This is Julie Ham, one
of my editors at Charlesbridge. She sent me this photo so that I could admire
the lovely, feathery headband that she wore to her company’s spring launch meeting
in honor of my upcoming title FEATHERS (illustrated by the uber-talented Sarah
Brannen).

Julie inherited FEATHERS
when the book’s original editor left the company last year. Making the shift
from one editor to another can be a nerve-wracking process. Sometimes the new
editor just doesn’t have as much enthusiasm for the project as the editor who
acquired it. But in this case, I’ve been very, very lucky.

Julie is both wise
and patient, and her commitment to the book has been remarkable. Right now, the
whole publishing team is working hard to iron out some of the book’s finer
details, but I can already tell that it will be one of my favorite titles when
it is complete. I’m really looking forward to it’s release next year.