Such an Honor

I was honored to be invited to the SCBWI-Florida annual conference in Miami in January.

I was equally honored to hear the “First-Book” panel, to see a group of newly published authors/illustrators excitedly celebrate the victory of, at long last, seeing their works in print. They were humble, grateful and full of encouragement and love for their fellow members. It was joyful, tearful and downright beautiful.
One of those lovely speakers was Gail Shepherd. None of us — nor she — knew she would be gone just a few weeks later. 😞

Her first, and sadly LAST, book received four starred reviews. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Perhaps, buy it and read it— as a gift to her family, and to pay tribute to her words and her journey — and to this industry, in which so many of us are so incredibly fortunate to be a part.