MotherReader

The fun starts on Friday, November 8th with a Meet-and-Greet session where authors/illustrators can talk about their books and everyone can share in the freebies and food. Then join the group for a KidLit Drink Night at a local restaurant.
On Saturday, after the keynote address by Cynthia Leitich Smith of Cynsations, the sessions lineup offers:

• Ctrl+Z: 3 Things Every Illustrator and Author Needs To Know About Digital Art, presented by Laura Jennings of The Highsong Project
• Blogger Burnout: Suggestions for Getting Your Groove Back, presented by Jen Robinson and Sarah Stevenson of Jen Robinson’s Book Page & Finding Wonderland
• Diversity in Kid Lit: Nurture More, Blog More, Get More, presented by Lee Wind of I’m Here. I’m Queer. What the Hell Do I Read?
• Soft Sell Marketing, presented by Molly Blaisdell of Seize the Day.
• Critical Reviews & Why They Matter, presented by Kelly Jensen and Kimberly Francisco of STACKED.
• Beyond the Blog for Authors and Illustrators, presented by Pam Coughlan of MotherReader
• Don’t Fear the Code: Spice up Your Blog with HTML and CSS,  presented by Sheila Ruth of Wands and Worlds
• Blogging the Middle Grade Books, presented by Charlotte Taylor of Charlotte’s Library
• Kidlit Blogging Roundtable: Our Past, Present, and Future, moderated by Sarah Stevenson of Finding Wonderland

Another in my song as poetry series, in a throwback sort of way. It came back to me when Teen shared another Paul Simon song, Me and Julio, from her playlist and so I suggested this one. I had forgotten how great it was.

People say she's crazy
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Well that's one way to lose these
Walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of your shoes

She was physically forgotten
And then she slipped into my pocket
With my car keys
She said you've taken me for granted
Because I please you
Wearing these diamonds

Poetry Friday is hosted today at Merely Day by Day.

Yes, I'm SHOUTING! Because it is the LAST DAY to nominate a book for the Cybils award. If you haven't put in your favorite titles, head over there and do so. I'm loving the picture book nominations that have come in, but that doesn't mean that there's not more that should be included. For instance, I'm still waiting to see some that I liked and will now suggest if by chance you haven't nominated a picture book.

Here Comes Trouble!
by Connie Demas, illustrated by Norah Jones



A Long Way Away
by Frank Viva



Red Kite, Blue Kite
by Ji-li Jiang, illustrated by Greg Ruth



I'm Not Reading
by Jonathan Allen



It's also the LAST DAY to book a hotel room for KidLitCon Austin with our supremely discounted group rate. You'll even get the early registration discount if you register for KidLitCon today, you know, while you can still join the fun bunch at the Sheraton. There is more information about KidLitCon, including our Friday event, and more time to register, especially for local Austin folk. But this special hotel rate disappears at midnight, so get on this registration thing!

Thinking today about ways to contribute to our online kidlit community, the KidLitosphere.

1. Register for KidLitCon 2013
KidLitCon is a conference bargain, especially at the early registration rate of $55. Register by Monday - I'm extending early registration because I can - and you'll also be entered in a drawing for a special prize package of books and treats, lovingly put together by your conference hosts. PLUS you'll also have access to the discount rate to our block of rooms at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Austin. It's about a half a mile from the conference site, and will be populated with some of your favorite bloggers who like to hang out by the bar. However, this rate of $189 a night is only available until Monday, so I hope you'll sign up soon. Since I spent all my energy writing up the basics of registering, I'll leave the why KidLitCon is so amazing to Jen and Kelly and Leila and (earlier) me. Since I've been to all seven of them - that's right bitches! - here are my 2012 reflections and an earlier round-up of KidLitCons.

2. Nominate for Cybils
Cybils nominations are coming to a close next week, so get in your book nominations for these special online awards. We are looking for quality books, and we know they are out there. Look to the lists for what has been nominated already, and then submit overlooked titles. Some bloggers have been putting out suggestions, so take a look at Semicolon and more Semicolon, Jean Little Library, Great Books, Charlotte's Library and more Charlotte's Library, Family Bookshelf, Finding Wonderland, and Miss Print. These are OUR awards - from, by and of the KidLitosphere - so please, participate.

3. Publicize Cybils and KidLitCon
I'll admit that I've been doing a terrible job with this aspect. Though to be fair, I am running components of both of them which is a lot of work in itself. We could use your help to get out the word about ongoing Cybils nominations and our upcoming KidLitCon in Austin. If you have a post about KidLitCon or Cybils nominations that you'd like to share, please leave a comment with the link.