SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 UPDATE: THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR PATIENCE. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR 2020 NAPIBOWRIWEE EVENT IS STILL ON HOLD. THERE WILL BE NO EVENT THIS FALL DUE TO THE CURRENT PANDEMIC SITUATION, MY OWN WRITING/WORK DEADLINES, AND SCHEDULE CONFLICTS. I WILL POST ANOTHER UPDATE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU AGAIN AND AS ALWAYS, HAPPY WRITING! XO

March 19, 2020

It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing that I must postpone our annual National Picture Book Writing Week (AKA “NAPIBOWRIWEE”) which was originally set for May 1-7, 2020.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is NOT cancelled.

NAPIBOWRIWEE is just being postponed to a later date this year. I will update everyone with new info as soon as we line up the new dates.

There are several reasons why I have to postpone our event, including several book and TV and feature script deadlines. But the biggest reason is our current Coronavirus COVID-19 global pandemic.

Our world has changed drastically in the past few months. Who knew that school districts, restaurants, bars, beaches and even entire cities and countries would shut down?

I also am aware that an online writing event like this one is a great opportunity to foster community during our period of “social distancing.” But I also realized… many of our participants are also working parents who may not have the time or the bandwidth to participate this year because of school closings.

It breaks my heart to postpone this event because I’ve hosted it every May 1-7 since 2009. It is an international event with participants from across the country and all over the world. Several participants have even sold their first picture books and are now published authors.

I am so proud of this event and how it has fostered such a wonderful and diverse community of writers, artists, and friends.

I am beyond grateful for everyone’s participation over the years.

Please note – I will make a future announcement after May 2020 about this year’s event. I have lined up an amazing group of authors and illustrators who have all graciously agreed to participate at our later date.

For the latest updates, please follow me on Twitter @paulayoo and on Instagram @paulayoo. We also have a Facebook page where I also update everyone here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109169309167365/

Our store is here for souvenirs: https://www.cafepress.com/paulayoonapibowriweeclassic

In the meantime, I hope everyone continues to wash their hands and practice social distancing. Let us not to turn to fear, hatred and racism during this difficult time. Instead, let us turn to compassion and love for all those affected by this viral disease. Remember, we are #StrongerTogether. Now more than ever, it is important that WE WRITE LIKE WE MEAN IT. I wish everyone safety, strong health and strong spirits for the time being.

Stay tuned and watch this space — our 2020 National Picture Book Writing Week (NAPIBOWRIWEE) will happen later this year. Stay tuned for details.

Sincerely and with much love,

Paula