My Apprenticeship
As they roll up the banners for another year, after a month during which nearly every Children's Literary Festival and Writing Festival took place, as the buzz within and around me slowly dissipates into the stratosphere, I reflect on what was another sublime cluster of highs in My Writer's Story . I prefer story to journey because I have always felt life, while an incredible trip at times, is broken into equally as incredible chapters. The latest chapter featured my attendance at this year's CYA Conference for Children and Young Adult Writers and Illustrators . The one day, all you can fit in conference for Alligators (grown up writers) was a phenomenal program of success stories, informative sessions, hands on workshops and master classes. Perhaps the highlight of the day for many an aspiring writer or illustrator was the opportunity to pitch their manuscripts and artwork face to face with industry representatives from such renowned publishing houses as Walker...