The Kidlit Blogging Conference, Part I

Before I write up a kidlit blogging conference I attended over the weekend, here's a photo of the whole criminal bunch:

I'm in the front, second from the right with my feet sticking out.

Notice the ratio of men to women. This is why the men are smiling. Or not. I can't really tell.

Author extraordinaire Robin Brande and several of her friends brought us all together and set up speakers, a schedule and a dinner to discuss where children's and YA book blogging is headed. I'm not going to attempt to cover everything, just a few tidbits that leaped out at me.

It was a dizzying day, to be sure. Some of my recollections and notes will be posted here and some at Cybils (link to come later, when I've posted there). Some of the presentations were very freeform -- come with questions, jump in anytime -- true to the nature of the blogosphere.

Being something of an introvert, those weren't my favorite sessions, but I didn't shrink from them either. Others seemed fine with it, but I heard grumbling in a few quarters that there was no coverage of the basics: this is a blog, here's how to get started, this is what kidlitosphere means, etc.

A somewhat troubling rift opened right away between authors and reviewers, with each group sitting on opposites sides of the room (tables were arranged in a huge rectangle so everyone faced inwards). Through mingling over lunch and dinner, some of these rifts vanished, but there will always be tension between those who send their baby off to be reviewed and those whose job is to point out baby's bad manners and odd looks.

Some highlights:

Mark Blevis of Just One More Book de-mystified podcasting for us and I had to resist running out to Best Buy for the latest recording gizmo. His step-by-step presentation was energetic, fun and infinitely useful. I know he was going to try and record it; if he podcasts it, it's well worth a listen just for the behind-the-scenes glimpses (that's him lying down in front of us all).

Cybils Forum

At one point, authors split off to discuss the why's of blogging, while Cybils participants joined co-conspirator Kelly and myself in the main conference room. Our preparation for this consisted of me shouting through the bathroom stall; "should we talk about what goes onto the Cybils blog?"

This was a non-starter; after two minutes, people hit us with far more general -- and pressing -- issues. What are the judging criteria? How do you determine "kid friendly"? Can we do a better job defining each genre? Whither Cybils (i.e., future plans)?

I can't speak for Kelly, but I came away energized. People wouldn't criticize if they didn't care passionately, and absolutely no one argued with the concept, its necessity, its rather loose-knit infrastructure, or our management style (which is to say, our lack of a management style).

Yes, I'll post more on that over at Cybils. Meanwhile, here's a picture of some of us, thanks to Jules and Eisha:

From left to right (with blog links):

Top row: Adrienne, Kelly, moi, Betsy

Bottom row: Eisha and Jules

Lunch

Would you believe the hardest work got done over lunch? I wandered over to Chipotle with Pam, Liz, Jen and Kelly. These are some of the earliest and most ardent bloggers in the kidlit world, people whose writing, passion and knowledge merge in consistently readable and enlightening posts.

Plus, they're my virtual girlfriends.

I think Jen was concerned that more hadn't gelled during her presentation on promoting the kidlitosphere. No consensus emerged that this was even an important idea, with some people still chafing at the word "kidlit" (though politely) and others insisting on an online primer of sorts for kidlitosphere.

So we couldn't get into the hows until we answered the whats and whys.

But Jen, being the practical sort, plugged away over lunch on the need for an umbrella group to house us all, with a home page with explanations, links, news and perhaps even an email newsletter. We're using SCBWI as our model and I imagine it started just this way, with a few impassioned volunteers.

(Note to all: this was all worded horribly. I blame temporary insanity. Jen kept us focused on the immediate task at hand, and we all brainstormed in an incredibly productive way. My apologies if this sounds anything short of the fun that it was).

We have no firm plans, of course, just a meeting of minds. I'm sure there will be fodder for many posts to come.

And now, because this has grown colossally,  you'll have to wait for my next post (tomorrow) for details on my presentation. Sorry!

Comments

[brettdl]

Here's a motto suggestion: Changing the kidlit world one blog post at a time.

OK, that's too long.

[Jen Robinson]

Hope I didn't cause TOO much hard work at lunch, virtual girlfriend (I love that). I think it's more that I was energized by the prospect of what we could do than disappointed by the fact that we couldn't do it in a one hour presentation (and all of you, especially Pam, contributed to the energized part). I was kind of cringing later, feeling like I was talking too much at that lunch, being pushy, etc. So, sorry if that was the case. Sometimes "passionate" can be too much. But it really was a joy just being able to talk with you all. And I think that we'll do great things. Once we get over this niche-naming hurdle.

[Anne]

Oh gosh, Jen, I thought lunch was the highlight of the day! I meant hard work in terms of what we accomplished.

I thought we really walked away from that lunch with a new direction for our cozy corner of the blogosphere, and that made me feel very good.

And I thought we all blabbed a huge amount. No introverts at that table Saturday!

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks, Anne. It was a highlight of the day for me, too. It just shows that if you put a bunch of introverts together with like-minded people and a shared cause, then the introversion vanishes.

[Cheryl Rainfield]

Thanks for blogging all about the day! I love hearing more about it. Everyone has a slightly different tidbit, and it helps me feel almost as if I was there. (wishfully said.) I love how passionate we all are about children's and teen books!

[Anne]

Thanks, Cheryl! I'm also having fun making the rounds today, but now I'm way behind on other stuff. And sick! I caught a cold. Bleh.

[bookbk]

I'm so grateful for the candid and newsy report! I still wish I'd been able to go and meet everyone in person, but it's really helpful to hear about what went on.

[Laini]

It was great to meet you, Anne! I really enjoyed your presentation on book reviewing. The whole thing was just so much fun. Look forward to seeing you again in the future!

[Erin]

Thanks for the recap!!

[Stacy]

Hi Anne:
I, too, enjoyed your presentation. It really made me think about why I do this, and who my audience may be.

[Sondra Santos LaBrie]

Wow. I wish I had been there. I love Chicago and I would love to be in the same room with you all - even if it was just as a fly on the wall...

Hope to see you all in L.A. next June. Perhaps a Kidlit conference could be scheduled then...

[Anne]

Hey all:

Thanks for stopping by, it's much appreciated. There will be another looooong installment tomorrow on book reviewing. Bring a pillow in case you nod off.

Sondra -- next year's is in Portland. Sure hope you can hop a plane up from San Diego. I'd love to meet you.

One of the presenters gave major props to Kane/Miller for supporting us bloggers from early on. You got applause too!

[MotherReader]

So glad to be part of your virtual girlfriend group and to meet you in actual real life person! The day(s) of talking, brainstorming, sharing were simply fabulous. I don't think that I can wait another year.

[Camille]

The great thing about all the presentations was the questions they raised. I feel like the conference was the beginning of a conversation and discussion that will continue in the months to come.

Your presentation on the nuts and bolts of reviewing was OUTSTANDING and extremely thought provoking. Thank you so much. It was just grand to meet you!