Erin Soderberg Downing 📚🏕️🦆

That’s a wrap on award season! This was my first time being named a finalist for the @mnbookawards and tonight’s ceremony was such a wonderful way to celebrate great books with the MN book community and part of my family.

Decision day! Henry’s off to Loyola in Chicago, and Ruby’s heading to University of Denver! So so proud!!

Being nominated for an Edgar Award by the @mysterywritersofamerica is, hands down, one of my Top 5 career highlights after 20 years of publishing books. Such an honor to bring my kid as my charming date and layer on a fun week in NYC leading up to a huge night of celebration!!

Last night’s book club activity - wine tasting, in honor of the main character training to be a sommelier in Finding Grace. Prize: everyone took home a little handmade wine glass made by me! 🍷📚📖

Hollister Elementary in MO really knocked it out of the park hosting their first author visit in 20+ years - all kids 2nd-5th read What Happened Then, and the superstar media specialist, Ms. Neal, brought TWO dogs for me to love and hug! Thanks to @silverunicornbooks for providing books from afar.

#sps

Probably the last time everyone’s spring break will align….so happy to have the whole crew together for a few days!! ❤️

I got to see my new series JUST LIKE HOME on a @scholastic Book Fair cart during a great school visit today! I am absolutely thrilled these books are featured on the cover of both the book club and book fair flyers this spring - total dream come true!

If you feel like you stick out more than you fit in, a good story can remind you that belonging isn’t about blending in... it’s about embracing your voice and cranking up the volume so you can find your people! 🙌 In this heartfelt episode of A LITERAL JOURNEY, I sit down with Erin Soderberg Downing, an author of more than 75 books for young readers (you read that right)! During the interview, @erinsoderbergdowning shares how she grew up feeling loud and being told she was “so weird” (and she didn’t know whether or not people meant that as a compliment). But now, years into her successful writing career, Erin tells viewers and listeners that those EXACT qualities have become the heartbeat of some of her most meaningful stories. Throughout the episode, Erin and I talk about the research that goes into her writing, and the personal stories that went into several of her books, including: Just Keep Walking, and What Happened Then. Whether you’re a reader, writer, parent, teacher, or someone learning to trust your own voice, I hope this episode encourages you to open a book (or pick up a pen) and embark on your own literal journey. @sethadamsmith

How cute is this book trailer for JUST LIKE HOME that @scholastic created for their Book Fairs? I’m obsessed!

So super proud of this guy for all his swimming accomplishments and hard work (and two great years as captain of his Minneapolis HS coop team!!)! Can’t believe it’s already senior night and my swim parent years are almost over….😢

An update from Minnesota, week 6.