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Over the weekend I attended the JambaLAya Kidlit Conference in New Orleans put on by the SCBWI Louisiana/ Mississippi region. I am still such a novice in the field of children’s publishing. I learned so much as well as networked with friends, new and old.
One of the perks of a regional conference is the agents and editors who attend offer to accept unsolicited submissions following the conference. This is both good and bad. Good because I can polish up a manuscript and send it off. Bad because I can polish up a manuscript and send it off.
Academy of the Sacred Heart, New Orleans.
The conference took place at The Academy of Sacred Heart in uptown New Orleans on St. Charles Ave. The building breathes of history and catholic girls. The library had many nooks for students to tuck into to read (and editors to critique). I was welcomed by authors such as Angie Thomas and Jason Reynolds folded out on the librarian’s desk.
I signed up for a critique from editor Catherine Frank. She sat sweetly in the corner of the library. I took a deep breath and tried to relax. Maybe I tried too hard to relax because the conversation with Catherine was easy and fun. We laughed. We shared our love of musicals. Wow! She had tickets to Hamilton for that night! And she told me she adored verse novels.
Then she said I had to make some changes if I wanted it to sell. The breath caught in my throat. I don’t know if I can do that.
“Of course you can. You’re a good writer.”
She had me in the palm of her hand. The teacher pleaser in me will go back to the manuscript (Did I mention I’ve been writing this one off and on for 10 years?), and make the g.d. revisions. I’ll let you know if I get a book deal. It may take another 10 years, though.
This book writing business is hard work. A Louisiana author and friend, Johnette Downing, reminded us, in her wonderful presentation about writing “From the Roots Up: Culture as Character,” that we are in the service of children. A little poem from her talk:
Be the river.
Write what you know.
Write what you love.
Let the river flow.
The conference experience was too big for one post, so I think I’ll write part two tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Reflections on the Teche 
Lump in my throat as well for this . . . “Then she said I had to make some changes if I wanted it to sell. The breath caught in my throat. I don’t know if I can do that.”
Yes, dear friend. You can and you will! ❤
I love the name of this conference (JambaLAya Kidlit Conference
and I love this poem piece,
“Be the river.
Write what you know.
Write what you love.
Let the river flow.”
Going to work this morning and letting my river flow!
You’ve definitely got grit, Margaret. 10 years shows your passion for the work. Wishing you much luck with revisions!!
What a wonderful and scary opportunity; have real authors read your work! I am sure your inspiration and persistence will win! Look forward to seeing your next book published!
“Of course you can. You’re a good writer.” So hard to believe, even when it’s true. I’m impressed that you went, that you’re going, that you’re trying. I will think of you as you work to revise the work that has been with you for ten years. And I love the poem. Good for you for going to the conference!
How lovely, what could be better than encouragement, even if you have to make some adjustments? Sure you can do it and it won’t take another ten years either! Waiting for the next installation!
How exciting, Margaret, and I think the feedback you got was wonderful. How validating to hear that you’re a good writer from an editor. And of course, she’s right! Can’t wait to pick it off a bookstore shelf sometime in the future. I love this reminder: “that we are in the service of children”. Excited to hear more in another post!
Keep writing! Maybe another book of Blessen’s story?
Thank you for sharing with us. The name of the conference is really catchy. I love the poem you shared, too. It’s good to have another set of eyes, I have no doubt you can do it.
You can and you will! And I can’t wait to hear because yes, you are a good writer. I bet it’s the book I know. And I bet it won’t take ten more years.
[…] Over the weekend I attended the JambaLAya Kidlit Conference in New Orleans. You can read Part One here. […]
Yes, please to a children’s book by you! I love “be the river.” I’m going to be thinking about that one all day. And I love verse novels too!
You took the first brave step and put yourself out there for critique and suggestions. You can take the next step too! And I bet it won’t take another 10 years. 🙂
Had to put Downing’s words on my Words that Delight padlet. And you go, girl! Kudos for being brave and now for revising.