Meet the Speakers
Keynote 1: john Steven gurney
John is the author and illustrator of the Fuzzy Baseball series and Dinosaur Train. He attended Pratt Institute and later received his MFA in illustration from the Hartford Art School. Throughout his career, John has curated a versatile illustration portfolio that includes 140 chapter books, board games, posters, puzzles, and more. Due to his love for sharing his craft, John has visited schools in 31 states and five countries. When he is not writing, illustrating, or visiting schools, John teaches illustration and design at Kutztown University.
Visit John's website.
Visit John's website.
Keynote 2: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Jennifer's first full-length story came to fruition in the 6th grade. She went so far as to call a local locksmith in the name of accurate research! Jennifer was dedicated from the start, willing to change genres and writing styles in order to achieve her dream. Her debut book was Elliot and the Goblin War, which became the first book of The Underworld Chronicles. Jennifer has since written multiple series, including The Ascendance series and the Mark of the Thief series. Jennifer's work has won her the Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award and multiple Whitney Awards.
Visit Jennifer's website.
Visit Jennifer's website.
KEYNOTE 3: Beth Ferry
Beth Ferry is the New York Times best-selling author of Sealed with a Kiss, Swashby and the Sea, and Stick and Stone. She lives in New Jersey and is heavily inspired by the sea and all of its magical inhabitants. Beth’s professional writing career began when her youngest child started 7th grade. After years of dreaming to become an author, she gave herself two years to “see if this was something [she] could do.” The result was her debut book Stick and Stone, published in 2015. Aside from writing, Beth’s favorite things include bulldogs, every shade of purple, and Halloween (Seriously, Beth’s garden is strictly for pumpkin growing!).
Visit Beth's website.
Visit Beth's website.
KEYNOTE 4: Carole Boston Weatherford
Carole began writing at 6 years old and has since written more than 70 books. She earned a BA from American University, an MA from the University of Baltimore, and an MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Often teaming up with her son, Jeffrey Boston Weatherford, the duo create “diverse, anti-racist nonfiction, biographies, poetry, historical fiction on African American heritage, culture, social justice.” Notable works include Voice of Freedom, Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, and Oprah: The Little Speaker. Carole has received 2 NAACP Image Awards, a Newberry Honor, 4 Caldecott Honors, and a Coretta Scott King Award.
Visit Carole's website.
Visit Carole's website.