#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: Shadra Strickland and Mike Curato Illustrator Chat
On today's Illustrator #Gather, host Shadra Strickland and Mike Curato talked about: Career paths: lives lived before working in kidlit How comic books "saved Mike as a reader" Creating a picture book series Mike's first graphic novel--seeing it as a script Their...
#Gather: A Poetry Chat with Nikki Grimes and Sarah Aronson
Today's #HFGather was a special National Poetry Month treat! Host Sarah Aronson had a powerful chat with Nikki Grimes about: Using poems to shake things loose Feeding your poetry and writing with visual art, which involves seeing in new ways Embracing silence in your...
#Gather: Shadra Strickland and Pat Cummings Talk Color, Light and Process
On today's Illustrator #Gather, host Shadra Strickland and Pat Cummings talked about: How lucky the #kidlit community is to have existing connection in this time of crisis Finding your style: there's no right or wrong How to grow as an artist by letting other people...
#Gather: Sarah Aronson & Heidi Stemple Writer Chat
Today's #HFGather featured host Sarah Aronson and Heidi Stemple in conversation. They discussed: Lessons learned from Tomie dePaola Feedback as an invitation to open the door Heidi's oft-repeated tip: intentionality How to organize your research Celebrating your...
#Gather: Illustrator Inspiration from Shadra Strickland & Kelly Light
Our first Illustrator Gather was fabulous! Host Shadra Strickland and made us laugh and talked about: Their illustration practice, process, craft books and tools How important it is to find 15 minutes a day to write or draw right now--to keep things percolating Not...
Join Us for Free Online Sessions: #Gather
In the spring of 2020, we began hosting a series of free online webinars to do our part to keep our community connected: Monday Meditation: Laurie Calkhoven led a writer's meditation plus writing prompt. Writer Chat: Sarah Aronson talks with a writer and gives a...
#Gather: Sarah Aronson and Padma Venkatraman Writer Chat
Today's #HFGather featured host Sarah Aronson and Padma Venkatraman in conversation. They discussed: Engaging in community, not competition Getting in touch with your vulnerable places Writing things that feed your soul, that make you happy Being careful with...
#Gather: Sarah Aronson and Tara Lazar
We had our first virtual community meeting today, with a full house gathered to listen as host Sarah Aronson talked with author Tara Lazar (taralazar.com) about process, humor, mentor texts and how their writing practice has adjusted during this challenging time. It...