Tuesday, March 1, 2022

YOU MADE IT!

You persisted with NF Fest and completed at least 20 activities / posts / books by the bloggers. Congratulations!

To enter the drawing, please include 3 things in your comment.

1.    YOUR NAME (Add the number of items completed if you like.)

2.    YOUR LOCATION (state or country)

3.    OPINION

·       What authors/illustrators would you like to see in the future?

·       What post(s) benefitted you most?

·       How can we improve?

Your comment would look something like this:

Pat Miller-24, Texas, future-Jocelyn Rish, favorites-House/research, Mangal/maps, improve-do it again next year!

All responses must be submitted by March 2, midnight, CST/USA

Bonus: Kristen Giang will send us off on March 2 with her post on Finding Your Passion Project.

2022 Prizes

Kirsten Larson - an hour Zoom you can use for career coaching, an in-person critique, or just an “ask me anything” session.

Ann Ingalls - manuscript critique for a nonfiction levelled reader. She will draw a name from interested individuals.

Melissa Stewart - 30 min Skype Q&A.

Beth Anderson - signed copy of Revolutionary Prudence Wright: Leading the Minute Women in the Fight for Independence

Paula Yoo - signed copy of From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement

Carol Kim – one of the following: a critique of a full picture book manuscript, the first 10 pages of a longer manuscript, or critique of an introductory packet to an educational publisher—winner’s choice.

Annette Whipple - signed copy of Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls

Sarah Albee – signed copy of Fairy Tale Science

Teresa Robeson -  Choose between a copy of Panel One: Comic Book Scripts by Top Writers edited by Matt Gertler sent via Bookshop.org or a half-hour ask-me-anything chat (phone or Zoom).

Sue Gallion - signed copy of Our World: First Book of Geography.

Mélina Mangal - signed copy of The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just.

Katherine House -  15-minute Zoom session to help someone with a research project.

Andrea Loney - a signed copy of VIP: Stacey Abrams – Voting Visionary

Anna Crowley Redding - PB critique or research brainstorm session to be used in the next 12 months.

Duncan Donatiuh - two titles sent by Abrams Books (two winners) Diego Rivera and Funny Bones  (Jenny Choy)

Kristen Giang – The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan

47 comments:

  1. Bettie Boswell 25 Ohio. The bloggers were excellent. The activities were a nice addition---I can't remember if you had those last year, keep doing the amazing things that you do. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ruthie Kirk-22, NC, future-Jacqueline Briggs Martin, favorites-Anderson/verbs, Becker/humor, Larson/graphic, improve-have another great lineup!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Joyce Uglow-20, Wisconsin. I enjoyed reading how the books came to be. future: Rob Sanders, Heather Montgomery; benefit: each post brought a nuance to consider; improve: Bring NFFest to a close with a panel discussion via Zoom with time for Q&A. Thank you for a wonderful February.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shelley Isaacson, 26, MA. future–Jason Chin, Matt Tavares, any NF editor. Sara Albee/Research, Melissa Manga/Maps, Doreen Rappaport/Resurrect. No suggestions-thank you for all you do!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gail Hartman, 32, Ohio Every single post was valuable, these were some that I especially paid attention to: Anderson/vivid verbs, Robeson/graphic format, Whipple/back matter, Larson/graphic NF, Redding/WOW factor, Young/scientists. Suggestions for next year—Do it again! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was incredible!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Brenna Jeanneret, Wisconsin! Future, Jason Chin! I thought every post was beneficial but the ones about humor really spoke to me :) As far next year? I echo everyone else who says DO IT AGAIN! There really isn't anything else like this for NF and I just loved it! Thanks you!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Julie Rubini, Ohio future: I'd be happy to do a post on how to prepare/dig into archives in person. I also think a NF editor would be awesome. I enjoyed all of the posts, especially those by Sarah Albee and Beth Anderson. No improvements necessary, just grateful for all of your hard work!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lynne Marie, Florida, future-Carolyn Yoder, favorites-Beginnings, Backmatter, Research (really all of them). Really no way to improve but an exercise might be fun!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Laura Allen, Oregon, I loved all of them! and in particular M.O. Yuksel  and Kristen Nordstrom, improve- do it again next year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nancy Furstinger, NY. All of the posts were inspiring--I was especially intrigued by Yes, the Truth Is Funny and hope to noodle around with some mss to make them feel light and fun on my tongue!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lisa Gaines, North Carolina, the article about letting research get overwhelming was perfect for me, plus I loved making it funny. I've been introduced to wonderful new authors so I'm open to anyone you can bring in. Thank you for all the work you've done!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Linda Bozzo, New Jersey, favorites-ones that included specific examples/mentor texts, improve-do it exactly the same next year! I wouldn't change a thing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Maryellen Annese-21, New York, future- Christina Soontornvat, favorites- the truth is funny, digging deeper, Power up the wow factor, future- do it again next year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lauri Meyers, 28 , NJ. I enjoyed all the posts with some notable favorites: Roxie Munro on Gamification, Beth Anderson's Lights Camera Action approach, Gloria Amescua on lyricism. I like that the posts are tight and I love when they have a "give it a try" challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tanya Konerman, Indiana. Future-Lisa Amstutz, Jen Swanson, Candy Fleming, Heidi Stemple, Sara Albee, Maria Gianferrari. Faves: Crowley Redding/WOW Factor, Ingalls/Emergent Readers, Lowell Gallion/Board Books, Becker/Funny.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Cheryl Johnson~23, Michigan, for the future ~ hard to improve on a good thing as you have a well rounded group of authors/illustrators covering an array of topics, I enjoyed all and really liked Melissa Stewart's approach with the powerpoint and audio and learning gamification from Roxie Munro. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kimberly Yavorski, 30, PA, future: and I can think of have already been here, faves: looking forward to utilizing tips, especially from Yoo - historical, House- research, Redding- scene by scene, Nordstrom- learning, future: keep it coming!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Melissa Stoller, NYC, loved Paula Yoo about writing our heritage and Annette Whipple about back matter (and truly loved all the posts!), future post from Jenna Grodzicki, looking forward to next year! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nicki Jacobsmeyer, 28, future- Melissa Sweet, favorites- Anderson/verbs, Sheinkin/opening, Sanchez/quit, improve-list of contributors book titles and mentor texts before month of March to read along with daily posts. Another wonderful year! Thank you for all your dedication and hard work, we appreciate all of you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Robin Brett Wechsler, Massachusetts. All posts were insightful/informative/inspiring in some way. I particularly liked seeing Melissa Stewart's drafts with edits and comments, learning about writing graphic NF, Beth Anderson's post on verbs, Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan's post on trends, creating compelling characters from Andrea Loney, and writing lyrically by Gloria Amescua. I'd like to hear from the authors others suggested plus how about Amy Novesky, Amy Alznauer, Jess Keating, Barb Rosenstock, Lesa Cline-Ransome, more about specific topics in NF, and more from agents and editors next year. Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lydia Lukidis from Montreal / Canada, all posts were great but I really loved Beth Anderson's post,would love to see Candace Fleming on here, and always Melissa Stewart, I'd love to see more about expository NF and might be nice to hear from editors. Great job!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Carolyn Huston, from Ballston Spa, NY. I really enjoyed reading all of the posts. I've tried several exercises and read many books by the authors. I loved the expression on the local librarians' faces when I showed up to pick up over 65 requests and they realized that they could have 2 computers open to my account and 2 people checking out books at the same time. This was my first time participating. My list of what I would like to write and changes I would like to make to works-in-progress has grown exponentially. I would love suggestions on how to balance writing with the rest of life.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Amie Valore-Caplan from Denver, Colorado. I appreciated all of the posts--and filled my notebook with tips and ideas, so thank you to everyone. I immediately forwarded Melissa Stewart's revision post to my critique group. I am looking forward to trying Anita Sanchez's index card idea. But truly, I appreciate all the great inspiration and information, so again thank you, and I hope to see you again next year.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Myra Turner; 22; New Orleans; Future-everyone was great. I'd like to see more from each one!; favorites- so many but I would say Beth Anderson, Carol Kim & Kirsten Larson.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Mona, Maine, the lineup this year was fantastic. So many ideas, forms, twists, resources for nonfiction writing. The "give it a try" exercises at the end of each post were the motivators to try new things.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Denise Engle; 20; North Carolina; future - Melissa Stewart, Candace Fleming, Nancy I. Sanders, NF Chicks; favorites -- how in the world could I pick? A magnificent crew. If you had them all back again next year, I'd be thrilled. My compliments to every single contributor. What a gift.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Laurie Warchol- 22, Maine; future- Michelle Schaub, Randi Sonenshine, Joyce Sidman; Favorite posts- all were great but at my present WIP I enjoyed Annette Whipple's back matter post and Katherine House's digging deeper post. Thank you to all the wonderfully talented presenters.

    ReplyDelete
  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Misspelled someone's name, so I redid my post. So sorry!

      Delete
  29. TonyaAnn Pember-71 (to date)-Colorado future- Marissa Moss favorites: No way to choose, every post was beneficial, I needed everything about research but Sanchez activity to choose the best idea was the best idea! Munro-Gamification, Whipple- Back Matter I would list them all!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Kerry O'Malley Cerra- 27. Florida I must say, I tried all 28, but the art ones were a little harder for me. And one just didn't pertain to me, but I still loved the post itself. I'd love a post from Carole Boston Weatherford next year. I've taken a workshop with her before and nearly lost my mind with how detailed and helpful it was. Truly, I loved every post for the eye-opening information they provided over the past month, but a few stood out--mostly because of where I stand with a particular story revision that my agent has had 3 R&R requests on, but I'm just so stumped on what to do with it. So the ones that resonated in this moment were: NF Revision Decision by Melissa Stewart; Lights! Camera! Action! Starring Versatile Verbs by Beth Anderson; What's your Angle? Finding Your Focus From Your Reams of Research by Sarah Albee; Diving Deep with Back Matter by Anette Whipple, Power Up the Wow Factor: Page by Page, Scene by Scene by Anna Redding; Creating Compelling NF Characters for Kids by Andrea Loney; STEM Learning and Access for All by Kristen Nordstrom; and Infuse Your Facts with Lyricism by Gloria Amescua. As for what I'd change, the only rec I have is to ask bloggers to include as many examples as possible. It was super helpful to me to actually see the example within the post instead of having to track down the book. But thankfully, ebooks are plentiful, and I was able to check many of these titles out that way to study them. Still, examples and lots of book titles were the BEST! Anyway, I'm forever grateful. I had no idea NFFest existed until 2 months ago. So glad I stumbled upon it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Judy Campbell-SmithMarch 1, 2022 at 7:14 PM

    Judy Campbell-Smith, California, future- Audrey Vernick, Alice Faye Duncan, Favorites- Stewart/Revision Decisions, Anderson/Versatile Verbs, Amescua/Lyricism, improve: do it again next year!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Ronda Roaring, New York State. I really enjoyed Karen Romano Young's post. She inspired me to re-think how I write NF and how I might work with a publisher to make a more interesting PB. I would like to hear from one or both of the authors of Parrots Over Puerto Rico on how they created their book, and I would like to hear from publishers on what their thought are on the future of NF PBs is. But thanks to everyone who posted. I enjoyed them all.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Kaitlyn, 27+, NY, I really enjoyed the posts that forced you to descamine the status who and subvert reader expectations. I’d love for the mailing list to be restored so it’s easier to keep up with entries.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Maria Marshall-21, Washington, future-Clare Meeker & Laura Gehl, favorites- ones that helped me most this year Munri/gamification, Redding/WOW factor, & Gallion/shape (Board Books), improve-do it again next year! [It's a great format and excellent daily challenges!] THANK YOU, all!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Trine Grillo; I tried something from each post - 28 they were all so inspiring; Location: North Idaho; Future: Alexis O'Neill; Faves: Nordstrom/STEM and Loney/NF Characters; Keep doing what you do! Loved this NF Fest!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Katie McEnaney-27, Wisconsin, Future-Carole Boston Weatherford and Tracey Baptiste, Favorite-Emergent Readers, Improve-some of the activities were harder to implement ‘on the spot’ than others. Can’t wait until next year!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Eileen Saunders, 20, Florida. Favorites: graphic nf, research, power of maps, archives, board books. Thanks for all of the great info.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Janice Hechter, CT, Future - Don Tate, Favorites: Gloria Amescua and Beth Anderson. This was great!

    ReplyDelete
  39. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Kathleen Blasi-24, New York, future: Nikki Grimes, Beth Hegedus, Lisa Cline-Ransome; favorites: Amescu/Lyricism, Mangal/Maps, Sheinkin/Opening Scene; Improvement: hard to top this content (FABULOUS) but please keep NFF going! Thank you SO much.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Jessica Coupé, 22, British Columbia, Canada. Favourites--Schedule, Anderson/ Lights!, Albee/Angle, Redding/Wow Factor, Improve--do it again next year.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Even though I am late to be eligible for prizes, I will write a comment.
    Suzy Leopold
    19
    Illinois
    Favorite 2022 NF post: Anna Crowley Redding
    Suggested 2023 NF authors: Jennifer Ward, Jill Esbaum, Rob Sanders, Barb Rosenstock, Melissa Stewart, Candice Fleming

    Thank you for the opportunity to learn and grow as a writer.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Sue Eyerman, 20, Ohio, Favorite Yuksel - Research with Confidence, Future - absolutely repeat all but maybe Rita Lorraine Hubbard.
    Thank you for a wonderful month!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Maria Johnson of Topanga, California. I got so much out of every day but especially Beth Anderson is my favorite this year, Candace Fleming last year and who for the future? You all are doing such an amazing job. Then again, an editor or agent insight is always interesting. You weren't easy to find, even googling it often said you didn't exist. You're such a brilliant resource, wish you weren't such an almost secret stash of knowledge treasure chest.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Liz Kehrli, Mass. future- Melissa Sweet, favorites- Melissa Stewart and Beth Anderson, thank you so much and please do this again, it was so helpful!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Krissy M. < 20; Connecticut. All the posts provided something new I did not know. Big THANKS both to all Chicks who organized this event and to all of the authors/illustrators for their contributions. I did not finish the minimum of 20 but will continue to work through all ‘homework.’ Four posts that stood out for me and changed my approach to writing current work-in-progress: Power of Maps, M Mangal, Digging Deeper…, K. House; Bringing NF to Life…, D. Szelay; Infuse Your Facts…, G. Amescue. February went by quickly and I look forward to 2023.

    ReplyDelete