Attending #NY18SCBWI, The SCBWI Winter Conference? Join me for the LGBTQ Q&A social, Saturday Feb 3 from 7:30pm-9pm

Once again, I'm honored to be hosting the discussion, circle, Q&A, and community.

Please check your conference schedule for the exact location

Here's the report from last year's gathering:

The LGBTQ + Allies Q&A Social at #NY17SCBWI

With an expanding circle as more and more people arrived, and with special guests that included Ellen Hopkins, Heidi Stemple, Laurent Linn, Ellen Wittlinger, Matthew Winner, and Arthur Levine, the social opened with a conversation about the responsibilities and challenges of speaking up about diversity, equality, human rights, and politics as people who create content for children.

Then each person around the circle introduced themselves, sharing what they're working on.

And then, for another hour +, people mingled and chatted and exchanged cards with their new tribe-within-a-tribe friends.

Two moments that are still resonating for me:

On an Ally author's reluctance to make a fantasy character queer:
"I want to give you permission that you know as much about a two-headed dragon as anyone." - Arthur A. Levine.

"Don't let anyone shut you up. You have a story to tell. Tell it. ...Somewhere along the way, children will hear it and they will be saved." - Jane Yolen

The evening was brave and beautiful.


Hope to see you there!
Lee