How to be a Good Wingperson

October is such an exciting month. Lots of author school visits, virtual and in person, cooler temps that are better for hiking, and the anticipation of another year of great events. I’m looking forward to exciting stuff in 2025; can’t quite share details yet, but it promises to be a good year. I hope you are in a similar place.

               This past week, I had the pleasure of being the wingmanperson to Mark Oshiro’s event at the Bookies Bookstore in Denver, for their new middle-grade Jasmine is Haunted. I do a good amount of these in-conversation events and love them. I get to know an author, talk books with the audience, and visit amazing bookstores and get book recommendations from the staff. This event was wonderful, and I hope you give Mark’s books a look. They truly are a cool person and an amazing writer.

And while you’re on a roll: stop by the Bookies Bookstore in Denver. Their new location is so cool, I want to live there…

               This in-conversation event had me thinking about how much of our lives are in the supporting cast role: as a mother/father, daughter/son, sister/brother or friend, as a colleague—I could go on a while, but you get the idea. If you’re anything like me, you’re surrounded by family and community to whom you are a wingperson. You’re there to help a friend in need, listen to a family member, cover for a colleague, be a mentor.

               During these in-conversation events, it’s my job to lift the other writer up. I like these events better than ‘my’ book signings, because it’s so much easier to promo someone else’s work. I strive to be a good supporting cast member. I don’t really care if people remember my books. I hope they remember me as a good wingperson.

               What makes a good wingperson?

               Think of what the other person needs. Seems really simple, but it requires some thought. Mark Oshiro just needed me to shine a spotlight on their book and listen. Some authors need a little more coaxing. Sometimes you have to pivot, like when no one shows up for a book event (this unfortunately happens). On a personal level, this works much the same way. You’re there to help the other person be the best they can be. Give them a leg-up, kind of.

 A good wingperson has your back and makes you feel like you’re not alone. And we all need to feel that way, author or no.

               As an aside: supporting casts have the best parts in movies and TV. So there’s that.

Kidlit Writer Friends!

If you are a member of SCBWI, consider applying for the mentorship program. I’m a mentor again this coming year, and love this form of being wingperson. There is a cost, so that is one caveat.

Find out more here.

What I’m Writing

I’ve been tinkering with a short story, hoping to get it in a submittable shape. It’s taking me longer than I’d like, but that’s sometimes how writing goes. I’ll get it there.

I also printed my MG mystery and put it in a binder to read and mark up. I’m hoping to do that this week. I have lots of notes and ideas and know this manuscript will need another big revision, planned for November-ish. I think.

Where I’m Going

This week is the calm before the school visit storm, as I’m off to Austin, TX for a BIG week of author visits.

Twenty visits at ten schools in five days. Wish me luck…

Your (Bi)Weekly Floof

Floof is keeping an eye on that mouse for me.