It’s happening.   LoonSong, the writers’ retreat that the folks who’ve been there call “Magical!”Once more we will gather in the pristine wilderness of northern Minnesota in a rustic lodge on the shores of Elbow Lake.  Once more we will listen to some of the best writers and editors and agents in the children’s book world talk about their work . . . our work.  Once more we will join the conversation, speak our dreams, share our struggles.It will be a small group, because the setting doesn’t accommodate large.  So once more we will get to know one another.We will eat and sleep and work.  We will hike and kayak and, those of us who are truly brave, even swim.  We will mingle, faculty and students together, on pontoon cruises and at picnic tables and at the evening campfire.And once more we will be renewed, because renewal is what this weekend is about.LoonSong offers a smorgasbord of events to choose from, lectures and panels and workshops and one-on-one meetings and time for our own writing and even yoga.  Some who attend will be well-published writers.  Some will be beginning to explore this field for the first time.  All will find a home in this serene and lively setting.The faculty is stellar:  Nikki Grimes; Susan Cooper; Cynthia Leitich Smith; Bruce Coville; Michael Sterns, the founder of Upstart Crow Literary; Yolanda Scott, associate publisher and editorial director at Charlesbridge . . . and more.This gathering will take place from September 6^th through the 10^th.  Those who would like to leave early to celebrate Rosh Hashanah or who would simply like extra time at the retreat may arrive on September 4^th.Now is the moment to register while there are still openings.  This is our third year, and the retreat has filled each time.Go to https://loonsong.org to find more detailed information and registration forms.We writers work in such deep isolation.  LoonSong is the kind of community experience we need to give ourselves from time to time to keep our hearts full and our stories flowing.