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Ronna Mandel (center), recipient of the 2023 SASE Award honor, stands with SCBWI-Los Angeles Co-Regional Advisors Sally Jones Rogan (L) and Nutschell Anne Windsor (R).

Under a bright blue sky, in high spirits, and representing all three Tri-Regions, a record-setting number of kidlit creators gathered on March 9 for “Bud to Blossom,” the 2024 SCBWI-Los Angeles Writers Day. 

On a day with many highlights, an especially heartwarming moment was the presentation of the annual Sue Alexander Service and Encouragement Award to 2023 recipient Ronna Mandel. 

In her introduction, SCBWI-L.A. Co-Regional Advisor Sally Jones Rogan said: “Each Writers Day, we present the Sue Alexander Service and Encouragement Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer service for the prior year. To those of you who are unfamiliar with Sue Alexander, she was a matriarch of the SCBWI organization and of the Los Angeles chapter, the first ever regional chapter of SCBWI. Sue was instrumental in setting the precedents for what being a volunteer means today. She was tireless, generous, always encouraging, and a fountain of straight-talking children’s book knowledge long before the advent of internet and influencers.

“It’s fitting then, that the 2023 SASE (‘Sassy,’ as we affectionally call it), goes to someone who has demonstrated these qualities since their first day as a volunteer. She has been described as tenacious, loyal, and committed, continuing to lead her group through the various obstacles that thwart the best-laid plans, boosting morale and community with picnics and field trips. Even through the pandemic, she rallied her followers, coming up with new and informative topics. She continues to share her vast knowledge of kidlit and, along with her writing, has had her own successful book review site since 2009. If you haven’t already guessed, the SASE 2023 goes to Pasadena LitMingle Coordinator Ronna Mandel.” 

 Ronna addresses the audience, after pronouncing herself “gobsmacked” at receiving the honor.

Asked to reflect on the moment for Kite Tales, Ronna responded: “I had the most delightful surprise on Saturday, March 9, when attending the annual SCBWI-L.A. Writers Day at the Skirball. And all while wearing my books-themed dress! 

“Somehow, I hadn’t connected the person being described by Sally up on the podium with me until she mentioned the ‘children’s book review blogger since 2009.’ Then I turned to my friend Lisa Saint and said, ‘That’s me!’ I was stunned because, although I knew this was for the SASE award and I had been coordinating the Pasadena LitMingle for probably eleven years, I never really felt it was just me.

“I spent the first five years co-coordinating with the amazing Heather Banis taking over the reins from Susan Lendroth. Then Kyle Herrman helped me for the next five years and together we turned to Zoom to get us through the pandemic. Then Annette Bethers came on board briefly and now it’s me. Time sure has flown and it’s been such a rewarding journey!

“I adore our Minglers and would not have carried on coordinating this long were it not for their kindness, motivation, and talent.”

Ronna, back in action just minutes after the award ceremony, leading the Picture Book meet-and-greet group

Immediately after the award announcement, attendees were scheduled to introduce themselves to each other in genre meet-up groups. Not missing a beat, Ronna picked up the “Picture Book” sign for the group she had previously volunteered to anchor, and ushered the gathering up the Magnin Auditorium steps and out to their designated location, a leader every step of the way. 

Congratulations to Ronna on an honor well-deserved!

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Photos by Judy Y Faulkner and Jean Grabow