NESCBWI Conference-

Over a week ago I went to the NESCBWI conference... wait a second, isn't that in NEW ENGLAND...
Yes, yes it was.
And don't you live in Maryland?
Yes, yes I do.
But Maryland isn't in New England.
Nope, that's what airplanes are for --- which for the record, I won't be traveling by again to Boston. 

Was it weird going to a conference where you didn't know anyone? 

Um no, because how it that different from any other conference? 

The whole time rocked. I could talk about the importance of the Keynote Speaker and all the break out sessions. (Which I will for some other blog) but what I walked out of that conference with was friends. 

I love kidlit writers, seriously.  We are the nicest people.  I was a stranger from a strange land and I was instantly welcomed. 

I shared a room with Heather and it could have gone terribly wrong, I'm shocking socially awkward for someone who likes to be the center of attention.   She's awesome... not a word I use lightly on this blog.   Over the course of the weekend, she triumphed and I cheered for her.  She's a mom, like me, she writes and blogs.  She's me, but a way more mellow and cooler version.

Then I met Jennifer Carlson, I'm pretty sure she's a robot with perfect hair, she's a mom and like a billion other things.  Seriously I was getting tired just listening to all the stuff she does.   To get a SMALL  glimpse of what she does, check out her website... and look at all the tabs.

Laura Pauling,  was a very cool and down to earth view of self publishing, one I hadn't heard before.   She's super cool and you should go check out her book and her info.

Then there's Kris Asselin who I might have bugged a whole bunch via email leading up to the conference.  She was insanely supportive. 

Ansha Kotya was another cool and level headed writer.   Funny and generally awesome. 

Nandini  Bajpai- everything about her was calm and soothing, she was funny and down to earth, she was handy with a camera and an iPhone.  She isn't made out of bones and blood but out of WIN and Awesome.


And as always I saved the best of last, my dear friend Alicia.  Not only did she drive in the rain for me, and introduce me to all her friends, but she kept me sane during an emotionally insane weekend.

So I left New England with new knowledge, witness a TED talk, a met and spoke with an agent, but most importantly I met a whole bunch of cool people.  I can't wait to go back next year.

I will be updated the blog with more information about the conference and my LONG adventures getting home.  But I really wanted to give shout outs to awesome people filled with awesomeness.