Here in the Northeast, we've had more snow in December than we had in the whole of last winter. And December isn't even over yet. And yes, we're expecting more snow tonight.

There's no logical explanation for why the thought of a snowy winter thrills me. I don't ski. I don't snowshoe. I don't earn extra money plowing. But falling snowflakes delight me in a way that few things do. No doubt this is one of those leftovers from childhood—the thrill of an unexpected holiday, a gift dropped from the sky.

I spoke last night with the innkeeper of The Gibson House, where Rising River is held, and he said the inn, the gardens, and the surrounding river valley are blanketed in snow—and that the beauty of it takes one's breath away. (He also mentioned that all roads and the inn's two driveways are fully plowed and clear.) I'm eagerly looking forward to the upcoming Winter '08 session (January 24–27). I have visions of all of us curling up in the living room with cups of hot chocolate and Maureen's homemade espresso shortbread cookies, while we listen to each others' works-in-progress and talk about story and what makes it work. I love those group critique discussions—nearly as much as I love Maureen's cookies. So let it snow, I say.

There are currently two spots available for the Winter '08 session, as well as room in the upcoming Spring session (April 24–27), so if you'd like to join us in the living room, register now. I'll provide the hot chocolate.

And now, the latest from those who have attended past sessions of Rising River:

What a busy year it's been for Loree Griffin Burns. She's happy to report that Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion was recently named a finalist for the Science, Books and Films (SB&F) Prize for Excellence in Science Books. Loree also signed with agent Ken Wright at Writers' House and sold her next manuscript to Houghton Mifflin. That book will be another in the Scientists In the Field series.

Linda Booth Sweeney also recently signed with an agent: Carrie Hannigan at Russell & Volkening Literary Agency. Carrie is currently sending around the picture book manuscript Linda worked on while at Rising River.

Meanwhile, Eric Luper has been appearing at father/son poker tournaments hosted by bookstores to promote his first novel Big Slick, which came out in October. His second novel, Bug Boy, which he worked on while at Rising River, will be out in July '09. Eric has been busy speaking: at the New Jersey Association for School Librarians, the New York State Reading Association, and the New York Public Library. He's also pleased to announce that his novel has been nominated as a 2008 ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

Dana Rau has had a slew of books come out in the past six months: Candle Making for Fun! and Handmade Cards for Fun!, both with Compass Point Books, and Athletic Shoes and a biography entitled Bill and Melinda Gates, both with Cherry Lake Publishing. In 2008, she'll be working on two books about writing and more early reader nonfiction. She has several school visits scheduled, and has big plans for her website. In and around all these activities, she continues to work on the middle-grade novel she shared at Rising River.

Kathryn Hulick was pleased to see her first two published pieces come out this fall. Both are nonfiction magazine articles. The first appeared in the October issue of Odyssey, while the second came out in the November issue of Faces. She's still hard at work on the middle-grade novel she worked on at the last session of Rising River.

In the last six months, Lita Judge has had two picture books released: One Thousand Tracings came out in July, and D Is for Dinosaurs came out in October. One Thousand Tracings won the National Parenting Publication Award and was selected by School Libraries International as the top picture book of 2007. It was also featured on the cover of Booklinks in November, and it is now in its second printing. Lita's next book will be one that she illustrated: Mogo, which is written by Donna Jo Napoli. And just to keep Lita busy and out of trouble: She has five more picture books currently under contract with Hyperion, Viking, and Roaring Brook.

After reading the first two chapters of Liza Martz's middle-grade novel, an agent has asked to read the entire book. Liza is hoping the New Year brings her the good news of an offer for representation.

Michael Sussman's first picture book, Otto Grows Down, is being illustrated by Scott Magoon. The sketches for that book will be completed in January. Meanwhile, A Curious Calling—Unconscious Motivations for Practicing Psychotherapy is now out and in bookstores.

And, personally, I think Rose Kent has the best news of all to share: She recently became a grandmother for the first time. Congratulations to you, Rose! In addition, her first book, Kimchi & Calamari came out in April and was named one of the Sons of Italy's Books of the Year. (Kimchi & Calamari tells the story of a Korean boy in an Italian family.) Rose's second book, Rocky Road, is with her editor, and she has nearly finished writing her third, Flashing the Leather, which she started at Rising River.

Wishing you all a creative and energizing New Year.
— Jacqueline Davies

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