Finally...the Virginia City Post

 Boardwalk in Va. City

Technically, I could call this a Friday Favorite because I loved, loved Va. City, the Nevada SCBWI Conference and especially the incredible group of mentees.  After sitting through the mentee group introductions, I was convinced there was some mistake and I really didn't belong there.  So much talent! 

This is the view from my hotel.  The building on the right, far off in the distance is the St. Mary's Art Center, where we had most of our classes.  There were lots of stairs and a very big hill.

 

The buildings in Va. City are from  the late 1800's.  Most of them are gorgeous and well-preserved.  However, I cringed a little at this one.  And I tried not to walk too close.

This is my mentor, Susan Hart Lindquist.  She gave the most insightful comments on my manuscript.  I came back inspired about the changes and looking forward to getting to work.  She.  Is.  Amazing. 

And since I know you want to see the famous people...from left to right, standing, we have Priscilla Burris (author/illustrator), Verla Kay (yes, that Verla Kay), Terri Farly (of the Phantom Stallion series (I loved her book, Seven Tears Into The Sea)), Terri Sloat (author/illustrator), and of course, Ellen Hopkins (author and fighter of book banning).  I just missed getting Suzy Williams (author of Bull Rider and numerous non-fiction books), Tracey Adams (Adams Literary) and Emma Dryden (Dryden Books).  They're standing next to Ellen.  Pretend they're there.

More famous folks...Susan Hart Lindquist (who is not paying attention to me taking her photo), Cheryl Klein (of Arthur A. Levine Books) and Harold Underdown (his Purple Crayon website is so full of great resources, every writer should know about it).

The schedule was chock full of workshops and discussions, but we managed to carve out one evening to have a drink in the saloon.  Here I am with some of my great new mentee friends, (l to r) Heidi, Sarah (from Slushbusters), Craig, me and Hazel.