So I Walked Arthur Levine to the Bathroom...

Ok, time to fess up on at least one of the super secret things I've got up my sleeve...there's some uh other things...but that'll have to wait. Anyway, I said I was going to have dinner with a famous editor and it all started with a bathroom walk. And now--here's the story!

3 years ago back when I didn't know anything about publishing, back when I didn't even blog...ok maybe I was blogging, a little, but like, I was bad at it and no one read my posts....anyway, so 3 years ago, I joined the SCBWI and decided that for my first conference, it would be totally awesome to go to NY!

Yeah...

Here's the thing about me, when I decide to do something, I REALLY DO IT. So no starting at a little conference. And going with people you know? Psssh! I just threw myself in with like a thousand other people and went for it.

Ok, I did know ONE person who was also there. A friend of mine from my Writing for Children class at Arcadia.

Anyway by the 3rd day of the conference, my friend Marlene and I decided it was time we said HI to Arthur Levine who was there for a panel on picture books--also to sing Happy Birthday to Lin Oliver. Like Marilyn Monroe would. No joke. Because Arthur Levine is kind of made of awesome. Oh and he's the one who brought Harry Potter to America...you know?

So... after staring at him like a total star struck girl for 10 minutes, Marlene is like "Come on! Let's go talk to him!"

This was obviously back in the day---like the day before I suddenly realized I had enough confidence to talk to anyone. Anyways, Marlene drags me to Arthur's side and we wait for him to finish his convo and then finally...finally...say "Hiiiii!"

And he says..."I have to go to the bathroom."

You can't make this stuff up.

And Marlene and I kind of look at each other like...now what?

So we of course offer to escort him there. We'll walk and talk. Stop at the boy's only sign.

SO we did, and we told him where we were taking classes and he said he loved speaking at schools and I said we'd love if you'd come speak to us and he said that'd be awesome. And I said sweet, I'll tell the head of the English Department to send the e-vite.

Or you know, something like that happened.

Anyway fast forward to today AND, he's finally coming to talk. And then we're going to dinner, at the restaurant where I had dinner after graduating from grad school. SQUEEE!

So there's the story. But WAIT it gets better.

If you live in the PA (Pennsylvania) or somewhere near and you want to come to his talk, you can! For free.

So here's the deets! You should totally swing by if you're local.

A Conversation With Arthur Levine

Friday, May 7th, at 3:00 p.m.

in the

Mirror Room

of Grey Towers Castle, Arcadia University

Come hear the publisher who brought Harry Potter to America talk about the world of publishing for aspiring children’s and YA writers! Learn what a major publishing house is looking for from its authors!



A book sale will follow Mr. Levine’s presentation and the question-and-answer period.

This event is open to one and all, and requires no prior registration! Don’t miss this valuable opportunity!