A Whole Lotta Authors, Editors, Agents, and Illustrators, Part One
Oh man. I'm tired, exhausted, happy, pooped and did I say tired? And I'll bet the other 96,135,001 (give or take a few) other attendees at the SCBWI Conference are too. Today was the last day of workshops-speeches-parties-critiques-cold-meeting-rooms-book-buying-singing-laughing-and-learning.

The night before the conference, there was a faculty dinner. I sat next to gal pal Newbery winner Susan Patron. The last time I had seen Susan was at her book launch party for THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY. (Disclaimer: I may have seen her since then, but my brain is on overload and the memory section isn't working right now.)


(Above: Susan and Peepy discuss forbidden words.)

It was also great to meet Sara Pennypacker, winner of this year's Sid Fleischman Humor Award for her wonderful book, CLEMENTINE . . .

(Above: Sara and Sid Fleischman discuss funny words.)

The next morning, faculty members were ordered to march on stage, do a short interpretive dance of their favorite book, and come up with an inspiring word. (One of those isn't true.) When we lined up, I forgot my word. My editor, the amazing Arthur Levine, suggested I say a place, but instead I decided to say "nap." So imagine my surprise when instead I blurted out "peri-menopause."

(Above: Amazing Arthur and Peppy Peepy discuss inspiring words.)

After a great keynote by Walter Dean Myers, it was time to start critiquing. Over 400 people had their manuscripts or art portfolios reviewed by agents, authors, editors and art directors . . .

(Above: The critique room was larger that 20 football fields, almost.)

Later, it was time to catch up authors like Jeapordy!-contestant Linda Sue Park. Linda Sue and I are now pals, even though I almost killed her. But look, she doesn't seem scared of me anymore . . .


The ever-popular-and-always-entertaining John Green is no longer as tall as he used to be . . .


And LAYA and super-talented Cecil Castellucci told Peepy the secrets to her success(es) . . .


Well, there's soooooo much more to tell. So stay tuned for the next episode of SCBWI, the Reality Series.