The Next Level for writers and Illustrators

The Next Level Professional Series
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January’s Topic—Success Panel: How a Writer and Writer/Illustrator Got Their Starts
When you look at someone's success story, do you ever wonder about the journey? Cat Winters will talk about her "overnight" success story that took years. Author-illustrator Nicole Rubel will share insights into her career journey that include over 60 books, including the Rotten Ralph Series.
Cat Winters’s critically acclaimed debut novel, IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS, was named a 2014 Morris Award Finalist, a School Library Journal Best Book of 2013, a YALSA 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults pick, and a 2014 Oregon Spirit Book Award Winner. She is also the author of THE CURE FOR DREAMING (Amulet Books/Oct. 2014), and her upcoming releases include THE UNINVITED (William Morrow/2015), THE STEEP AND THORNY WAY (Amulet Books/2016), and a short story in the YA horror anthology SLASHER GIRLS & MONSTER BOYS (Dial/2015).
She lives outside of Portland with her husband and two kids. Visit her online at CatWinters.com.
 Nicole Rubel is an author/illustrator known for her uniquely colorful illustrations and charming stories. She has over sixty books to her credit and is the co-creator of the popular Rotten Ralph series.
Raised in Cora Gables, Florida, Ms. Rubel received a Bachelor of Science in Art Teaching from the Boston Museum School in association with Tufts University. Ms. Rubel’s art style was inspired by the paintings of Henri Matisse and the art deco architecture of her hometown of Miami. Her imaginative, poignant and sometimes comical storylines are often derived from growing up with her identical twin sister, Bonnie. As a child, she let her sister speak for her. Through the encouragement of an insightful teacher, Ms. Rubel learned to speak and write for herself. Therefore, a significant theme in her stories is finding oneself and learning to express one’s feelings and thoughts.
She currently resides with her husband on a farm in Aurora.
Date - 01/17/2015  Time - 2:15 pm - 3:45 pm, doors open at 2:00
Location - TaborSpace, The Annex 5441 SE Belmont St. - Portland, OR 97215