The return to real life after the Pocono Retreat (laundry, sibling squabbles, HVAC repairs, oh my!) is always a tough one, and this year has been no exception. Now that I’m home and my children are back onto their normal bedtime and tooth-brushing routines, I’m reflecting on the best moments of the weekend, and I hope you will, too! Use this post as a little fill-in-the-blank guide to sharing about your weekend in the comment section. And if you couldn’t join us this year, but enjoyed the retreat in the past, feel free to share a thing or two that stuck with you.
The first highlight to share with you is OUR NEW EPA SCBWI LOGO! Thanks to all the amazingly talented artists who submitted and made the logo decision reeeeally hard! After voting by secret ballot at the retreat, we’re happy to announce that Beth Bogert’s logo was the winner!
Do you like it?! Be sure to tell Beth!
And now, here are my Best of Pocono 2017 Moments…..
–Favorite Food of the Weekend: The food!!!! I don’t have to cook it, which is miraculous in and of itself. And I have a very good theory that a socializing introvert burns at least double her usual calories (don’t look up any data on that, please.) So…my favorite? While I was delighted by the surprising cream puffs filled with ice cream (!), the chili and cornbread, and the luscious salads, I have to say my favorite single dish was the grilled cauliflower. I’ve never enjoyed cauliflower so much in my life – well done, chef. Well done.
-Hardest laugh of the weekend: I happened to overhear someone saying they wanted to win the “Shriveler Subscription” instead of the “Scrivener Subscription” in the silent auction. Rest assured, I will NOT be outbidding you on a Shriveler! (Ps. To the person who said this, I totally know you just got tongue tied. Thanks for the giggle!!)
-Most emotional moment of the conference: Listening to author/illustrator Kelly Light discuss her very personal road to publication. We were honored to have you join us, Kelly, and we cheer you on towards many happy endings ❤
-Scariest moment of the weekend: When my phone overheated on the Turnpike and I couldn’t get my GPS to work for a bit. Either that, or anticipating my critiques. Both were pretty terrifying, but both worked out just fine in the end. I did not get lost. And I did not cry. SCORE!
-Warmest Fuzziest moment of the weekend: All the hugs! Seriously, there is so much love in our company. As someone who never quite fit into any of the high school cliques, it’s AMAZING to feel so much a part of this group. Susan Campbell Bartoletti said it best when she said that entering the writing community made her feel like “The ugly duckling who found her swans.”
Thank you to all of those friends who hug me, listen to my struggles and joys, and encourage me along this bumpy road. You are my GPS! Thanks for understanding that I sometimes talk to myself, fall asleep untangling plot problems, and use the quiet space of written words to figure out my world. My world is a better place thanks to you!
EasternPennPoints 
Hi, Lindsay. Great logo! And sounds like the retreat was a success. Glad all worked out with your GPS and critiques.
Hoping to attend the retreat next year.
Hugs,
jeanne
Congratulations, Beth! I love the logo!
I have to agree, Lindsay, the food at the Highlights Foundation is always spectacular, so that’s one of my favorite things also! As for my best memory, I don’t have one in particular, because the overall experience of talking about my writing with other writers is so amazing. There is an understanding of how much we all go through and sacrifice to push our writing careers forward. It truly is like being an ugly duckling finding her swans!
Lovely recap, Lindsay!
And YAY!!!!! to Beth Bogert for a fabulous new logo!
Favorites for me:
Moment: Only one? Seeing Carly at the event. I remember years ago her little book baby starting at the retreat and now with book two in ARC, and three being tackled at this year’s retreat, I don’t know, it felt full circle to me.
Warm fuzzies: The hugs! Hugs! Hugs! Extra love for all of the fantastic volunteers.
Food– Tough one. The salmon with dill sauce wins. (But the double chocolate, gluten free cupcakes came a close second place.) Chef Amanda rocks!
Thank you for everything!!
XO,
A
Love the whimsy of the logo and how much I can see myself in it. Awesome job, Beth!
So food…roasted grapes. I so need to learn how to make those!
Warm fuzzies…Wes Loder’s bagpipe serenade in the Barn gave me serious goosebumps.
Most emotional…hearing about so many amazing successes in our region, and knowing that I’ve been able to participate in CAT and other workshops with many of these people over the last five years. So inspiring!
Here’s to another great year!
Kristen =)
I love ❤️ Beth’s logo. The Retreat at Highlights was great. The peer-to-peer I critique and the portfolio critique with Giuseppe were very beneficial. For the breakouts, I attended Sudipta’s and Kelly’s presentations and I learned so much about the kidlit business. I also will use the information to further develop my picture book manuscript. It was a great weekend, and I feel fortunate to have been able to attend. 🙂
So many favorites for me too! I love the logo chosen and all of the food! It certainly was a bonus that I didn’t have to cook or do the dishes, but they really do feed us well at the Barn! I loved all of the keynotes and having the chance to get to know the faculty, guest speakers and so many kid lit friends. I feel like I’ve found my swans in the kid lit community too. Thank you EPA for offering us the amazing opportunity every year.
Congratulations Beth! I loved your logo!! Highlights is always such a great place to be 🙂 The people, the surroundings, and the food are so amazing! I enjoyed stepping outside my comfort zone and socializing more this year than the past two 🙂 I can’t wait for next year!!!
Congratulations,Beth, on the new logo, and to all the illustrators who submitted an entry. So many wonderful entries made it difficult to choose. This was my first Pocono Retreat, but it will not be my last! I learned so much and made many new friends. Participating in a peer critique group gave me new ideas and directions for my manuscript. Scariest moment for me was hearing the first paragraph of my WIP read aloud for feedback from agents, editor, and art director. But it was so helpful! There truly is something magical about the way being at Highlights stimulates creativity. Thanks for the food (squash lasagna!), the fun, and the Phillies tickets!!
Thanks for making me feel like I was there Lindsay 🙂 I love the new logo congratulations Beth! Missed all of you this year, but am sending out hugs to one and all.
Missed you too, Chrissa! Virtual hugs!