No, I'm not in Delaware - but one of the wonderful keynote speakers today at the SCBWI conference has written a whole series of madcap adventures that take place in Delaware - of all places.   His name is M.T. Anderson and he was a delightful speaker this morning, along with Jon Scieszka, another popular (and published) author.  

Day One of this madcap adventure of my own has been full of laughter, feedback and just plain awe at the sheer volume of writers jockeying for a place on the proverbial bookshelf.  There are over1,000 attendees at this shindig and 90% of them are middle-age women.  Yikes!  Turns out a lot of them have been librarians or teachers or moms.  There are a few men dotted around here and there, but most of the men are the agents, editors and speakers.  Coming from the financial/investment world, this may be the first conference I've ever been to where I had to wait in line for the bathroom. 

Mid-day I  had my manuscript review with Claudia Gabel, a senior editor with Harper Collins.  She may not be 30 yet.  Why is someone who was probably born when I was in college determining my fate?    I can only imagine the conversations these agents have at the bar when all of us grey-haired old ladies retire early....

Okay, I have to admit that her comments were insightful and helpful and definitely appreciated.  But I did have a teensy-weensy issue when she suggested I find a bigger historical event to focus on...Bigger than the beginning of the American Revolution?  Really? 

Already overwhelmed with information by lunchtime, I sauntered out to the pool for sandwiches.  Did I mention that I love California?  80 degrees, no humidity, abundant sunshine and really good food.  What could be better than that, I ask you?  Actually I often ask my husband that very question...

Afternoon brought more speakers about what's hot, what's not in children's literature.  Good news - I think the whole fantasy, vampire thingy may have about run its course.  Evidently, NON FICTION is really hot in kid lit these days.  Maybe I'll turn my book into a tell-all autobiography of Nina, the time traveling 10-year old.  That way I won' t have to change much - just the spin...

And finally, a lovely wine and cheese (and I mean real cheese from lots of yummy places) reception & book signing where I picked up three books for each of my girls, signed for them personally by the authors.  Maybe that will keep me in the "cool mom" zone for awhile longer. And now, I'm going to curl up with a good book of my own (Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon) and get some rest before Day 2!