Former Chautauquan Wins National Book Award

There’s no news quite as wonderful as learning that one of our writing “peeps” has grabbed the brass ring. Kathryn Erskine, who attended the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua as well as taking part in at least one Founders Workshop at Boyds Mills just won the National Book Award in the children’s category for Mockingbird. Go, Kathy! Kathy worked with two editors on the project–longtime Chautauqua faculty member and Philomel editor Patricia Lee Gauch and Tamra Tuller. I’ve heard Patti read excerpts from the book, but I haven’t read the whole thing yet. So Kathy can count on at least one more sale (laughter . .  .) as I rush off to Powell’s Books for a copy. I hope the rest of my writing peeps will check out Kathy’s book and rub it for luck . . . then get back to your laptops and get to work!