And then we grew up.
Five years ago, I learned about the Cybils – The Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers Literary Awards. It was their first year. They were brave, intrepid adventurers and as they shyly, in a very bookish manner called out for potential judges and panelists, I raised my hand. I’ve never once regretted that faint hand waving from the back of the room.
In my first year with them, I was put in the graphic novels category as a first run panelist. What a ride that was! I got to know fellow panelists, an amazing group of people and was deep in my milieux of graphic novels. I’m an old comic book geek girl from way back. Beyond that, I grew up with the fantastic art in children’s literature like Wind in the Willows, The Andrew Lang Color Fairy Books, Little Women, Little House books and the Mushroom Planet books. Illustration and art tug at my heart strings and I never could see why even grown up novels couldn’t have an illustration or two. So graphic novels and the explosion of that genre spoke to my soul. I was in rapture.
The GN panel was one of the friendliest, non-fighting, no bicker groups I’d ever been involved with over the years. They were gracious, excited and they KNEW THEIR STUFF. Even those new to the genre made it their business to know it, to explore the artform and to find those books that were nominated. Panelists in small towns with no graphic novels in their libraries made it their business to find, promote and get those books into their schools and libraries. The other panels that were part of the whole seemed to have had the same experience – a fabulous one.
When we submitted our final choices to the second round judges, we felt that we’d done our category proud – that we had absolutely submitted the cream of the crop. We stayed in touch, stayed involved, avidly watched the other panels selections, read them too and cheered the winners when they won.
I was hooked.
Second year I was chosen for GN again and had much the same experience. Same with third and fourth, though my fourth year with the Cybils was much more muted as I was going through some health problems that made me very weary. I honestly didn’t think I’d be back for a 5th year. To be honest, I didn’t think I’d be well or even here to do it. Not only am I here, I’m strong and healthy and getting more like my old self each day.
This year, I’m not only not in my old comfort zone the GN panel but I am handling the social media for the Cybils. I’m mostly the one who is Tweeting from @cybils though the others chime in on occasion. If you’re getting hit with mega Tweets about literature, poetry, books, art, authors, publishing, etc that would be me cluttering your stream.
I’m in a new panel this year. Still first round but with another dear love of mine – poetry. I’m excited, a little nervous and very proud to be with the Cybils for yet another year.
Follow us on Twitter, fan us on Facebook, support us by buying Cybils swag and sport our bling on your blogs and websites. Most of all get those nominations in and keep reading!
It’s going to be a wild ride…
G.
