(New Yorker cover by Maira Kalman)

I’ve had an incredibly busy last three months, and have neglected all that was not required of me – like this blog. Two deaths in the family, barely two months apart, a writing conference, ramp up at work, and deciding about surgery…well, it’s been a lot to organize.

The writing conference was the Northern California SCBWI conference in Oakland, at the beautiful Preservation Park, a collection of restored Victorian houses where many non-profits are located. I love this location, especially when it’s not raining and you can spread out outside on the benches.

Quite unexpectedly, I won one of the writing contest prizes. It was unexpected because I thought you had to enter to win (right?) and I was sure I hadn’t, but apparently this year they simply asked each agent or editor who was critiquing manuscripts to pick their favorite. My prize was eating lunch with the Executive Editor for Dutton books for Young Readers, Andrew Karre, and we chatted about all things publishing. He read the first chapter of my Restoration YA, Glimmerglass.

But the surprises didn’t stop there: I even won one of the raffle prizes – a comp toward membership or a SCWBI conference. I never win things, so this was great. Thank you SCBWI Norcal!

Oh yes, the conference was great too. Lots of good information and great portfolios of art.

The last time I went to this conference (a couple of years ago) we got to see Katherine Applegate officially presented with her Crystal Kite award for The One and Only Ivan. She gave a most moving presentation and I was really inspired by her long journey in the industry, from turning out series books to where she is today.

More updates about actual writing later.