Conference Speakers

Karen Boss is a senior editor at Charlesbridge where she works on fiction and nonfiction from board books to picture books and middle-grade and YA novels. She holds a MA in Children’s Literature from Simmons College, has taught craft workshops and classes for many years, and has worked with many authors, both debut and seasoned, including Traci Sorell, Sarah Albee, Michelle Cusolito, Shana Keller, and Ginger Reno.

Charlotte Wenger is a literary agent in the Boston area with Prospect Agency. Prior to joining Prospect, she was an associate editor at Page Street Kids. She has her Master of Arts in Children’s Literature from Simmons and has since mentored a number of their MFA in Writing for Children students. When she's not working, you can find her occasionally crafting, randomly breaking into song, and most importantly, being a toddler mom. Charlotte represents authors and illustrators of children's books - ranging from board books through YA, but especially picture books. You can find her online at www.charlottewenger.com.

Over her long career in children’s publishing, Joann Hill has art directed illustrators and designed children’s books for
Random House, Clarion Books, and now Disney Hyperion, where she is the Creative Director. Disney Hyperion publishes a wide range of books for children, from picture books to illustrated chapter books to middle grade, YA, and graphic novels. Joann enjoys discovering new talent, encouraging artists to do their best work, and mentoring the designers on her team. She has a history of collaborating on award-winning and best-selling books and has been fortunate to work with such amazing illustrators as Victo Ngai, John Rocco, Marla Frazee, Dan Santat, Matthew Cordell, LeUyen Pham, David Wiesner, and Lorena Alvarez Gómez. Joann has been a regular speaker at high schools and universities, such as Parsons School of Design, MICA, and SCAD; and trade organizations such as SCBWI and the Society of Illustrators.

Children’s book author and indie publisher DARCY PATTISON has written over seventy award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Five books have received starred PW, Kirkus, or BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, five Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book (CA Reading Assn.), two Junior Library Guild selections, two CLA Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, a Best STEM Book, an Arkansiana Award, and the Susannah DeBlack Arkansas Children’s History Book award. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature. Her books have been translated into eleven languages.

Kat Brzozowski is a senior editor at Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, where she has worked since 2016 after seven years at St. Martin's Press. She has edited a wide range of titles, including the New York Times-bestselling That's My Truck! by Dr. Becky, with art by Joanie Stone; the New York Times-bestselling I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know by Leslie Odom, Jr and Nicolette Robinson, illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz; Anna-Marie McLemore’s When the Moon was Ours and The Mirror Season, both longlisted for the National Book Award; and new Fear Street books in R.L. Stine’s best-selling series, which has sold over eighty million copies worldwide. Kat is looking to acquire young adult fiction, especially high concept contemporary, realistic YA; mysteries, suspense and thrillers; and stories set in our world with a speculative twist (think “Minority Report,” not “Star Wars”). In the picture book and middle grade space, she is drawn to stories she's never seen before that feel both timeless and timely. Across the board, she's drawn to authors who bring a new perspective to their readers.

Catherine Laudone is a senior editor at Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. She primarily acquires and edits picture books and middle grade titles (both fiction and nonfiction) with a special interest in underrepresented voices and stories featuring neurodivergent and disabled main characters. She’s also open to select young adult novels and MG/YA graphic novels with a strong hook and narrative voice. Catherine has her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a published children’s book author. Her co-authored picture book debut She Kept Dancing: The True Story of a Professional Dancer with a Limb Difference is an NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book Award winner, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, and a WLA Towner Award nominee. Catherine currently serves as an editor advisor for The Writing Barn’s Verge program and an advanced PB and MG workshop leader for Inked Voices. When not editing or writing, she enjoys baking, traveling, and playing with her cat Biscotti.

Vicky Weber is a literary agent, bestselling children’s book author, and publishing industry expert with years of experience helping authors navigate both traditional and self-publishing. As the founder of At Home Author, she has guided countless writers through the process of crafting, publishing, and marketing successful books. With a background in education, Vicky is passionate about breaking down complex industry concepts into actionable steps. Whether securing book deals for her clients or sharing insights on the ever-evolving publishing market, she is dedicated to helping authors turn their creative dreams into reality.

Erica McGrath is a Junior Agent at Writers House, where she works with award winning authors and illustrators on everything from picture books through adult novels. She is actively building her list and is interested in working with ambitious, funny, and little-seen voices in all age ranges across the board. Erica is most eager to see unexpectedly heartfelt and weird picture books, uncanny and adventurous middle grade, gutsy voice-driven YA, and graphic novels from all ages. As a New York native, she believes there's no greater joy than finishing a good book aboard the M train (that, or a great one-liner). Outside of the book world, she enjoys going to concerts and lying in the park (preferably both, when possible). She looks forward to reading your work!