Yesterday was a wonderful day. I got to accept the Sid Fleischman Award for Humor for my novel Openly Straight at the annual SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Convention at the Century Hyatt in Los Angeles.
I was soooooo nervous. I don’t generally get nervous when I speak, but this was different. There were, like, 1000+ people there. A lot of amazing and talented people were there who don’t know me, so I was anxious to make a good first impression. And, of course, Judy Blume was there, sitting right up front.
Ay yi yi!
Judy Blume!
When I was a kid, I used to take my sister’s Judy Blume novels and read them. Everything I learned about sex, love and romance I learned from her novel “Forever.” That was adorable back when I was 14, but now that I’m 43, I should probably update my knowledge base.
That’s exactly the kind of joke I had to cut due to time constraints yesterday.
Anyhow, it was a memorable and beautiful day for me. I really love book people, and I love my job. Not only do I get to spend my life writing books, but I get to hobnob with the nicest people I’ve ever met. You can hear, on this video, the kindness of people with their charity laughs.
Here’s the video.