I had such a lovely time at my online chat with the Institute of Children’s Literature. Thanks to moderator and ICL website editor Jan Fields and everyone who participated!

Read the transcript: “The Pre-Side of Writing with Cynthia Leitich Smith” from ICL, Sept. 14, 2006. My apologies for the typos typical of chat transcripts; my fingers were flying fast.

More News & Links

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has released a new poster in celebration of Banned Books Week, Sept. 23-30. The poster incorporates ABFFE’s FREADOM logo and depicts the Statue of Liberty reading a book. The art, by Roger Roth, is from The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History, which was written by Jennifer Armstrong (Random House, 2006). The poster can be downloaded free (PDF file) and printed as an 11″ x 17″ poster using either a color printer or the services of a local copy shop.

Reminder: The Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators announces its Fall 2006 Conference, “Follow Me” (PDF). The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Texas School for the Deaf at 1102 South Congress in near south Austin. Licensing agent Suzanne Cruise has been recently added to the faculty. Other featured speakers will include agent Sara Crowe of the Harvey Klinger Agency, author Bruce Coville, author-book doctor Esther Hershenhorn (interview), Clarion associate editor Lynne Polvino, illustrator Tony Sansevero, and illustrator Don Tate (interview)(blog). Faculty also includes Dianna Hutts Aston (interview) and Cynthia Leitich Smith. Learn more about the conference.

Darleene Bailey Beard: official author site includes her biography, books, and events information. Darleen’s titles include: The Babbs Switch Story (FSG, 2006); Operation Clean Sweep (FSG, 2004); Twister (FSG, 1999); and The Flimflam Man (FSG, 1998). She is based in Oklahoma.

Take a sneak peek at the cover art for Our Librarian Won’t Tell Us ANYTHING! A Mrs. Skorupski Story by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa (Upstart Books, 2006). Read a recent Cynsations interview with Toni.

Congratulations to the Children’s Media Professionals’ Forum on its one-year anniversary.

“Cultivate Good Writing Manners” by Margot Finke from the Purple Crayon. Read a Cynsations interview with Margot.