Wearing my writer hat at VCFA

Last week I spent a few days in snowy Montpelier as author/illustrator in residence at Vermont College of Fine Arts  in their Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults program. It is a low residency program where students meet for ten days of workshops and lectures and then spend six months working … Read more

BookCon, Writers Hall of Fame, and me

What a week! Since my semester ended, I have been busier than ever outside of my studio. I’m itching to get back to work. On Sunday I attended my first BookCon where I spoke on a panel with Cheryl Willis-Hudson, Rita WIlliams-Garcia, and Jerdine Nolen. The panel was moderated by Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambatti. Our topic was … Read more

Ladies and gentlemen . . . the amazing Pat Cummings!

When I was in graduate school at SVA, I was able to choose an advisor during my thesis year. My choice was Pat Cummings. I asked Pat because I had been reading her books and admiring her art since “Just Us Women” appeared on Reading Rainbow in 1984. I went on to fall in love … Read more

Living Diversely . . . Syracuse

continued from Living diversly…part 2 Graduation came and went. Syracuse offered a program called summer institute that allowed incoming minority freshman to take a few classes and bond with other students before the school year officially began. I was so excited to begin college early and to meet other students. As kids often do, I … Read more

CBC Author Pavilion – The State of African American Kidlit

Yesterday I spoke on a panel with Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambatti, Kekla Magoon, Bil Wright, Paula Young, and Wade Hudson on the state of African-American Children’s Books. Each voice was unique in its experience within the industry. Wade Hudson, co-founder of Just Us Books brought to the table over 20 years of experience in making, promoting, and … Read more