How to use this Page

Looking online for resources as a new writer can be confusing. If you google “how to get a book published,” many of the first results you see are ads for resources that are sketchy at best—pay-to-play publishing, self publishing, vanity publishing. (While self publishing is a valid route, it’s important to know all your options before deciding self publishing is the right way for you.)

Change the query to “how to get a children’s book published” and the results aren’t much better. Eventually you may stumble on the helpful Frequently Asked Questions page for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), an excellent resource for new writers looking to improve their craft and figure out the publication process. But navigating all the resources out there, good and bad, can be tricky.

Sometimes, you need to cut through the layers of information overload and just learn from publishing professionals directly. This is where writing conferences come in—which offer this and much more.

There are many good writing conferences across the United States (and the world). The SCBWI has local chapters that host monthly events, and the regional chapters tend to host at least one writing conference a year to which they bring editors and agents from New York City and elsewhere to teach, network with attendees, and critique their work. Many writers come away from conferences having met multiple like-minded writers with whom they can start a critique group. Other organizations also host more intensive workshops, such as Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers, a conference that has gained national acclaim.

While these conferences are excellent general resources—and many of them are working hard to become more welcoming spaces for writers of color—we also recognize that without meaning to, sometimes general spaces don’t give writers of color the support they need in an industry dominated by white editors, agents, and authors. There is something to be said for a conference that begins with a mission to connect writers of color with information about publishing—from publishing 101, to improving craft, to networking with publishing professionals.

One such conference is Kweli Journal’s children’s book writing conference, which is holding its second annual writing conference on April 9 at Scandinavia House in New York City. The conference is only $100 for a full day’s programming (this is a really good price for a conference like this) and more than 25 authors, editors, and agents will be on panels and teaching workshops throughout the day.

The keynote speaker will be Edwidge Danticat, author of the Oprah’s Book Club pick Breath, Eyes, Memory and the YA novel Untwine, among many other acclaimed titles. Our own Joseph Bruchac, author of Quick Picks Top Ten title Killer of Enemies and more than 120 other books, will be there, as will Stacy Whitman, the publisher of our Tu Books imprint. Jessica Echeverria will be at the conference representing our picture book editorial team.

In the morning after the keynote, authors will learn from publishing professionals about how the publishing process works, and what their options are (self publishing, small presses, large publishers, whether you need an agent), and then the afternoon will break out into roundtables and critiques.

For a full list of publishing professionals who will be at the conference, check out the Kweli Journal website. We hope to meet you at the conference!

When: Saturday, April 9, 2016, 8 am — 8 pm

Where: Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Price: $100

Click here to register.

If you are not in the New York City area, fear not. Here’s a list of other writing conferences around the United States that have been recommended by writers we know:

British Columbia, Canada

Surrey International Writers’ Conference

California

SCBWI Summer Conference

Florida

Sun Coast Writer’s Workshop

Massachusetts

New England SCBWI Regional Conference

Oregon

Oregon Coast Children’s Book Writing Workshop

Willamette Writers Conference

Pennsylvania

The Highlights Foundation hosts workshops throughout the year

Western Pennsylvania’s SCBWI conference

Utah

Writing for Charity

Specifically for teens: Teen Author Boot Camp

Specifically for writers of speculative fiction: Life, the Universe, and Everything

Virginia

SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Annual Conference

These are only a small sampling of the excellent writing conferences out there. If you’re going to Kweli, let us know so we can look for you! If you can’t make it, feel free to recommend your favorite writing conference to learn about writing for children and teens.

Display Comments Add a Comment

I'm a big fan of writing conferences. Sure, some meet our personal budget and current needs better than others, and not everyone you encounter leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy about your future potential, but if you go along with an open mind, the positives far outweigh any negatives.

If you know of a writing conference taking place this year, please share a link to its homepage in a comment. I'll upload it into the main post here.


                           FEBRUARY

SCBWI Winter Conference
Fri-Sun, February 12-14 2016 - New York, New York

Farpoint Convention
Fri-Sun, February 12-14 2016 - Timonium, Maryland


                               MARCH

Create Something Magical Writers & Readers Conference
Sat-Sun, March  19th - 20th, 2016 - Iselin, New Jersey


                             APRIL

The Write Stuff Conference
Thurs-Sat, April 9th - 11th, 2016  - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Pikes Peak Writers Conference
Fri-Sun, April 15th-17th, 2016 - Colorado Springs, CO

Malice Domestic
Fri-Sun, Apr 29th - May 1st, 2016 - Bethesda, Maryland

DFW Writer's Conference
Sat-Sun, April 23rd-24th, 2016 - Dallas, Texas

                            MAY

PennWriters Conference
Fri-Sun, May 20th - 22nd, 2016 - Lancaster, PA

Balticon
Fri-Mon, May 27th - 30th, 2016 - Baltimore, Maryland


                                JUNE
Philadelphia Writers' Conference
Fri-Sun, June, 2016 (exact dates tba) - Philadelphia, PA


  SCBWI NJ Chapter - Summer Conference
Sat-Sun, June, 2016 (exact dates tba) - Plainsboro , New Jersey

                                 JULY


IWWG Summer conference
Thurs-Mon, July 15th - 22nd, 2016 - Litchfield, CT


Shore Leave
Fri-Sun, July 15th - 17th, 2016 - Hunt Valley, Maryland

                              AUGUST
Deadly Ink
Fri-Sun, August 5th – 7th, 2016 - New Brunswick, New Jersey



Killer Nashville
Thurs-Sun, August 18th – 21st, 2016 - Nashville, Tennessee


                            SEPTEMBER
Women Who Write (Men are also welcome at the conference)
Saturday, September, 2016 (exact dates tba) - Madison, NJ


                               OCTOBER

Put Your Heart in a Book
Fri-Sat, October  2016 (exact dates tba) - Iselin, NJ


Magna Cum Murder
Fri-Sun, October 2016 (exact dates tba) - Indianapolis, Indiana


                             NOVEMBER
Philcon 2016
Fri-Sun, November 2016 (exact dates tba) - Cherry Hill, New Jersey


Crime Bake
Fri-Sun, November 2016 (exact dates tba) - Dedham, Massachusetts


                              DECEMBER

SOME FUN, CONFERENCE-RELATED LINKS:

10 Things You Shouldn’t Say to an Agent During an In-Person Pitch

The Agent Pitch: 10 Responses You Don't Want to Hear

Add a Comment

.
Howdy, Campers--and happy Poetry Friday!
(See below for a poem about being a writer by Richard Wilbur and for today's PF host.)

We're in the middle of TeachingAuthors' series on Summer Learning Opportunities.

So far we've heard from JoAnn--who, through her own fascinating Summer Science Experiments, is learning more about hatching monarchs in her backyard; Esther--who's learning about authors from her own fair city (Chicago), discovered four "eye-openingly insightful" blogs, learned about the "3-paragraph query," and how to "attend" the National SCBWI conference if you can't be there in person. Carla shares what she's learned about the unexpected benefits from attending an SCBWI conference, and Mary Ann inspires us with her summer Young Writer's Camp.

As for me, I'm looking forward to being on the faculty of the National SCBWI Conference from July 31 through August 2nd (with intensive workshops available for an additional fee on Monday, August 3rd). Once again I'll be critiquing manuscripts submitted by conference attendees who've paid extra for written and face-to-face critiques.

My very smart friend, author and poet Greg Pincus (who blogs at GottaBook) posted the link to this fabulous blog post on attending an SCBWI conference by art director Giuseppe Castellano...and our own Esther has written what is by now a classic essay on attending an SCBWI conference.

Esther and I come at conferences from two very different perspectives. Basically, She jumps into the fray carrying a bunch of balloons; I get overwhelmed by more than 10 people at a party.

So, here are three things I've learned about conferences (how they affect me and how I cope) in the 24 years I've attended SCBWI in Los Angeles:

1) Be kind to yourself.  This conference can be overwhelming. No--I take that back: this conference is overwhelming. This summer 1000 people are attending from around the world.

We crowd into a posh hotel over a long summer weekend. The excited, anxious, ecstatic, frightened, enthusiastic, vibrating energy of 1000 friendly/shy/talkative/mute children's book professionals and pre-professionals (thanks for that term, Carla!) can be paralyzing.  The air in any hotel over that many days with that many people gets used up. And so do I.

2) Take breaks. I usually stand in the back because there's simply TOO MUCH SITTING!  That's one way I've learned to give my body a break. I've also learned (to my astonishment) that it's okay not to attend every single session. I can actually go outside and gulp fresh air...sit on the grass with my eyes closed for a few minutes. It's amazing how so simple an action as breathing can change my body chemistry.  Ahhhhhh....


3) And I've learned that some years I just need to be VELCRO®.

Although there have been many years I couldn't wait to sign up for the conference, couldn't wait to bond with new peeps, couldn't wait to find out what everyone was doing and share what I was up to, there have been other years, too.

Years when I couldn't figure out how to write that book--the one that was going to put me on the map, years when no one had invited me to submit a poem since the Ice Age, years when I was raw, raw, raw from rejection, Those are the years when I did NOT want to attend that stupid conference.  Nope.  Not gonna do it. And you can't make me.

It's about the shame, of course. I'm judging my insides against everyone else's outsides. It's like that false fog which hovers over FaceBook where I see those sparkling photos and know that every one of my FB friends are completely fulfilled, are always at goal weight, and have (just yesterday) signed a three-book deal.  (It's true--they have, you know.)

That's when I've learned I need to VELCRO® myself to real-life friends at the conference.  Hang with them. Go into the hall with them. Choose whatever breakout session they choose--it doesn't matter. They're my peeps. My buds. The ones who believe in me...and I believe in them. They save me from the darkness every time.

So, if you're coming to the SCBWI conference, please come up and say hello!We can VELCRO® together for awhile.

And Campers--if you are going to any gathering this summer that makes you a teensy bit uneasy, a little bit insecure, maybe the following quote will help. It's helped me.

In her room at the prow of the house
Where light breaks, and the windows are tossed with linden,
My daughter is writing a story.

I pause in the stairwell, hearing
From her shut door a commotion of typewriter-keys
Like a chain hauled over a gunwale.

Young as she is, the stuff
Of her life is a great cargo, and some of it heavy:
I wish her a lucky passage.
click here for the rest of this poem

posted live from the floor of SCBWI's National Conference in living color and with love by April Halprin Wayland

Add a Comment

Add a Comment

Share

Happy New Year!

The Houston SCBWI spring conference is now open for registration! If you are interested in finding out about writing or illustrating literature for children and young adults, this conference is exactly what you need. There will be three literary agents: Susan Hawk of The Bent Agency, Molly Jaffa of Folio Literary Management, and John Cusick of Greenhouse Literary; two editors from closed houses (meaning they do not accept unagented submissions): Annie Berger of HarperCollins and Wendy Loggia of Random House; and Random House art director Isabel Warren-Lynch. Our Keynote speaker will be author/illustrator Kelly Light. Join us!

If you’re on the west side of town, you might enjoy stopping by Blue Willow Bookshop this Saturday morning at 10:00. The cast of Stratford High School’s production of Bye Bye Birdie will be there performing  hits from the show. This is a fundraiser for the Stratford Playhouse, so bring your shopping list! The show opens Thursday, Jan. 29th and runs until Saturday, Feb 7th.Tickets and more information are available at shsplayhouse.org.

This week’s events:

January 7, Wednesday, 7;00 PM
Blue Willow Bookshop
Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner, YA Authors

Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner will discuss and sign THIS SHATTERED WORLD (Disney), the newest in the STARBOUND series for young adults. In THIS SHATTERED WORLD, Jubilee Chase (a.k.a. Lee) and Flynn Cormac should never have met. Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet’s rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents. Rebellion is in Flynn’s blood. His sister died in the original uprising against the powerful corporate conglomerate that rules Avon with an iron fist. These corporations make their fortune by terraforming uninhabitable planets across the universe and recruiting colonists to make the planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion. Desperate for any advantage against the military occupying his home, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as his prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape base together, caught between two sides in a senseless war. Will they survive?

January 12, Monday, 5:00 PM
Blue Willow Bookshop
James Ponti, MG Author

James Ponti will discuss and sign the books in his DEAD CITY series for middle grade readers. DEAD CITY and BLUE MOON (Aladdin) are the first two books in the Aladdin Middle Grade series about Molly Bigelow and the Omegas, a super-secret society charged with policing and protecting the undead of New York City.

When Molly Bigelow discovered that zombies shared New York with humans, she didn’t think life could get more shocking. Then she learned her mother was once one of the greatest zombie killers ever—and she discovered her dead mother is not technically dead (although she isn’t alive, either). Molly’s efforts to keep these secrets and to help her Omega team track down the identity of the original thirteen zombies takes her from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade to New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Her loyalties to friends and family will be put to the test. And her life will be changed in ways she never could have imagined.

Share

Add a Comment

Share

Due to the holidays, I’ll be taking a break from posting author/illustrator events until January. Along with celebrating Christmas with my family, I’ll be working on revisions for my WIP. It’s currently out with readers, but comments are already arriving. I’ll continue to update the conference pages daily. (Okay, maybe not on Christmas Day!)

The list for children’s and YA literary agents attending conferences in 2015 has exploded! I’m not sure if there are more conferences this year or if the conference organizers are just getting organized sooner, but the info is rolling in faster than I can keep up. I’m adding conferences as quickly as I can, so keep checking back. I’m seeing a lot of new names among the agents at these conferences, too. Some are new agents, but there are others who just haven’t been attending conferences in the last couple of years or so.

When I first posted the list of online writing classes and workshops, it was pretty skimpy. Now it’s up to thirty-six and I predict that number will keep going up.  There are all ranges of cost, genres and skill levels, so it’s likely you’ll find one that’s right for you.

In 2014, I had the honor and pleasure of critiquing manuscripts by five wonderful writers I met through the SCBWI Discussion Boards. One of those manuscripts has been sold and will hit the bookstore shelves late in 2015! I’ll shout about it here when the author gets to reveal her cover.

2015 will be starting off with a BANG! for me. In January, I’ll be attending the Florida SCBWI conference in Miami. This is only the third out-of-state conference I’ve attended, and it is a very special one. This will be my first opportunity to meet several of my co-moderators and administrators of the  SCBWI Discussion Boards, including the board’s founder Verla Kay! Verla is one of the speakers for the conference, so it’s a double bonus; I get to meet Verla AND hear her speak on “Making Words Sing: How and why your choice of words can make or break a story.”

Then in March, the Seattle branch of D4EO Literary Agency is having their first agency retreat, which I hope will become an annual event. We’ll be at a beautiful, rustic location in Washington. I got to meet my agent Kristin Vincent and agent Mandy Hubbard at the SCBWI Western Washington  conference last year, and I can’t wait to meet agent Bree Ogden and all their authors and illustrators in person at the retreat.

In April, SCBWI Houston will be having our conference, and I’ll share those details with you soon.

Share

Add a Comment

Here’s a little round-up of some upcoming writing conference and workshop opportunities. Keep developing your craft!

Advanced Writer Workshops at The Writing Barn: Writing Outside the Box 

• Multiple Viewpoints, Unreliable Narrators, Unusual Structures—Oh, My! with top-selling agent/author Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary, and author K. A. Holt
• WHEN: October 9 to October 12.
• Event Details: In this interactive, hands-on workshop we’ll take a close-up look at a wide variety of structurally exciting books, dissecting and discussing and teasing out tips and tricks that will help you, no matter how you choose to tell your story. Come ready to brainstorm your work or just to get your thoughts flowing in a new direction—you’re sure to leave this workshop with an entirely new outlook.
• Cost: Workshop with Onsite Lodging: $850, Workshop Only: $650
• To Apply: http://www.thewritingbarn.com/barn-presents-registration/

Group or Solo Writing Retreats at The Writing Barn

• On our 7.5 wooded acres located in Austin, TX, we can host from 1 to 17 writers.
• Contact: [email protected]
• Website: www.thewritingbarn.com

The Art of the Sale: with best-selling authors Jenny Han and Siobohan Vivian

• WHEN: December 4 to December
• Event Details: Siobhan Vivian and Jenny Han have collectively published sixteen books, from picture books through young adult, and have over ten years of experience in the book business, from book buyer to librarian to educator to editor. Together, they will get you and your manuscript ready for the real world and give you the very best shot at getting published. For those who are already published, they will guide you in building your career.
• This intensive will be a mix of formats. For those in the querying trenches,  there will be SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE: How to Craft a Perfect Cover Letter, Formulate an Engaging One-sentence Sales Pitch, and Land the Agent of Your Dreams. And for those with agents, there will be NOW WHAT? How to Build your Writing Career, Book by Book, Goal by Goal. These small groups will involve discussion and input from either Jenny or Siobhan.
• Cost: Workshop with Onsite Lodging: $850, Workshop Only: $650
• To Apply: http://www.thewritingbarn.com/barn-presents-registration/

Teaching Opportunities at The Writing Barn 

• Opportunities: We hold half day workshops, full day, extended weekend events (Thursday eve through Sunday afternoon), and week long events. We are always adding programming and are NOW looking to build our 2015 schedule. Whether we fly you in or you teach with us while you are on a book tour coming through Texas (We work with Big Austin Indie Book People as well as Round Rock Indie The Book Spot–The Book Spot is good for school visits) we would love to hear from you with your ideas on classes, events, etc.
• Contact: Bethany Hegedus, Author & Founder, The Writing Barn at [email protected]
• Dates: Ongoing

YA Novel Writing Intensive in NEW YORK CITY with Nova Ren Suma

• This is an intensive workshop for writers working on YA novels of any style or genre. During weekly critique sessions, we will focus on constructive feedback with the goal of helping the writer execute his or her intended vision. Participants will critique one another’s work in group discussions, and each writer will have a private conference, with feedback from the instructor on additional pages from their novels. Writers are expected to have a basic knowledge and appreciation of current YA novels, and are welcome to come to this class at any stage in the writing of their own novel: just beginning a first draft, with a novel-in-progress, or with a completed draft in need of focused revision.
• This workshop is designed for experienced writers. Previous publication is not necessary, but writers should be serious about working on a YA novel, open to critiques and advice, and ready to help their peers succeed.
• When: 6 Wednesdays, 6:30-9pm, September 24th, 2014-October 29th, 2014. Private conferences will be held in November
• Where: The Writers Room, 740 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10003
• Price: EARLY BIRD PRICING: $600 by September 1st, 2014;  $650 after September 1st
• Contact for any questions: Nova Ren Suma at [email protected]
• APPLY HERE: http://ideasmyth.com/ya-novel-writing-intensive-with-nova-ren-suma/
• NOTE: As of AUGUST 11, the workshop is full. Any accepted writers will be added to the waitlist—spaces may still open!

Sanibel Writers Conference with Emily Franklin, Richard Russo, Steve Almond, others

• Ninth Annual Sanibel Island Writers Conference
• When: November 6-9, 2014
• Where: BIG ARTS & the Sanibel Island Public Library, Sanibel Island, Fla.

Emily Franklin—Pitch Perfect: Finding Your Voice in Young Adult Fiction

• Can any story be written for a young adult audience? What makes a YA voice believable?  We will explore dialogue, setting, structure and the key elements of trust in young adult fiction.  Is your story for middle grade readers, teens, or adults (or all of the above)?  Is your novel set in this world or an imagined one? Present day, past, or future?  Does it matter?  With a few writing prompts we examine the best way to tell your story, openings that appeal to teen and adult readers alike, and rules (are there rules?) for keeping your adolescent audience captivated. Emily is also doing individual conferences/meetings for query letters and works-in-progress. 
• Registration and info: http://www.fgcu.edu/siwc/

Add a Comment

Here’s a little round-up of some upcoming writing conference and workshop opportunities. Keep developing your craft!

Advanced Writer Workshops at The Writing Barn: Writing Outside the Box 

• Multiple Viewpoints, Unreliable Narrators, Unusual Structures—Oh, My! with top-selling agent/author Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary, and author K. A. Holt
• WHEN: October 9 to October 12.
• Event Details: In this interactive, hands-on workshop we’ll take a close-up look at a wide variety of structurally exciting books, dissecting and discussing and teasing out tips and tricks that will help you, no matter how you choose to tell your story. Come ready to brainstorm your work or just to get your thoughts flowing in a new direction—you’re sure to leave this workshop with an entirely new outlook.
• Cost: Workshop with Onsite Lodging: $850, Workshop Only: $650
• To Apply: http://www.thewritingbarn.com/barn-presents-registration/

Group or Solo Writing Retreats at The Writing Barn

• On our 7.5 wooded acres located in Austin, TX, we can host from 1 to 17 writers.
• Contact: [email protected]
• Website: www.thewritingbarn.com

The Art of the Sale: with best-selling authors Jenny Han and Siobohan Vivian

• WHEN: December 4 to December
• Event Details: Siobhan Vivian and Jenny Han have collectively published sixteen books, from picture books through young adult, and have over ten years of experience in the book business, from book buyer to librarian to educator to editor. Together, they will get you and your manuscript ready for the real world and give you the very best shot at getting published. For those who are already published, they will guide you in building your career.
• This intensive will be a mix of formats. For those in the querying trenches,  there will be SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE: How to Craft a Perfect Cover Letter, Formulate an Engaging One-sentence Sales Pitch, and Land the Agent of Your Dreams. And for those with agents, there will be NOW WHAT? How to Build your Writing Career, Book by Book, Goal by Goal. These small groups will involve discussion and input from either Jenny or Siobhan.
• Cost: Workshop with Onsite Lodging: $850, Workshop Only: $650
• To Apply: http://www.thewritingbarn.com/barn-presents-registration/

Teaching Opportunities at The Writing Barn 

• Opportunities: We hold half day workshops, full day, extended weekend events (Thursday eve through Sunday afternoon), and week long events. We are always adding programming and are NOW looking to build our 2015 schedule. Whether we fly you in or you teach with us while you are on a book tour coming through Texas (We work with Big Austin Indie Book People as well as Round Rock Indie The Book Spot–The Book Spot is good for school visits) we would love to hear from you with your ideas on classes, events, etc.
• Contact: Bethany Hegedus, Author & Founder, The Writing Barn at [email protected]
• Dates: Ongoing

YA Novel Writing Intensive in NEW YORK CITY with Nova Ren Suma

• This is an intensive workshop for writers working on YA novels of any style or genre. During weekly critique sessions, we will focus on constructive feedback with the goal of helping the writer execute his or her intended vision. Participants will critique one another’s work in group discussions, and each writer will have a private conference, with feedback from the instructor on additional pages from their novels. Writers are expected to have a basic knowledge and appreciation of current YA novels, and are welcome to come to this class at any stage in the writing of their own novel: just beginning a first draft, with a novel-in-progress, or with a completed draft in need of focused revision.
• This workshop is designed for experienced writers. Previous publication is not necessary, but writers should be serious about working on a YA novel, open to critiques and advice, and ready to help their peers succeed.
• When: 6 Wednesdays, 6:30-9pm, September 24th, 2014-October 29th, 2014. Private conferences will be held in November
• Where: The Writers Room, 740 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10003
• Price: EARLY BIRD PRICING: $600 by September 1st, 2014;  $650 after September 1st
• Contact for any questions: Nova Ren Suma at [email protected]
• APPLY HERE: http://ideasmyth.com/ya-novel-writing-intensive-with-nova-ren-suma/
• NOTE: As of AUGUST 11, the workshop is full. Any accepted writers will be added to the waitlist—spaces may still open!

Sanibel Writers Conference with Emily Franklin, Richard Russo, Steve Almond, others

• Ninth Annual Sanibel Island Writers Conference
• When: November 6-9, 2014
• Where: BIG ARTS & the Sanibel Island Public Library, Sanibel Island, Fla.

Emily Franklin—Pitch Perfect: Finding Your Voice in Young Adult Fiction

• Can any story be written for a young adult audience? What makes a YA voice believable?  We will explore dialogue, setting, structure and the key elements of trust in young adult fiction.  Is your story for middle grade readers, teens, or adults (or all of the above)?  Is your novel set in this world or an imagined one? Present day, past, or future?  Does it matter?  With a few writing prompts we examine the best way to tell your story, openings that appeal to teen and adult readers alike, and rules (are there rules?) for keeping your adolescent audience captivated. Emily is also doing individual conferences/meetings for query letters and works-in-progress. 
• Registration and info: http://www.fgcu.edu/siwc/

Add a Comment

This is a big, BIG week! We are celebrating the Houston Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators 25th Anniversary Conference!

Online registration for this fabulous event is closed, as are all critiques and the dinner event. But we still have availability for registration by check or cash at the door for the main events on Saturday, as well as both workshops on Sunday. If you haven’t yet registered but hope to attend, please come by the Westin Houston Memorial City Hotel on Saturday morning.

I can’t believe it’s Tuesday already and I haven’t figured out what to wear for the Paint the Town Read party on Saturday night. I’ve made a list of literary (or semi-literary) characters who have at least one prominent red feature: Little Red Riding Hood; Clifford; The Little Red Hen; Dorothy; The Queen of Hearts; Scarlet (Cinder); Scarlet (Robin Hood); Waldo; Elmo; Fox in Sox; Olivia; Angry Birds; Lady Bug Girl; Raggedy Ann/Andy; Cat in the Hat; Thing One & Thing Two; Pippi Longstocking; Curious George; Paddington Bear; Winnie the Pooh; Santa Claus;  Superman; Spiderman; Rafael the Ninja Turtle; Mickey Mouse; Matilda; anyone from Gryffindor.

I’ll figure something out. And I’ll try to wipe off all remaining smudges of silliness in time for the Sunday morning workshop with two-time Newbery Honor winner Gary Schmidt.

And the other big event, which I will have to miss this year, TEEN BOOK CON!

April 26, Saturday, 9:00-5:00
Alief Taylor High School
TeenBookCon

There will be almost 40 authors at this year’s TeenBookCon. You will be choosing from 7 panel sessions which will repeat only 4 times. So spend some time studying the panel sessions before TeenBookCon to make sure you get to see those authors you are most excited about!

Blue Willow Bookshop is the official bookseller of TeenBookCon. All featured authors’ books will be available for purchase throughout the day. All authors will be available to sign only books. You must purchase a book at TeenBookCon to get into the signing lines.

All fans of YA literature are welcome, but TeenBookCon is first and foremost an event for teens. In all panel sessions, teens will be given the chance to ask questions of our authors first and also, if a panel session becomes full, any seated adult will be asked to give up their seat. Due to the tight schedule of TeenBookCon, there will not be an opportunity to conduct interviews with TeenBookCon authors.

April 28, Monday, 5:00 p.m.
Blue Willow Bookshop
Sarah Mlynowski

Sarah Mlynowski, author of the WHATEVER AFTER series, the MAGIC IN MANHATTAN SERIES, GIMME A CALL, and TEN THINGS WE DID (AND PROBABLY SHOULDN’T HAVE), will celebrate the launch of BAD HAIR DAY, the newest book in the WHATEVER AFTER series. In this fractured fairy tale, the magic mirror sucks Abby and Jonah into the story of Rapunzel. When the siblings get the famous tale all tangled up, they have to find a way to set things right . . . with hilarious results!

Add a Comment

Spring arrived a few weeks early here in my little corner of the world when I found God Bless Our Easter by Hannah C. Hall.

And no, Hannah is no relation to Cathy C. Hall. But I’d love to share a cup of tea and talk writing with her. Too bad Hannah’s all the way in Arkansas! Thankfully, her lovely book is here on my doorstep, so let’s take a look.

In God Bless Our Easter, the most adorable baby animals ever playfully romp through a spring day. The rhyming text tells of their discovery of God’s blessings in rain puddles and shady naps, in sunny daffodils and soaring butterflies. God Bless Our Easter is the perfect book for a toddler’s springtime basket, though it’s sure to find a place in your child’s heart through all the seasons.

And thanks to the blessing of email, I did have a chance to chat with Hannah and ask her a few questions.

When did you begin your writing journey?

My mom predicted when I was a very little girl that I was going to grow up to be an author. I was always, always reading. I didn't get serious about writing, however, until college. When a professor I both respected and was terrified of told me I should to switch my minor to Journalism, I did as I was told! I wrote for my college newspaper and then transitioned into freelance writing for a few small magazines after graduation.

When I started having children, my mom again encouraged me that I should write for kids. Having never taken a creative writing course, I didn't think I had the imagination to do it. However, as my kids and their imaginations grew, I found my inspiration.

My "official" writing journey began after I pitched my first manuscript for a picture book at a conference. Though that particular story has yet to be published, I met an editor at a meeting there that resulted in the God Bless series, of which I'm now in the process of writing the fourth book.

Moral of the story: go to conferences and listen to your elders!

What’s your writing process?

My process is certainly not very technical or structured. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I do a lot of writing in my head while I fold clothes or wash dishes. I always keep a pad of paper and an ink pen by my side or in my purse. There is something about gliding a good ink pen over nice paper that inspires my creativity in a way a computer screen never can.

Since I write a weekly blog, I am always thinking on that as well. What am I learning in the day-to-day from my children or about parenting or marriage that might be useful to someone else? I would hate to have these experiences (good and bad) and someone not get something out of it. I want to be real with people, and I really want them to learn from my (many) mistakes!

How did you find your agent?

I queried many agents, and I'm not sure I got even so much as a rejection letter from any of them. They simply never responded. It was very disheartening. I stumbled on to the amazing Sally Apokedak while checking out a conference that she happened to be speaking at. (Conferences, again!) She responded to my query very quickly, and I appreciated that so much. She is a writer herself, so she respects writers and the time (and nerve) it takes to send out queries. She is down-to-earth, truthful, and truly a blessing to me.

A big thank you to Hannah Hall for sharing her blessings with us here at the Muffin!

And P.S. Sally Apokedak is our amazing judge for the Spring Flash Fiction Contest. So if Hannah’s inspired you today, why not pick up your pen and give springtime writing a whirl? You might be blessed with a winning story!

~Cathy C. Hall

Add a Comment

We don’t have any KidLit Author/Illustrator events this week, (although super-writer Brandon Sanderson who has a new YA novel STEELHEART  is at Murder By the Book tonight promoting the newest book in his current series for adults) so I thought I’d let you in on what’s going on around Houston for those who write books for kids and teens.

March 15, 9:00 a.m. Recurring: Third Saturday of each month
Bunker Hill HEB Community Room, 9710 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77055
Houston YAMG Writers Group

Houston YAMG Writers Group is happy to have Elizabeth White of The Writer’s Studio of Houston speaking this month on How to Wow Readers on Page One!

To get an agent’s or an editor’s attention, yes, you need a “hook” that draws them in. Yes, you need flawless prose. And, yes, you need a style of your own and an idea so unique, your readers won’t let go. And, you need something else: you need a terrible problem that catches any reader’s heart, and a character whose pain and desire are achingly evident from the start. Come learn to let the deeper elements of character arise in your first words, so that you hook not just readers’ minds, but their souls. Elizabeth has asked that everyone try to bring in an example of a well-written first page from a novel they love.
Follow Houston YAMG Writers on Twitter!

March 20, Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Recurring
Barnes & Noble, Baybrook II, Webster, TX
BAWL (Bay Area Writers’ League) Critique Group

Members of the Bay Area Writers’ League meet on the first and third Thursday of each month to improve their writing efforts.

March 22, Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Brazos Valley SCBWI Workshop with Martha Wells
Registration: $20 for SCBWI members /$25 non-members. Seating is limited. Please r.s.v.p: [email protected]

“Writing Speculative Fiction for Kids and Teens,” a morning workshop with acclaimed fantasy author Martha Wells. She will offer her expert overview of speculative fiction, including tips, resources, exercises and practical advice. Bring your questions for a time of Q&A. Copies of Martha’s books will be available for purchase—cash or check only.

March 24, Monday, 7:30 p.m. Recurring
Barnes & Noble, Baybrook II, Webster, TX
SCBWI Critique Group

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Join us as we give and receive feedback on our writing projects!

AND DON”T FORGET!
There is still time to sign up for the awesome writers’ conferences coming up in April:

The Houston Writers Guild Annual Agents & Editors Conference: April 12
Registration
Join

Keynote Presenter—Nikki Loftin (Penguin/Razorbill author of The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy and Nightingale’s Nest)
Pre-conference Workshop (Power Revision, editor Meghan Pinson)
Post-conference Workshops (Author Platform, author Joy Preble).
Agent/editor pitch sessions (Eddie Schneider— JABberwocky, Jennifer Udden—Donald Maass, Pooja Menon—Kimberley Cameron, Stella Riley —Soul Mate Publishing, Dawn Dowdle—Blue Ridge Literary Agency, Jessica Kirkland—Blythe Danield Agency

2014 HOUSTON SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS CONFERENCE: April 26-27
Registration
Join

Keynote Presenter: Two-time Newbery Honor Winner and NAtional Book Award Finalist Gary D. Schmidt,
Agents: Stephen Barr—Writers House; Stephen Fraser—Jennifer DeChiara Literacy Agency; Natalie Lakosil—Bradford Literary Agency
Editors: Kendra Levin—Senior Editor, Viking Books for Children, Penguin; Jocelyn Davies—Editorial Assistant, HarperCollins;
Julie Ham—Associate Editor, Charlesbridge
Art Director: Jim Hoover—Associate Art Director, Viking Children’s Books, Penguin Group
PLUS: There is still time to sign up for a critique with authors Kathy Duval, Sherry Garland, Joy Preble, and Ana María Rodríguez.

Add a Comment

I'm headed off later this afternoon to one of the highlights of my writing year:  the Whispering Woods Picture Book Writing Workshop/Retreat. I'm one of the facilitators, along with my author friend Linda Skeers, so obviously I'm biased, but I urge all of you to someday try an away-from-home writing workshop/retreat. It can be nothing short of life changing. Briefly...

1.  You get to focus solely on your passion – writing for kids – in a warm, friendly, no-distractions atmosphere.

2.  You make new friends (the importance of friendship and support from other writers is crucial, at least for me).

3.  Your work is read and compassionately critiqued by people who understand how tough it is to put yourself out there – they're doing it, too.

My first writing retreat was one sponsored by SCBWI-IL. Technically, it wasn't a workshop, but it was the first time I'd spent an entire weekend focused on my writing, so I'm counting it. I met amazing writers at every turn, people with whom I felt an instant rapport (Esther!). I made a connection with a sweetheart of an editor. But the best, most affecting thing about that weekend? I came away feeling like a writer. For the first time. (People who don't write might not get that, but I know most of you will.) It was almost as though I'd finally been given permission to take my writing seriously. I know, I know. Nobody has to GIVE us permission to follow our dreams, but with a busy husband and three active kiddos, it was way too easy to put my "little hobby" on the back burner. The positive feedback I got on my writing made me realize that a career in children's books wasn't a fantasy.

I've heard great things about on-line workshops. And sometimes those are the best option – maybe the only option – for writers who cannot get away. (I wish the internet had been around when I was starting out!)

I've also heard (or read about online, anyway) writing workshop horror stories about nasty critiquers and jealous/pompous/frustrated instructors, but I believe (hope!) those are rare (or nonexistent) at workshops centered on writing for children.

So if you can swing it someday, go for an in-person workshop. Do your homework first, of course. Look for online reviews of whichever one you're considering. Talk to others who have attended, if possible. Then, when you feel ready, take the plunge.



Truthfully, I get as much as I give at Whispering Woods. Talking about writing all weekend, reading dozens of quality picture books, reading and critiquing the work of others....All that concentrated picture book STUDY improves my own writing as much as I hope attendees are improving theirs.

I love it when everybody wins.

Jill Esbaum
(photos were taken by me on the grounds of the retreat facility here in eastern Iowa where Linda and I hold our workshop)

Display Comments Add a Comment

I have the pleasure of wrapping up this series of posts about writing contests. Unlike Mary Ann, I've never won any money in a writing contest, but several of my entries, including the first two I submitted way back in high school, did lead to publication. The poem April shared in her post perfectly captures the sense of elation those publications gave me. In fact, it was that feeling that inspired me to want to become a writer.

As Esther mentioned in her post, I've updated our Links page to include a section on writing contests. I've added a few more since Esther's post, including the Shabo Award for Picture Book Writers. Entry deadline for that one is August 10 this year, so if you're interested, don't delay. And if you know of any contests I missed, please share the information as a comment below.

There's one contest I'd like to discuss here that I couldn't provide a permanent link to because it changes every year, and that's the fiction contest associated with the annual SCBWI Midsouth Fall Conference. Last year, I entered the YA category and was fortunate to receive an Honorable Mention. While that hasn't led to publication (yet), I believe that mentioning the honor has brought more attention to my queries--at least I'm getting personalized rejections. :-) I also know that one of the agents attending the conference went up to a contest winner and asked if she was seeking representation. When the winner said "yes," the agent asked to read her winning manuscript.

Unfortunately, the 2013 SCBWI Midsouth Fiction Contest is already sold out, though there are still openings to attend the conference. But there are plenty of other SCBWI contest and grant opportunities. For example, last year, SCBWI-Illinois offered a contest as part of the annual Prairie Writer's Day. I don't know if that contest will be offered again this year, but you can watch for details on the Illinois regional events page at SCBWI. And there are all sorts of awards and grants available through SCBWI, which you can read about on the official website.

As my fellow TeachingAuthors have already mentioned, one of the benefits of entering a contest is that it provides a deadline as motivation to finish a project. I have also entered contests where, even if you don't win a prize, you receive a critique of your submission. This is true of many of the contests offered by individual chapters of the Romance Writers Association. Author Stephie Smith regularly updates an online list of such contests, including those for young adult literature. Two other contests I've entered that offer critiques and that are open to YA and/or children's literature are the Pacific Northwest Writer's Association Literary Contest and The Sandy.

If we haven't given you enough reasons for researching and entering writing contests, read this blog post at writers-editors.com. And for tips from former contest judges, see this contest tip sheet, also from writers-editors.com.

Do keep us posted if you enter any of the contests we've mentioned in this series, whether or not your entry wins. And good luck!

Happy writing!
Carmela    

Add a Comment

I'm a big fan of writing conferences. Sure, some meet our personal budget and current needs better than others, and not everyone you encounter leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy about your future potential, but if you go along with an open mind, the positives far outweigh any negatives.

If you know of a writing conference taking place this year, please share a link to its homepage in a comment. I'll upload it into the main post here.

Create Something Magical Writers & Readers Conference
Saturday, March 16th, 2013 - Iselin, New Jersey

   The Write Stuff Conference
Fri-Sat, March 22nd - 23rd, 2013  - Allentown, Pennsylvania (pre-con workshops on March 21st and 22nd)

 Write it Right Writers' Conference
Saturday, April 20th, 2013 - Tamaqua, PA

Add a Comment

In only a few weeks, our staff will be venturing west for the Writer’s Digest Conference in Los Angeles, set for Oct. 19-21.

On tap this year, writers can expect keynotes by Aimee Bender and Steven James, sessions taught by authors Elizabeth Sims, James Scott Bell, Rob Eagar, Nina Amir and many others, workshops on everything from crafting characters to agents and marketing, and, of course, our signature speed-dating style pitch slam loaded with agents.

If you’re going (or if you’re planning to attend another conference any time soon), here’s some valuable advice from an article the brilliant Elizabeth Sims wrote for us. (If you see her at the Writer’s Digest Conference West, I highly recommend offering to tap her wisdoms over a martini. She’s good people. And wise people, if you’ll forgive my already broken colloquialisms.)

*

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF ANY CONFERENCE

1. Arrive early to scope out everything, get settled and make friends. It’s incredibly bracing to have someone you can eat with or wave to as you enter a room.

2. Be on the lookout for faculty hanging around during downtime. Strike up a conversation, not about yourself and your work, but about them, because you’re here to learn. Try questions like, “If you were just starting out today, what would you be writing?” or, “What’s the best attribute an author can have?”

3. Carry a full-sized notebook for the full-sized ideas you’re going to write—not a tiny one for tiny ideas.

4. Focus sharply on what you want. Make a mission statement: “At this conference I intend to learn how to write better suspense / organize my nonfiction project / figure out an ending to my novel.”

5. If you’ve submitted work for critique, be open and receptive. Never argue or try to justify anything. Ask for more explanation, but don’t take notes—it’ll only distract you. As soon as it’s over, write full notes.

6. Make up your mind you won’t be judgmental, easily offended or needy. Remember, it’s not about you—it’s about your writing.

Bonus tips:

• Take nothing for granted. Speak up and ask lots of questions.
• Cut your losses and leave a session that’s not right for you. Step in late to another one where you might learn something truly useful. If that fails, find a sunny spot outside, open your notebook, and do some writing until lunch. Any writing.
• Writing is the only thing that matters. Do it.
• Agents might be only human (as they continually insist they are), but they can also be as callous as dingoes, so cast a wide net when searching for a good one.
• In spite of everything going against us, writers are as doggedly hopeful as orphans on Parents’ Day. This, I think, should be celebrated.
• Fight smugness and spitefulness for all you’re worth.
• Worship ye not heroes.
• Figure out how much whiskey you think you’ll need, then pack double that amount.

 

Zachary Petit is an award-winning journalist, the managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, and the co-author of A Year of Writing Prompts: 366 Story Ideas for Honing Your Craft and Eliminating Writer’s Block.

Like what you read from WD online? Check us out in print, or check out our digital subscription. Also, do you have a question for a writing pro? We’re starting a new advice column, and nothing is off limits. Click here for more details and the scoop on how to submit your question.

Add a Comment

No matter if you are new to writing or looking to connect with other passionate writers like yourself, the Writer’s Digest Conference West is the place to be. This special event takes place October 19-21 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel & Spa in Los Angeles, CA.

5 Reasons to Attend the Writer’s Digest Conference West

When you attend this conference, you’ll:

• Explore publishing trends. Hear industry pros debate the pros and cons of self-publishing, discuss the best ways to market your book, and listen to them share their perspectives on writing the first chapter or mastering conflict and suspense.
• Get discovered. Ever heard of a pitch slam? During the conference, you’ll have opportunity to sit down with agents, pitch your work, and receive immediate feedback. More than 30 agents who are seeking new writers will be in attendance.
• Learn from bestselling authors. Do you want to know the secrets to writing a novel or building an audience? Attend sessions focused on writing-related topics with award-winning writers like James Scott Bell, Steven James, Elizabeth Sims, Aimee Bender, Nina Amir, Victoria Lynn Schmidt, and many more!
• Network and connect with liked-minded writers. Being around other writers can not only provide you with the inspiration and encouragement you need to hone your craft but also potentially lead to new opportunities!

Additional Details

Interested in attending this year’s conference? Look at the register page and choose from several options!

The price to attend the full conference for an individual is $495.

If you only want to attend all the sessions offered on Saturday, including the Pitch Slam and lunch, you’ll pay $375.

The price to attend the exclusive boot camp with Rob Eagar, author of Sell Your Book Like Wildfire, is $199.

You can also choose to attend all three conferences–StoryWorld Conference + Expo 2012 (October 17-19), Screenwriters World Conference 2012 (October 19-21), and the Writer’s Digest Conference West 2012 (October 19-21) at the Loews Hollywood Hotel–for $945.

If you book your hotel by September 24th, you’ll be able to take advantage of a special, discounted hotel rate of $199 (plus taxes and gratuities). Click here to see rates and to reserve your room.

Mark your calendar now & plan on attending this year’s Writer’s Digest Conference West!

Register now!

Add a Comment

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

~Seneca

I am a big believer in preparation, especially when it comes to writing conferences. Probably because I look at conferences as more of “workferences.” I mean, yes, I confer with a ton of people. But honestly, I work that event like a politician in a room full of babies.

Which doesn’t exactly sound polite. And I am very polite. But I’m also a writer determined to maximize my return of investment. And that takes weeks of preparation before I ever walk (nervously) through the doors of opportunity.

Here’s what I do. (Maybe it’ll help you.)

Check the schedule and target the sessions that offer you the advice and information you need for where you are in your writer’s journey. If you’re a sparkly new writer, you’ll want to find classes for the beginner. But if you have a couple of finished manuscripts, you'll want to hear what agents and editors have to say. Most conferences offer plenty of sessions, for all levels of writers.

Research the speakers. Read the books they’ve authored, or at least familiarize yourself with what they’ve published. For agents, know what they’re looking for, and for editors, check the books they’ve edited. Because you may find yourself at lunch (mostly because you planned it that way) sitting next to the editor from a huge publishing house. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could say, “Oh, I loved (fill-in-the-blank-with-a-book-she-edited)!” And a delightful conversation ensues.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You don’t want to be that writer, the one who’s sucking up. But you’re not sucking up; you’re working. Speakers want to help you. They’re happy to share their expertise. They come to conferences, expecting to meet and talk with lots and lots of writers. They’re looking for their next writer star.

Of course, if you know too much about a speaker, you’re saying, “I’m that crazy writer who’ll pick up your used napkin after you leave.” You do not want to be that writer.

You do want to be that writer who says, “Wow. That conference was worth every penny!” So put in the work before the conference and you may find yourself quoting Henry Hartman who said, “Success happens when opportunity meets preparation.”

(I prepare Cathy-on-a-Stick for conferences as well. But she never really behaves herself.)

Display Comments Add a Comment

During the SCBWI conference in Orlando, FL, I also attended the Young Adult workshop. This was led by Noa Wheeler, editor for Henry Holt, and Nancy Werlin, bestselling author of numerous books including Extraordinary. These two ladies did an excellent job exploring ways to tackle issues we face as young adult authors.

Noa Wheeler talked about how to deepen our characters by asking questions about them. One of the best questions she asked was “Is my character active?” She says we should be asking ourselves this question all through the book.

She also had us create 100 questions for our characters. I was really excited after I finished because these questions helped me build a more three dimensional character for my current WIP.

In the afternoon, Noa discussed how to write a flap copy and gave us specific examples from the books she’s edited. She said that usually the assistant editor writes these for the books, but they are a great exercise to find what the big issues of our stories are about.

Nancy is currently revising the third book that will come after Extraordinary. She broke down the revision process she is undertaking right now which I found fascinating in how she tackled her revisions. She also explained how she used the feedback from her critique partners to write another revision.

Overall, I came away with some new ways to revise and a stack of answered questions I hadn’t known about my main character.

Have you ever interviewed your characters? Did you find that helpful and if so, which questions did you find to be the most helpful?

Display Comments Add a Comment

I'm thrilled to share with you the interview I did we my local critique partner, Larissa Hardesty. We met a while back through Verla Kay's Blueboards. When I moved back to the States, I hitched a ride with Jessica Souders and her down to the SCBWI conference in Miami. Ever since we've been swapping chapters with each other.
She attended the SCBWI conference here in Orlando, FL with me and I asked her about what she was hoping to get out of the conference as well as tips of what to bring to a conference.


Thanks Larissa!

I'm also giving away another book of Danette Haworth's from the conference, SUMMER OF MOONLIGHT SECRETS. All you have to do is write a comment below. If you tweet, blog, or Facebook about this post, let me know in your comment for an extra point. Deadline in July 13th!

Display Comments Add a Comment

Today I'm pleased to post my interview with Sarah Nicolas who attended the SCBWI Orlando, FL conference with me. She is a young adult writer who is famous for her youtube channel, YARebels.

In this interview she shares about her best conference experience. Sarah is also the acquisitions intern for Entangled and in this interview she shares common mistakes writers make.

Add a Comment

The SCBWI Florida workshop in Orlando, FL consists of two days. The Friday is a day of intensives that work on a writer's craft in a particular genre.

This year I decided to stretch myself and took the picture book intensive with Sylvie Frank, associate editor at Holiday House, and Andrea Davis Pinkney, a New York Times best-selling and award-winning author and Vice President Executive Editor for Scholastic.

I was so impressed with the expertise and professionalism that both of these ladies had. After taking their workshop, I came away with new knowledge of how to use the economy of writing when creating a picture book as well as using a picture book dummy to determine if my pacing was on target. 

Excellent advice from Andrea was that there is no such thing as writer's block!

Sylvie had us create a picture book from paper so we could better understand how the picture book is laid out. Once we made ours, then we looked at the pacing of the picture book and how to determine if our story's pacing was strong enough. If you'd like to try, here's a great link to get you started.

Display Comments Add a Comment

This past weekend I attended the SCBWI conference at Disney World in Orlando, FL. I had an amazing time and got to learn under brilliant editors and talented authors.

Here's a short video clip of what I'm planning to share with you about the conference:

Display Comments Add a Comment

I’m going to go ahead and toss the illusion of journalistic objectivity out the window for a second, and put this on the table: I love ThrillerFest.

We sponsor it every year, and in 2011 I attended for the first time. I was blown away. There are craft sessions taught by bestselling writers. Lively panels. A pitch slam. Some of the most fun cocktail parties in publishing (I was reduced to a giggling teenager when I saw Margaret Atwood wandering around).

Perhaps the best part: Everyone is approachable, from the debut authors to the heavy hitters.

This year, ThrillerFest is July 11-14 in New York. Of the dozens and dozens of authors on hand, Jack Higgins, R.L. Stine, Lee Child, Catherine Coulter, John Sandford, Ann Rule, Richard North Patterson and Karin Slaughter will be there.

And here’s the scoop on how you can be part of it. Executive director Kimberley Howe is giving one WD reader a Day Pass for Friday, July 13—one of the best days of the conference. The pass includes full access to all ThrillerFest programming for the day, as well as a ticket to the Love is Murder cocktail party that celebrates the release of the International Thriller Writers’ third anthology.

Event programming runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and includes spotlight interviews with Lee Child and Catherine Coulter. Former FBI and counterterrorism expert David Major will also share his tales from his days at the White House.

… So how do you win the pass? Easy enough.

In the comments section below, just tell us who your favorite thriller writer is by 2 p.m. next Friday. We’ll put all the names of the commenters into a hat and randomly draw one winner. We’ll announce the winner Monday, July 19.

Good luck! Hope to see you there.

For more on ThrillerFest, visit thrillerfest.com.

Now, back to being objective and such.

 

Zachary Petit is an award-winning journalist, the managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, and the co-author of A Year of Writing Prompts: 366 Story Ideas for Honing Your Craft and Eliminating Writer’s Block.

Like what you read from WD online? Don’t miss an issue in print!

 

Add a Comment

I have 18 more school days left. 18!!!! And I can't deny that I'm just a teeny, tiny bit excited. Because I can't wait for summer to begin.

I'm kicking off my summer by attending the Florida SCBWI Orlando Conference on June 16th at Disney.

Here's the line up: 

Holiday House Associate Editor Sylvie Frank, Scholastics Trade Vice President and Executive Editor Andrea Davis Pinkney, Tracey and Josh Adams of the Adams Literary Agency, Henry Holt Editor Noa Wheeler, Simon and Schuster Art Director Laurent Linn, Artist Agent Christina Tugeau, Tammi Sauer (Chicken Dance, Bawk and Roll), Florida SCBWI Illustrator Coordinator Linda Shute, Donna Gephart (How To Survive Middle School), Nancy Werlin (Impossible), Tracy Barrett (Dark of the Moon), Nancy Rosenthal Stewart (One Pelican at a Time), Deb Noyes Wayshak, editor-at-large at Candlewick Press, and Gaby Triana (Backstage Pass, Cubanita).

So you see, it's going to be awesome.


Then I'm jumping in a plane with my boys and spending a week in Germany and then another week in Austria. The main request from my boys is to see lots and lots of castles. It's going to be such an inspirational trip and I hope full of adventures.



Then come July, I'll be attending the Quill Track at Ascendio 2012 at Universal Studios. And guess who's going to be there? Beth Revis! I can't wait!

Here's the line up for the Quill Track:

Lev Grossman (author)

Beth Revis (author)

Veronica Roth (author)

Aimee Carter (author)

Michelle Hodkin (author)

Molly O’Neill (editor)

Ben Schrank (publisher)

Joanna Volpe (agent)

Lindsay Ribar

10 Comments on Summer Fun, last added: 5/15/2012

Display Comments

Caroline Starr Rose said, on 5/12/2012 11:28:00 AM

What a wonderful summer! Enjoy.

Barbara Watson said, on 5/12/2012 1:31:00 PM

Wow! What a great line up! I'll be looking for photos and reports of your various escapes.

Meredith said, on 5/12/2012 6:34:00 PM

Wow! Looks like you're going to have such an awesome time!

Tez Miller said, on 5/12/2012 7:54:00 PM

Yay, Germany and Austria! My sister spent one New Year's in Berlin, and loved it. Wasn't used to the snow, though - we don't have snow down here ;-)

Be sure to eat all the yummy desserts! :-)

Bonnee Crawford said, on 5/13/2012 12:05:00 AM

Have an awesome summer full of these awesome plans! Hope you have heaps of fun.

Giora said, on 5/13/2012 1:52:00 PM

You already have an agent, so connecting with Molly O'Neill will be good. She's known as a sharp editor with a big heart. At least that's what her author wrote about her.

Petra @ Safari Poet said, on 5/14/2012 5:38:00 PM

Great line up! Hope you have fun in Germany and Austria.

Thanks for visiting my blog :-)

Medeia Sharif said, on 5/14/2012 5:58:00 PM

What an amazing lineup for summer activities. I hope they're all a blast. I'm not sure if I'm going to the Orlando conference.

Jen and Steven said, on 5/15/2012 12:54:00 PM

Love that you're going to Austria and Germany, and that your boys want to see lots of castles. :) There's supposed to be some amazing food there, too. Sounds like a busy but fun summer!

Born Bookish said, on 5/15/2012 8:28:00 PM

Hooray for the end of school! I just got out last week myself, so excited for summer! Sounds like you have some amazing stuff planned. Have fun! =)

Add a Comment

This year’s NE-SCBWI Conference (my sixth) was different for me. As the On-the-Spot Critique Coordinator, I was one of numerous volunteers responsible for making a successful conference. In my position, I felt deeply obligated to the attendees, wanting to facilitate proper connections to editors/agents, and I’d promised these same professionals that I’d do my best to secure them additional critiques. In truth, I was scared. Since becoming the On-the-Spot Critique Coordinator less than a month ago, I have secretly fretted, while my daily early-morning writing time turned into early-morning e-mail communication, chart-making, and teaching myself how to make a spreadsheet. (I am also a committee co-chair for the upcoming New Jersey SCBWI Conference.) My manuscripts lay untouched; my muse went on strike.

Preparing for the conference reminded me of my earlier years in the business of writing for children, when I was unsure and questioned my abilities. Self-doubt hinders your growth as an artist. So I stopped thinking about What Might Not Happen (that the on-the-spot critiques would be a failure) and I began to believe that I could, indeed, pull this off. But to do this, I had to call on my Inspired Frame-of-Mind, which is strong, determined, and follows the muse with much delight, like a kitten chasing an unraveling ball of red yarn. I write what my characters tell me, and on some level, believe they are the ones shaping their stories, not me. I continue to struggle with writing for my blog, for that voice comes from a different place, where self-criticism has rented a tiny room and ignores my weekly eviction notice.

So in my Inspired Frame-of-Mind, I faced the task of being a successful conference coordinator: I worked diligently and focused on being positive, while doing everything possible to sell these critiques. The bar to succeed is set high due to the tireless efforts of our region’s longtime coordinators, who have given so much of their time over the years: Marilyn Salerno, Joyce Shor Johnson, Kathryn Hulick, Melissa Hed. Valarie Giogas. Laura Pauling. Melissa Stewart. Casey Girard. Betty Brown. Sally Riley. Jean Woodbury. Linda Brennan. Jennifer Carson. Joannie Duris. Anna Boll. Jennifer O’Keefe. Greg Fishbone. Francine Puckly. Margo Lemieux. And Shirley Pearson, who I hope can one day step out from behind the registration table to pursue her own dreams. I apologize in advance for not listing every name, though my gratitude is intended for all. Thank you! The NE-SCBWI Conference reflects your efforts, selfless dedication, and enthusiasm for our wonderful community. A community filled

16 Comments on New England SCBWI Conference 2012, last added: 4/26/2012

Display Comments

Jo Knowles said, on 4/23/2012 2:51:00 PM

Thank you for all of your hard work, Betsy! Beautiful post, as always.

Jo

Casey Girard (@CaseyGirard) said, on 4/23/2012 2:54:00 PM

What a wonderful recap! It is a great reminder of the weekend we just came from. Thank you Betsy for all of your hard work and sharing your experience. It was a pleasure to meet you, I hope we can chat more at a future conference!

I enjoyed your blog voice. I felt right along with you, planning a conference is nerve wracking but, we did it!

betsydevany said, on 4/23/2012 3:40:00 PM

Thanks, Casey, for all your hard work! I look forward to seeing you again! The conference could not have happened without you. Betsy

betsydevany said, on 4/23/2012 3:41:00 PM

You are too sweet, Jo. Your comments always make my day! Betsy

betsydevany said, on 4/23/2012 3:43:00 PM

My pleasure, Joyce! You are an inspiration with everything you do. I appreciate your warm welcome, and I look forward to working with you again next year! NE-SCBWI is lucky to have you. Betsy

saraharonson said, on 4/23/2012 4:29:00 PM

Great post, Betsy! Now we all go back to work…inspired and rejuvenated!!

xo sarah

betsydevany said, on 4/23/2012 5:10:00 PM

Thanks to you, Sarah, I have new revision tools. Your novel academy rocked! (I will work on your post in a few days.) xo Betsy

:Donna Marie said, on 4/23/2012 11:03:00 PM

Betsy, it sounds like you had a fantastic time and did a REALLY good job as the On-the-Spot Critique Coordinator You’re such a talented person, good-hearted person—an inspiration in many ways. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to our time together, too

And although I enjoyed EVERY word you said here, I have to tell you, this metaphor is priceless!…”for that voice comes from a different place, where self-criticism has rented a tiny room and ignores my weekly eviction notice.” Great writer, you are

Carol Gordon Ekster (@cekster) said, on 4/24/2012 3:05:00 PM

Betsy, you were amazing at your job as on-the-spot critique coordinator. And this is a beautifully written blog that reminds us all of the conference inspiration that could be felt throughout the halls and rooms of the Sheraton. We need only go back to your blog when moments of doubt creep in.

Kristine C. Asselin (@KristineAsselin) said, on 4/25/2012 4:04:00 AM

Betsy–what a wonderful post! I wish we’d had a chance to talk more–I hadn’t realized you were in Novel Academy with me! Of course, by Sunday my brain was completely overloaded. Thanks for putting into words the things so many of us feel about NESCBWI. Good luck with your conference in NJ!

Nancy Tandon said, on 4/25/2012 5:48:00 AM

Thank you for this wonderful recap. It is so reassuring to read about your emotional ups and downs and know I’m not alone. I agree, the conference was a big “UP”!

betsydevany said, on 4/26/2012 4:43:00 AM

Thanks, Joyce, for all your support and encouragement!! It was my pleasure!

betsydevany said, on 4/26/2012 4:44:00 AM

Thank you, Donna! You are too sweet. I look forward to our weekend together in June! Betsy

betsydevany said, on 4/26/2012 4:45:00 AM

What lovely words, Carol. I hope you made good connections at the conference. Nice to chat with you! Betsy

betsydevany said, on 4/26/2012 4:47:00 AM

My brain was overloaded too. And thank you for your kind words! Novel Academy was awesome! Betsy

betsydevany said, on 4/26/2012 4:48:00 AM

No, Nancy, you are not alone. Remember this. Keep the faith, and keep writing. Hugs, Betsy

Add a Comment