Stephanie and I are off to breakfast and High Voltage , home of reality show L.A. Ink. Don't worry about me! No tattoos, just visiting. Our work for the day – RA training – starts at 1.

Amok in L.A.

Forget tiptoeing into the water. A few months back, Edie Hemingway asked me to be the Assistant Regional Adviser for our SCBWI group. She took over from our dear RA Mona Kerby on July 19. Edie and I have been on the job for just two weeks and we're headed for Los Angeles and the national SCBWI Convention. Since neither of us could stay for a full week of conference and training, we split the week. Here's the RA scoop:

• Arrive Wednesday and meet my new buddy & conference roommate at LAX -- Steph McGregor is the ARA from Scotland. We're trading regional favorites gift-baskets. Mine is packed with Terps gear, Berger cookies and a can of Old Bay. Will I be bringing home whiskey and haggis?
• Wednesday night RA gathering at Steve Moser's house
• Thursday RA and ARA training
• Friday through Monday, conference. (I work the info booth on Saturday morning, Edie and I have a regional "meet and greet" early Sunday. All RAs and ARAs have jobs at the conference.
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• Friday evening free yoga class for attendees? I'm there.

Saturday, Edie arrives in time for the Blue Moon Ball! Dressing in theme is encouraged.

• Sunday, I head home exhausted, but uplifted.
• Tuesday and Wednesday, Edie gets trained on the new SCBWI website.

I'm looking forward to hearing Holly Black (Spiderwick), Sherman Alexie, and Ellen Hopkins (who writes YA novels in verse). Edie and I will also be scouting dynamic editors and agents to invite to our regional conferences. Busy day packing tomorrow. It makes me feel better to see authors like Ellen Hopkins (also an RA) stressing about getting their toes done in time for the conference. More on Wednesday!