I have done it! Last Thursday I officially completed my first speaking engagement as an author. I can’t believe it. Once the time for the actual speech arrived, the minutes flew by. The theme for this year’s Alabama Library Association Convention was “Finding Your Voice”, and I delivered a twenty-minute speech focused on just that. The speech is far too long to share in its entirety on the blog, but here is an excerpt:

The theme of this year’s ALLA convention—Find Your Voice—has Fate written all over it—at least for me. This is a phrase writers hear bandied about constantly in the world of publishing: find your voice. There are entire workshops dedicated to doing just that. Editors will tell you it is the most elusive, and the most sought after quality in publishable writing. A writer connects with their readers through voice.

            But finding one’s voice isn’t important for writers alone; it’s important to every person on this planet. When I discovered writing, I didn’t discover my “Miss America” talent, or even my talent in general. I discovered something infinitely more important—I discovered my voice. Again, I’m not referring to my authorial voice, the voice in which I write; I’m referring to my voice as a human being. Writing is the medium I use to offer the outside world a peek into my soul. It is the way I share my deepest convictions and my greatest fears.

           Each and every book is filled with thoughts and themes that are deeply meaningful to their authors. And ultimately we authors hope that these very same thoughts and themes will mean something to readers everywhere. EVERY DAY AFTER is me finding (and using) my voice. It is the story of Lizzie Hawkins, a twelve-year-old girl desperate to please her father but who is on the cusp of discovering her own purpose, her own path, her own voice. The problem is that it may not be the purpose or the path or the voice her father would choose for himself or for her. And in that lies one of the greatest conundrums: do we use our voices as we are meant to, or do we keep quiet in order to please others?  

             I think as librarians, you all know the answer. We need not be content to find our voices, or discover what we are meant to say with our voices, but we must, absolutely must, use our voices. 

            You as librarians and we as authors have been blessed with the great opportunity to influence our children—our future generations. We can choose to use this opportunity for ill or for good, to inspire or to hinder, to encourage or to discourage, to have meaningful discussions or to avoid taboo topics altogether. I know without a doubt which of these options I am going to choose. I’d bet my last penny on which you will choose as well.

We are colleagues in the nurturing of young minds, young minds capable of great ideas. Whether author or librarian or teacher or parent we all use our voices each day to show our children how to dream big. I am so deeply grateful that the journey to finding my “Miss America” talent ended with the discovery that a children’s book author is what I was meant to be. I know each of you feel the same deep passion for your work.

After I’d given my speech, my fellow presenters Vicky Alvear Shecter and Heather Montgomery took the floor. Their presentations were full of energy and totally rocked. I eagerly await the day that I am as seasoned a pro as they. I was honored to be there with them. Here is a pic of us post-session:

Whew! We did it.

Being in Montgomery for the ALLA Convention was a wonderful experience in large part due to the warmth and kindness of the attending librarians. They were beyond lovely. I would like to specifically recognize Matt Layne, Young Adult Librarian at Emmet O’Neal Public Library, for nominating me for the panel, and Emily Seymour, Moderator of the Young Adult Services Round Table, for her wonderful help and guidance both before and during the convention. You guys are the best.

Now I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this first speaking experience won’t be my last!