Lee Wind & Justin Campbell: Baton Pass Interview, Part 1

The moment has arrived! After 14 and a half years of blogging for SCBWI, I'll be passing the blogging baton to the wonderful Justin Campbell who starts next week!

Through the magic of online video conferencing, Justin Campbell (left) and me (Lee Wind, at right) make a heart. The perfect metaphor for passing the SCBWI blogging role from me to him!

Justin and I chatted about how a fun way to finale me and debut him as official SCBWI blogger would be a pair of interviews... And so, today are my answers to Justin's questions.

On Tuesday July 1, Justin will answer my questions, and then this blog and the official blogging duties for SCBWI will be in his capable hands! Here we go...

Justin: How did you initially get involved in KidLit and SCBWI: The Blog?

Lee: I started my own blog (I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell Do I Read?) in September 2007 with a focus on the books for kids and teens that included queer characters and themes. I found myself writing about general KidLit publishing things as I learned the business, including doing interviews with agents and editors.

Alice Pope started SCBWI: The Blog in May 2010 (you can read her first post here), and when she formed the very first SCBWI Team Blog to report on the 2009 Summer Conference in Los Angeles, I was invited to be part of that team (along with Paula Yoo, Jaime Temairik, Jolie Stekly, and Suzanne Young - see us at work here. Wow, was I younger!)

When Alice left KidLit for another industry in October of 2011, I was asked to take over the official blogging duties for SCBWI, which I was thrilled to do! (My very first SCBWI: The Blog post as the official blogger is here.)

It's been an honor, a privilege, and a joy to blog for SCBWI for so many years. I'm especially happy about having shared the spotlight with so many amazing guest bloggers, and extra delighted that you're taking over, Justin!

Justin: What are you looking forward to post-baton pass?

Lee: More time to write! I was pre-published when I started blogging for SCBWI, and I just had my 7th book come out (the picture book Like That Eleanor, illustrated by Kelly Mangan, published by Cardinal Rule Press.) 

My 8th book comes out in November (the picture book Banana Menorah, illustrated by Karl West, published by Apples and Honey Press/Behrman House.)

With a full-time job, I don't often get more than an hour a day to write (and sometimes it's just 12 minutes.) I'm excited to take the time I've used for SCBWI blogging and put it into writing (though I expect some of the time will go into the author-promotion-marketing bucket, too.)

Justin: What will you miss the most?

Lee: I really like being helpful and sharing information, resources, and inspiration about KidLit. I'll be doing a monthly newsletter as an author, and I expect I'll share some of that there. (Folks reading this are welcome to sign up here.)

Otherwise, I was going to say I'll miss getting to be at the big SCBWI conferences (especially in-person in New York City) -- but happily I'll still be attending those as an attendee rather than a blogger, and continuing to host the LGBTQ+ and Allies socials as well. Yay!

So really, Justin, I'm passing the baton to you with joy. You're going to do great!

**

For everyone reading, thank you for coming along with me on the adventure so far, and please continue to support and read the SCBWI blog.

I can't wait to see what Justin (and the new guest bloggers) do!

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee