F243. Making Light—Humor’s Serious Place in Children’s/YA Literature

F152, Oregon Convention Center, Level 1
Friday, March 29, 2019
1:30 pm to 2:45 pm

 

We dispel two myths: that humor is insignificant because it is lighthearted, and that with humor you’ve either got it or you don’t. We discuss the craft of humor and demonstrate how to purposefully write funnier. From our experience as writers with wide knowledge of children’s/YA lit, we examine how humor lies at the intersection of truth and pain, and how humor gives effective means to speak to pain and injustice, offering healing, hope, and light.


Participants

Moderator:

Tom Birdseye is the author of nineteen books for young readers. Combined, they have garnered numerous awards, including forty-three state children's choice nominations. He is on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Eric Taylor is the author of Using Folktales and editor of Some Fruits of Solitude. He has published children’s and adult poetry and creative nonfiction. He’s taught at writing conferences and colleges. He’s seeking publication for several children’s books. He holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Jenn Bailey holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She won the Candlewick award for Plink! and the Flying Pig Humor award for Once. She’s presented at national and regional SCBWI conferences and at HWKT and OYAN workshops. Bailey edits for StarBright Books. Her debut picture book is titled A Friend for Henry.

Anita Fitch Pazner earned her MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2017. A veteran Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference coordinator and speaker, her articles have appeared in blogs, magazines, and newspapers.

Jay Whistler holds an MFA in writing (Vermont College of Fine Arts) and an MA in tech writing. She’s worked as a university writing instructor, was a regional advisor for SCBWI Switzerland, has presented at SCBWI events, and has had articles appear in various publications, most recently in Publishers Weekly.

#AWP24

February 7–10, 2024
Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City Convention Center