#Gather
Free Online Sessions
#Gathers are free online webinars for children’s writers, illustrators, and storytellers at any level. We’d love for you to join us in community. All are welcome. We also hold occasional online Ask Me Anything sessions, where you can ask questions about upcoming workshops.
To get topics and dates as they become available, sign up for email notifications.
Recordings of Past Sessions
When the COVID pandemic required everyone to stay home, we began #Gather, a series of free online sessions to help us stay connected during that time. What we discovered is that we don’t need to be on campus to feel our community. As our #Gather host Sarah Aronson says: “We know how to make community even when we can’t be together.”
Below are recordings from past sessions that you can browse and watch at your convenience.
#Gather with Daria Peoples, Our 2021 Artist of the Year
At our most recent #HFGather, Pat Cummings chatted with author/illustrator and HF Diversity Fellow Daria Peoples. The two shared a powerful, honest discussion about art, race, mentorship and more. The Gather was also a celebration of Daria as our 2021 Artist of the...
#HFGather: Claribel Ortega on Immersive Book Launches and Virtual Visits
Claibel Ortega (claribelortega.com) joined us for a lively discussion about putting on immersive virtual visits, whether they be author events or school visits. Some suggestions: Design eye-catching graphics to share on social media to promote your event Find co-hosts...
#HFGather: Steve Light Pen & Ink Drawing Demo
We livestreamed our first #HFGather from our Retreat Center on Saturday! Author/illustrator Steve Light did a drawing demonstration for us, starting by doing a pencil sketch on tracing paper, then using a light box to ink the illustration and after that, using...
#HFGather with the Brown Bookshelf: Amplify Black Stories Opening Celebration
Many children's book creatives and professionals joined us at our latest #HFGather, where we welcomed the team from The Brown Bookshelf for the opening celebration of 2021's Amplify Black Stories program. Kelly Starling Lyons gave an overview of the history of The...
#HFGather: Community, Craft & Career
We had a wonderful time at our last 2020 #HFGather, hosted by Sarah Aronson, Chris Tebbetts, Erin Dionne, Leah Henderson and Mitali Perkins. They covered a lot of ground, talking about community, craft and career. Some talking points: Finding silver linings in...
#Gather Writer Chat: Sarah Aronson & editor Sarah Jane Abbott
Two wonderful Sarahs joined us for this week's #HFGather Writer Chat: Sarah Aronson and editor Sarah Jane Abbott. Some of the discussion involved: The joys of connecting with a new manuscript Art notes: sometimes there are things that picture book authors need to let...
#Gather Illustrator Chat: The Storied Career of Diane Dillon
My, oh my. Our #HFGather Illustrator Chat between Pat Cummings and Diane Dillon was just spectacular! Pat shared many images from the career of Leo & Diane Dillon, talking techniques artist-to-artists; and Diane shared stories about their life and work. The two...
#HFGather Illustrator Chat: Pat Cummings, Shadra Strickland & Sarah Jung on Agents
"You have to live spherically--in many directions. Never lose your childish enthusiasm--and things will come your way."—Federico Fellini Shadra Strickland shared this quote during our #HFGather Illustrator Chat, where Pat Cummings talked with Shadra and illustrator...
#Gather Illustrator Chat: Pat Cummings, Dan Santat & Mike Curato on Graphic Novels
On today's #HFGather Illustrator Chat, host Pat Cummings talked with Dan Santat and Mike Curato about creating graphic novels. It was SO illuminating--and we had a surprise drop-in visitor during the Q&A (Aaron Becker)! The process: pacing, page turns, color...