In her essay below, my friend Martha Brockenbrough describes her editor, Jean Feiwel, as “fierce.” This is the exact word I would use to describe Martha herself: fiercely kind, fiercely funny, fiercely generous, fiercely grammatically correct (I offer as proof her book, Things That Make Us [Sic]), and fiercely honest. Her respect and concern for… Read more »
This summer, I participated in the International Literacy Association (ILA) conference, which was a fabulous experience. Topping the list of highlights was meeting three authors, all of whom graciously agreed to be my Friend Friday: Juana Martinez-Neal, Adib Khorram and today’s guest, Nancy Churnin. Nancy and I happened to share a table at the luncheon… Read more »
My darling friend and Butterfly Sister Augusta Scattergood (Making Friends with Billy Wong) suggested I ask her friend Rob Sanders to be part of Friend Friday. Of course I said yes! The whole purpose of this feature is to shine the spotlight on as many new books and their creators as possible (that’s a not-too-subtle… Read more »
I met Miriam McNamara when I was a visiting faculty member to the Vermont Master of Fine Arts. Her energy was infectious, something I admired in that 3 degree weather (January in Vermont!). A wonderful conversation ensued when Miriam graciously drove me to the airport at the end of my stay and I knew good… Read more »
Today’s Friend Friday guest, Frances Wood, and I bonded over birds. I am an amateur (VERY!) birdwatcher and, after meeting one another at the now-defunct Whidbey Island Writers Conference, Frances gifted me with a copy of her beautiful Brushed By Feathers: A Year of Birdwatching in the West. It turns out that we not only… Read more »
It was Dave Patneaude’s son who introduced us, eons ago. I’d been a judge for the PTA Reflections contest and selected Jeff’s story to move on to the next level of competition. Dave and I met at the reception for the winners and we’ve been friends ever since. He is such a fine writer, crafting… Read more »
I doubt there is a book creator in the Greater Puget Sound area (and likely beyond!) who hasn’t been touched by the kind, positive and genuinely good human being, Peggy King Anderson. I can’t recall when Peggy and I met, but I treasure our friendship. And I treasure being the frequent beneficiary of that beautiful,… Read more »
Many years ago, I read Carolyn See’s book, Making a Literary Life. There was much to love about this book but what has really stuck with me is her advice to write charming literary notes to those whose work we admire. I took that advice to heart and have made it my practice ever since… Read more »
I had no idea that Duke would launch a series. It turns out if you put a dog in a book, kids will gobble it up, even [supposedly hard to sell] historical fiction! In a few short days, Code Word Courage (Scholastic), the fourth and final… Read more »
I’ve been friends with Larry Dane Brimner since *cough cough.* We first met at the Humboldt County Author’s Festival and since that meeting, I have always admired his work ethic, and I especially admire his passion for stories that make us think about social justice and injustice. I am evidently not his only fan; the… Read more »