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Wild Things

VCFA Writing for Children & Young Adults Blog

Welcome to the VCFA WCYA blog, where we are WILD about all THINGS in the world of writing for young readers. Hear directly from students whose writing takes unexpected and glorious turns. Explore how alumni change the face and field of children’s literature. Discover faculty who are not simply award-winning authors but exemplary teachers. Learn why VCFA is home to us all.

Release Interview: DOGS LOVE CARS by Former Faculty and Alum Leda Schubert ’04

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/dogslovecarscover.jpg 648 586 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-10-19 08:00:392021-09-13 18:41:29Release Interview: DOGS LOVE CARS by Former Faculty and Alum Leda Schubert ’04

Release Interview: DINO PAJAMA PARTY by Laurie Wallmark ’16

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/dinos-300dpi-3.6x3.jpg 801 900 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-10-19 05:00:312021-10-18 15:09:43Release Interview: DINO PAJAMA PARTY by Laurie Wallmark ’16

Release Interview: LITTLE VICTORY by Elizabeth Kuelbs ’12

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Little-Victory.png 716 464 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-10-01 08:00:362021-09-13 19:19:56Release Interview: LITTLE VICTORY by Elizabeth Kuelbs ’12

Wild Things x OnlinesOnline: DANGEROUS PLAY by Emma Kress '20

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DANGEROUS-PLAY-EMMA-KRESS.png 1080 1080 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-09-30 16:48:262021-10-12 15:55:57Wild Things x OnlinesOnline: DANGEROUS PLAY by Emma Kress '20

Banned Books Week: a statement by our faculty

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1.png 1080 1080 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-09-29 09:00:202021-09-29 14:26:01Banned Books Week: a statement by our faculty

Release Interview: FROM HERE TO THERE by Gilbert Ford ’15

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/FROM-HERE-TO-THERE-scaled.jpeg 2560 1792 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-09-21 07:00:202021-09-15 20:38:52Release Interview: FROM HERE TO THERE by Gilbert Ford ’15

Release Interview: LITTLE UNIVERSES by Heather Demetrios ’14

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LittleUniversesCVR.jpg 2550 1650 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-09-08 20:03:472021-09-13 18:01:26Release Interview: LITTLE UNIVERSES by Heather Demetrios ’14

Release Interview: The Jett Ryder Series by Sean Petrie ’11

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/JETT-covers-all-four.jpeg 1000 779 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-09-02 14:49:152021-09-02 18:59:38Release Interview: The Jett Ryder Series by Sean Petrie ’11

Release Interview: KAFKA AND THE DOLL by Larissa Theule ’09

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screen-Shot-2021-06-01-at-10.37.54-AM.png 678 556 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-06-01 16:05:362021-09-22 16:24:06Release Interview: KAFKA AND THE DOLL by Larissa Theule ’09

Release Interview: WHAT IS THE STORY OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND? by Dana Meachen Rau '15

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rau-Alice-Cover-1.jpg 450 314 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-05-18 18:57:452021-05-19 15:35:01Release Interview: WHAT IS THE STORY OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND? by Dana Meachen Rau '15

Release Interview: DEPRESSION: INSIGHTS AND TIPS FOR TEENAGERS by Christie Cognevich (Current Student)

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/CCognevich_Depression_bookcover.jpg 2550 1650 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-05-04 19:21:412021-05-04 19:21:41Release Interview: DEPRESSION: INSIGHTS AND TIPS FOR TEENAGERS by Christie Cognevich (Current Student)

Release Interview: EAT UP, BEAR! - Terry Pierce ’11

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EatUpBear-1.jpg 960 960 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2021-04-01 18:21:322021-04-14 14:09:34Release Interview: EAT UP, BEAR! - Terry Pierce ’11

The Book Birthday Parties of 2020

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Blue-and-White-Illustrative-Covid-19-Work-from-Home-Tips-Instagram-Post-1.png 1080 1080 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2020-12-31 21:03:312021-02-25 14:47:41The Book Birthday Parties of 2020
Cafe Anna

Faculty Cynthia Leitich Smith and Alum Kim Purcell '18

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/vcfa_summer_2017_cafe_anna.jpg 662 662 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2020-11-30 18:00:032020-11-30 18:00:03Faculty Cynthia Leitich Smith and Alum Kim Purcell '18

Release Interview: CASTLE OF CONCRETE - Katia Raina ’15

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-12-at-12.33.16-PM.png 677 449 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2020-11-12 18:08:252020-11-12 18:18:29Release Interview: CASTLE OF CONCRETE - Katia Raina ’15
CALLING COBBER - Sheri Sinykin

Release Interview: Calling Cobber – Sheri Sinykin '01

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SmartSelect_20200505-062844_Gallery.jpg 1286 766 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2020-10-30 22:22:472020-11-11 18:39:39Release Interview: Calling Cobber – Sheri Sinykin '01

Release Interview: RARE AND BLUE - Constance Van Hoven ’04

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-11-at-11.49.25-AM.png 716 714 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2020-09-01 18:03:482020-11-11 20:44:51Release Interview: RARE AND BLUE - Constance Van Hoven ’04

Where Were You In Residency?

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/[email protected] 1781 1241 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2020-07-17 17:05:142020-07-17 19:55:47Where Were You In Residency?

Holding Up While Holing Up: Social Distancing in the WCYA Community

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Cat1.jpg 1496 1125 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2020-03-20 16:42:362020-03-20 17:21:10Holding Up While Holing Up: Social Distancing in the WCYA Community

Release Interview: CHICKEN BREAK - Cate Berry '17

https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CHICKEN-BREAK.jpg 400 391 Karen Cygnarowicz https://wildthings.vcfa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Wild-Things-Logo-transparent.jpg Karen Cygnarowicz2020-03-11 18:29:032020-03-11 18:29:03Release Interview: CHICKEN BREAK - Cate Berry '17
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"I’ve written forever. In my journal from age 16 "I’ve written forever. In my journal from age 16 I wrote that all I wanted to do was live in Vermont and write children’s books. I succeeded at the first goal soon after college, but the second was a little more challenging." – congrats to former faculty and alum Leda Schubert ’04 for today's release, DOGS LOVE CARS! ✨ Link in bio for the full interview on the Wild Things blog!
"Although I learned so much about writing from the "Although I learned so much about writing from the lectures, workshops, and mentor feedback, I think the biggest value from VCFA is having to write so much. The more you write, assuming you think about your craft as you do it, the better you get. And I did get better." — '16 alum Laurie Wallmark in the latest Wild Things interview (link in bio!) Congrats on today's release, DINO PAJAMA PARTY, @lauriewallmark 🎉
On October 27, 2021, 8:00pm - 9:30pm EDT, join for On October 27, 2021, 8:00pm - 9:30pm EDT, join former WCYA faculty and renowned children’s book authors Kathi Appelt and Marion Dane Bauer as they sit down to discuss the writing life, reflections of teaching at VCFA, and their new books, SUNSHINE and ONCE UPON A CAMEL. 🌟 This free, public event will be livestreamed on Zoom, and advance registration is encouraged (link in bio!)
You're Invited... if you dare. Next Wednesday, Oct You're Invited... if you dare. Next Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 8pm ET, join us for our next Book Birthday Party! It'll be the spookiest yet. We'll celebrate the book birthdays of Mindy Hardwick ’05, SOME STORIES ARE NOT SEEN, Karen Krossing ’20, SOUR CAKES, and "Ghostly Tales" by 2017 alumnx Diane Telgen, Jules Heller, Jay Whistler, and Jenn Bailey. 🎉 RSVP required. Registration link in our bio!
✅ The MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adul ✅ The MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program application deadline for the upcoming semester is this Friday, October 15. ✅ Link in bio! . . . . #vcfa #vcfawcya #lowresidencymfa #vcfaedu #writingforchildrenandyoungadults #youbelonghere
Happy book birthday to Faculty A.R. Capetta for th Happy book birthday to Faculty A.R. Capetta for the release of THE HEARTBREAK BAKERY! ✨ (Image reposted from @ar_capetta)
Reposted from @vcfaedu 💚 VCFA sits in N’dakin Reposted from @vcfaedu 💚 VCFA sits in N’dakinna, the ancestral and unceded land of the traditional caretaker of Vermont lands and waters, the Western Abenaki people. Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ day, and every day, we recognize and honor our indigenous faculty, staff, students, alumnx, and the larger indigenous communities in N’dakinna and beyond. As an arts college, we seek to use our platform to uplift indigenous peoples, cultures, and arts, and we invite members of our community to join us in this commitment. Our Land Acknowledgment Statement guides our work. Read about it using the link in the bio. . . . Image Accessibility: An aerial view of College Hall within the trees. . . . #indigenouspeoplesday #landacknowledgment #VT #Vermontland #Abenaki #indigenouspeoplesmovement
The latest Wild Things interview features alumnx E The latest Wild Things interview features alumnx Elizabeth Kuelbs '12 in celebrating her latest release, LITTLE VICTORY, a collection of poetry for adults. 🦋 Link in bio for more!
The WCYA Alumnx Mini-Residency, a four-day confere The WCYA Alumnx Mini-Residency, a four-day conference for @vcfaWCYA alumnx focusing on craft and publication, connection and community, will take place virtually from November 4–7, 2021. It's not too late to register for faculty-led workshops or industry critiques. Spots are filling up fast! Link in our bio for more info. See you online in November! Image Accessibility: A green graphic with the VCFA logo, and the title Alumnx Mini Res, with the date info listed above, and the words *as in, OOH, can't wait to see you at AMR! // Reposted from @vcfaedu #VcfaLove #VcfaWcya #VcfaAlumnx #YoungAdultLit #YoungAdultLiterature #YaBooks #HistoricalFigures #WritingForChildrenAndYoungAdults #KidsLit #KidLit #ChildrensBooks #WritingForKids #VcfaWriting #youbelonghere
"It’s why I intentionally gave space on the page "It’s why I intentionally gave space on the page for the girls to be physical powerhouses, to be fiercely athletic, to be their own action heroes—which are all characteristics we’re used to seeing assigned to boys and men in books and film, but rarely to girls and women. It’s why I wanted to fully explore the wide range of emotions that survivors feel after an assault—even and especially rage." – alum Emma Kress '20 originally interviewed on the blog of alum Amanda Elend '21. Check out the Wild Things blog (link in bio) for a teaser in a new series of showcasing our community's blogs, and OnlinesOnline.com for more! 💥
Each year, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedo Each year, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read. At the Vermont College of Fine Arts program for Writing for Children and Young Adults, we also celebrate the freedom to write, without which, there is no true freedom to read. In recent weeks, we have seen books by our faculty and alumnx banned in the Central York School District in Pennsylvania. The ban disproportionately affected books written by authors of color and was reversed after student protest. We have also witnessed the exclusion of books with LGBTQIA+ content at a major festival of children’s literature in Nebraska. As a program, we believe in and foster inclusive artistic and cultural diversity. We defend the principle of freedom of thought, practice, and expression by our students and our faculty. We reject the exclusion of books created by or featuring marginalized human beings, and books based on LGBTQIA+ or any other identity-based content. We reject attempts to restrict access to nonfiction books for political and religious reasons. We also send our solidarity to students and community members protesting book bans. We do this on behalf of all young readers whose lives have been made narrower and poorer as the result of efforts to limit access to vital stories and important truths, and we call upon supporters of literature everywhere to join us. Art and literature of all kinds are necessary in raising a next generation of readers, thinkers, and humans, and we should all do what we can to create that work and defend it. This statement has been crafted and is co-signed by the members of the WCYA Faculty Advisory Committee: Faculty members Martha Brockenbrough, Varian Johnson, and A.S. King; Faculty Co-Chairs Liz Garton Scanlon and Jennifer Ziegler; and Program Director Katie Rasmussen.
Congratulations to WCYA alum Lakita Wilson '20 for Congratulations to WCYA alum Lakita Wilson '20 for her latest release! Join us in celebrating WHAT IS BLACK LIVES MATTER? in an upcoming Book Birthday Party. Registration link in bio. 🎉 Reposted from @lakitawrites: Finally! WHAT IS BLACK LIVES MATTER? is out in the world! To read about the social justice movement that had the entire world speaking out for the rights and just treatment of Black people, click the link above and order online, or head to your nearest book store to pick up a copy ❤️ ❤️❤️ #blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmatter✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 #kidlit #nonfictionbooks #nonfiction #bookstagram #socialjustice #socialjusticeeducation #activists #teachersofinstagram #librariansofinstagram #librariesofinstagram #bookhaul
"I’m actually not creating art right now. I lost "I’m actually not creating art right now. I lost everything around the time covid hit and had to rebuild myself from the ground up. I liken it to someone cutting off my right hand that could write and illustrate and asking me to learn to use my left hand in a different career. I’ve discovered that I can also research, critique, and teach." – WCYA alum Gilbert Ford '15 talks about illustrating FROM HERE TO THERE and the current challenges of being an artist in the latest interview on the Wild Things blog (link in bio ✨) #vcfawcya
"That was something I’ve always valued about VCF "That was something I’ve always valued about VCFA: I never felt like anyone – instructor or student or staff – was seeking to make me feel less than. Rather than the cutthroat vibe you often see in arts programs, our program felt like a place where you felt safe enough to make creative leaps because you knew your cohort was the net that would catch you." – WCYA alum Heather Demetrios '14 talks about her time at @vcfaedu and her publication LITTLE UNIVERSES in the latest interview on the Wild Things blog. ✨ Link in bio for more!
Congratulations to faculty Anna-Marie McLemore and Congratulations to faculty Anna-Marie McLemore and Kekla Magoon for making the 2021 National Book Award longlist for Young People’s Literature by The National Book Foundation! 🤩 "This year’s longlist features two authors who have been previously recognized by the National Book Awards. Kekla Magoon was longlisted in the Young People’s Literature category in 2015, and Anna-Marie McLemore was longlisted in the category in 2016." YES, WCYA! #vcfaedu
You're Invited! Next Wednesday, Sept 15, 2021, at You're Invited! Next Wednesday, Sept 15, 2021, at 8pm ET join us for our next Book Birthday Party! We'll celebrate the book birthdays of: 🎉 Beth Bacon ’16, The Book No One Wants to Read 🎉 Kristy Everington ’17, Isobel Adds It Up 🎉 Laura Sibson ’12, Edie in Between 🎉 Caroline Pritchard (current student), Gitty and Kvetch 🎉 Leda Schubert ’04, Dogs Love Cars 🎉 Dana Rau ’15, Who was Juliette Gordon RSVP required! Registration link in our bio to join. Image Accessibility: A green birthday card invite with the words You're Invited! in yellow script and the details (listed above) and the colorful book covers of six kid lit books. #VcfaLove #VcfaWcya #VcfaAlumnx #YoungAdultLit #YoungAdultLiterature #YaBooks #HistoricalFigures #WritingForChildrenAndYoungAdults #KidsLit #KidLit #ChildrensBooks #WritingForKids #VcfaWriting
What are you reading? ...and where? Tag us (@vcfa What are you reading? ...and where? Tag us (@vcfawcya) in your #shelfies! Repost @prettybookplaces ✨
Congratulations to alum Sean Petrie '11 for the re Congratulations to alum Sean Petrie '11 for the release of his four-book Jett Ryder series. We are thrilled to have this incredible interview as the latest on the Wild Things' blog! 💥 Check out the link in bio to read more and see into his books!
Our beloved Book Birthday Parties are back! Check Our beloved Book Birthday Parties are back! Check out the lineup starting as soon as September and register (link in bio) for any and all upcoming virtual gatherings. See you on Zoom! ⚡
Vermont College of Fine Arts is thrilled to announ Vermont College of Fine Arts is thrilled to announce the launch of the Center For Arts + Social Justice! The Center is an initiative growing from our deep commitment to harnessing the power of the arts to help create a more just and humane world. The Center is building an ecosystem of artists and storytellers working to change the dominant narrative and inspire new realities. We envision a society that honors creative expression for its ability to reveal our complex histories and supports artists in their efforts to pave the path towards a more equitable future. Follow us here @vcfacenter, on Facebook at vcfacenter, and check out the link in our bio to learn more at the Center's website about upcoming programming and initiatives! Image Accessibility: A pink graphic with the words "CENTER FOR ARTS + SOCIAL JUSTICE" in white bold type. #VcfaCenter #ArtAndSocialJustice #ChangeTheNarrative #RadicalArt #ArtForChange #DesignForChange #WriteForChange #MusicForChange #ArtistsForChange #VCFAlove
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The​ ​views​ ​and​ ​opinions expressed​ ​in​ ​this​ ​page​ ​are​ ​strictly​ ​those​ ​of​ ​the​ ​page​ ​author(s).​ ​The​ ​contents​ ​of​ ​this​ ​page have​ ​not​ ​been​ ​reviewed​ ​or​ ​approved​ ​by​ ​VCFA.​ ​The​ ​copyright​ ​and​ ​all​ ​related​ ​rights​ ​to original​ ​work​ ​posted​ ​via​ ​the​ ​blog​ ​service​ ​are​ ​owned​ ​by​ ​and​ ​are​ ​the​ ​sole​ ​responsibility​ ​of its​ ​author(s).
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