…I was in this very awkward moment of my career waiting on the next book. I didn’t know at the time that it would be a whole other year and a half, but I was feeling a little bit like I’m not quite sure what’s next. I felt like I needed to shift… I had three picture books, but I wanted to gain more understanding about novels. I was a little bit unsure about this shift. And I decided to go to a summer camp that was completely focused on fiction. Not just novels, but also picture books….

 

What I found was a sense of fellowship and belonging in a space that I didn’t feel as though I was qualified to try to walk down… I met so many wonderful people there who were supportive. I just had a wonderful time. I remember the workshops that I went to—and I took it in, and nothing felt as though it was too much. It all came in nice doses. And then I could go back to that porch and that rocking chair and take more in. And I went home like I could begin again.

Daria Peoples, Summer Camp in Fiction Alumni (2019) and now Summer Camp in Illustration Faculty (2022-2023)

I’ve gone to a lot of different conferences. Thousands and thousands of people. So overwhelming, and even if you hand out your business card, no one’s going to remember.  At Summer Camp, it’s like everyone at Highlights treats you like family the moment you step on campus. It’s just very welcoming, and magical.

 

You know there’s just so much bonding without even realizing it. When you see people and you’re eating lunch with them, breakfast, dinner—I mean there’s nowhere where you can be so close to the instructors. They’re eating at the meals with you! So you can chat with them outside of lectures. Having that one-on-one with them—that’s been huge, and probably even more so than sitting in the lectures themselves.

 

There’s just so many points at which you’re interacting with people that you can’t help but make connections, and I love it.

Harlan DeChamps, Summer Camp Alumni

“I not only found a community and a safe space but I found MY community and MY safe place. One that has continued to teach me about craft, friendships, mentors, etc. but one that has also made me feel at home.” (Cat Galeano)

“Highlights is where I found my writing family…” (Padma Venkatraman)

“I sold the manuscript I workshopped (and read aloud) at Summer Camp. My peers’ feedback was instrumental. Also, several of us picture book writers connected on text. We encourage each other regularly.” (Pooja Makhijani)

“My debut novel We Deserve Monuments was workshopped at Summer Camp in 2018. My next YA novel Thirsty was revised at a personal retreat. Every time I leave, I feel so renewed and inspired.” (Jas Hammonds)

I met my agent, Linda Epstein, there! What a heavenly meeting! Together she has helped me develop my writing, and found a home for my next Anthology: Everything Under The Moon: Fairy tales in a queerer light (Affirm Press, Oct 2023). It’s only a matter of time before other things are placed! I live in Australia and found Highlights by accident (I needed a writers retreat in the USA close enough in time to the Winter Institute so I could apply for a grant to take me to both). It turned out to be the life changing part of the trip and now I can’t wait until I’m able to return. I adored my time there and have made many lasting connections.” (Michael Earp)

Highlights Summer Camp in Fiction: Almost the Best Version of Myself

“I was full of smiles (& happy tears) all week because I was in a safe space. Sharing it with fellow book people. And I can’t wait to go back.” (Hallie M. Bertling)