Writing in the Limelight Today @FairfieldUBooks With Connecticut Youth. @writingproject @fairfieldu @cwpfairfield

Caryn Sullivan, my extraordinary program manager, had a great idea! Why not invite Connecticut Youth to the Fairfield University Bookstore for an April writing extravaganza to kick off the excitement we have for summer Young Adult Literacy Labs at Fairfield University.

Today, April 23, 1 p.m., I will highlight several writing techniques used by phenomenal writers such as Kwame Alexander, Matt de la Peña, and Jacqueline Woodson to spark original writing from the young people who attend.

There will be several award-winning words on display to help all of us turn on our writerly lightbulbs.

We will be writing in the limelight, for sure.

The program will be one hour, with opportunity at the end to share our original pieces at the Mic! Several teachers and friends of CWP-Fairfield will be in attendance (many of them invited to read from last summer's publication of POW! Power of Words, the Anthology).

Fairfield University Bookstore has been a phenomenal partner and they've arranged for prizes and tremendous excitement throughout the 60 minutes. I can't wait to see everyone in attendance. Better yet, I can't wait to hear the incredible writing the Newbery and Caldecott winners inspire!

Who knows? Maybe the Donald and the Hilary will stop by as they hustle their campaigns throughout the state!