Sunday, January 19, 2014

Serendipity 2014


If you are in the Vancouver area, and interested in the future of children's book publishing, you might want to mark March 8 on your calendar. This date is the annual conference, Serendipity, hosted by the Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable. It is always an inspiring event. In fact, it was at this conference many years ago where I first decided I might try my hand at writing a book for children. That's how inspiring it is!

This year's conference, held at UBC, is titled "Children's Literature in a Digital Age" and has a program of speakers who will talk about their own books and also what they see on the horizon in terms of social media, apps for children and electronic publishing. Lots for us to learn!

One of the best books for kids I read last year was called Better Nate Than Ever, and guess what? The book's author, Tim Federle, will be speaking at Serendipity. Very exciting!

So get your registration in and get ready to be inspired. See you there!



Monday, January 6, 2014

Happy New Year!



Here we are at the beginning of a brand new year. Happy 2014!

It's good to think of the promise and fresh start this annual occasion brings.

Some people are keen to make resolutions and I am often one of them. But in recent times, my goals have been simple: to read more and write more. And that is what I hope to do again this year. (Maybe travel a bit too.)

To those of you (hello teachers and students!) who have returned to school after the holidays, good luck! I remember from my teaching days how much vital learning takes place between January and June.

As we embark on this shiny New Year, I wish you health, happiness and many good books to read!

Cheers!