105 Ways to Give a Book

Conference Question and Courage Campaign

I am taking the first steps toward organizing the Annual KidLitosphere Conference — or if you’d prefer, The Society of Bloggers in Children’s and Young Adult Literature Annual Conference. It will be in the Washington, DC, area, though not exactly in the actual city. I’m looking at Arlington, Virginia — and more specifically Crystal City, where there is easy access to National Airport, the Metro, and mall shopping. It’s a fifteen-minute Metro ride or a six-minute drive to DC, so pretty close. Yom Kippur knocked out my original dates, and Columbus Day weekend is booked at two hotels I’ve found — one of which I love. So, now I’m looking at the weekend of October 16th–18th and wanted to put it out there in case I’m unaware of some major impediment to that weekend. It’s not ALA, BEA, or SCBWI. The Jewish calendar looks clear. Anything I’m missing?

On Valentine’s Day, I almost posted this video, which I found through Ready When You Are, C.B. But while the video is beautiful, moving, and powerful, it is sad in its ultimate concept — and I have enough issues with Valentine’s Day without laying that trip on you. So, President’s Day seems like a good choice for featuring videos that are also calls to action and/or calls for equality.

18 comments:

Elaine Magliaro said...

Pam,

I just checked my desk calendar. October 16th is National Boss Day! I suppose that non-holiday holiday shouldn't present a problem for scheduling of the conference, should it?

Thanks for working on the arrangements.

Corey Schwartz said...

What a touching video! Thanks for sharing it.

Liz B said...

Does this mean I would not have to drive in DC? Because the thought of having to do that is making me throw up a little.

I have a big work event October 3, so I've been holding my breath hoping October 3 is not the date.

So, yay for Oct 16-18.

MotherReader said...

Liz, I feel the same way about driving in DC and suspected that I wouldn't be the only one. Hence, Arlington but with easy DC access. The Metro station is on the far side of the hotels I'm checking out. In theory, you could walk to the Lincoln Memorial - it's maybe two miles away.

Anonymous said...

Works for me!

Anonymous said...

Dude! I think that works for me!! It'll mean I have a conference 3 weekends in a row, but at least it's a clear date (and drivable!!)

Anonymous said...

Pam,
I checked several other conferences (NAEYC, NCTE, IRA, AASL) and none of them are meeting that weekend.

tanita✿davis said...

Now that I've had my good cry for the morning...

Sounds like you guys are going to have fun. Don't know if I can make it, but I *will* try...

Tricia said...

Woohoo! Last year I had a conference the weekend of the event, and the first year I came very late because I came directly from another conference. Me likey these dates!

Anonymous said...

Those dates work. FWIW, I am coming in I-66 right past Dulles, so if it is cheaper for some folks to fly into Dulles, I am happy to hang out and chauffeur a group from there/to there.

Jen Robinson said...

Looks clear for me! And I'm excited that you've started planning!

Grace Lin said...

That video was so touching, it made me cry a little!

Peaceful Reader said...

Fabulous video!! Thanks for sharing it.

Jennifer Schultz said...

Oh, yay! That sounds awesome. I'd love to attend.

Jennie said...

Pam, let me know if you need any help! (Also, I live by the Pentagon, if you need someone super-close to things...)

Anamaria (bookstogether) said...

I'm marking my calendar. And I actually live in Arlington, so it couldn't be any more convenient for me (unless it were at Ballston). Would love to help out, too.

Wendie O said...

The date looks good for me, too. Wait a minute -- let me check the Maryland Library Association/ Maryland school library asso. Yup, MASL is having their meeting October 15 and 16 in Frederick, Maryland. And the Friday of that meeting is usually their author luncheon. But I'd skip it to attend a blogger conference.

The 16th is a Friday. (she said, having stupidly assumed that the blogger conference would be on a Saturday.)

I live north of Baltimore if you need more help -- especially the day of the conference.
-wendie old

Wendie O said...

Ah, you said:
" now I’m looking at the weekend of October 16th–18th"

Bonking head.
Ah yes. a weekend. Not just Friday the 16th.
-wendie old