Member Interview: Samantha M. Clark

This month’s Member Interview features our very own Samantha M. Clark, SCBWI Regional Advisor of the Austin Chapter, author of seven children’s books, and winner of a Crystal Kite Award. Her books include The Boy, the Boat, and the …

Member Interview: Author Debbie Zapata

Debbie Zapata is the author of Up and Adam (Kids Can Press, 2022). Her debut picture book, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang, features a protagonist with Down syndrome and is designed for readers of all ages and abilities. Having her …

Member Interview: Author Belinda Mays

Our Member Interview Series welcomes Belinda Mays, author of six picture books, including the independently published Daddy, Can I Go with You?, I Am, God’s Affirmations for Little Girls and I Am, God’s Affirmations for Little Boys. …

Member Interview: Author Sean Petrie

Our Monthly Member Interview Series continues with Sean Petrie, author of PET POEMS (ALSO NOT JUST PETS), published by Burlwood Books, and 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards’ Bronze Medalist. You may know Sean as the founder of …

Member Interview: Author Melissa Coffey

Our Member Interview Series welcomes Melissa Coffey, author of debut picture book, FRIDGE-OPOLIS (September 2022, Little Bee Books). Following a career in journalism, she founded a freelance business, Coffey Creative, writing for Fortune 500 companies, CEOs and magazines. Now, …

Member Interview: Author Candy Wellins

Our Member Interview Series welcomes picture book author Candy Wellins, a former teacher who holds a B.A. in Journalism and an M.Ed. in Literacy Education. She is represented by Erzsi Deak of Hen&ink Literary Studio. Currently a full-time mom, …

Member Interview: Author-Illustrator Breanna Carzoo

Our Member Interview Series continues with author-illustrator Breanna Carzoo, whose bold illustrations of cut-paper collage and mixed media are featured in her debut picture book, Lou (HarperCollins, July, 2022) and the upcoming, Greenlight (HarperCollins, July 2023). Represented by Jennifer …

Member Interview: Author Robyn McGrath

Our Member Interview Series continues with Robyn McGrath, author of Dolly! The Story of Dolly Parton and Her Big Dream (Little Brown/Christy Ottavino, 2022). Upcoming publications by Robyn are: There’s Always Room for One More (Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman, 2023), …

Member Interview: Author-Illustrator Mariya Prytula

NOTE: Among others, Ukrainian refugee kids need books. Wondering how to you send yours? Find out, below.*

This month, we welcome author-illustrator Mariya Prytula to our Member Interview Series. As a self-taught artist working in both picture books and middle …

Member Interview: Author-Illustrator Wendra Lynne

This month we welcome author-illustrator Wendra Lynne to our Member Interview Series. Wendra’s many years working as an Art Director/Production Designer for such commercial clients as Disney, IBM and American Express were the backdrop to her recent career as an …

Member Interview: Author Jacquetta Nammar Feldman

This month we welcome author Jacquetta Nammar Feldman to our interview series. Her debut middle grade book is Wishing Upon the Same Stars, recently launched from HarperCollins (February, 2022). Look for her next book coming in 2023!

Where did …

Member Interview: Illustrator Laura Fisk

This month we welcome illustrator Laura Fisk to our Member Interview Series. We also welcome Laura as our new Austin Chapter Illustrator Coordinator. Her picture book, SLEEPING BAGS TO S’MORES, was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in April, 2020. …

Member Interview: Author Philip Hoelzel

As a new year begins, we welcome Philip Hoelzel, to our Member Interview Series. He is author of the upcoming PLANTING HOPE: A PORTRAIT OF PHOTOGRAPHER SEBASTIAO SALGADO. While the printing has been pushed, we look forward to this …

Member Interview: Author Carol Kim

This month, we welcome Carol Kim, author of KING SEJONG INVENTS AN ALPHABET (Albert Whitman, 2021), as our interviewee. Carol has also written many other books including a series of DOGGIE DAYCARE books and a twinset of MAX AXIOM …

Member Interview: Author Gloria Amescua

Our interview with author Gloria Amescua highlights the reason SCBWI is so meaningful to members—supportive people! Gloria’s picture book biography, written in verse, is CHILD OF THE FLOWER-SONG PEOPLE: LUZ JIMÉNEZ, DAUGHTER OF THE NAHUA, Abrams Books for Young Readers, …

Member Interview: Author Anne Wynter

This month, we welcome author Anne Wynter to our Member Interview Series. Look for her picture books coming soon—all published by Balzer+ Bray, Harper Collins: EVERYBODY IN THE RED BRICK BUILDING (Fall 2021,) ONE BIG DAY (Winter 2022,) HANDS ON! …

Member Interview: Author Meghan P. Browne

This month, we welcome author Meghan P. Browne to our Member Interview Series. Look for her recently published picture book, INDELIBLE ANN: THE LARGER-THAN-LIFE STORY OF GOVERNOR ANN RICHARDS (Random House Studio, June 2021) and the forthcoming DOROTHY THE

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Member Interview: Kari Lavelle

This month we welcome Kari Lavelle to our member interview series. Her debut picture book, WE MOVE THE WORLD (HarperCollins, May 2021) is about the small things kids already do everyday that have the potential to change the world. In …

Member Interview: Author Christina Soontornvat

Christina Soontornvat is this month’s interviewee and the author of two 2021 Newbery Award-winning books: A WISH IN THE DARK and ALL THIRTEEN: THE INCREDIBLE CAVE RESCUE OF THE THAI BOYS’ SOCCER TEAM. Engineer, STEM educator and author of many …

Member Interview: Nicholas Solis

Our monthly interview series continues with Nicholas Solis,

author of THE STARING CONTEST (Peter Pauper Press, September, 2020) and two new books: THE COLOR COLLECTOR (Sleeping Bear Press, April, 2021) and MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO (Nancy Paulson Books, coming …

Member Interview: Evan Griffith

We are pleased to welcome author, writing instructor, editor, and animal advocate Evan Griffith to our interview series. Evan’s debut picture book, SECRETS OF THE SEA: THE STORY OF JEANNE POWER, REVOLUTIONARY MARINE SCIENTIST (Clarion Books, March 2021) is illustrated …

Member Interview: Jenny Elder Moke

This month, we welcome young adult fiction author Jenny Elder Moke to our interview series. Her debut novel, HOOD, about the daughter of Robin Hood and Maid Marien, was released from Disney/Hyperion in the spring of 2020. She is …

Member Interview: Adrianna Cuevas

Welcome, Adrianna Cuevas! Adrianna answered our interview request with a witty, “Alright, you asked for it. So here’s my nonsense. ;)” She is the author of recent middle grade book THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF NESTOR LOPEZ (FSG/Macmillan, 2020) about a …

Member Interview: Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey

This month, we welcome to our interview series an author-illustrator dynamic duo:

The Pumphrey Brothers: Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey.

From their first book CREEPY THINGS ARE SCARING ME, (Harper Collins, 2003) to their recent book THE OLD TRUCK, …

Member Interview: Daniela Weil

This month we welcome Daniela Weil to our interview series, author of THE DIARY OF ASSER LEVY: FIRST JEWISH CITIZEN OF NEW YORK.

Daniela’s middle grade novel brings to life a “Jewish refugee’s harrowing story through imagined diary entries based

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Member Interview: Rivkah LaFille

Congratulations to Rivkah LaFille, illustrator and winner of our Volunteer of the Year Award, presented at the Austin Chapter annual conference. For this month’s Member Interview, we asked Rivkah to share her perspectives on SCBWI Austin and her volunteerism. …

Member Interview: Pam Gonzalez

This month, we welcome Pam Gonzalez to our interview series. Pam is a SCBWI volunteer and has devoted many hours to help with our annual conference this year. As a Special Education teacher for 26 years in the Austin Independent …

Member Interview: Debbie Loren Dunn

This month we welcome Debbie Loren Dunn to our Interview Series.

Debbie co-wrote INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED, HOW A TEAM OF WOMEN CODED THE FUTURE (Disney-Hyperion, 2019) by Tami Lewis Brown and Debbie Loren Dunn, illustrations by Chelsea Beck.

“INSTRUCTIONS NOT …

Member Interview: Susan Hansen

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Susan Hansen to our interview series.

Susan is the author of From Behind All the Veils: The Story of Táhirih (TAH-heh-ray)—“poet, champion of education for girls and the emancipation of women, the first …

Member Interview: Carlos De la Garza

This month we welcome illustrator Carlos De la Garza to our series. Please enjoy this interview, filled with candor.

Carlos has been an elementary school art teacher for over two decades. He credits SCBWI for connections leading to his debut

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New Board of Advisors Member Cynthia Leitich Smith

Earlier this year, Austin SCBWI member Cynthia Leitich Smith was named to SCBWI’s Board of Advisors. We recently interviewed her about her new SCBWI role and what the organization has meant to her over the years.

Congratulations on becoming a …

Member Interview: S.F. Henson

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member S.F. Henson to our interview series.

Sarah is the author of critically acclaimed Devils Within, “a 2018 William C. Morris Award finalist, Alabama Library Association 2019 Young Adult Award winner, Kirkus Best …

Member Interview: Jennifer Coleman

Thank you to …

Volunteer Chronicles: Kyle & Noelle McBride

This month’s volunteer chronicles features the dynamic duo Kyle and Noelle McBride. If you’ve come to any SCBWI events in Austin, you’ve likely seen one or both of them pitching in, elbows deep. Our SCBWI chapter wouldn’t be the …

Member Interview: Laura Creedle

Thank you to Austin SCBWI member Laura Creedle for being this month’s member interview! Laura’s debut novel, THE LOVE LETTERS OF ABELARD AND LILY (called “entertaining, thought-provoking, and unsettling – in a good way” by Kirkus) is the love story …

Member Interview: Lindsay Leslie

Thanks to one of my fave peeps in the Austin writing community for being this month’s interviewee! Hailing from the world of journalism, Lindsay Leslie started writing kidlit when she began to tell her kids bedtime stories. Her debut picture …

Volunteer Chronicles: Susan Pope

Please welcome Susan Pope, kangaroo whisperer, author-illustrator and volunteer extraordinaire to our monthly interview series! A trained Natural Science Illustrator who grew up in Australia, Susan is drawn toward natural scenes, where she paints both the small and the large …

Member Interview: Vanessa Roeder

Please join me in welcoming the always sweet, hilarious and amazingly creative Vanessa Roeder! You might remember Vanessa from not one, not two, but THREE SCBWI art portfolio wins since 2016 (Austin Grand Prize 2016, Austin Honorable Mention …

Volunteer Chronicles: Lorraine Elkins

This month’s Volunteer Chronicles features fabulous volunteer Lorraine Elkins. Lorraine hasn’t been a volunteer for an exceptionally long time, but she has packed a huge amount of volunteerism into a short time! From the annual conference to book clubs and …

Member Interview: Lucia DiStefano

Please join me in welcoming uber-sweet (incredibly accommodating) Lucia DiStefano to our Interview series! Lucia’s recently published debut YA novel, BORROWED, earned Elephant Rock Press’s 2018 Helen Sheehan Book Prize.

A former high school English teacher and current …

Member Interview: Marit Weisenberg

Marit Weisenberg is next up in our Interview series! Marit has a master’s degree from UCLA in Cinema and Media Studies and worked as a film and television executive for a number of years, but most recently she’s been …

Volunteer Chronicles: Gayleen Rabakukk

I am very excited to introduce the newest series within our Member Interviews: the Volunteer Chronicles! We’ll be adding interviews with our long-term volunteers to the monthly Member Interview posts from time to time, to gain a fresh perspective into …

Member Interview: Cate Berry

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Cate Berry to our interview series.

Cate is the author of the 2018 debut picture book Penguin and Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime! (Balzer & Bray/Harper Collins), which was pinned a Junior Library …

Member Interview: Jason Gallaher

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Jason Gallaher to our interview series.

Jason loves to create stories that “mix the flamboyantly whacky with the slightly dark.” His debut picturebook, WHOBERT WHOVER, OWL DETECTIVE, is out now from Margaret …

Member Interview: Deanna Roy

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Deanna Roy to our interview series.

Deanna is the author of the three Magic Mayhem books for kids aged 9-12 that start with Jinnie Wishmaker, and is a six-time USA Today…

Member Interview: Misha Blaise

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Misha Blaise to our interview series.

Misha is the author-illustrator of several books, including MY WONDROUS CLOUD ODYSSEY and THIS IS TEXAS, Y’ALL. Her most recent work, THIS PHENOMENAL LIFE, …

Member Interview: Tara Dairman

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Tara Dairman to our interview series.

Tara is the author of the ALL FOUR STARS middle-grade foodie series—the first of which was an Amazon Best Book of the Month and SCBWI Crystal Kite …

Member Interview: Louise Schroeder

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Louise Schroeder to our interview series.

With no formal training, Louise learned her trade through books and countless hours of practice. She was the visual creator for an award winning children’s book series, …

Member Interview: Susan Signe Morrison

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This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Susan Signe Morrison to our interview series.

Susan writes on topics lurking in the margins of history, ranging from the recently uncovered diaries of a teenaged girl in World War II to medieval …

Member Interview: Lynn Rowe Reed

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Lynn Rowe Reed to our interview series.

Lynn never seems to slow down! She has more than twenty-one publishing credits to her name, including author, illustrator and author-illustrator. An American Ninja Warrior of the kidlit world, Lynn …

Member Interview: Christina Soontornvat

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Christina Soontornvat to our interview series.

Christina is the author of the middle grade books THE CHANGELINGS and IN A DARK LAND: A CHANGELINGS STORY (October 3, 2017), as well as the upcoming …

Member Interview: Mari Mancusi

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Mari Mancusi to our interview series. Mari writes across many genres and is generous with advice, drawing on many years of perseverance and success in the industry.
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Member Interview: Laura Logan

I used to deal with work and home very separately. But I’ve learned it doesn’t have to be that way, you can infuse creativity into all parts of your life.
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Member Interview: Carmen Oliver

carmen

This month we welcome Carmen Oliver to our Austin SCBWI member interview series. Carmen has plugged into our writing community in many ways, from Assistant Regional Advisor of our chapter, to representing authors and illustrators through The Booking Biz, …

Member Interview: Beth Fehlbaum

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Beth Fehlbaum, a talented writer whose transparency and honesty lend authority to her books and builds trust with her readers.
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Member Interview: Jessica Lee Anderson

This month local author and Austin SCBWI member Jessica Lee Anderson joins our interview series. She is proof that hard work and perseverance pay off,
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Member Interview: Cynthia Levinson

This month we speak to Austin SCBWI member Cynthia Levinson. She is a huge supporter of our local Austin chapter, a frequent face at meetings and book signings, and an extremely talented writer who discovers fascinating stories and lives and shares them with integrity and honesty.
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Member Interview: Greg Leitich Smith

This month we welcome Greg Leitich Smith to our interview series. His thoughts on writing, community, and the value of running 26.2 miles are inspiring, and his dedication is admirable.
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Member Interview: Susie Kralovansky

We welcome Susan Kravlanosky to our monthly interview series. She's talented, passionate, and loves to share her work with kids.
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Monthly Interview: Katherine Catmull

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Katherine Catmull to our interview series.
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Member Interview: Cory Putman Oakes

This month we welcome Cory Putman Oakes to our interview series.
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Member Interview: Christy Stallop

This month we welcome longtime Austin SCBWI member Christy Stallop to our interview series.
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Member Interview: Chris Barton

This month we welcome Chris Barton to our inteview series.
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Member Interview: E. Kristin Anderson

This month we welcome poet and author E. Kristin Anderson to our monthly Austin SCBWI member interview series.
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Member Interview: Mary Sullivan

From a child who considered her sketchbook her best friend, to a talented writer/illustrator who won an Honor Geisel Award for her book BALL, Mary Sullivan cares deeply about her craft and the creative process.
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Member Interview: Meredith Davis

Austin SCBWI's first Regional Advisor, Meredith Davis, remembers our chapter's beginnings . . .
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Member Interview: Anne Bustard

This month Austin SCBWI is honored to interview Anne Bustard, a longtime member in our chapter.
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Member Interview: Emma Virjan

This month Austin SCBWI welcomes wacky, witty, wonderful Emma Virjan to our interview series.
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Member Interview: Paige Britt

This month we welcome Austin SCBWI member Paige Britt, a brilliant writer with a huge imagination whose words are for readers of all ages.
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Member Interview: Tom and Janice Shefelman

Tom and Janice Shefelman are a dynamic duo who create beautiful books for children, inspired by everything from their exotic travels to classical music.
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Member Interview: Lindsey Lane

Lindsey Lane is a huge advocate for our chapter and for children's books. She helped establish the Betty X Davis Young Writers of Merit Award, and her passion and zeal for life are cherished by those who know her. Anybody who reads "a dangerous numer of books" is someone to pay attention to.
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Member Interview: K. A. Holt

Austin SCBWI member K. A. Holt is a dynamic, talented, witty writer who has written books about zombies, bullies, a boy on probation and a space farmer, among others.
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Member Interview: Mark Mitchell

Mark Mitchell has been part of the Austin chapter since the very early days, back in 1995, and he's always been generous with his time, his talent, and his friendly smile.
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Member Interview: Jennifer Ziegler

Jennifer Ziegler is a talented writer and just about the sweetest person you ever did meet.
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Member Interview: Donna Janell Bowman

When I asked Donna Janell Bowman if she was available to be interviewed for our August feature, she was in the middle of a graduate residency at Vermont College of Fine Arts.
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Member Interview: C. S. Jennings

C.S. Jennings is a funny and talented guy whose work makes me smile as much as he does.
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Member Interview: Jo Whittemore

Jo Whittemore wears many hats, from writer to data analyst to starship pilot.
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Member Interview: Varian Johnson

Varian Johnson is a very talented (and very busy) man, as you'll see from his answers.
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Member Interview: Patrice Barton

Patrice Barton is an accomplished illustrator with three, count them, three books coming out this April.
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Member Interview: P.J. Hoover

P.J. Hoover is feisty and funny and wildly talented, and her answers to these questions both inspire and entertain.
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Member Interview: Nikki Loftin

Nikki Loftin is a wild, brave, baking soul who fills this world with words sometimes sweet, sometimes sublime, and sometimes downright scary.
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Member Interview: Jeff Crosby

Jeff Crosby is an artist, a writer, a full-time teacher, a husband and father (also full-time), and an owner and tender of various animals.
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Member Interview: Brian Yansky

Brian Yansky and his wife Frances have been coming to SCBWI meetings and supporting their fellow writers and illustrators in Austin for a long time.
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Member Interview: Bethany Hegedus

Bethany Hegedus sends tendrils all over the writing community, from writing amazing books to running the Writing Barn, where people gather to be nourished creatively and connect with others, to mentoring students, to . . . well, I'll just let Bethany tell us herself.
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Member Interview: Marsha Riti

Marsha Riti is a talented illustrator who recently won the top spot in the 2014 Austin SCBWI Conference Portfolio Showcase Contest.
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Member Interview: Liz Garton Scanlon

Liz Garton Scanlon is a prolific writer, a talented teacher, and a generous creative spirit.
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Interview with Amy Farrier

Amy Farrier is the Illustrator Coordinator for the Austin chapter of SCBWI, she is a constant presence at meetings and events, and she has been instrumental in both growing and encouraging our illustrators.
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Member Interview: Shelley Ann Jackson

Shelley Ann Jackson tends stories, small livestock, a husband and an adorable daughter with wit and grace and an eye for the extraordinary in the ordinary.
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Member Interview: Samantha Clark

Samantha Clark is Regional Advisor for the Austin Chapter of SCBWI.
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Member Interview: Betty Davis

In 2013 Austin SCBWI created the Betty X. Davis Young Writers of Merit Award to honor Betty.
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Member Interview: Don Tate

It seems silly to add an introduction when Don so eloquently tells us about himself below, so I'll just hand the "mic" to the talented, versatile, and very muscular Don, and let him take it away...
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Member Interview: Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cynthia Leitich Smith is a wonderful person, a fantastic writer, and one of the founding members of our chapter.
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