I was a Rutgers virgin when I arrived in Piscataway – say it out loud, it’s fun! – last Friday but am now a seasoned mentee (which makes me sound less literary than gastronomical, I know). There’s so much I’d love to write about my all-around positive experience, but where to begin?!

How about . . .

Petite yet powerful Vivian Gray’s eloquent speech regarding her quest to acquire Rutgers sponsorship of an annual conference way back in ’68 during the riots against the Vietnam War. She arrived at a closed campus guarded by tanks and soldiers with guns and bayonets, and gained entrance to the campus where she went on to meet with then-President Mason Gross. When she apologized for taking his time during such difficult times, he told her there was no more important time to support those who write for children. I listened to her story, tears filling my eyes, and thought how we’re repeating history. Her story also put my emotions into perspective and I no longer felt nervous about the upcoming one-on-one with my mentor.

From the panel “Here’s a Piece of Advice”:

Book reviewer Judy Freeman declares Billy Crystal’s picture book GRANDPA’S LITTLE ONE the year’s worst book and WALK ON: A GUIDE FOR BABIES OF ALL AGES the BIRD BY BIRD for babies.

Agent Marcia Wernick advises writers to heed childhood rule of no kicking or biting along with “No ranting or raving” to editors. Also, declares the picture book market is loosening up.

Author Susan Campbell Bartoletti advises writers to not save rejection letters. Says it’s sick. Did admit that early on in her career when she received a rejection letter that seemed personal, she’d lick the editor’s signature to see if it was ink rather than a stamped signature.

Illustrator Sophie Blackall suggests that if a manuscript you’re asked to illustrate is too sweet for you, that there are ways to work in insidious things. Also refers to illustrator’s work space as a “hothouse of madness.”

Editor Susan Van Metre told a story from her early career in which she edited Jill Pinkwater’s manuscript, making comments in the margins. She received it back from Ms. Pinkwater who had countered each of the editor’s “I don’t believe the character would say this” and “I think you need a better word here” with her own comment: “I DON’T CARE.”

Five-On-Five discussion:

The three editors in the group agree that when writing a query letter in which you’d like to make a comparison to another writer’s work, it’s best to say “This will appeal to the readers of BLANK.”

Anthropomorphic characters are the kiss of death for chapter books (approx 7000 words).

Okay, that’s all for now. More later.