Island nations such as the Maldives live with the stark reality that their countries will be under water from climate change. This is not fifty years out. It's now. These island nations have limited choices—relocate or elevate. The Maldives are taking immediate action, and calling on other nations to help. Read more in my FACES magazine article, The Maldives and…
The Huli people have tribal customs from thousands of years. When the Europeans "discovered" them in the 1940's, life changed. And not all for the good, nor that benefited the Huli. "Modernization" has brought broken contracts, theft of land and resources, guns, and violence to protect what is theirs. FACES Magazine, March 2019 issue, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, The…
I've written for health care and other industry trade magazines for years. When I decided to write children's literature, it took a while for me to discover children's magazines as something to try. But I love it! I've done over 27 articles so far. It gives me license to research and dig deeply into subjects that take me all over…
After 12 years of running the San Francisco North and East Bay Region, first as Assistant Regional Advisor and then as Co-Regional Advisor, I stepped down on 9/1/18. Our region is a tremendous success, with over 30 programs a year, and twenty enthusiastic dedicated regional team members. I look back and I've done over 200 programs, Intensives and Conferences, hosted…
I just finished the 2018 Nevada Mentor program for children writers. My mentor was author Terri Farley. She was amazing. Two complete reviews of my middle grade novel, The Big Bad Book Club, with sensitive, serious direction and revision guidance. This is an incredible program. I recommend every children's writer apply to a mentor program. The outstanding feedback and advice…
I've worked and traveled to Japan for the video game industry. I probably was the first woman to do that!!! So exciting and fun! My Japanese colleague sent me lots of stunning lacquerware, and I got a little hooked on manga. So getting the assignment for these two articles was a great joy to relive the relationships and thrills. Bento…
Digging deeper into your craft is a critical keystone for SCBWI. So since I write middle grade, what better event than to organize a Middle Grade Masterclass! With 4 outstanding authors, 45 people will hunker down and go deeper into their work and be guided on ways to improve their craft. Not to be missed! Middle Grade Masterclass, June 16,…
For this issue on People of Peace, I focused on two of the areas I love - running and education and submitted queries on two extraordinary people who have changed the world with their efforts towards peace and human dignity. Malala Yousafzai: Youngest Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Malala Yousafzai has been a forthright advocate of a girl's right…
All around the world, people wear plaid. It might be one of the most best-known, well-recognized patterns in the world. The real honor for the pattern goes to Scotland, and the accurate Scottish name is "tartan." The saying goes, " All tartans are plaid, but not all plaids are tartans." Tartan describes the Scottish woven cloth. Read the article here.
It is a gift to have someone help you along a journey to improve, such as a coach or a counselor. But in writing, a published author who takes you under their wing, gives you critical, helpful commentary on your manuscript and provides guidance on revision is invaluable. The SCBWI Nevada Mentorship program does exactly that. 12 published writers and…