Cheryl Rainfield's Blog, page 116

I'm wearing purple today to support LGBT youth. I've also changed my Twitter profile pic to be purple, and mentioned it on FaceBook. You can check it out here.

I think it's so important that we show queer youth–and adults–that we support them (and each other), that we are here–and that we are honoring those queer youth who killed themselves because of homophobic bullying. I hope you'll join me in wearing purple today.

I love reading the first few pages of a book before I buy. If you do, too, check out these 1st-page excerpts of new/upcoming Kid/YA novels at First Page Panda. You may find a new book you want to read!

Are you a children's or YA writer, illustrator, or performer? Do you want to be? If you're in Toronto, check out Packaging Your Imagination, the annual writing conference that CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers) puts on. This year it lands on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at Victoria College (U of T). The entire day of workshops plus lunch is $150 CAN–a deal!

The presenters this year include:

Sharon Jennings: Help! What Am I Doing Wrong?

Liz Macleod: The Facts About the Facts

Patricia Storms: Toon in and Digital Out: Cartoons and computers to create cool art for kids!

Barbara Berson: Channelling Your Inner Teen: Publishing YA

Paul Kropp: Writing for Kids Who Don't Wanna Read Nothin'

Debbie Rogosin: Less is More: Make Your Picture Book Stories Stronger

Jirina Marton: Invitations to Turn the Page: Illustrating Books

Arthur Slade: Steampunked! Adding Fantasy, History, and Science Fiction to your Writing

Liam O'Donnell: Getting Graphic: Writing Comics for Kids When You Can't Draw a Straight Line

Andrea Wayne Von Königslöw: Flush with Humour: Writing Funny Stories

Martha Newbigging: How Imagination Illustrates Reality

Norah McClintock: Demystifying YA Mysteries: Your Questions Answered

Marthe Jocelyn

Kenote Speaker

Prophecies, Lies and Pearls of Wisdom

For more details, check out the conference on the CANSCAIP website, where you can also print out a brochure and registration form.

Wear purple in honor Oct 20th! I will be. Let queer youth–queer people everywhere–know they're not alone, and help to honor those who did not make it.

I'm SO excited about my GG (Governor General Literary Award) Finalist stickers for Scars, that I had to share a photo! (laughing) I'm hamming it up a little–but it is such fun! (grinning and grinning)

I get to have award stickers on my books! (beaming) It is SUCH an amazingly good feeling!

…Did I say the stickers are shiny? And silver? (laughing)

I just found out that SCARS is a finalist for the GG award! (The Governor General Literary Award) I am stunned-happy! Stunned, shocked, happy!

Update:

I talked to my editor and found out that Scars is a *finalist*, not just nominated. Big difference! I am beaming so hard it hurts! (laughing)

I just found out that SCARS has been nominated for the GG award! (The Governor General Literary Award) I am stunned-happy! Stunned, shocked, happy!

If you know and like Lois Duncan's books (I love them!), or you care about violence against women and justice, please check out Lois Duncan's YouTube channel with TV show videos about her daughter's–Kait's–murder.

Lois Duncan and her husband still have hopes of one day getting their daughter's murder solved.

Please post the link yourself, or pass on to anyone interested.

I LOVE reading stories like this–where people, no matter what age, do something kind, good, or right. It's especially lovely to read that a six-year-old gave her entire allowance to help keep open a library! You can see the actual letter and the story here.

A generous anonymous donor has also pledged $500,000 to the library IF others meet the donation. I hope that people will join in! You can donate online to the Seattle Library.

If you have not yet seen the moving video message Ellen DeGeneres made about lesbian/gay bullying and the recent gay teen suicides, please watch this. It's so important that we speak out against oppression when we can, and that we support each other.