Editor Spotlight: Christy Ottaviano

 

Running, reading, Beverly Cleary, no computers, book design, and collectibles: Editor Christy Ottaviano

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet Editor Christy Ottaviano, esteemed faculty member of the 2014 Mackinac Island conference. 

You’ve always been a runner, and you’re still running. How have you changed your routine from 2014 until now?

Running has been an integral part of my life.  I run about four days a week and have recently upped my mileage to 20-25 miles per week. Running is when I do my best thinking. 

I also love to swim (usually twice a week) and I play lots of tennis, paddle tennis, and pickle ball.  I’m very active. I especially love to run when travelling. 

I recently visited San Juan, Puerto Rico and couldn’t get over how many runners were on the roads thanks to a central running/bike path the city recently created.  

I love that many US cities are rebuilding their waterfronts and adding pedestrian pathways to accommodate runners, walkers, and bikers. This is a wonderful initiative that benefits us all.

 

You’ve been a voracious reader your whole life. What was the book you first loved? What’s the best part of reading?

I am the third of four children and inherited my older siblings’ books which were love-worn by the time they reached me. I grew up on a healthy diet of Golden Books (by Mary Blair, Richard Scarry, and Eloise Wilken) as well as the books that were part of the Parents Magazine Book Club as we were subscribers in the 1960s and 70s. 

That curated club introduced me to the work of Margaret Bloy Graham, Arnold Lobel, Virginia Lee Burton, and JP Miller.  I still own these books and return to them often as I learned so much about storytelling, design, and illustration just by reading them over and over.  

The first book I was able to read by myself was a joke book called Animal Riddles written by Bennet Cerf (one of the co-founders of Random House) and illustrated by Roy McKie.

 

Growing up in a house of readers, there must have been books everywhere. Where did you keep your TBR pile?

My books felt like close friends, and I treasured them from a young age.  My mother often purchased the books I would check out of the library again and again.  

Another great memory is participating in our summer library readathon – I loved going to the library every week to take out more books in the hope of reading 20 novels by the end of the summer (I always succeeded!).  

There was one very special summer where my goal was to read all of Beverly Cleary.  I packed my camp trunk with about 15 of her books and returned two weeks later with all of them read.

 

Laurie Keller tells the story of how she, a young artist from the Midwest, went knocking on the doors of NYC publishers. Some of them even talked to her, and she left her artwork and her manuscript for The Scrambled States of America at your workplace. And the rest is history. She said you two have the same sense of humor. What’s funny to you?

Laurie and Christy's
daughter Elena

Laurie is one of the smartest and funniest creators I have ever worked with. Laurie is a genius at creating humor both through story and artwork. Her brand of humor is both clever and silly, and above all, always kid friendly.  We both have a wacky side and have always clicked on humor. On a regular basis, we send each other funny photos, bits, and clips through our phones– it keeps us laughing and inspired.  She is a dear friend.

 

You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in children’s literature. You could write a book with all the stories you could tell. No, seriously, write that book. Care to share an interaction that made you smile?

Around fifteen years ago I published a powerful novel by Marsha Hayles called Breathing Room, about a group of twelve-year-old girls living in a sanatorium recovering from tuberculosis during WWII.  

Recently a college student got in touch with me about it – she said it was a formative book during her tween years and she wanted to learn more about my role in bringing it to publication.  

That was a few years ago and that college student is now entering the publishing world as an editorial assistant.  As much as I love nurturing writers, I also love offering mentorship to aspiring editors as it brings the editor cycle full circle and helps pay it forward. 

 

I interviewed editor Arthur Levine, who has two handfuls of picture book titles he wrote. Have you written a manuscript you’re shopping around? Are you a closet writer?

I’m passionate about helping authors and artists create the best books they can; I also enjoy pitching ideas to authors and artists when I think an idea for a story might be in their wheelhouse.  

In my free time what I love to do is make art.  I love printmaking – both gel-plate printing and linocut printing.  I find the printmaking process incredibly creative.

 

Veteran book people who’ve been in the industry for decades, have seen decades full of technological innovation. What was your first day at Henry Holt like? Was there lots and lots of paper?

Henry Holt, 1992

I didn’t have a computer in 1992 when I started at Henry Holt.  Assistants worked on typewriters with carbon!  

But within a year that changed and computers were introduced. By the end of the decade we were all on email and sending attachments.  

It’s amazing to see how far tech has come in the last 30 years.  We can now make books digitally which proved to be very important during the pandemic when we all had to work remotely and not rely on shipping.

 

You took graduate level art classes, and with your voracious book habits, you certainly experienced lots of amazing children’s book art. How involved are you in the design and feel of a book? Do you dabble in any art yourself?

I am completely involved in the design and art direction of all my books – it is one of the main reasons why I feel I was given my own imprint.  

I have a strong vision for what I want the books on my list to look like and I work together with the author and illustrator and the designer and art director in achieving that vision.  

I’m involved in every aspect from editing the text and providing art direction notes on the sketches and overall layout, to deciding on trim size, choosing the paper stock and specs – I am fully immersed in the overall aesthetic of my list.

 

As much as you love (and depend on) reading, do you ever worry that you’re Burgess Meredith in that Twilight Zone story that ends with broken glasses? As a fellow glasses wearer, how do you protect your invaluable sight?

I love the Twilight Zone and especially that episode!  I must have a dozen pairs of readers in different colors to match my outfits, so taking care of my eyes (and being fashionable while I’m doing that!) is important.  

Reading is a huge part of my life but I never read “on screen” for pleasure.  I’m always reading a few physical books at one time (currently a terrific book on the architect Le Corbusier as well as the novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow). 

I find reading a traditional book rather than reading on screen is easier on my eyes and also just more pleasurable.

 

In grad school you took a job in an antiques store, and you’ve been hooked on collectibles ever since. What’s your collection look like?

I have too many collections to enumerate (it’s a bit of a space problem).  During the pandemic I posted about them on the Instagram account: Vintage Kitchen Cupboard -- for anyone who is interested: https://www.instagram.com/vintage.kitchen.cupboard/.  There is a big community of vintage lovers out there!

 

What’s on the horizon for Christy Ottaviano Books? How about you, personally?

Kristy and Jess

I’ve now been with Little, Brown/Hachette Book Group for four years (having moved over from Macmillan during the pandemic). Together with Senior Editor Jessica Anderson, I love being part of such a stellar team across all the departments; it’s an amazing group.  

We have many inspiring books on the horizon that I’m eager for readers to discover.  Please check out both the imprint Instagram as well as Little, Brown’s Instagram to hear more about these wonderful books. 

To close out the series on the Mackinac Island conference 2014, here are Christy's memories: (for other pieces on the 2014 conference, see HERE, HERE,  HERE, HERE, and HERE.)

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

Laurie and Christy

I was excited to come to the conference as I had never been to the Upper Peninsula and the Mackinac setting seemed idyllic.  I took two planes to get to Michigan from Connecticut and then met Laurie Keller in Grand Rapids.  We drove around five hours to get to the ferry. We had a wonderful time catching up, stopping for food, and talking about Laurie’s upcoming books. The drive was beautiful, and it was a lovely road trip.

 

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

It was my first (and still only) time at Mackinac Island.  I thought it was such a special place and a truly peaceful setting that had an old-world charm to it.  As a child, my family vacationed in the summers on Fire Island (off Long Island, NY) and Fire Island also did not permit cars.  As kids we rode our bikes all over the island; I have so many fond memories of those days.  Mackinac reminded me of that childhood nostalgia.

 

Leslie Helakoski, Arthur Levine and Christy Ottaviano

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

I loved hearing all the presenters -- such a terrific range of speakers, and I enjoyed learning about their creative styles and processes.  I especially enjoyed Candace Fleming’s presentation as I publish a good deal of nonfiction and was interested in her elaborate research process when taking on a challenging historical topic.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

I specifically remember a three mile run around the island with creator Deb Pilutti.  We are both runners and Deb was familiar with the island, so she took us on a scenic run along the water. We had a chance to chat about life and, of course, the book she was working on for me at that time.

 

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out?

I remember having a chance to sit down with Arthur Levine one evening and comparing notes on our lives in publishing at that point in time.  We talked about the industry and the companies we were working for then. It’s always therapeutic to talk with a publishing colleague and conferences are a great place to do that.

 

Photo courtesy Anita Pazner

What do you remember about the ferries? The horse-drawn wagons? The bicycles?

I remember that it took me six separate modes of transportation to finally get to Mackinac:

Car to airport (CT to NYC) to plane 1 (NYC to Detroit) to plane 2 (Detroit to Grand Rapids) to Car to UP (with Laurie Keller) to Ferry to Island to Carriage to Hotel. 

Quite a journey but very much worth it!

 

 

Please share any social media you care to.

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Christy Ottaviano Website: http://christyottaviano.com/

 

Author/Illustrator Spotlight: Eric Rohmann

 

Steam shovel, page turn, earthly delights, Oxford, giant squid, and a sketchbook: author/illustrator Eric Rohmann

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet author/illustrator Eric Rohmann, esteemed faculty member of the 2014 Mackinac Island conference.

Eric from his website

You mention on your bio page some of the children’s book makers you admired. The two well-known males, Maurice Sendak and Robert McClosky, the female names unfamiliar to me. Wanda Gag at least has a website, but Virginia Lee Burton has an expired link. What can you tell us about the works of these two female author/illustrators?

Wanda Gag (pronounced Gog) was of Czech heritage—like me—and if you look at her books you will see the influence of folk art and culture in the images.  The book which enchanted me as a child was called,  Millions of Cats.  The pen and ink drawings are unique, bizarre and wonderful.  The story itself is rather absurd, and that’s always a good thing. As a boy I found myself wanting to believe every word.  That’s the thing about books—they make the impossible, probable.

Virginia Lee Burton was a spectacular book maker and artist. Have a look at The Little House or the Illustrations from Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. Like Wanda Gag she was influenced by folk art, but had a modern sensibility that was clearly influenced by the art of the mid 20th century.  

I love these artists because they understood how pictures fit into a book, how to use page turns and tell a story with clarity.  I also love them because their work is nothing like mine and so seems forever fresh.

In a video interview you talk about your childhood struggles with reading, and even today you read slowly. Have you been diagnosed with a reading disorder?

I think my struggle was due to having never developed the habit of reading early on.  My mother read romance novels and mysteries, but we never had many books in the house. 

Later in life my father discovered he was Dyslexic and he finally discovered why he couldn’t stay focused on a book.

I ask this because your own picture books seem word-scarce, or wordless. Have you ever “read aloud” one of your wordless books to an audience of kids?

“Word scarce”!  I Love that. 

Most of my stories begin as pictures and I find that as I am working the images often do most of the talking.  I add text when it’s needed because words and pictures do different things.  

Often, I use text in a way that allows the reader to visualize the moment. The last thing I want to do is rob from the collaboration between story and reader.  And yes, I have “read” my wordless books to children, but of course, allowed them to tell the story back to me.

Page Turn. Go.

The singular characteristic that makes a picture book a picture book,  the page turn takes collection of words and images and makes it into a narrative.  When we turn the page we recall the page we just left— and we then imagine what will happens next. As we turn the page we fill in the moments  in our imagination thereby linking one page with the next.  The page turn is the confluence of anticipation and surprise.

How did a mid-western boy like you end up in Arizona?

I wanted to study artist books and fine bookmaking.  I got into four programs— Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan and Arizona State.  I figured, why not try the desert for a while (and they had a wonderful program—as did the other schools!)

Death of Sardanapalus? Wikipediae. It’s in my notes. Does it mean anything to you?

The Death of Sardanapalus

That crazy Wiki page!! Eugène Delacroix painted The Death of Sardanapalus in 1826 or 1827, inspired by Lord Byron's play Sardanapalus.  I saw the painting in the Louvre and was stunned by its energy, color and subject matter.  It’s one of the paintings I keep coming back to. Others include, The Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch, Goyas’s “Black Paintings”, Breughel’s Hunters in the snow, Pollock’s Autumn Mist… and about a hundred more!

Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights

Oxford the dog keeps popping up in any conversations from Candy or you. He was your three-mile-a-day walk. Was he inspiring in other ways?

Oxford and a friend's portrait

There is an old saying that says, I want to be the person my dog thinks I am.  He was always a positive presence, a model for a many pictures and animal personalities, and always a way to connect with the playful part of my nature.

I loved the origin story for your collaboration with Candy, GIANT SQUID. Started with a napkin at a restaurant?

In true cliche fashion I scribbled sketches on a napkin while having lunch with our editor Neal Porter!  The idea was to divide the squid into parts…tentacles, beak, fluke etc. on separate spreads.  I made drawings and Candy wrote from those images—a truly backwards and inspired collaboration.

I’ve only known you as Candace Fleming’s partner. How did two children’s book creators, one of them an illustrator, meet and fall in love.

Honey Bee rough sketch

I wish I could say our meeting was more romantic, but we met at Children’s book panel event for Booklist.  After that we became friends and a few years later became that and more.

And collaborate afterwards, creating together, I’m guessing, more than half a dozen books. Candy talks about taking her manuscript up to your office, but also hearing you use colorful language in your workshop in the basement. Is that you, upstairs and downstairs?

Final art
part of a three-step process

We have a small house so where I work is divided between part of an upstairs room and the basement.  My work area in the basement is directly below Candy’s office and so the curses and lamentations are crystal clear through the floorboards.

Does it seem like you lucked out in life, with a talented, adventurous partner, getting to make art for kids?

Yes and yes.  I live a fine life because I have worked hard and paid attention to what I do. But having a brilliant writer and story teller like Candy in the same house has made me a very much better artist and maker of books.  Lucky, indeed.

Have you done an audio book? What’s it like?

I have not… I did some promo spots for the animated version of My Friend Rabbit and have great respect for those who record stories…I was pretty bad.

Eric in Egypt

What’s on the drawing board?

A friend and I put together a show of drawings influenced by Goya's prints that we are trying to get museums and galleries to exhibit

I am also working on paintings, prints and drawings influenced by our time spent in South Africa working at conservancies.  And, I always keep a sketchbook and that where book ideas are incubated and born.

 

---

 

Memories of Mackinac Island

Beautiful spaces, 2011 or 2014?, medicinal fudge, wet bike rides, Arthur Levine, plein air painting, and butterflies: the SCBWI-MI 2014 Mackinac Island conference

Compiled by Charlie Barshaw

Disclaimer:  There were two SCBWI-MI conferences--2011 and 2014--as well as a number of Michigan Reading Association conferences around the same time. So we're going with Mackinac Memories. It may not have happened in 2014, but it happened on Mackinac Island. Thanks to everyone who contributed. 

First memory begins here:

I blame the Mackinac Island conference for my addiction to writing in beautiful spaces. Until then I had been content to labor away in my office or the dining room table at home. Now, I look for every opportunity to write in places wooded and wondrous.

The Mackinac Island Bridge
photo courtesy of Ann Finkelstein

My favorite thing about writing conferences is the community. Getting to chat with other people who love stories the way that I do is a rare treat. Being on Mackinac with that particular group of writers was incredible. Time just slows down on Mackinac. I loved going on walks with other writers, strolling along the shore, down the streets through town, and feeling like we were outside of time. That this space was sacred and we could write and share and never run out of time.

Since that conference, my writing life has really taken off! My debut book, Hanging with My Peeps, was published in 2016. I met the editor for my second book, Junkyard Dogs (Peachtree Teen, 2023), at a MI SCBWI conference. Junkyard Dogs has been a huge success for me--with the audio book being narrated by Robbie Daymond! and the story making the shortlist for the Indiana Author Awards (since I work in Indiana). 

One really cool thing that's happened: As a teen I used my babysitting money to pay for a subscription to Writer's Digest, which I read cover to cover. Just last month, I was asked to write an article for them! What a full circle moment!

--Kat Higgs-Coulthard

I don't think I did a presentation then. I was really new to the group. I think I just attended as a participant. And, yes...it was glorious!
--Deb Gonzalez

Boats and dock
Photo courtesy of Vicky Lorencen

I remember being overwhelmed by all the talented people around me, and surprised by everyone’s kindness! Most meaningful of all was a wonderful walk and talk time that Heidi Sheffield and I shared. She is such a wonderful person!
--Elizabeth McBride

I recently remembered that at that Mackinac Island SCBWI conference I had a fabulous critique by Candace Fleming. I remember she told me that manuscript would definitely one day be a book. And finally two years ago it was published. My Christmas book.
--Lindsey McDivitt


My 2014 conference memories are muddled - nothing stands out! Was I even there, lol! Strangely, I remember the Mackinac conference before that more clearly, not even sure when that was (2010?) when I roomed with Terry Lynn Johnson from Canada and she entertained us with her funny adventure stories.
--Kristin Lenz

Scenic view
courtesy Ann Finkelstein

You've asked me to take a trek down memory lane, and to the 2014 lane to be exact. I'm flattered that you think I might have a good memory. Haha.
At my age, my memory kinda goes in and out, so I'm not sure what I can dredge up from the 2014 conference.

So, I went to THE MITTEN blog and to 2014 and found a treasure trove of pictures and summaries from shadows and others who were in attendance.

September/October might have had lead-in articles, but the Nov blog has a lot of pictures. (See posts HERE, HERE, and HERE.)

Sorry that I can't offer more to you. I, seriously, remember being there and working hard. I didn't sightsee, or take a carriage ride. Didn't even get to buy fudge.
--Rachel Anderson

plein air in the butterfly house

What I remember most is the 1st Mackinac Island Conference with Donna Jo Napoli, Beverly Horowitz and Tamra Tuller.

Couple memories from that conference (even though you didn't ask.) Donna Jo's dinner speech was a hoot. She had us all in stitches. It had something to do with starting out in the field and making all the mistakes when it came to submission.

Sunday afternoon after the conference ended Donna Jo, her husband Barry (?), Kristin Nitz and I took a walk around the island - through the interior if I remember correctly. Somehow we ended up near the Grand Hotel and snuck in through a side door. It wasn't as grand as expected but somewhat shabby - at least the part we saw. (Maybe that's where the help stayed and not the public part?)
--Pat Trattles

Arthur and Heidi
courtesy Heidi Sheffield

The Mackinaw Conference was one of my most cherished SCBWI-Michigan conferences of all time. I think my favorite remembrance was buying a raffle ticket and getting the prize of a manuscript critique and phone conversation with Arthur Levine. I was SOOOO EXCITED!!!! At the time, ICE CREAM FACE was unpublished, so Arthur took a look at the manuscript and we discussed it on the phone. 

Later that year, I was in NYC for the SCBWI Winter Conference and visited Scholastic with a group of illustrators. We got to see “the great wall,” (I think that was the name) a place they would pin favorite illustrator postcards. I couldn’t believe one of mine was there and was practically tearing up. :)) I had brought a mockup of ICF with me and gave it to Arthur, who ultimately passed on it, but he gave me some feedback that helped me refine it that much more. 

Heidi and Ruth

At the LA conference in 2017, Nancy Paulsen from Penguin/Random House saw it and offered a contract the next week to buy ICE CREAM FACE, which is now a Dolly Parton Imagination Library Book. I encourage members to keep their minds and hearts open to the revision process, going to conferences when possible and meeting folks like Arthur and Nancy. When preparation meets opportunity, it is a beautiful thing.
--Heidi Sheffield

From the best of my recollection, Dana Atnip, Kara Marsee, Nina Goebel and I drove up to the docks in my show van I used to sell my books, often referred to as the Book Mobile. After getting to the island Dana, Nina, and I got an extra roommate to share with, and that was Beth Rayner! 

We shoved all our gear into that room for the SCBWI conference, which was a hoot and a half! Four women and one bathroom! I remember Dana and I renting bikes to take an island round trip ride and headed back up for more conference doings after buying fudge in town. The fudge was for medicinal purposes only, 

I was slated to speak at the conference on self-publishing, a new venture and turn for SCBWI. I remember being extremely nervous but with the help of friends and fudge I was able to deliver. I was happy to meet some great authors and illustrators, some whom I've kept in touch with since then, such as Doris Holik Kelly.

I have been to Mackinac Island before and recently as last summer, 2023 to do research for my book. It's truly a magical place especially off the beaten or paved path. 

photo courtesy Heidi Sheffield

I remember that the trip went by far too quickly, but I did sneak time in to get down to the Mission Point shore to observe and sketch a mother beaver and her clan working on their lodge. This was all that stayed in my mind from that trip. The industrious beaver family and the overcrowded room. 

Sadly, last summer at the island the beaver lodge had been torn down and the family not seen. Some say that they are secretly housed safely up further on the eastern side of the island, I should go back again to look for them! 

Yes, all in all, a great conference with great connections and would love to rejoin the SCBWI gang to return to the island for another conference.
--Lori Taylor

Plein air and visitor
courtesy Ann Finkelstein

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

Arthur Levine who was with Scholastic… (the publisher of the Harry Potter Series) was visiting some friends in Saugatuck and wanted to get to the conference (as a speaker) a day early. Anita called from her up north cottage and asked if I could drive him up to the island. I explained that Saugatuck is not a close drive for me and I would not be going up for another day. Anita is so personable and nice that you just can’t say no to her, so I came up with an alternate plan. I said, “If you can get him to my driveway, I will meet someone halfway.”

Arthur’s friends dropped him in my driveway. He commented on how much yard I had and how uncluttered and organized everything was. I imagined that in a New York City apartment things are a bit more cramped. I drove him up in my 350Z to make it fun. We had interesting conversations. He said my books exceeded the national average but would never publish them as they had already been published.

That halfway person was the wonderful & good friend Jay Whistler, whom I didn’t yet know at the time. He bought us lunch before she drove him the rest of the way.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

It is a magical place. Yes, I have been there many times. On this trip the sky broke loose and it poured. Water was gushing out of the eaves. Christine Grabiel & Linda Barley rode bikes from Linda’s cottage on the other side of the island. They were soaked to the skin however, they were still all smiles and laughter.

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

I think I spoke with three others on indie publishing. Sandy Carlson, Julie Hedlund & (sorry I can’t recall the 3rd one maybe Lori Taylor?). I only had 10 minutes to speak and wanted to get a lot in and thus probably spoke way too fast. I was impressed that RA’s Carrie and Leslie sat in on the session.

Anita and me
courtesy Anita Pazner

Ha! I remember that you and Anita dressed up in 18th century garb.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

My wife also came to this one. We didn’t do too much walking around due to the rain.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out?

I recall Kirbi showing me her amazing artwork portfolio. I was very impressed.

I felt like I knew Arthur pretty well after the long car ride. We talked shop nonstop. He had many questions about indie publishing.

What do you remember about the ferries? The horse-drawn wagons? The bicycles?

Having been there before I don’t recall. I think we may have ridden a bike around the island on a dry day.
--Dave Stricklen

In the butterfly garden
courtesy Anita Pazner

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

I live in Marquette in the UP, so I drove south to the ferry marina. I remember thinking that most of the attendees from Michigan would be driving north to get to the same location. And lucky me, I got to experience three of five Great Lakes in one day: Superior, Michigan, and Huron. The ferry boat is the coolest (literally) transport method! You can see for miles across pristine freshwater oceans, and as Mackinac Island approaches, slowly leave behind the normal hustle and bustle of cars and trucks and enter the beguiling magic of a simpler time.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

I had been to Mackinac Island as an enthralled child (biking! horseback riding! fudge eating!), a moody early teen (“can we go now?”), and finally as a woman in her late twenties vacationing with her long-term boyfriend. I left that trip engaged!

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

They were all fantastic. So giving and authentic. I believe they all loved leaving their real lives behind for a few days and sharing what they knew with attendees. 

Arthur Levine floored me with his description of editing the Harry Potter series for the US market. Greatness in our midst! Then, he floored me again in our one-on-one critique of my middle-grade novel manuscript. I had a big inferiority chip going into it (did I mention he was the US Harry Potter editor?), but he nudged me out of that unhelpful mindset and treated me respectfully. The gems he gifted that day are still part of my writer toolbox.

Eric Rohmann, Anita, Candy Fleming and me
courtesy Anita Pazner

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

We were too busy with the conference to do much sightseeing, but one delightful memory involved Arthur again. As we walked to dinner on Thursday night with faculty and volunteers before the conference started, he sang show tunes a capella. He had a great voice, but his enthusiasm was unparalleled.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out?

Anita and Heidi
courtesy Anita Pazner

Conference coordinators Charlie Barshaw and Anita Pazner thought of all the details that would make the weekend special, organized, and memorable. They were effective, funny sidekicks who modeled partnership at its best.

What was your biggest surprise?

I was surprised that so many people made the effort to drive, ferry, horse taxi, and walk to be together and learn. Our community of bookmakers is truly remarkable.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Charlie!
--Carrie Pearson

I’m afraid I am mixing up the two events we had on the island. One with me and Monica as RAs and one with me and Carrie.

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

I remember we got a late request from Arthur to pick him up a day earlier than we had planned. The planners were already near the straights. We ended up contacting Sue Thoms and Dave Stricklen and Jay Whistler, who coordinated picking him up and driving him north. Ask Jay about this, her memory is probably better.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

I had been there a few times. Always magical

Leslie, Arthur Levine, and Christy Ottaviano
courtesy Anita Pazner

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

Donna Jo Napoli—a class act. Not about her work, which I love, but about her manner and capacity for sharing with attendees.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

Several of us rented bikes and rode around the island. We visited the library and sat on the back deck with books, visited the school and walked up and around the Grand Hotel grounds.

What was your biggest surprise?

I remember the tulips and getting everyone to hold up their arms to invoke good weather

Leslie plein air-ing
photo by Anita Pazner

--Leslie Helakoski


What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

I enjoyed spending time with the illustrators in the butterfly house.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

I had been to Mackinac Island before, but I hadn’t stayed at the Mission Point Resort.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out?

I remember talking to Sandy Carlson, PJ Lyons, Lori Eslick and Heather Shumaker.

What do you remember about the ferries? The horse-drawn wagons? The bicycles?

I remember the gardens were gorgeous.
--Ann Finkelstein

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

When I attended this conference, it was my first at Mackinac. I was fortunate enough to be invited to a friend’s cabin for the night before the conference so that I wouldn’t have to drive so far. 

While there, a bit of a situation arose: presenter Arthur Levine’s transportation fell through. The RAs and conference organizers were having a tough time finding someone so last minute, especially because he needed to be picked up in South Haven (or maybe Saugatuck). Wherever we had to collect him, there didn’t seem to be anyone in that area attending the conference the next day to bring him along. 

plein air painting
courtesy of Anita Pazner

Instead, we cobbled together a solution. Dave Stricklen would drive from Grand Rapids to pick him up, and then I would meet them halfway to Mackinac (near Big Rapids). This meant I had to drive 1.5 hours south of the cabin, meet Dave and Arthur, drive north to St. Ignace for three hours, take the ferry across, and get Arthur to Mission Point in time for the Friday night opening activities. All this after having driven four hours the day before to get to my friend’s cabin.

Needless to say, I was wiped out, so I don’t remember much about the conversations Arthur and I shared on the drive. I do remember asking him some specific questions about publishing in general, and he was gracious enough to share his thoughts. At one point, he said, “Tell me about your current WIP.” I almost drove off the road…maybe. I don’t recall. I was very tired. But it seems likely, doesn’t it? THE Arthur Levine wanting to chat about my work? He offered some great advice that helped me with some sticky spots in the plot. I will always be grateful for that.

When I told my husband about all this when I got home, he said, “Isn’t that nice,” and I could practically feel him wanting to pat me on the head. So I explained who Levine is and how huge a deal this whole thing was, and that it would be like a non-writer being asked to chauffeur Tom Hanks somewhere. My husband finally understood and honestly got happy for me.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

Lori Eslick
plein air leader
courtesy of Anita Pazner

I had been to Mackinac about six years earlier, when my husband and I took our daughters there while on vacation. Though we only spent the day, I remember walking through the streets and marveling at how lovely the gardens were. It seemed the neighbors competed to win “Most Beautiful,” but I don’t know how anyone would be able to choose. I also thought it was remarkable because all the flowers were annuals, which they probably couldn’t plant until June, and yet here they were, in the middle of July, a glorious riot of a rainbow.

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

I’ll be honest that I don’t remember much about the presentations. That was partly because I had volunteered to run the conference bookstore, and there was a huge issue with the spreadsheet, messing up all the calculations. I spent a large portion of the conference trying to fix the issue, and eventually had to do things by hand. That meant I wasn’t able to attend as many sessions as I would have liked. It was also the last time I did the bookstore. To those of you who do it now, there is a special place in heaven for you.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

Photo courtesy Ed Spicer

I did not sightsee, which I was sad about. I had hoped to spend some quality time along the water, but the bookstore debacle commanded all my free time.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out?

Several people stepped in to keep the bookstore moving while I dealt with the technical issues. Jennifer Rumberger and Dave Stricklen were especially helpful, and Cynthia Mathes, an SCBWI member from Louisiana, offered her support by running to the local bookstore to pick up some speaker books that hadn’t been delivered. I would never have been able to manage without their help. If there is anyone else who helped out and I have forgotten, please accept my apologies, but know that I am truly grateful for all the support.

What do you remember about the ferries? The horse-drawn wagons? The bicycles?

I love a good ferry ride, unless it’s the kind where I am stuck in my car the whole time. Then I freak out that the ferry will capsize and my car will become a coffin. This is what happens when you have anxiety. ;) Thankfully, the weather over was nice, just a bit chilly, but not too cold. Arthur wanted to sit on the upper deck to enjoy the view of the Mackinac Bridge and the fall air. He seemed to be basking in the moment.

more plein air
courtesy Anita Pazner

He also commented on the buggies and bikes and was fascinated by an entire island with no motorized transport. He asked questions about when this happened, why they decided to do this, how people traveled in the winter, etc. I realized that, despite being a nearly life-long Michigan resident, I didn’t know the answers to these questions. So I looked it up to be able to share it with Arthur. (In case someone needs that history, here’s a link to it.)

What was your biggest surprise?

My biggest surprise was probably the bat I would see every morning and evening in a back hallway as I walked to breakfast and back to my room at night. To be clear, the bat was outside, so I was safe, but I loved being able to watch it through the window. Sometimes it spread its wings to stretch (perhaps between naps?), other times it didn’t move at all. But he was my little companion for the entire conference. And it seemed like the perfect time of year to spend a few days with him.

What's happened to you over the past 10 years?

Since that conference, although Arthur helped me see through a sticky plot issue, I've put that novel on a shelf. Actually, I've put that novel in the trash. I can hear the collective gasp right now. But it was the right move. What I realized that it wasn't just the plot that was stuck. It was me. (All the Swifties now have the lyrics to "Anti-Hero" running through their brains.) Although I spent years on it, I got what I needed out of it. When I started, it was the novel of my heart. As the years went by, it became the albatross on my back. (I may be mixing metaphors here, but you get what I mean.) And while it will never see the light of day, it is the novel that taught me how to write.

It was also holding me back because it showed me that I had gone as far as I could on my own. I no longer knew what I didn't know. I needed a different approach. As soon as I deleted all my files, shredded all my pages, and let it go emotionally, my writing path changed in a big way. 

butterfly and flower
courtesy Anita Pazner

First, I went back to graduate school and got my MFA in creative writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. After graduation, I started my own editing business, helping other authors develop their manuscripts and their skills. I have spoken at conferences here in Michigan, around the country, and internationally. 

I became a submissions reader for three different literary agencies and two literary journals. I've judged multiple writing competitions. But even more importantly, I am now a published author with two MG titles, one short story, and a second soon-to-be-published short story coming out. I'm currently working on another MG, this time historical.

Deleting an entire manuscript was a scary step, but it was what I needed to move forward. And though it may seem trite or hyperbolic, it's fair to say that Mackinac was the tipping point, so I took a leap and changed my life.
--Jay Whistler

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression? 

Yes. We’d been there a few times. Loved the facility we were at. Perfect!

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you? 

Yes. But for some reason I can’t remember her name. She had me in tears at one point, I remember. She kinda wore old hippie clothing. And I had read her most famous book. God! My memory is slipping . . . who were the presenters at that conf.? Tell me, and I can pick her out.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon? 

Yes. Went for walks. Always loved going up over the hill and through the woods. Past the cemetery.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out? 

Heidi 
courtesy Heidi Sheffield

Got to know Heidi a bit more. But always, loved seeing folks.

What’s writing life been like for you these past ten years? 

(What! You want a treatise? It’s always been full of ups and downs. I have a new agent now, after 21 years with my old one. I’ve immersed myself in writing a lot of poetry as I wait to hear about book manuscripts. And after about 10 years just submitted a new novel manuscript to my agent. We’ll see if it sells. Still loving the process, even without any major sales lately.)
--Shutta Crum

To close out the Mackinac Memories, prolific author and esteemed faculty member, Candace Fleming:

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

The moment I remember most was when one of the participants sang OH, NO to me in the lobby.  He used the book’s text and put it to the tune of “Froggy Went A-Courtin’.”  Then other attendees chimed in, and suddenly I was being serenaded with my own words.  How amazing!

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

I’d been to the island before, so I was excited to return.  I remember being charmed by the hotel… and the fudge.

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

Christy Ottaviano’s talk resonated with me.  Her words inspired me to be a better writer.  Arthur, I remember, made me laugh.  And I met Jodell Sadler there… the beginning of a friendship that continues to this day.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

It was rainy so I don’t think I did a ton of sightseeing.  I did eat a lot of fudge.  Yup, I know.  I’ve mentioned that already, but let’s face it, the fudge is memorable.  I love that little knife that comes with one’s brick of chocolate.

What do you remember about the ferries? The horse-drawn wagons? The bicycles?

It was wet going home on the ferry.  I didn’t ride in the horse-drawn wagons.  I did, however, take a ride around the island when I first arrived.  It’s such a beautiful place, and so different from one end to the other.   

What was your biggest surprise?

Ruth plein air painting
courtesy Anita Pazner

I was delighted by the conferees – smart, kind, hard-working.  I wished I’d lived closer so I could make them all my best friends.  Honestly, I remember it being one of the coziest, companionable conferences I’d ever attended.  And I met you and Ruth there!!

--Candace Fleming

 

Charlie Barshaw conducts interviews for The Mitten. He co-chaired conferences in 2013 and 2014. He is fortunate to know so many talented and giving creators in the Children's Literature community.