The SCBWI-Michigan Fall Fantasy to Reality Conference was a fantastic experience. The first evening was populated by fantasy characters (I was a sorcerer) and the create-your-own wand competition was a big hit. I walked away with the runner-up wand, a dark creation featuring a bone handle and bear claws for hand to hand combat. Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles and A Seven Realms series, was the keynote speaker, and was just as charming as Aunt Linda from The Warrior Heir.

Susan Chang, Senior Editor at TOR, was a great presenter and always ready to talk books during down time. Any author who gets to work with her has struck gold. Amy Lennox, Senior Editor at Sleeping Bear Press, gave an in depth look into the acquisition process and would be a gem of an editor to work with as well.

Partick Collins, Creative Director at Henry Holt and Company, presented picture books from words to finished product and was extremely accessible and talented. Authors Darcy Pattison, Crystal Bowman, and Betty Raum also presented and gave critiques (unfortunately I didn’t get to listen to any of them).

Overall, the conference was splendid!