Classes, Conferences, Contests, and More!
I believe my writing can always be better, so I am constantly seeking out learning opportunities that will help me improve my craft and build my knowledge of the publishing world. I cannot get enough of this amazing expert advice and love making connections with fellow writers. I have seen my writing grow immensely from such experiences and am so grateful to these groups and programs. I also make sure to meet with my wonderful critique groups on a regular basis.
"The best books come from someplace deep inside. You don't write because you want to, but because you have to."
-Judy Blume
Published Work:
Emerald Coast Review 2023 (two poems)
Emerald Coast Review 2021 (three poems)
Contests/Mentorships:
Finalist, PB Party 2025
50 Precious Words Finalist 2024, 2025
Spring Fling Contest Finalist 2025
PB Rising Stars Honorable Mention 2024, 2025
Inked Voices Mentorship with Writer Elayne Crain 2025
Memberships:
SCBWI-Southern Breeze, Inked Voices, Manuscript Academy, Courage to Create through The Writing Barn, Rate Your Story, National Council of Teachers of English, National Writing Project, Emerald Coast Writers (Youth Writing Director), 12X12 Picture Book Challenge 2021, 2024 and 2025
The Highlights Foundation:
The Crash Course in Children's Book Publishing with Harold Underdown
Non-traditional Picture Book Structure with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Rachel Orr
Graphic Novels for Beginners with Emily Rosenthal and Cynthia Yuan Cheng
Giggles and Laughs: Connecting with Humor in Picture Books, Early Readers and Chapter Books with Supidta Bardhan-Quallen
Picture Book Beginnings and Endings with Valerie Bolling
Revise to Resonate: Your Picture Book Plot, Pacing and Character with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Disability Representation in Books for Kids with Catherine Laudone, Kaz Windness, and Sydney Mesher
Diving Into Your New (or Next) Novel with Chris Tebbetts, Leah Henderson, Alison Green Myers, and Rajani LaRocca
Just Do It! Spring 2025 with Chris Tebbetts,
Inked Voices:
Picture Books with Kayla Cichello
Picture Books with Regina Bernard
Picture Books with Sera Rivers
Picture Books with Jes Trudel
Picture Books with Wendi Gu
Advanced Picture Book Writing with Sarah Jane Abbott
Kidlit Hive:
Puzzling Out Your Picture Book with Pat Zietlow Miller
Think Like an Author, Think Like an Illustrator with Lita Judge and Pat Zietlow Miller
SCBWI:
Spring Thaw (IL) Virtual Conference
WIK24 Conference -- Southern Breeze
Virtual Winter Conference 2024
Virtual Summer Conference 2023
Webinar: From Mayhem to Murder in Picture Books—How to Scare the Little out of Kids with literary agent Sera Rivers
Children's Book Academy:
Slipper Camp with Mira Reisberg, Joyce Sweeney, and Joy Peskin 2023
Others:
Girl Power Hour Conference 2023, 2024
The Writing Barn's Pitch and Play October 2024, July 2024, July 2025
Picture Book Summit 2023