The Cascade Award

I'm honored to have won The Cascade Award for The Snowball Fight Professional. I didn't have to give a speech (yay!), but there are some people I want to thank, so you can read that here if you want. Or just look at my boring picture and know that my books might actually be worth reading. ;-)

First, I have to thank my kiddos who are my inspiration. Without them I would be much, much more boring. And actually, these books would never have been written if I wasn't their mama because my oldest is the one who gave me the idea in the first place. Someday, Jordan, I will write THE REAL WATER FIGHT PROFESSIONAL and make it a biography about you.

Second, I want to thank my husband for supporting me. He made it possible for me to go to Portland for this conference. And he makes it possible for me to write every day. And I can't tell you what a gift that is. (Plus he illustrated my books. He should get his own award for that.)

Third, I want to thank Ashberry Lane. I met editor Christina Tarabochia at my very first conference nine years ago. She's become one of my best friends, and she's probably taught me as much about life as she has about writing. I love that I got to share the journey with her, though everybody at Ashberry Lane is so inspiring and fun to work with.

Fourth, I must thank my former agent who told me that I really need to pick one genre and stick with it but then let me pursue my children's series on the side anyway. Alice, I enjoyed seeing you at the conference and working with you, and I almost wish you weren't so amazing at editing so I could still have you as an agent. It was fun while it lasted.

Last but not least, I have to thank God. He allowed me to go through some tough stuff that made The Snowball Fight Professional a more powerful story than The Water Fight Professional. (Both were nominated, so I'm actually a loser, as well.) He is the author of my life, and I still have so much more to learn from Him.

Thank you.