Poetry Friday: Back on the Conference Circuit
Karen is hosting Poetry Friday today, so hop on over there to catch the roundup.
Back to Conferences
I was away from Poetry Friday last week because I was attending VAASL (Virginia Association of School Librarians). It was the first library conference I’ve attended since 2019.
I saw our Poetry Friday friend, Linda Mitchell, presenting about using Reading Makes Cents books. She talked about my Notable 19s friend, Cathy Ballou Mealey’s adorable book SLOTH AND SQUIRREL IN A PICKLE.
I also did a panel presentation with other SCBWI Mid-Atlantic authors who write for the elementary set. I did a signing with some of my local friends. I’m the worst at remembering to take pictures at events. Many thanks to friends who took pictures and sent them my way.
It was so great to be back in person and to be doing conferences again.
On Saturday, I did an craft intensive presentation at the SCBWI MD/DE/WV fall writing retreat about one of my favorite things–RESEARCH.
I love hearing about all of the brilliant things authors are doing research on. And I always love talking about my passion for research.
Because I was there all day, I was able to attend a workshop on writing LANDSCAPE with Jess Rinker and Joe McGee. It was so great to work on my own WIP. Some of their exercises helped me connect some dots in my current project.
Haiku of the Week
slug slimes
slides through fungi gills
hideout from hikers
Photo Taken: July 9, 2023 at Hidden Pond Nature Center
Haiku Written: September 18, 2023
What I’m Reading
by Doug Tallamy
I’ve spent lots and lots of time in the car in the past week. I’ve been listening to books. I finished two recently. I really loved listening to this one. Oaks really are amazing.
What I’m Noticing
The leaves have really been dry—so dry that there have been wildfires in our beloved Shenandoah National Park. I’m sad I haven’t spent as much time outside these past few weeks as I would have liked.
24 Comments
Rose Cappelli
So happy you are able to get back to conferences. Right about this time of year I start thinking about NCTE that I’ll miss again (haven’t been since 2019). Maybe next year. Love the alliteration in your haiku.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I know! It was at that NCTE that I met you. I haven’t been to NCTE since then either.
LInda
I’m glad you are getting to attend conferences. I wish I could have heard Linda’s presentation. I know it was wonderful. I miss going to conferences. Hopefully, I’ll get to attend one or two next year. I love trees and agree with you that oaks are amazing!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It’s been nice to get back into conferences after 4 long years!
Molly Hogan
I love how energized you sound after attending these conferences/retreats, and how fun that you were able to see Linda present! Mushrooms do seem to be a slug delicacy, don’t they? Love the photo and haiku!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much!
Linda Baie
We studied slugs in class one year, kept them in a tank & fed them ‘mushrooms’ & a few other things. We had a garden expert to help. They seem the same but when we staarted sketching, were all surprised that we could see diffrences. I love. your haiku, would have shared it back then! I can hear the happiness in your words for the conference time, being with other writers and book lovers, a big treat! Thanks Marcie for all!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
How very cool!!!!
Tracey Kiff-Judson
Marcie, I don’t know how you do it all. Reading, writing, photography, speaking, travel! Phew! I enjoyed this week’s haiku and the portrait of your slug friend. It feels like she’s making direct eye contact. : )
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I don’t do all of the things all of the time. 🙂 I’m still mining my summer photos.
Denise Krebs
Marcie, wow, your photos are so sharp and beautiful. That slug and how it “slides through fungi gills” is amazing. It was great you got to see Linda present at the Virginia librarians conference.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It was so great to see Linda!
Robyn Hood Black
Well, you are definitely moving faster than that intriguing slug this month! SCBWI conferences are the best. Love the pics and glad you got to share your wisdom and connect with the tribe! :0) (& Cathy’s book looks wonderful!)
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Cathy’s book is soooo fun! It’s been great to get back to conferences.
PATRICIA J FRANZ
Sounds like a whirlwind, Marcie, but how fun to gather with library and writing friends! And seriously…where do you find those photos??? Clearly you got outside at some point!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I took this photo on one of my summer adventures at parks in my county.
Catherine Wallian Flynn
In-person conferences are so energizing! I’m sad to miss NCTE this year, but it just wasn’t meant to be. I love your little slug. Finding a safe hideout from hikers can’t be easy. Thank you for recommending The Nature of Oaks. It looks fascinating!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
The Nature of Oaks is fascinating. I’m sad to not get to go to NCTE this year too. Maybe next year!
Laura Purdie Salas
I’m glad your conferences have rejuvenated your writing and connections! Wish you were going to be at NCTE!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh I wish I was too!! I’m hoping I’ll get to go next year–I’ll have a new book out.
Linda Mitchell
oooooh, it’s always good to see you. I love conference season…and I need a bit of time to compress all the learning into what I can do in my library. There’s so much GOOD going on in education. Your snail photo is pretty impressive. Took that with a phone?! Incredible!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I took the photo with my good camera. 🙂 I’m still working my way through the goodness I gathered at VAASL. So many things I want to try.
Karen Edmisten
I’m so happy that you got to attend a conference, meet Linda, and dive into your passion for research! I’ll be sure to share your haiku with my eldest daughter, who is fascinated by all-things-slug. 🙂
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh awesome! I love that there are people who love slugs. 🙂