Jennifer Liss specializes in writing fiction for struggling and reluctant readers, and when she was awarded the Lee Bennett Hopkins Scholarship, she knew she wanted to take a workshop with Erin Entrada Kelly and so chose Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat Experience.

In Jennifer’s Words

I was lucky to learn from the incredible Erin Entrada Kelly and Laurel Snyder. There were many lessons, but some highlights include: strategies for developing main character; when to stick with and when to bend middle grade perimeters; how to maintain perspective when struggling with publishing/marketing issues; and how to invest in your characters so they become whole.

It was Jennifer’s first time attending a Highlights Foundation workshop, and she is grateful for our scholarship support:

My scholarship was incredibly meaningful to me. For years, I had closely followed the offerings in the HF catalog and I knew several published authors who were vocal HF supporters, but I struggled to justify the expense and time it would take to attend a program. So I was honored to receive full support from HF for an in-person program. For two decades, I have worked as a writer and editor in educational publishing, but I have had few opportunities for professional development. In the last several years, I began focusing more on my own creative projects and published my debut MG novel this past summer. I saw my scholarship as an opportunity to deepen my craft, focus on my current WIP, and meet like-minded writers. All those things–and much more–came to fruition.

For a full-time working parent, having four days to focus exclusively on my craft was an invaluable gift. In fact, when I arrived at HF, I felt really emotional. I was shocked to be staying in the Floyd Cooper cabin with his original art on the walls. I felt a responsibility to properly utilize the gift of time and the gift of such a special place, so I was disciplined in meeting a series of minor goals on my manuscript and taking long walks to work through some ideas and take in the beautiful property. The library, the caring, talented cooking staff, the open and inspiring fellow attendees all contributed to an experience that I will never forget, an experience that I believe will make me a more skilled and thoughtful writer. I am very grateful.

More About Jennifer

For twenty years, Jennifer Liss has worked in educational publishing, developing materials for students and teachers across the country. She specializes in writing fiction for struggling and reluctant readers. Jennifer lives in Santa Rosa, California, with her husband and two sons.

Website: jenniferliss.net
Instagram: @bookmarkedbyjen