To say it was a joy to be out and amongst fellow educators, readers and writers last week… is an understatement. I had a blast in Milwaukee as I talked, learned, listened, ate, book-gushed (yes, that’s a real verb!), interviewed and taught at the 2022 Wisconsin State Reading Association Conference.

For those who weren’t able to attend, here are just a few of the many, many highlights of this fabulous organization’s 2022 conference, The Art of Literacy. Even though I’m a not usually a numbers girl, I’m going to do this in the form of a count down. 3, 2, 1… here we go.

3 Books I Purchased

Believe me when I say that I could have spent my entire bank account on the books of the amazing presenters of this conference, but I limited myself to three. (Okay, I would have bought 4, but R-E-S-P-E-C-T by Carole Boston Weatherford was sold out before I got to the table.)

First up, was the graphic novel Sidekicks by the ever-entertaining Dan Santat. (I’m thrilled to say he is as nice as he is talented too!) My sons devour graphic novels, so this humorous, full color, personally SIGNED edition was a must-have.

Next I bought Pat Zietlow Miller’s, What Can You Do With a Rock? As a mother who recently cleaned out her nine year old’s closet and returned several rocks back to their natural habitat (the rock bed in front of our house!) I knew this informative and fun book would be a hit. And I was right. Accompanied by delightful and detailed illustrations, this book has already piqued my son’s interest in geology. (“Hey, mom! What is the birth-rock (he means birthstone) for August?)

And finally, I picked up a copy of a fun shaped book of poetry, Falling Down the Page, edited by fellow young writer’s workshop facilitator, Georgia Heard. The uniquely displayed poems are not only fun to read, but get my own writing gears turning. What if we as writers not only question which words we choose, but the way we use them and the way they are displayed on the page? I am certain young writers will be similarly intrigued!

P.S. Thanks Boswell Books for being the conference bookstore!

2 Take-Away Quotes

It was pretty hard to walk away from this event uninspired. I was writing constantly, recording the brilliant thoughts and insights of those presenting. It was a tall task, but I whittled my notes down to two of my most influential takeaways. They come from picture book author Carole Boston Weatherford and MG/YA author Michael Buckley.

1 Interview

Speaking of Michael Buckley, I got to interview him for my YouTube channel! Michael’s newest middle grade series of books feature a character named Finn (after his own son) who goes on all sorts of humorous adventures. In preparation for the interview, I read the first book, Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox and can tell you that this silly series will hook a wide variety of readers in your 4th, 5th and 6th grade classrooms. When I chatted with Michael I asked him about where his story ideas came from, how he deals with writing disappointments and his best tips for writing humor. You’ll be able to listen into the conversation when it comes out on the first Friday in March!

If you don’t want to wait until then, you can grab a copy of the book here, so by the time the interview releases, you’ll know all about Finn and be ready for more. (Psst… there are two other books in the series… so if you like it, more are already waiting for you!)

After the interview, Michael and I went out to dinner with Pat Zietlow Miller and for over an hour I sat and listened to them chat about the writing industry, their favorite authors and their work lives. It was an incredible peek behind the curtain (as Wendelin Van Draanen would say!). I chimed in when I could, but mostly I marveled at their careers and generosity for sharing bits and pieces of advice (and a meal!) with me. Thank you Michael and Pat!

The lesson buried in this last item is to always make the ask. Sure the person you ask might have sold over 9 million books and had his most recent project narrated by Kate Winslet. She might have won numerous awards and have not one or two, but 5 books coming out in the year ahead. He might have done stand up comedy in NYC with headliners and worked for David Letterman. But he or she might also say YES, when you ask. So make the ask!

Alrighty, that’s all I’ve got. Or, more accurately, all I’m going to share for today. I’ve got pages of conference notes, but after that dinner, I’ve decided I’m gonna get real serious. I want to be like Pat and Michael. Like Carole and Dan. I want to write books for a living and sell a lot of them. So you know what… I better get writing… and not just blog posts!

But picture are worth a thousands words, right? So I’ve included a few snapshots below from the weekend to finish off this edition of Writing Wednesday! I hope to attend this conference again next year and that our paths will cross there, if not before!

Happy reading, writing and teaching!

~ Amanda

P.S. If you were unable to attend and would like me to send you my presentation materials (5 GREAT anytime Read Alouds, YouTube and Your Reader, Graphic Novel Creation Workshop for Young Writers, head to the WordNerdopolis Post Office and drop me a note! Also, I’d love to do these presentations for your staff and students!

Wisconsin Floor Mosaic All ready to go! Conference Poster Gala at Discovery World

Carole Boston Weatherford, my SCBWI friend (and conference committee member) Joyce Uglow, and Me

Carole Boston Weatherford 1 of my presentations Pat Zietlow Miller MKE SWAG!

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