Okay people, it’s go time. There is only ONE WEEK remaining to register for the KidLitosphere Conference on October 17th in Washington, DC, and to seal the great rate offered by the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel. ONE WEEK!
Many have registered, but there is still room for more. Now I understand about procrastinating — more than you’ll ever know. I understand about weighing costs — says the currently unemployed library person. I understand about wondering if it will be worth it — having flown across the country to attend the Portland conference.
If you’re procrastinating, I’m giving you a deadline of one week. After that I can’t focus any more energy on registration and have to turn my attention to the conference itself. So, the time to sign up is pretty much now.
If you’re weighing the costs, I’ve broken down some of the expenses here. I think you’d be hard pressed to get blogging sessions, networking time, and a nice dinner for $100 anywhere else but here.
If you’re wondering whether it will be worth it, I can only assure you that I haven’t talked to anybody after the two other conferences I attended who left without feeling that it was a fantastic experience. And in that vein, I’m going to introduce a meme to make the rounds of previous KidLitosphere Conference attendees. Please pass it on.
Why did you decide to attend the KidLitosphere Conference?
I went to the first one that Robin Brande started by suggesting that it would be fun to get together. Then we thought that if we going to get together, we might as well share some ideas in sessions. And if we were going to share some ideas, then wouldn’t it be great if authors showed their books? It was amazing. After that I was sold on the next one, even knowing it was across the country, because it was so exciting to meet these bloggers and authors in person.
Who was most like their blog? Who was least like their blog?
In Jen Robinson I found the same kindness and generosity that I also find in her blog. Elizabeth Bird had the same quirky humor and great storytelling that I see in Fuse#8. Colleen is just as opinionated as she is on Chasing Ray (in a good way). Both Adrienne and Farida were both quieter than I would have thought from their blogs, but extremely delightful.
What surprised you at the conference?
I remain surprised that the KidLitosphere is the first book blogging group to my knowledge that has been able to pull together conferences like these. Knowing that makes me want to work harder to support our own community. I have to mention my biggest moment of surprise at the Portland conference was when a gentleman stood up and talked to the group at the first session and it was well-known author Eric Kimmel.
What will you always remember about the last conference?
Lee Wind. How many people will say that? He was a model for how one should approach a conference. He had notes, he met everybody, he networked, he created new initiatives, he made more friends in one weekend than I have in twenty years. I’m sorry that he isn’t able to attend this year, because no one should have to miss the Lee Wind Experience — soon to be a ride at Busch Gardens.
Did you blog about the conference?
Yes, right here.
I’ll tag five of the blogs featured in the shortlists of the Book Blogger Appreciation Week: Jen Robinson Book Blog; Fuse#8; Seven Impossible Things; Chasing Ray, and I’m Here, I’m Queer, What Do I Read?.
If you’re one of these bloggers, past on the meme. If you’re not one of these bloggers, go and vote in the Book Blogger Appreciation Week Awards — not forgetting our other KidLitosphere nominees like 100 Scope Notes, Semicolon, Becky’s Book Reviews, BookDads, The Story Siren, Collecting Children’s Books, Guys Lit Wire, Maw Books, Shelf Elf, and me.
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