Kent L. Brown

Kent L. Brown, Jr. is currently the Executive Director of the Highlights Foundation. He is the former Editor in Chief of Highlights for Children magazine and Publisher of Boyds Mills Press. He recently transitioned out of both of those roles to focus his efforts on the work of the Foundation. A past-president of the Educational Press Association of America, Kent has served on the publications committee of the International Reading Association and is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the American Society of Magazine Editors, and the National Press Club. An impressive resume, to say the least. But whenever I think of Kent, I think of his infectious passion for children’s literature, his humble, sacrificial spirit and his personal email in January 2005 informing me that I had received a scholarship to attend the Highlights Foundation Conference at Chautauqua. Somebody believed in me! Somebody believed in my writing. And that is what sums up Kent Brown to a tee. He believes in our potential as children’s writers and is committed to helping us reach it, not for our own sake or for the sake of success, but for the sake of future generations of readers.

 

The Highlights Foundation exists to “raise the level of the offering of writing and illustrating for children.” What are some ways in which the Foundation accomplishes this goal?

Briefly, raising confidence in writers.  Our programs are staffed by carefully picked faculty, chosen for their humility and interest in helping others.  We avoid big egos and prima donnas.  Each of our efforts has a nurturing, non-threatening environment.  By respecting the talents (and often the tender feelings) of writers and artists we believe we can unlock their potential.

Pictured left: Kent L. Brown, Jr. (far right) singing his heart out at the annual Foundation Charity Auction. The proceeds go to fund scholarships to the Foundation’s workshops.

You’ve recently transitioned from your role as publisher of Boyds Mills Press to allow you the opportunity to focus entirely on the Foundation’s work. How did that decision come about and does it mean the Foundation will be venturing into new areas?

Ah, yes, not only that, but have transitioned in some other jobs with Highlights.  While I still have duties in the overall Highlights corporation, my major focus is moving toward the foundation.  This move has been the result of careful planning and the good fortune to have colleagues who are strong successors.  

Initially, I'm focusing on the Foundation doing a better job of letting the writing community know about our programs.  The Whole Novel Workshop program, conceived and launched by Carolyn Coman, fills a need and shows great promise. I continue to develop our financial aid programs.  In 2008 we will be building a retreat center to enhance the Founder's Home workshops.  There are a number of special programs we have planned, and we are having discussions about offering programs in other locations. 

A dream of mine is to assemble and inspire writers in countries that are transitioning from a colonial tradition of literature.  We have a vision of aiding writers from a number of African countries to further develop unique and authentic children's books and stories specific to their cultures. 

Tell us a little about the Writer’s Conference at Chautauqua. How many years has it been in existence, what is the mission of the conference and what is your favorite part of the conference each year?

To start at the end, my favorite part is seeing people leave at the end of the week.  The change in confidence and commitment is visible.  Time has proven that we have been able to inspire and aid many in their quest to find their place in serving children. 

The very first Chautauqua conference was 1988.  We have learned a lot over that time, but know we can always refine and improve our week at Chautauqua.   Our mission at this conference is to help each attendee move from where they are to a more comfortable place.  I really think the week is more about belief than specific craft.  Our caring faculty and staff set the tone.

How are scholarship decisions made?

We award scholarship aid on three factors:  Talent, as evidenced by a writing sample.  Commitment, as evidenced by writing history; for example, a person who has submitted twenty stories and had them all rejected has shown more commitment than someone who is planning to submit soon.  And the third factor is financial need, determined by some standard instruments similar to those used by college scholarship programs.  

The initial rankings are done by a committee, needs-blind, I think its called.  So the applicants are scored without regard to need; after that a needs formula is applied.  

Are scholarships available for only the Conference at Chautauqua or also for the Founder’s Workshops?

We now have grants which aid a minimum of one in ten attendees.  I hope to expand that program.

You obviously have a great love for children’s literature and for children’s writers. How did this great affection develop?

I don't have much so much affection for writers as I do a passionate commitment to readers.   And I've
 found the majority of writers share the passion for readers.  It became clear to me that my role in serving readers was not as a writer, and I long ago gave up thinking I would ever be a writer.  

What are your interests outside of your work with the Foundation? In other words, what do you do when you’re not single-handedly encouraging/developing the next generation of great children’s writers?

Well, I don't do the foundation single-handedly at all. I think we have figured out how to take passionate writers and illustrators, put them together with caring teachers, and feed them pretty well.  Then the magic happens.

 But I also enjoy building, digging holes with my backhoe, and fiddling on the farm.  

What are some ways we can help the Highlights Foundation achieve its goal of encouraging excellent literature for children?

I like to think that there are three ways that our friends can help.

First of all, by putting to work the sparks that we may have fanned in our programs.

Second, by leading others to our programs.

And, for a few that are able, by helping finance our scholarship program.

A list of your recent or not so recent favorites:

Novel --  I still marvel at What Jamie Saw.  I read some books and I wonder afterwards, how did the writer do that?  Jamie is one that evokes that wonder.
Food --  I'm trying to have fewer favorites in smaller quantities.
Place --    I like staying home in the country.  And sharing that home area with others.
Sport –   I love to fish when they bite.
Holiday/event --  Ground Hog Day is one I admire, because the folks in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania,  have built such a great PR and community pride event around a silly idea.