IF Maitland 2023

What a day! If you've ever wondered what it's like to spend a day surrounded by creativity, inspiration, and a dash of literary magic, then the IF Maitland Festival is the place to be. I had the absolute joy of chairing a panel called "Insider Secrets from Published Authors"—and trust me, it was so good!

On stage with me were three rockstars of the children's book world: Aleesah Darlison, Katrina McKelvey, and Sharon J. Boyce. Aleesah kicked things off with some interesting (and relatable) challenges she’s faced while writing. Katrina busted a few myths about writing for kids—spoiler: it’s not as easy as it looks! We laughed, we nodded in agreement, and we shared those “aha!” moments that only come from real-life experiences.

We also talked about the tough stuff—writer’s block, rejections, and those moments when you feel like your muse has given up on you and left for good. Sharon shared her go-to strategies for staying motivated, and I think we all felt a little more inspired to keep going, even when the going gets tough.

Aleesah gave us a crash course in building an author brand, even before you’re published. And when we moved on to submissions, Sharon and Katrina's tips on getting noticed by publishers were absolute gold for anyone dreaming of seeing their name on a book cover one day.

We wrapped up with some fantastic audience questions, and it was clear that everyone left the room buzzing with ideas and inspiration. The festival vibes were incredible, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of panelists or a more engaged audience.

If you missed out this year, make sure you don’t next time! The IF Maitland Festival is the perfect blend of fun, learning, and connection. Who knows? Maybe next year, you’ll be the one sharing your own insider secrets on stage!