Children's Literature Council Spring Workshop

Saturday I attended the Children’s Literature Council of Southern California’s Spring Workshop, "Old Passions - New Technologies:  Children’s and Young Adult Literature in a Web 2.0 World".  Wow! Big name and big subject, but a very enjoyable event.  I signed up at the last moment, and was so glad I did.  For me it was a continuation of my much-needed education in internet technology.  Tweet Deck, Site Meter, and inkpop!  A whole new language – embrace the tools!

I blogged earlier about the very helpful retreat that I attended in Santa Barbara last January.  Both events included Greg Pincus as one of the presenters.  Saturday he was representing Kidlitosphere.org, which is made up of reviewers, librarians, authors, illustrators, etc. who love books and blog about them.  As usual he was very knowledgeable and generous with information.  Greg knows all the useful links – here’s a few: Kidlitosphere Central (a great place to start your journey of finding connections, information and content as well as good blog sites); Kidlitosphere's “Sampler Set” of Blogs; Anastasia Suen’s blogroll on the right of page, and the Google Reader Tutorial Videos.  I love tutorials!

Greg and Elizabeth

Elizabeth Khuri Chandler is the co-founder of Goodreads, which is the largest social network for readers in the world.  Thanks to Elizabeth’s talk I’ve learned that the site can also be useful and helpful for the children’s literature world.  On Goodreads Author Program authors can promote their work, have profiles, upload videos, publicize upcoming events and generate a following.  Elizabeth said this is the best time for writers and readers, right now!

Eva Mitnick is Manager of Youth Services at the Los Angeles Public Library.  She’s a blogger, a reviewer, and says she’s completely obsessed with books!  About blogging she advised:  Find a platform, choose a unique name and a unique niche.  If it’s work related, be careful what you write.  Decide why you’re blogging.  Don’t start unless your plan is to see it through.  Have fun! don’t stress!  The unexpected benefits can be making friends and taking part in the world-wide community of children’s literature fanatics.

Eva and Tracy

Tracy Grand, CEO of JacketFlap, saw a need for a central resource site about children’s books and the people who create them.  She wanted to make it easier by concentrating information – one-stop shopping!  Technology is never done -- there's always something new!  They are constantly adding new things and updating, evolving with the world.  JacketFlap is the Google of children's lit, aggregating all the information the way Google does.  I need to be on it!