{"id":1338,"date":"2010-10-27T00:45:00","date_gmt":"2010-10-27T00:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writingya.com\/?p=1338"},"modified":"2018-11-20T05:33:20","modified_gmt":"2018-11-20T05:33:20","slug":"kidlitcon-2010-fun-conversation-hijinks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writingya.com\/?p=1338","title":{"rendered":"Kidlitcon 2010: The Fun! The Conversation! The Hijinks!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Okay, so there were not really any hijinks that I am personally aware of. (Sorry if that disappoints you.) However, it was truly an amazing weekend. I gleaned useful blog- and writing-related tidbits, got to do a little sightseeing around Minneapolis\u2014but, best of all, I got to meet so many great people that I’ve only known in virtual form. Henceforth, I present you with:<\/p>\n

KIDLITCON: THE PEOPLE<\/b><\/p>\n

\"IMG_3162\"<\/a>I love the feeling of community that the Kidlitcon fosters\u2014it’s not like any other conference I’ve ever been to. It’s as much about that sense of community, I think, as it is about learning more about blogging, or creating networking opportunities, or getting to listen to knowledgeable speakers. And meeting people who’ve already met Tanita is always a kick–I can’t help wondering if they think we’re a strange duo…<\/p>\n

Some of the people I saw at this year’s conference<\/a> I’ve known for a number of years but hadn’t met yet, like Liz B. (Tea Cozy<\/a>), Mary Lee (A Year of Reading<\/a>), Charlotte (Charlotte’s Library<\/a>), Melissa Wiley (Bonny Glen<\/a>), Mary Ann Scheuer (Great Kid Books<\/a>), Laura Salas<\/a>, and Camille (BookMoot<\/a>). Others I only just met at the conference but still sort of felt like I’d known them for ages: Alice Pope<\/a>, Blythe Woolston<\/a>, Laura Lutz (Pinot & Prose<\/a>), Elissa Cruz (From the Mixed-Up Files<\/a>), Kirstin Cronn-Mills<\/a>, and Toby Speed<\/a>, just to name a few. (I know I missed some. Please don’t hate me.)<\/p>\n

I got to see some good friends again whom I’d met in person before: Jen Robinson<\/a>, Pam @ MotherReader<\/a>, Maureen Kearney (Bibliovore<\/a>), and, awesomely, there was a cameo appearance by the legendary Kelly H<\/a>.! So great to see you, Kelly.<\/p>\n

I met the indomitable and amazing Carol Rasco (RIF<\/a>) and was almost incoherent with awe. I met Susan Taylor Brown<\/a>, who lives not far from me but yet I hadn’t met in person until this weekend. (Same with Mary Ann!) <\/p>\n

I’d be remiss if I did not mention the wonderful organizing trifecta of Brian Farrey (Flux<\/a>), Andrew Karre (Carolrhoda<\/a>), and Ben Barnhart (Milkweed<\/a>). Thanks, guys, for such a memorable weekend!<\/p>\n

And, lastly, a notable part of going to Minneapolis for me was getting the chance to meet with my acquisitions editor, Brian, and one of the publicists I’ve been working with at Flux, Steven. We had great conversations, and it’s always valuable to be able to put names to faces in a work-related situation.<\/p>\n

For pictures of people, check the Kidlitcon Flickr group<\/a>. For more recaps of the weekend, check here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

KIDLITCON: THE PLACE<\/b><\/p>\n

\"IMG_3161\"<\/a>The conference was held at Open Book<\/a>, a literary center located in a building called The Loft in downtown Minneapolis, a short walk from the hotel. I really wish we had a facility like this in my town: the bottom floor has a caf\u00e9, a gallery space and a supremely cool gift shop; the second floor has the Open Book center, complete with a classroom, a large meeting room and a spacious foyer for mingling (and, in our case, that\u2019s where we had lunch); and the third floor was home to Milkweed Editions. So awesome.<\/p>\n

I didn’t spend my entire time indoors, though\u2014on Friday, I met up with a friend who lives in St. Paul and she showed me around the downtown Minneapolis area. We took a fabulously long walk and I got to see some of the many bridges over the river. And the weather gods were smiling upon us\u2014Friday was gorgeous, and it didn’t rain on us until Sunday, and it didn’t snow at all (which is good, since I have no snow-suitable duds). <\/p>\n

KIDLITCON: THE EXPERIENCE<\/b><\/p>\n

I think I’m going to follow the bullet-point format I’m seeing used so effectively on other recap posts, so this doesn’t go on for eons. Here goes:<\/p>\n