Hudson Recap

Hudson was a blast. Of course, how can you go wrong spending the day with a whole bunch of women (and a smattering of men) who write stories for young people? Here are some quick highlights:

1. Amanda Marrone's giant, LIVE hissing cockroach
2. the "author handlers" who asked us at regular intervals if we needed anything. Thinking of ways I can something like this at home
3. lunch delivered to the table. Ditto above comment
4. sitting next to Siobhan Vivian who has to be kin somewhere down the line
5. seeing Ellen Jensen Abbott again (who, by the way, is a far wilder lady than you might guess)
6. seeing familiar Debs, Michelle Zink and Danielle Cohen Joseph, and meeting new ones - always a treat. I was speaking with Megan Frazer for a good half hour with my "author face" on before I realized I'd been interacting with her for, like, two years online
7. seeing Olugbemisola's beautiful posse come out in full support of Superstar Author Mom
8. meeting an Italian teacher who grew up with similar cultural/traditional restrictions as I did as a Punjabi, Sikh girl (!! - who knew?)
9. having Sarah Darer Littman yell, "ARE YOU SERIOUS????" in my ear
10. cozy panel discussion on Writing About Social/Political issues with Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Zetta Elliott and Sarah Darer Littman. Audience members asked some great questions and we touched on some very important points

Bonus:
11. meeting amazing, committed, and dedicated teachers, librarians, parents, and young people

There were so many more, but I need an iced latte. NYC is a steam bath today. Have a great rest-of-the-weekend, all!