Pat McCarthy is the author of a dozen nonfiction books for children and young adults. She has published numerous stories, articles, puzzles and quizzes in magazines for children and adults. She teaches for the Institute of Children's Literature. She has also written encyclopedia articles and school curriculum. Pat is a retired elementary school teacher who subs to remain in touch with kids. Her hobbies are photography, travel, birding and scrapbooking.

Sunday, May 05, 2013

Wild, Wild Midwest Children's Writers' Conference

     Okay, I know I haven't posted in forever, but now I'm inspired to post after attending the Wild, Wild Midwest Children's Writers' Conference this weekend in Ft. Wayne, IN. It was put on by the Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan chapters of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.) Besides people from those four states, I met people who live in Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee and Wisconsin. And, of course, the speakers were from all over the country.
      I was thrilled to meet and talk to the great and prolific children's author Jane Yolen. Also loved meeting some people I've "known" online for a long time, like Ruth McNally Barshaw and Doris Holick Kelly,. And I saw people I've met before but haven't seen for awhile, including Diana Jenkins, Trudy Krishner, Joan Arbogast, Nancy Pimm and Mary Ryan.
     I roomed with Annette Pimentel from Ada, Ohio. We met on the Childern's Writers' List and got along fine. We're trying to start a children's writers' critique group with Carrie Dalrymple from Dayton and Michelle Houts from Celina. More after I get a nap!