It was an honour and an angst to be asked to give the final keynote at this year’s Packaging Your Imagination Conference. I attended my first PYI way back in 1993 and it inspired and focused me to such an extent that I was able to revise and submit several children’s book manuscripts I had on the go, and within months, I had a yes for my first picture book, Silver Threads.
The final keynote is a memorial lecture, honouring Claire Mackay, who was a founding member of CANSCAIP, a force to be reckoned with (in a very good way) — and she was funny, brilliant and kind. The Peter and Eleanor Daniels Foundation sponsors this award. Here’s a pic with Elly Daniels, a woman who does tremendous things in support of arts in Canada.
My talk was very well received. The audience gave me a standing ovation. Many hugs and tears followed.
I sat in on fantastic and inspiring speakers all day long, which probably wasn’t the best way to prepare for doing a keynote, but heck, how could I not? It was a stellar lineup.
I grabbed some screenshots taken by friends and posted on social media (must learn to speak without flailing my arms around!)
