The Highlights Foundation
@highlightsfound.bsky.social
The Highlights Foundation positively impacts children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inspire children to become their best selves.
https://linktr.ee/highlightsfound
https://linktr.ee/highlightsfound
Our 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 Programming Schedule!
▪️𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹
▪️𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀
▪️𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶
▪️𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶
www.highlightsfoundation.org/upcoming-wor...
▪️𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹
▪️𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀
▪️𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶
▪️𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶
www.highlightsfoundation.org/upcoming-wor...
December 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Our 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 Programming Schedule!
▪️𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹
▪️𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀
▪️𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶
▪️𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶
www.highlightsfoundation.org/upcoming-wor...
▪️𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹
▪️𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀
▪️𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶
▪️𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶
www.highlightsfoundation.org/upcoming-wor...
Reposted by The Highlights Foundation
Coming up Jan. 27/29, online via @highlightsfound.bsky.social, what works, what doesn't, query letter basics, case studies, handouts, and more! It will be recorded. $59.
Please repost and otherwise spread the word.
Registration is open: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/suc...
Please repost and otherwise spread the word.
Registration is open: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/suc...
December 5, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Coming up Jan. 27/29, online via @highlightsfound.bsky.social, what works, what doesn't, query letter basics, case studies, handouts, and more! It will be recorded. $59.
Please repost and otherwise spread the word.
Registration is open: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/suc...
Please repost and otherwise spread the word.
Registration is open: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/suc...
Reposted by The Highlights Foundation
Last year this was such a wonderful retreat. And I’m so grateful for the Kay Yoder Scholarship for History that allowed me to go to the @highlightsfound.bsky.social Novel-in-Verse retreat. Highly recommend! #KidLit
November 15, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Last year this was such a wonderful retreat. And I’m so grateful for the Kay Yoder Scholarship for History that allowed me to go to the @highlightsfound.bsky.social Novel-in-Verse retreat. Highly recommend! #KidLit
Reposted by The Highlights Foundation
One more day to get $100 off on the Spotlight on the Middle of Your Novel retreat w/ me & @exrpan.bsky.social at @highlightsfound.bsky.social June 11–14, 2026! This generative writing retreat is for published & pre-published novelists of all genres...
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/spo...
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/spo...
Spotlight on the Middle of Your Novel: A Generative Retreat - Highlights Foundation
www.highlightsfoundation.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
One more day to get $100 off on the Spotlight on the Middle of Your Novel retreat w/ me & @exrpan.bsky.social at @highlightsfound.bsky.social June 11–14, 2026! This generative writing retreat is for published & pre-published novelists of all genres...
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/spo...
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/spo...
Join Jennifer and Lisa to learn practical techniques for discovering your story’s theme and turning it into a clear, impactful pitch to guide your drafting or revision!
Sign up now!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pit...
Sign up now!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pit...
Writers! Want some cool tips on writing a pitch? Join me & @lisamooreramee.bsky.social for a Highlights mini! $59
@highlightsfound.bsky.social
#kidlit #writingcommunity
@highlightsfound.bsky.social
#kidlit #writingcommunity
November 6, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Join Jennifer and Lisa to learn practical techniques for discovering your story’s theme and turning it into a clear, impactful pitch to guide your drafting or revision!
Sign up now!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pit...
Sign up now!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pit...
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨…
Mark your calendars! Our 2026 In-Person Schedule goes live on 𝗡𝗼𝘃 𝟱 𝗮𝘁 𝟭:𝟯𝟬 𝗣.𝗠. 𝗘𝗧. Don’t miss your chance to find your magic in 2026! ✨
#findyourmagic
Mark your calendars! Our 2026 In-Person Schedule goes live on 𝗡𝗼𝘃 𝟱 𝗮𝘁 𝟭:𝟯𝟬 𝗣.𝗠. 𝗘𝗧. Don’t miss your chance to find your magic in 2026! ✨
#findyourmagic
October 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨…
Mark your calendars! Our 2026 In-Person Schedule goes live on 𝗡𝗼𝘃 𝟱 𝗮𝘁 𝟭:𝟯𝟬 𝗣.𝗠. 𝗘𝗧. Don’t miss your chance to find your magic in 2026! ✨
#findyourmagic
Mark your calendars! Our 2026 In-Person Schedule goes live on 𝗡𝗼𝘃 𝟱 𝗮𝘁 𝟭:𝟯𝟬 𝗣.𝗠. 𝗘𝗧. Don’t miss your chance to find your magic in 2026! ✨
#findyourmagic
Check out faculty member Sarah Aronson’s Monday Motivation newsletter! She’s on campus for the Whole Novel Retreat, and in her newsletter, she shares about the first night of the retreat and the magic of being on campus! 💙💚
#findyourmagic
saraharonson.substack.com/p/putting-yo...
#findyourmagic
saraharonson.substack.com/p/putting-yo...
Putting yourself first
You're not being selfish.
saraharonson.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Check out faculty member Sarah Aronson’s Monday Motivation newsletter! She’s on campus for the Whole Novel Retreat, and in her newsletter, she shares about the first night of the retreat and the magic of being on campus! 💙💚
#findyourmagic
saraharonson.substack.com/p/putting-yo...
#findyourmagic
saraharonson.substack.com/p/putting-yo...
Now Open: Winter 2026 Personal Retreat Dates!
Come stay on campus this winter! Enjoy uninterrupted time to focus, reflect, and create. Take a break from everyday stresses and reconnect with your creativity this winter!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/personal-ret...
Come stay on campus this winter! Enjoy uninterrupted time to focus, reflect, and create. Take a break from everyday stresses and reconnect with your creativity this winter!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/personal-ret...
October 15, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Now Open: Winter 2026 Personal Retreat Dates!
Come stay on campus this winter! Enjoy uninterrupted time to focus, reflect, and create. Take a break from everyday stresses and reconnect with your creativity this winter!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/personal-ret...
Come stay on campus this winter! Enjoy uninterrupted time to focus, reflect, and create. Take a break from everyday stresses and reconnect with your creativity this winter!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/personal-ret...
Inspiration is in the air here…along with the smell of perfectly toasted (or burnt) marshmallows!
October 8, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Inspiration is in the air here…along with the smell of perfectly toasted (or burnt) marshmallows!
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗶𝗻 #kidlit 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴!
Join Editor Harold Underdown for a two-night online workshop, where he’ll guide you through the different kinds of changes in the publishing world and show you how to position yourself to respond effectively.
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
Join Editor Harold Underdown for a two-night online workshop, where he’ll guide you through the different kinds of changes in the publishing world and show you how to position yourself to respond effectively.
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
October 2, 2025 at 5:59 PM
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗶𝗻 #kidlit 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴!
Join Editor Harold Underdown for a two-night online workshop, where he’ll guide you through the different kinds of changes in the publishing world and show you how to position yourself to respond effectively.
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
Join Editor Harold Underdown for a two-night online workshop, where he’ll guide you through the different kinds of changes in the publishing world and show you how to position yourself to respond effectively.
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
Join Cynthia, Jasmine, and Anne! Learn how to create your own graphic novel!
Sign up: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/fro...
Sign up: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/fro...
I'll be co-teaching an introductory course on graphic novels this fall via @highlightsfound.bsky.social! If you've wanted to make a GN but don't know where to start, this might be the workshop for you.
I'm honored to teach alongside @mythjae.bsky.social & @anneappert.bsky.social for this course! 💞
I'm honored to teach alongside @mythjae.bsky.social & @anneappert.bsky.social for this course! 💞
September 30, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Join Cynthia, Jasmine, and Anne! Learn how to create your own graphic novel!
Sign up: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/fro...
Sign up: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/fro...
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: Working Retreat!
September 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: Working Retreat!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat!
September 15, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat!
What kind of picture book are you writing?
With @nikkishannonsmith.bsky.social concept, it’s easy to distinguish the difference between the two!
To learn all things picture books, join Nikki and special guest Esther in the 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀: 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Online Workshop
With @nikkishannonsmith.bsky.social concept, it’s easy to distinguish the difference between the two!
To learn all things picture books, join Nikki and special guest Esther in the 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀: 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Online Workshop
September 12, 2025 at 5:36 PM
What kind of picture book are you writing?
With @nikkishannonsmith.bsky.social concept, it’s easy to distinguish the difference between the two!
To learn all things picture books, join Nikki and special guest Esther in the 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀: 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Online Workshop
With @nikkishannonsmith.bsky.social concept, it’s easy to distinguish the difference between the two!
To learn all things picture books, join Nikki and special guest Esther in the 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀: 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Online Workshop
🔉 Sound on! 🔉
You can hear the bees busy at work, buzzing through the bushes!
You can hear the bees busy at work, buzzing through the bushes!
September 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
🔉 Sound on! 🔉
You can hear the bees busy at work, buzzing through the bushes!
You can hear the bees busy at work, buzzing through the bushes!
September & October Minis are here! 🍂
Two-night online workshops for just $59!
Head to the link in our bio for more details.
Two-night online workshops for just $59!
Head to the link in our bio for more details.
September 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
September & October Minis are here! 🍂
Two-night online workshops for just $59!
Head to the link in our bio for more details.
Two-night online workshops for just $59!
Head to the link in our bio for more details.
Check out this blog written by Jennifer Swanson: "5 Ways to Make Your Nonfiction Manuscript Capture an Editor or Agent’s Attention"
🗓️ Join Jennifer online this October for Intro to Writing Nonfiction: History, Biography, STEAM, and Much More!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/2025/08/06/5...
🗓️ Join Jennifer online this October for Intro to Writing Nonfiction: History, Biography, STEAM, and Much More!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/2025/08/06/5...
5 Ways to Make Your Nonfiction Manuscript Capture an Editor or Agent's Attention - Highlights Foundation
www.highlightsfoundation.org
September 5, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Check out this blog written by Jennifer Swanson: "5 Ways to Make Your Nonfiction Manuscript Capture an Editor or Agent’s Attention"
🗓️ Join Jennifer online this October for Intro to Writing Nonfiction: History, Biography, STEAM, and Much More!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/2025/08/06/5...
🗓️ Join Jennifer online this October for Intro to Writing Nonfiction: History, Biography, STEAM, and Much More!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/2025/08/06/5...
Reposted by The Highlights Foundation
Registration is open! This is the class for you if you are looking for accountability, community, and opportunity! We will help you get words on the page!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/jus...
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/jus...
Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall) - Highlights Foundation
This workshop takes all creatives from goal to finished draft. Find support via live sessions, writing prompts, studio dates, and more!
www.highlightsfoundation.org
August 25, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Registration is open! This is the class for you if you are looking for accountability, community, and opportunity! We will help you get words on the page!
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/jus...
www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/jus...
Reposted by The Highlights Foundation
helpful article for #kidlit peeps working on picture book manuscripts: How do you know if you've written a picture book? smart #craft tips! Thanks @darcypattison.bsky.social @lesliehelakoski.bsky.social and @highlightsfound.bsky.social www.highlightsfoundation.org/2018/03/08/h...
How Do You Know If You've Written a Picture Book? - Highlights Foundation
So you have an idea for a children’s story. Great! Many times, our thoughts rush to PICTURE BOOK. Picture books are warm and dear to many of our hearts, harkening […]
www.highlightsfoundation.org
August 28, 2025 at 3:39 PM
helpful article for #kidlit peeps working on picture book manuscripts: How do you know if you've written a picture book? smart #craft tips! Thanks @darcypattison.bsky.social @lesliehelakoski.bsky.social and @highlightsfound.bsky.social www.highlightsfoundation.org/2018/03/08/h...
Reposted by The Highlights Foundation
Attended the @highlightsfound.bsky.social Whole Novel writing retreat last week in Pennsylvania, and it was LIFE CHANGING! #amwriting #writingcommunity #amediting you need to check this out for next fall (scholarships available)! The braintrust groups and mentors are amazing! (blog post to follow!)
August 25, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Attended the @highlightsfound.bsky.social Whole Novel writing retreat last week in Pennsylvania, and it was LIFE CHANGING! #amwriting #writingcommunity #amediting you need to check this out for next fall (scholarships available)! The braintrust groups and mentors are amazing! (blog post to follow!)
Reposted by The Highlights Foundation
I'm at @highlightsfound.bsky.social and my brain is swirling! saraharonson.substack.com/p/a-place-fo...
A place for creativity.
Greetings from the Whole Novel Retreat!
saraharonson.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 12:48 PM
I'm at @highlightsfound.bsky.social and my brain is swirling! saraharonson.substack.com/p/a-place-fo...
Reposted by The Highlights Foundation
Centerville -> CVG -> IAD -> Scranton -> Milanville
Grateful to @highlightsfound.bsky.social for the gift of a week to write and be in community
#amwriting
#booksky
Grateful to @highlightsfound.bsky.social for the gift of a week to write and be in community
#amwriting
#booksky
August 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Centerville -> CVG -> IAD -> Scranton -> Milanville
Grateful to @highlightsfound.bsky.social for the gift of a week to write and be in community
#amwriting
#booksky
Grateful to @highlightsfound.bsky.social for the gift of a week to write and be in community
#amwriting
#booksky
Reposted by The Highlights Foundation
It’s so good to be back. @highlightsfound.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 11:44 PM
It’s so good to be back. @highlightsfound.bsky.social
Word garden inspiration:
Let Children Laugh Forever! 💙💚
Let Children Laugh Forever! 💙💚
August 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Word garden inspiration:
Let Children Laugh Forever! 💙💚
Let Children Laugh Forever! 💙💚
FREE event! #HFGather: Writing for and Writing WITH Kids
Join authors Valerie Bolling and Diana Ma to learn ways to enhance your school visits, strengthen community engagement, and honor the voices of the aspiring storytellers you inspire!
Click the link in bio to register for this FREE event!
Join authors Valerie Bolling and Diana Ma to learn ways to enhance your school visits, strengthen community engagement, and honor the voices of the aspiring storytellers you inspire!
Click the link in bio to register for this FREE event!
July 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
FREE event! #HFGather: Writing for and Writing WITH Kids
Join authors Valerie Bolling and Diana Ma to learn ways to enhance your school visits, strengthen community engagement, and honor the voices of the aspiring storytellers you inspire!
Click the link in bio to register for this FREE event!
Join authors Valerie Bolling and Diana Ma to learn ways to enhance your school visits, strengthen community engagement, and honor the voices of the aspiring storytellers you inspire!
Click the link in bio to register for this FREE event!