Gather, a Kidlit Podcast

Authors NoNieqa Ramos, Vicki Johnson, and Alexandra Villasante will gather together to talk about illuminating and joyous books that we've loved, and projects that have brought pride and joy to our lives, even in unexpected places. At the end of the session, Em Dickson will join us in conversation from the perspective of reader, writer, librarian, and founder of Pronouns May Vary.

Zaynah Qutubuddin, program manager for the Muslim Storytellers Fellowship program, joined George Brown on our podcast to talk more about her writing experience with the Whole Novel online course, the work of the Muslim Storytellers Fellowship program, and her takeaways from her experience as a program manager with other Muslim fellows.

Author M.O. Yuksel and Illustrator Hatem Aly were on campus for the Muslim Storytellers Fellowship Symposium. George Brown hosted them on our podcast to talk more about their projects, their takeaways from the Muslim Storytellers Symposium, and the art wall at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center.

Author Debbi Michiko Florence and Author/Illustrator Grace Lin were on campus for the Asian and Asian American Voices In-Community Retreat .  George Brown hosted them on our podcast to talk more about their projects, the retreat they are hosting to celebrate this diverse and talented community, and their creative practices and works in progress.

Poets Charles Waters and Irene Latham were on campus for their workshop Poetry for Kids: A World of Publishing Possibilities .  George Brown hosted them on our podcast to talk more about how their partnership came about, the market and craft of writing poetry for kids, and their writing practices.

A Jolt of Inspiration, Indeed! Program Director  Alison Green Myers  opened this #HFGather with an inspiring mini-keynote celebrating this creative life, with echoes back to the Highlights Foundation's first summer writers' workshop at the Chautauqua Institution and reflections on moving the summer camp experience to the Barn at Boyds Mills. First, the History: "Rich and Righteous Lectures" Alison...

Alison Green Myers celebrated our 2023 scholarship program, and answered questions, with some special guests: 2022 scholarship recipients Christiana Doucette, Sid Champagne and Jenniffer Jones and faculty member Sarah Aronson. https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/2023/01/31/hfgather-2023-scholarship-celebration-and-information-session/  

At our latest #HFGather, authors  Ally Malinenko ,  Amber McBride  and  Linda Epstein  shared an honest and thoughtful conversation about writing about trauma and grief for kids and teens sensitively and honestly. Resources Mentioned: https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/22304/hfgather-writing-about-trauma-and-grief-for-kids/  

Illustrators Pat Cummings, Shadra Strickland, Xindi Yan and Rudy Gutierrez joined us to talk about this important topic! Pat moderated a lively conversation, asking the others to talk about the kinds of work they've done and to share some of their experience and wisdom. A few things talked about:  Targeting your portfolio towards the kind of work you want to get What does your agent/rep/legal team...

The Highlights Foundation's Alison Green Myers and Alex Villasante had a wonderful conversation with educator, advocate, and activist Julia Torres: Empowering Readers and Reader Choice. Among the things they discussed:  The importance of encouraging young people to recommend books to each other–it's more powerful than having adults recommend books to them. Giving young people the honor of being qu...

Jas Hammonds, Anna-Marie McLemore, NoNieqa Ramos and Em Dickson joined us for a PRIDE Celebration of Stories. They had a wonderful conversation with Highlights Foundation team members Alison Green Myers and Alex Villasante about:   Supporting stories you love and getting those books into kids' hands Their careers in the kidlit LGBTQIA+ space Bringing things out into the open and going "anywhere we...

Faculty Sarah Aronson answers questions and shares what makes the Whole Novel Workshop so special.

At the latest Ask-Me-Anything, we answered some general questions before moving to breakout rooms with Sarah Aronson (Whole Novel Workshop) and Pam Cummings and Harold Underdown (Crash Course in Children's Publishing) This video shares the content from before and after the breakouts.  It also includes Harold Underdown and Pat Cummings answers about the upcoming the Crash Course in Children's Publi...

We celebrated Children's Book Week (and Teacher Appreciation Week!) with an #HFGather featuring author Sarah Aronson talking with Amy Guglielmo, Creative Director for Reading Rainbow Live. The two had an enthusiastic conversation about: Amy's work as an artist, art educator and Creative Director of Reading Rainbow Live! Sarah's experience of having her book  Just Like Rube Goldberg  featured on th...

In this #HFGather, we celebrate Poetry Month with "A Celebration of Poetry" with Margarita Engle & Padma Venkatraman.  Padma and Margarita converse about poetry, their stories, and their mutual respect for one another's craft.

The Highlights Foundation just introduced a new scholarship application process and we wanted to host an office hour to answer anymore questions our community might have. Program Director Alison Green Myers and Social Media Manager Cat Galeano answered questions submitted and talked a little about their experience as scholarship recipients themselves.   

It's our Scholarship Info & Celebration Night!    We celebrate our scholarship programs, learn about the available scholarships together, and talk about the process for applying. The application deadline is March 13th; more than $75,000 in scholarships will be awarded in total this year.   We love being in-community with these sessions during this exciting time! ————— Scholarships are made possibl...

Do you have a question before you make an investment in a Highlights Foundation workshop? Is there an online course that sounds appealing, but you're not sure if it's the right fit for you? Do you need more information before you make plans to travel to our Retreat Center? Highlights Foundation Program Director Alison Green Myers recently held an Ask Me Anything Zoom, answering questions from YOU....

We had so much fun celebrating our highlights of 2021! Virtual visitors joined us from India (hi, Steve!), Mexico (hello, Yuko!) and all over the U.S. Everyone on the Highlights Foundation Team had things to share, and we were all humbled by the stories shared by our community about our impact on them.  Highlights Team Members: (Not in Order)  Alison Green Myers Cat Galeano Alex Villasante Rona Sh...

In this #HFGather, five children's and YA authors joined us in conversation to celebrate the start of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month: Alex Villasante Mia García NoNieqa Ramos Ismée Williams Hilda Eunice Burgos They shared a wealth of resources for Latinx authors and illustrators, and ways for educators, librarians, booksellers, and other members of the Kidlit community to amplify Latinx voices...

Author Traci Chee on Highlights Summer Camp, finding voice and morning rituals.

Author Tiffany Jackson talks about her jump from the TV/Film world to being a full time writer and how plotting your favorite movie can really help you with your story. 

Author/Illustrator Shadra Strickland talks words, illustrations, teaching and secret agenting.

In between sessions of the Whole Novel workshop, we caught up with Author and faculty Ashley Hope Perez.

Which novel workshop should you take in 2020? Program Director Alison Green Myers breaks down this year's workshops.