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Sorry this is a few days late. I thought about giving an account of Wednesday’s BYU class visit before this, but, well, I didn’t.
For the record, the students in Rick Walton’s children’s book publishing industry class are the luckiest in the nation, certainly, and most likely this world and most others. And no, not because I talked to them for an hour earlier this week. (I’d like to think that wasn’t too detrimental.) Do you know the people scheduled to stop by to talk to them this semester? I don’t know all the names, but the Brandons Mull and Sanderson top the list, along with Chris Schoebinger from Shadow Mountain, just to start. And that’s after Shannon Hale tried to undo any damage I did earlier in the evening on Wednesday. If these students are prepared for the publishing climate after this class, they haven’t been listening.
Anyway, Wednesday was great. I arrived and greeted Rick, who knew my name and had seen me around but I’m not sure he could place the name with the face until we shook hands. Kristen Chandler was there as well, and it was great meeting her for the first time as well. Then Rick called Kristen and me to the front of the class and asked us to answer questions for a little over an hour, which we did. I was impressed by the questions we fielded, which ranged pretty widely in content, as we were addressing up-and-coming authors, editors, illustrators, agents, and one lawyer who Shannon couldn’t quite figure out why he was there. (She decided it must have something to do with women, which is a good bet, because I’m convinced everything that’s the least bit confusing ties in some way to women.) Then Shannon answered questions for the last hour plus, signed books, and, I assume, went home. I must so assume because I said goodbye to everyone and left earlier.
So, the postmortem (don’t you love how macabre that sounds): finally got to know Rick a little better, met Shannon and Kristen for the first time, and got to talk about my profession and passion to a very attentive and bright class of kindred spirits. I hope Rick finds some reason—real or imagined—to have me back some time.
The Saints just kicked off, so I’m needed elsewhere.
Clint, you’re welcome to come to the class anytime. You and Kristen were great. (I have an open invitation for anybody who works professionally in the national children’s books field to sit in on my class. I will consider you class resources, and as Clint and Kristen can attest, I will use you.)
And the class does have a great lineup. From publishing, beside Shadow Mountain, we will have visitors from Gibbs Smith, Covenant, and Stacy Whitman of Tu publishing. And possibly a national editor will drop in. And hopefully an agent. Besides those that Clint mentioned, too, we will have about half the Utah authors and illustrators come talk to the class. And one of the highlights of the semester–Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann, from Chicago. We will also have other professionals from less glamorous but just as important or even more important areas of the industry.
it’s going to be a great year. I’m really impressed with how the professionals are helping out, and with how smart and serious the students are. A great combination.
I may take you up on that, Rick. I’ll see if I can find another Wednesday night free this semester. Whether I make it or not, your students are getting one long invaluable experience.