I Am Grateful and Proud of my Achievements this Year.

Before the busy holiday season, I wanted to share some good news to wrap up 2022 before taking a break from social media until mid-January.

I am grateful for being part of a new critique group, thanks to Elizabeth Norton, our SCBWI Central International Regional Advisor, which I met at the Europolitan 2019 Conference in Switzerland. My first conference. I was so nervous, but it was a wonderful experience. She recently helped me connect with international picture book writers.

We have an Australian teacher, an Indian artist, a Persian teacher, an Italian artist, and an Israeli in our critique group. I’m hoping for a long collaborative journey together. There is much to learn from each other’s cultures, and their stories’ themes are spellbinding with precious nuanced gems. Kudos to these women.

I am grateful for our monthly Zoom meetings, where we give feedback on our manuscripts and cheer everyone along. That’s what a KidLit community does.

I am grateful for having Laura Wippell, a teacher from Australia, onboard. She organized the meetings, sent out reminders, and bought a copy of my debut picture book, Jurassic Rat. Thank you, Laura. It means a lot to me.

A big thank you to SCBWI conferences and the recent Europolitan Online Meet-up with members based in Europe, which I attended this month. I met new writers and enjoyed our chat in the picture book room.

Thank you to Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 challenge and all the support they give to authors and illustrators. The Children’s Book Insider for the podcasts, webinars, and writing courses they offer in the Writing Blueprints. Lastly, The Children’s Book Academy for teaching me the nuts and bolts of picture book magic.

If you’re serious about writing, keep writing and revising, and remember to query once you’ve polished three to four projects. Don’t wait two years as I have because you fear rejection. It will happen, but perhaps you’ll get the call when you least expect it. Keep writing while you wait.

A reminder, the SCBWI Booth may be at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2023. The event has not been listed yet on their website. I’m crossing my fingers they will attend. Here’s a pic from 2018.

I hope you can make it. If so, leave a comment and perhaps DM me on Twitter. Maybe we can meet up at the fair. If you attend, book your accommodations ahead of time and make sure you can cancel without extra costs in case life happens. Last-minute bookings cost an arm and a leg. If you want to wine and dine, book your favorite restaurant. Most are booked ahead of time. If you need a taxi, try to split the expenses with others. From downtown to the fair it’s about 20 euros if not more.

What are you proud of this year, even if you’re not a writer?