SCBWI Writers of Lower Fairfield

Local Course Opportunity

2012-01-17T15:03:00.004-05:00

Silvermine ARts Center, New Canaan, CT:

COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Write a Book for Children

Instructor · Laura Toffler Corrie

Course ID: LTSA1000AM01212012
Saturday · 10:00 am – 12:00 pm · $295
8 Sessions · January 21 – March 17 · Class will not meet February 18th

registration form · PDF

Do you have a story to tell, but think it is too complicated to write a book? Do you start writing and then get stuck or run out of steam? This course will provide you with the tools, motivation and information to get you started and keep you going! In a positive, supportive environment, you will learn how to develop your story idea, create your main character, plan a setting, devise a plot, set up obstacles, uncover your main idea and find your writer’s ‘voice.’ Plus, we will discuss the best way to market a ‘kidslit’ book in this competitive environment.

NJSCBWI June 2012 Conference Registration begins Jan.20

2012-01-11T23:14:00.006-05:00

Many writers from our area enjoy attending the New Jersey SCBWI Conference in Princeton, NJ. This year it will take place June 8th, 9th and 10th. It tends to be a smaller conference than the New England one, but is well-attended by editors and authors and has many critique opportunities. Kate DiCamillo will be the keynote speaker on Sunday the 10th.

The registration can be a bit complicated, so scope things out early. This year you may register online. Check in on Kathy Temean's blog "Writing and Illustrating" for conference information including details on registration.

So, good luck registering and enjoy the conference in June!

It's Almost Time for NESCBWI 2012 Registration!!

2012-01-08T20:57:00.002-05:00

NESCBWI 2012 Conference: Keeping it Real

Friday, April 20, 2012 - Sunday, April 22, 2012

Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place
(413) 781-1010
One Monarch Place
Springfield, Massachusetts 01144
United States
Map and Directions

Conference News
Registration opens January 23, 2012

Visit the conference site for schedule, conference information, and faculty bios.

New Workshop at Write Yourself Free

2011-12-08T20:54:00.000-05:00

Testimonial

"Victoria's workshop provides the perfect setting of intimacy and direct contact with other serious writers, all of whom have different talents and struggles. The format Victoria has organized is highly professional, with examples of character development, plot, dialog and action, to inspire and enable the ability to actualize our goals of writing and going about getting published. Victoria is a consummate professional, an astute observer and critic, and an engaging, charismatic teacher. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found her at Write Yourself Free and have a new confidence that I will find a niche in the world of Children's literature." Dianne Warner/

Weekly Workshop with Victoria Sherrow

Fridays 9:30-11:30 6 classes $250

Jan.13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10 & 17

About Victoria Victoria Sherrow is the author of 12 picture books, including two from Harper. Her Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane (Soundprints) won a Parent's Choice Gold Award and Vermont Reading Circle Award and was a Scholastic book club selection. Twenty-six of Victoria's books are listed in Best Books for Children, Preschool Through Grade 6 an Young Adult (2005). She has taught at The Institute of Children's Literature since 1991.Victoria will draw upon her experience as the author of more than 80 published books and numerous short stories for children and teens, all sold without an agent. Victoria has also been an editorial assistant and contest judge, reviewed children's books, and taught writing since 1993.

Publishing Workshop Intensive: Writers for Children and Teens

with VIctoria Sherrow.

Sunday, January 29th 1:00-4:00pm $65

Do you want to submit your children's book, article, or story for publication? Learn how to prepare your manuscripts for editors and identify the most promising markets. In this workshop, we'll discuss how to format a manuscript, write effective cover letters and queries, and put together a submission package based on the publisher's guidelines. We will talk about publishers that accept submissions directly from authors and learn more about literary agents and contests for children's writers. Participants who wish to do so may ask for specific suggestions re: publishers for their current projects and help in crafting letters to the editor.

Victoria Sherrow, a well-published and award-winning author for children and teens, will offer examples from her own experience and suggest additional resources for keeping up with the marketplace.

Victoria will review the manuscripts of the first two people who sign up for this Intensive. . Please email Tish here. to register. Victoria is also available to review manuscripts.

Writing the Picture Book: From Idea to Bookstore DATE TBA in FEB.

Writing for Children Intensive with Victoria Sherrow

Sat. 10am-1pm $65

Do you write picture books-or would you like to? Many children's authors hope to publish the kinds of illustrated stories they loved themselves or have enjoyed reading to their children. In this workshop, we'll discuss ways to write a manuscript that can compete with the spin-offs, movie tie-ins, and celebrity-authored books in today's marketplace.

Picture books have special requirements in terms of structure, character development, themes, presentation, illustration potential, and style. Workshop participants will have a chance to practice skills and analyze the elements in successful picture books, including a group of editor's favorites. We'll see how authors move from promising idea to finished book.

Write Yourself Free/The Editing Company, LLC / 252 Post Road East / Westport, Connecticut 06880

Author Signings

2011-11-30T22:28:00.002-05:00

Childrens' Holiday Book Festival

AT THE FERGUSON LIBRARY

DECEMBER 4, 2011

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

1 - 4:30 pm

1:15 and 3:00 Sing-a-long with Dr. Ev in the first floor children’s room

WORKSHOPS FOR AGES 5 AND UP

DROP IN, NO REGISTRATION. SPACE IS LIMITED. THIRD FLOOR AUDITORIUM

1:30 Make-and-take collage bookmark with illustrator Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

2:15 Learn how pop-up books are created with illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky

3:15 Practice doodling with author Karen Romano Young

4:00 Make a “bow wow book” with illustrator Lindsay Barrett George

Authors and Illustrators

MICHAEL BUCKLEY

New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He has been a stand-up comic, lead singer for a punk rock back and an intern on the Late Show with David Letterman. He also developed programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and the producers of Nick- elodeon’s Rugrats. Mr. Buckley is the author of two popular series, The Sisters Grimm and NERDS. He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Alison, and their son Finn. Boys and girls age 8 – 12 will be happy to receive a Michael Buckley book.

BRUCE DEGEN (2 to 4)

Bruce Degen has loved art ever since he was a child growing up in Brooklyn, New York. As a boy, when he wasn’t drawing and painting, he loved to read books about bears, fantasy and science fiction. He’s probably best known for illustrating The Magic School Bus books written by Joanna Cole. He also illustrated Nancy White Carlstrom’s Jesse Bear books and Jane Yolen’s Commander Toad series. He has written and illustrated Jamberry and Sailaway Home, among other titles. Children age 4 – 8 will love a Bruce Degan gift book.

BRIAN FLOCA

Brian Floca is the author and illustrator of Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11, Lightship, and The Racecar Alphabet. He is the illustrator of the popular Poppy Stories series by Avi; Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan; and most recently, Marty McGuire by Kate Messner. His books have received numerous awards, including three Robert F. Sibert honors. Brian was born and raised in Temple, Texas and he now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Boys and girls age 5 – 12 will treasure a gift book by Brian Floca.

PATRICIA REILLY GIFF (3:30 to 4:30) As a reading teacher for 20 years, instructor to aspiring writers, and the author of more than 60 books for children, Patricia Reilly Giff has spent her entire life sur- rounded by books. Her books are loved by children and recognized by critics, and among other accolades she has received the Newbery Honor for Pictures of Hollis Woods and Lily’s Crossing.Her latest series, Zigzag Kids, are perfect for children beginning to read chapter books. Patricia Reilly Giff’s other books are wonderful gifts for children age 8 – 12.

LINDSAY BARRETT GEORGE

Lindsay Barrett George has always loved drawing and telling stories. Her first lan- guage was Spanish, and she moved to the United States from the West Indies when she was eight years old. She is widely recognized for her striking illustrations of animals, birds and fish. She is the author/illustrator of Maggie’s Ball; Alfred Digs; The Secret; Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse and other picture books. Young animal lovers will fall in love with the creatures in Lindsay Barrett George’s books.

STEPHANIE GREENE

Stephanie Greene grew up, went to college, worked as a newspaper reporter and advertising copywriter, then got married and lived in South Africa and Hong Kong. When her son Oliver was born, she became a children’s book author, drawing on his life for some of her books. She is the author of the Princess Posey books for ages 6 – 8, and several chapter books for ages 8 – 12. Little girls will love a Princess Posey book, and the boy in your life will enjoy reading about Owen Foote.

BILL THOMSON

Bill Thomson has created artwork for advertising, book, and editorial clients across the United States, and now focuses primarily on children’s books. His artwork has received numerous awards: he was winner of the 2009 Connecticut Book Award for Children’s Illustrator, and a finalist for the award in 2005 and 2007. Boys and girls who enjoy dramatically illustrated picture books will love a Bill Thomson gift book.

NANCY ELIZABETH WALLACE

Nancy Elizabeth Wallace is an award- winning author and illustrator of 23 picture books. She has a Master of Arts degree in Child Development from the University of Connecticut, and worked with hospitalized children before she started writing full time. She is the 2006 recipient of the Connecticut Book Awards Children’s Illustrator award from The Center for the Book at the Hartford Public Library, and her book Baby Day! is given to infants born in eight Connecticut hospitals. Young children and their parents will love exploring nature and science with Nancy Elizabeth Wallace’s picture books.

ROSEMARY WELLS (1:30 to 2:30)

Rosemary Wells was born in New York City and raised on the New Jersey shore. She began to draw when she was two years old, and has been drawing ever since. Rosemary attended the Boston Museum School then worked in publishing for seven years be- fore her first book was published in 1968. Her career as an author and illustrator spans more than 40 years and 120 books. She has won numerous awards, and has given readers such unforgettable characters as Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora, and Yoko. The young children in your life will adore receiving a Rosemary Wells book.

RITA WILLIAMS-GARCIA

Rita Williams-Garcia was born in Queens, NY. She learned to read early, and loved to daydream and write. Writing stories for young people is her passion. Rita’s most recent book, One Crazy Summer, was the Coretta Scott King Award winner, a Newbery Honor book, a National Book Award finalist, a Junior Library Guild selection, the Texas Library Association’s Best Book for 2010, and the winner of the 2011 Scott O’Dell Prize for Historical Fiction. Tweens will love getting One Crazy Summer. Other Rita Williams-Garcia books are wonderful gifts for the teen in your life.

KAREN ROMANO YOUNG

Karen Romano Young is a writer, illustrator, science maven, and doodler. Her writing has taken her from the Arctic Ocean (she saw polar bears) to the bottom of the sea (in a submarine called Alvin). Karen Romano Young is the author of more than 20 books for children, including Doodlebug: A Novel in Doodles and the Science Fair Winners series from National Geographic. Her books for teens include The Beetle and Me: A Love Story and Video. Any child who draws or scribbles will love to receive a copy of Karen Romano Young’s Doodlebug.

PAUL O. ZELINSKY

Paul O. Zelinsky’s illustrations have won wide acclaim, including the Caldecott Medal for Rapunzel and three Caldecott Honors, for Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Swamp Angel, whose 2010 sequel Dust Devil was a New York Times Notable Book. He has also illustrated children’s novels such as Beverly Cleary’s Newbery-winning Dear Mr. Henshaw, and the Toys Go Out books by Emily Jenkins.

Children from kindergarten to second grade will delight in owning a classic story illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Younger children will love a movable book such as Knick Knack Paddywack.

WWW.FERGUSONLIBRARY.ORG

Special thanks to Nancy Elizabeth Wallace for her original papercut illustration for the Children’s Holiday Book Festival. Generously supported by the Friends of The Ferguson Library, TOR-Forge Books, Greenwillow Books, Garden Catering and The Advocate

Children's Book Intensive at Write Yourself Free

2011-11-05T13:46:00.001-04:00

Dear Children's Book Writers,

no workshop this Saturday but we do have:

One Special INTENSIVE and a FOUR WEEK SESSION!

Registration is now. Please email Tish here.

Weekly Workshop with Victoria

Four classes

Fridays 9:30-11:30 4 classes $200
December 2, 9, 16 & Jan.6

About Victoria Victoria Sherrow is the author of 12 picture books, including two from Harper. Her Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane (Soundprints) won a Parent's Choice Gold Award and Vermont Reading Circle Award and was a Scholastic book club selection. Twenty-six of Victoria's books are listed in Best Books for Children, Preschool Through Grade 6 an Young Adult (2005). She has taught at The Institute of Children's Literature since 1991. Victoria will draw upon her experience as the author of more than 80 published books and numerous short stories for children and teens, all sold without an agent. Victoria has also been an editorial assistant and contest judge, and reviewed numerous children's books.

Writing the Picture Book: From Idea to Bookstore

Writing for Children Intensive with Victoria Sherrow

Sat. Nov. 12th, 10am-1pm $65

Up and Coming

Weekly Workshop

Picture Book

Write Yourself Free/The Editing Company, LLC / 252 Post Road East / Westport, Connecticut 06880 /

NaNoWriMo

2011-10-28T10:06:00.002-04:00

It's less than a week before the 2012 National Novel Writing Month kicks off. Although I'm not participating this year (a new baby really cuts back on your writing time!), I know from experience that's NaNoWriMo is a great way to quickly craft a first draft.

What exactly is NaNoWriMo? As they put it, "Thirty days and nights of literary abandon!" Basically it's the chance for any writer to try and pen an entire novel (with a goal of 50,000 words) in the month of November. That's 1,667 words a day! Crazy? Maybe. Crazy fun? You bet.

The NaNoWriMo website offers a progress tracker, pep talks, special offers for writers, a forum, and access to your local chapter. The Fairfield County kick-off party is Saturday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Molten Java Cafe in Bethel, CT.

Anyone joining in the madness that is NaNoWriMo?

Oregon Writer's Conference

2011-10-23T22:41:00.001-04:00

OREGON COAST CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS WORKSHOP, SUMMER 20112
www.occbww.com

Next summer, July 9-13 we will proudly present the tenth Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop, www.occbww.com, in the exquisite Oregon coast town of Oceanside. Every summer before we've had to turn away students. So, if you care to join us, you might want to register sooner than later.

The instructors for the workshop will include five established children's book authors (between them, specializing in YA and middle school novels, picture books, non-fiction, magazine pieces, and poetry), two children's book editors from major houses (we have yet to sign our second editor, but hope to do so in several weeks), and one children's book agent. Summer Workshop 2012 promises to be our best yet because:

- The instructor-student ratio will be a maximum of one to seven
- Each day you will meet with an instructor for at least one comprehensive consultation
- You can have one-on-one informal meetings with instructors each day as well
- Every student who wishes can have an anonymous first page manuscript critique by all eight instructors in front of the class
- We will offer at least twelve instructional lectures on various aspects of writing and publishing
- There will be two evening presentations by instructors
- Out-of-class consultations with instructors are available
- There will be at least two guest lectures/writing workshops
- There will be two wonderful parties (quite appropriate for friends, partners, spouses, children)

More and more of our students are publishing and signing with agents. If you are ambitious to publish a children's book (or simply adore children's books) this is the workshop for you. It will allow you to connect directly with authors, editors, agents who are active in the children's book business. If you go to the website and look under Evaluations, you'll see that it's received extraordinarily high praise (some listed below).

The course is available for graduate credit.

For complete information we welcome you to visit our website at www.occbww.com

There's a generous refund policy (described at the website) if you decide to register now and then later on change your mind.

Any questions, feel free to ask.

Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop
www.occbww.com

Family Author Event at Katonah Museum of Art

2011-10-19T07:52:00.001-04:00

Start Spreading the News...

KMA has an amazing Family Festival coming up with 8 illustrator demonstrations, NYC-inspired art activities, gallery games, book-signing, snacks, and a huge tent! Please let your colleagues, students, and friends know about this exciting event.

12:30 Eric Velasquez (Grandma's Records)

Neil Waldman (The Starry Night)

1:30 Jerry Pinkney (The Little Match Girl)

Amy Schwartz (A Teeny Tiny Baby)

2:30 Donald Crews (Harbor)

Nina Crews (The Neighborhood Mother Goose)

3:30 Yumi Heo (One Sunday Morning)

Boris Kulikov (The Castle on Hester Street)

12:00 - 5:00 Ongoing art activities - Create a 3-D City and a "My NYC" book, enjoy comfy reading corners to read your favorite NYC picture books, go on picture hunts in the galleries, and snack at our food table.

Adults: Free to KMA members, $5 non-members. Children (ages 3 and up): $5 KMA members, $10 non-members. Join at the door for free entry!

Visit the website for directions, hours, and guided tour information. Click on the link below to share with a friend.

Photo Credits:

Neil Waldman, Times Square, from The Starry Night [Boyds Mills Press, 1999]. Oil on canvas. © Neil Waldman, 1999.

Children's Intensive at Write Yourself Free

2011-10-18T14:45:00.000-04:00

Why the Editor Said YES

Writing for Children Intensive

with Victoria Sherrow

choice of two dates:

THIS Friday, October 21st 9:30am-12:30pm

or Saturday, November 5th, 1:00-4:00pm $65

Most writers know the frustration of writing and polishing a manuscript, only to have it come back rejected, often with a form letter

or brief (and sometimes confusing) comments from the editor. Why is even good writing rejected? What do editors want?

In this workshop, we'll explore ways to develop stories for children and teens with the content and style that help writers succeed in today's marketplace. Participants will do creative writing exercises as we discuss various elements. We'll analyze published stories to see why theeditor said "yes" and look at others that didn't make thecut.

Victoria Sherrow is the author of 12 picture books, including two from Harper. Her Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane (Soundprints) won a Parent's Choice Gold Award and Vermont Reading Circle Award and was a Scholastic book club selection. Twenty-six of Victoria's books are listed in Best Books for Children, Preschool Through Grade 6 an Young Adult (2005). She has taught at TheInstitute of Children's Literature since 1991.

SCBWI NY 2012

2011-10-17T18:19:00.002-04:00

Registration for the 13th Annual Winter SCBWI Conference in NY is now underway. The conference will take place in NYC on January 27 - 29.

New this year will be a Saturday Night Gala with time to meet and mingle with industry professionals as well as other writers.

To register go to http://www.scbwi.org/Conference.aspx?Con=9

What are you looking forward to at this year's conference? I can't wait to hear a keynote from one of my favorite authors, Cassandra Clare.

Workshop on Writing by Three Amazing Kidlit Authors

2011-10-11T19:28:00.001-04:00

The Hudson Valley Writers' Center Presents

BREAKING IN, STANDING OUT:
WRITING FOR CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULT MARKETS
with Tony Abbott, Nora Raleigh Baskin, & Elise Broach

SATURDAY, October 22, 1-3pm
Fee: $80 Code: NBf11b

Three award winning children's book authors discuss publishing in
today's fastest growing literary market. In a wide-ranging panel,
Tony Abbott, Elise Broach, and Nora Raleigh Baskin cover the art, craft,
and business of writing, from picture books to young adult fiction.

Topics for discussion will include (but are not limited to):

• different approaches to the writing process
• strategies for marketing your manuscripts and increasing your
chances of publication
• making connections with other authors, agents, and editors
• the role of electronic social media in the writing and publishing
life
• how to sustain a writing career

A question and answer session concludes the panel, followed by a special
reception at which participants will have the opportunity for one on one
time with the authors.

THE HUDSON VALLEY WRITERS' CENTER
300 Riverside Drive
Sleepy Hollow, New York 10591
TEL: (914) 332-5953
FAX: (914) 332-4825
E-MAIL: info@writerscenter.org info@writerscenter.org>

Tassy Waldon 2012

2011-10-09T20:57:00.000-04:00

The guidelines and submission form for the 2012 New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards are now available. The deadline for submissions is February 3, 2012. You may download the submission guidelines an entry form at www.shorelinearts.org. If you would like a copy snail mailed, emailed or faxed please contact Donita Aruny at the below numbers and/or addresses.

Donita Aruny

Program & Marketing Director
Shoreline Arts Alliance

725 Boston Post Road

Guilford, CT 06437

203-453-3890

donita@shorelinearts.org

www.shorelinearts.org

Free Workshop at Write Yourself Free in Westport

2011-10-09T20:56:00.001-04:00

FREEEE Write Yourself Free Introduction Thursday, Oct. 27, 7:30pm sharp

with Patrick McCord, PhD

You've heard about it and now it's time to try it. (And it's actually fun!) All you have to do is RSVP.

The Write Yourself Free(SM) Method of instruction demystifies language arts, freeing each writer's intuition, and stimulating the creative process. Writers easily expand their skill sets through weekly writing games that engage the innate structures of storytelling.

Cognitive Theory Nugget: reading, writing, speaking, listening, taking notes, and thinking critically are all inter-related activities that, when co-ordinated, reinforce one another. Doing them for a group and/or in a group can be both liberating and energizing. Almost every important writer in the past 60 years has engaged in workshop activities; many have written entire manuscripts in ongoing workshops. (Possible exception: Thomas Pynchon).

Member News

2011-10-09T20:53:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Carol Boas, whose story, What Mother's Are For will appear (along with the kugel recipe which is integral to the story) in the new book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Food and Love which will be out November 22, 2011.

As her daughter so kindly posted on Facebook, "What else would my mother write about!"

Youth Book Expo in Shelton Oct. 15th

2011-10-04T11:03:00.004-04:00

Saturday • October 15th,

2011 • 10:00AM-3:00PM

Shelton Courtyard Marriott
780 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484

20+ youth book authors will be selling and signing their books.

The expo is free to the public.

A portion of the proceeds from the book sales will go to support the

Shelton Library System.

Check out the authors and illustrators attending the expo!

MeeGenius! Author Challenge 2011

2011-09-27T11:44:00.002-04:00

MeeGenius!, a publisher of illustrated eBooks for iPhone, iPad, iTouch, Google TV, and the web, is looking for the next great picture book author. First prize is a publishing contract, $1,500 cash, and a library of MeeGenius books for one full year to the school of your choice. There are also three runner-up prizes of a publishing contract and $500 cash.

Simply submit your story by November 1, 2011 on their online entry form. Then from November 28, 2011 through December 18, 2011 all the stories will be posted on the MeeGenius website. Visitors to the site can then vote for their favorites. The community favorites as well as MeeGenius staff picks will advance to the finals.

If you make the final round, your book will be professional edited and illustrated before another round of voting occurs from January 31, 2012 through February 21, 2012. Winners will be announced on March 7, 2012.

Good luck to anyone who enters!

2012 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market

2011-09-19T13:11:00.005-04:00

The 2012 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market edited by Chuck Sambuchino is out today. The newest edition of CWIM includes over 700 listings of children's book publishers and magazines and advice from dozens of kidlit agents. It also features interviews and articles from the likes of Meg Cabot, M.T. Anderson, Maggie Stiefvater, Ally Carter, and Donna Gephart.

The following bloggers are offering giveaways of this great resource:

Literary agent Mary Kole at kidlit.com

Author Donna Gephart at Wild About Words

Author Audrey Vernick at Literary Friendships

Workshop on Wednesday in Greenwich

2011-09-16T21:16:00.001-04:00

Write a Book for Children Course at Silvermine

2011-09-15T23:52:00.001-04:00

COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Write a Book for Children

Instructor · Laura Toffler Corrie

Saturday · 10:00 am – 12:00 pm · $235
6 Sessions · October 15 – November 19

registration form · PDF

Sept/Oct. Events of Interest

2011-09-13T11:32:00.008-04:00

Events of interest to children's authors & illustrators abound in the fall!

Sept. 25, 12-6pm:

Celebrate Children's Books

At Washington Irving's "Sunnyside" in Tarrytown, NY

60 authors/illustrators including Judy Blundell, Peter Brown, Jean Craighead George, Susan Jeffers, Gloria Pinkney, and Jean Van Leeuwen.

Oct. 29:

SCBWI Encore! 2011

Five workshops

at Rhode Island College, Providence, RI

Presenters: J.L. Bell, Karen Day, Erin Dionne, Mary Lee Donovan, and Mark Peter Hughes.

UPDATE 10/05: SOLD OUT!

Oct. 29, 9:30-3:30:

BookFest 2011

More information

Bank Street College of Education, NYC, NY

Featured speakers: Jules Feiffer, G. Brian Karas, Norton Juster, Leonard Muster, Donna Jo Napoli, and George O'Connor.

(Note: sign up early!!) UPDATE 9/14: SOLD OUT

Nov. 12-13, 10am to 5pm:

20th Annual Connecticut Children's Book Fair

At UConn- Rome Commons Ballroom, Storrs, CT

20 authors/illustrators including: Tomie dePaola, Alan Katz, Grace Lin, Mo Willems, and Jane Yolen.

Déjà Vu Writing Competition

2011-09-05T20:50:00.001-04:00

The Center for Contemporary Printmaking is seeking well-crafted memoirs for a writing competition entitled “Déjà Vu”. The writing competition uses as its starting point the miniature paintings and soulful monoprints created by artist Jack Boul.

SUBMISSIONS DUE SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 BY 5PM.

The writing contest offers three cash prizes:
FIRST PLACE: $175
SECOND PLACE: $125
THIRD PLACE; $75

For details, click on the link below.

www.contemprints.org/writers

New Publisher for Middle Grade

2011-09-01T00:17:00.002-04:00

From Writing and Illustrating Blog

HOT OFF THE PRESSES – GOOD NEWS! Eileen Robinson has started her own publishing company - MOVE BOOKS.

MOVE BOOKS goal is to grow and sustain boy’s appetite for reading – toMove them to read for the long-term.

So if you have written a middle grade book that will inspire boys to read for pleasure, and help build their imaginations through books that resonate with them, then you have a good place to submit.

Eileen Robinson says she is looking to publish their first book in the beginning of 2012, so this is a huge opportunity. If you have a polished and completed middle grade manuscript, then mail in your first 25 pages of your completed novel and a synopsis to:

Move Books
P.O. Box 183
Beacon Falls, CT 06403

Do not email manuscripts. Please do not waste Eileen’s time by submitting an incomplete manuscript. This will slow down the production schedule at MOVE BOOKS.

Eileen will keep her writing consultating company – Firstpages, but this is a separate company and manuscripts that are submitted for this service will not get any special consideration for MOVE BOOKS.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to put a dash between Move and Books to find the website: www.move-books.com

Boy oriented books does not mean you have to eliminate girl characters.

Write Yourself Free Fall Classes

2011-08-24T21:45:00.001-04:00

Write Yourself Free(SM) Sections for Fall
The Write Yourself Free(SM) method is suitable for all kinds of writing from memoir to screenwriting to childen's literature. Discover confidence and insight as you give voice to your unique point-of-view. Workshops are limited to six people. 8 classes $385
**Thursdays at 1 is a new class. Lots of room!

Mondays 1:00-3:00pm
Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7
Mondays 7:15-9:15pm
Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7
Tues 10:00-12:00 (WYF II)*
Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1
Wednesday 10:00am-12:15
Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2
Wednesday 7:15-9:15pm
Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2

Thursdays 1:00-3:00pm**
Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3

*Tuesdays WYF II is for those who have been in at least three sessions of WYF. Please inquire. SOLD OUT

The Big Project Bi Weekly- Saturdays with Patrick McCord, PhD. $385 Sept. 10, 24, Oct. 1*, 15, 29, Nov. 12, Dec. 3 & 17 (*because of Holiday)

Songwriting Saturdays with Andy (AJ) Gundell for teens and adults $315 Sept. 24, Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5 with special performance date.

Visit their website for more information.

Write Yourself Free

2011-08-24T21:34:00.005-04:00

Write Yourself Free in Westport is offering a free class to introduce writers to their teaching methods. The class is on August 31st at 7:30pm.

Even though the event is free, you MUST RSVP here.

WriteOnCon 2011 Conference

2011-08-14T11:34:00.006-04:00

I was really bummed to not be able to attend the SCBWI Annual Summer Conference in LA earlier this month. For those of you who also may not have had the pleasure of actually traveling to a conference this summer, there is an alternative: the WriteOnCon 2011 online conference for children's writers.

WriteOnCon, which was founded by a group of writers who wanted to bring the inspiring and informative environment of an in-person writing conference to the online world, will be hosting its 2011 online writing conference this week. Blogging, vlogging, live chats, an active forum, and contests connect attendees with authors, agents, and editors. Oh, and the best parts about the conference are that it's totally free and you can attend while wearing your pajamas! (Content from its inaugural 2010 conference can be found here.)

This year the conference will run from Tuesday, August 16th through Thursday, August 18th. The faculty is pretty impressive and includes agents Joanna Volpe, Tina Wexler, Michelle Wolfson; editors Liesa Abrams (Aladdin, Simon and Schuster), Molly O'Neill (Katherine Tegan, HarperCollins), and Anica Rissi (Simon Pulse, Simon and Schuster); authors Jay Asher (13 Reason Why), Sara Zarr (Story of a Girl), and Carrie Ryan (The Forest of Hands and Teeth). Find a full list of faculty here and here.

So if you want to hear from leaders of the kidlit publishing industry, chat with other writers, or have your query critiqued register here for WriteOnCon 2011. Don't worry if you can't actually "attend" events as they occur live because transcripts of the entire conference will be posted.

Disclosure: I have no official affiliations with WriteOnCon. I attended last year's conference, found it very informative, and wanted to spread the word. That's all!

Southern NESCBWI Agent Day Roundup

2011-08-02T15:01:00.022-04:00

On July 10, 2011, three agents met with 30 attendees at Write Yourself Free in Westport CT for the for our Southern NESCBWI group's first "Agent Day." Stacy Mozer organized and led the event.

Tina Wexler from ICM began the day with “Ready-Set-Submit: How to tell when your manuscript is ready to go out into the world.” Among the ten pieces of advice on preparing

one's manuscript before submitting to an agent, she offered these nuggets:

- plot your story on a blank calendar page to look for any problems with your story movement

- spend at least two weeks away from your manuscript in order to distance yourself and gain perspective

- your narrative voice virtually carries your manuscript, so concentrate on this in your later revisions.

Next up was Ammi-Joan Paquette from Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Her talk on "Eight

Ways to Stand Out in the Slush Pile" contained these suggestions for agent queries:

- try to send out to only five or so agents at a time; no more than eight

- there are good query writing tips on verlakay.com, querytracker.com and absolutewrite.com

- agents have been known to peruse query forums from time to time

- resist the urge to start off your query with a rhetorical question or to write your query as your main character in the first person

- be sure to share why you chose that particular agent over others

- have killer first lines, first pages, and first chapters!

At this point, everyone walked to nearby Blue Lemon restaurant for lunch and enjoyed getting to know one another.

The third presentation was from Jennifer DeChiara from Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency: "Agent 101: How to Find One, Work With One, and Keep Them Your #1 Fan Forever."

She recommended:

- getting that elevator pitch just right and memorize a longer version just in case there

is interest

- to find an agent, she suggested the book,"Jeff Herman's Guide to Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents

- go to conferences as a way to get to know agents (but don't pester them)

- once you sign with an agent, trust them to have your best interests at heart

The group then split into three groups for the agent Round Robin, to allow participants to get to know the agent better and learn more about the agent-author process and relationship. This was a time when agents also answered more questions on the minds of attendees and made for more lively conversations.

To top it off, writers received their pre-submitted manuscripts as they left with critiques from agents. Three lucky persons chosen for outstanding manuscripts also received special one-on-one critiques with an agent: Susan Montanari, Chris Friden and Debbie McGinley. Congratulations and good luck to them!

All in all, Agent Day was a stimulating day and a very good way to get to know three experienced agents. Thanks to Stacy Mozer for making it happen. She said that there will be more to come!

Making a Mess of a Story

2011-07-31T13:18:00.002-04:00

If it’s true that you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet, I’m going to argue that you have to make a mess to create a story. I think this method of making a mess can work equally well for those of us who are pantsers (yup, I admit to being a pantser) and those writers who are plotters.

What do I mean by making a mess? For me, the mess (a concept I developed from a term one of my college English professors once used) is a collection of stuff that helps build a story. This stuff can be anything from plot outlines (which admittedly, I don’t use) and character profiles (something I do use) to bits of research and images relevant to a WIP.

The mess can be handwritten or typed, it can be clips of articles in a folder or a list of favorites in an Internet browser, or it can be images cut from a magazine and a series of charcoal sketches you made yourself. Yours may consist of a detailed outline of every major and minor plot point. Or it may be just a few words of pithy dialogue and a couple of character names scribbled in a notebook.

My messes tend to be a combination of all different types of things. For my WIP Pirate Island (a MG adventure about two 11-year-old boys trying to find Captain Kidd’s lost pirate treasure), I have clippings from a local newspaper about the real island that is the inspiration for the setting. I also have actual photos of the island saved on my computer, some I took and some that came from the Internet. There’s the treasure map I drew using the Paint program on my computer and the calendar I created that lists a realistic timeline of high tides and moon cycles that would occur during the story. And I have several books (biographies of Captain Kidd, a little paperback of local history of the real island, and a book of pirate jargon) with pages earmarked and highlighted.

That’s the beauty of the mess: It can be whatever you need it to be. It can literally be a mess or it can be meticulously catalogued. You don’t even have to call it a mess if that particular term bothers you. My collective mess is the place (or places if you have some on your computer and some filed away on a shelf) you go to stay organized and inspired. It’s where preparation meets creativity. Much of that mess probably won’t even make it into the story, but it all informs the story in some way.

So I challenge you to go make a mess and turn it into a story.

Have somethng to say?

2011-07-19T06:29:00.002-04:00

Interested in writing for our blog? If you are a kidlit writer (published or prepublished) or publishing professional that lives in Fairfield County, CT, we are looking for contributers. You can just publish one time or become a regular. To appy, send an email to Stacy explaining what you have to contribute.

NJSCBWI Summer Networking Dinners

2011-06-15T23:08:00.003-04:00

NJSCBWI will be hosting Networking Dinners this summer with agents and editors in NYC. The number of spots available for each dinner is based on two members for every editor/agent attending the dinner. So if there are 7 editors/agents, there would be 14 available spots.

To register: Email kellyacalabrese@gmail.com and let her know you want a spot. Then you need to immediately send in your money for the dinner to:

NJSCBWI – Summer Networking Dinners
PO BOX 660
Ringoes, NJ 08551

or PayPal it using kathy@newjerseyscbwi.com

Dates and Editors/Agents:
July 5th – Cafe Centro - in their private dining room. Includes glass of wine, salad, dessert, and choice of entrée. Price: $150

Steve Meltzer - Associate Publisher/ Executive Managing Editor, Dial, Dutton, & Celebra
Eve Adler – Editor, Grosset & Dunlap
Tina Wexler – Agent – ICM | International Creative Management
Shauna Fay – Assistant Editor, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Young Readers Group
Holly McGhee – Agent and Owner – Pippin Properties
Nick Eliopulos – Editor – Scholastic
Christina Hogrebe - Agent – Jane Rotrosen Agency

July 6th – Churrascaria Platforma - Private Room – includes amazing salad bar, unlimited beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, fish, shrimp, pasta, sushi. Dessert comes with the meal, also one alcoholic beverage, unlimited bottled water and soda. I guarantee you will not leave hungry. http://www.churrascariaplataforma.com Price: $170

Elena Mechlin – Agent – Pippin Properties
Alvina Ling – Executive Editor – Little, Brown, and Co.
Stephen Barbara – Agent – Foundry Literary & Media
Sarah Barley - Associate Editor – HarperCollins BFYR
Leila Sales – Assistant Editor – Viking Books
Claudia Gabel - Senior Editor – Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins
Ariel Colletti - Assistant Editor – Simon & Schuster
Liza Fleissig – Agent – Liza Royce Literary Agency

July 19th – Cafe Centro - in their private dining room. Includes glass of wine, salad, dessert, and choice of entrée. $150

John Cusick - Agent – Scott Treimel NY, Literary Agency
Linda Pratt – Agent – Wernick & Pratt Agency
Catherine Onder – Senior Editor – Disney/Hyperion
Rebecca Frazer - Editor – Jabberwocky/ Sourcebooks
Alexandra Cooper – Senior Editor – Simon & Schuster
Caitlyn Doulhy - Editorial Director – Atheneum Books for Young Readers

July 20th - A.J. Maxwells - Private dining room. Dinner includes, salad, entrée, dessert, one alcoholic drink, soda, coffee, tea. Price: $150

Eileen Robinson - Editorial Consultant – F1rst Pages http://f1rstpages.com
Mary Kole – Agent – Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Scott Treimel - Owner and Agent – Scott Treimel Literary Agency
Marietta Zacker - Agent – Nancy Gallt Literary Agency
Zack Clark - Assistant editor – Scholastic
Lisa Yoskowitz – Editor – Disney/Hyperion
Erin Clarke – Senior Editor – Random House

August 23rd – Cafe Centro - in their private dining room. Includes glass of wine, salad, dessert, and choice of entrée. Price: $150
Stephen Fraser - Agent – Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency
Connie Hsu – Editor – Little, Brown, & Co.
Regina Griffin - Executive Editor – EgmontUSA
Karen Chaplin - Editor – HarperCollins
Namrata Tripathi - Executive Editor – Atheneum BFYR
Molly Jaffa – Agent – Folio Literary
Carlie Webber - Agent – Jane Rotrosen Agency

August 24th - Trattoria Depo Teatro -Private room – Salad, Entrée, Sides, Dessert, unlimited soft drink, an alcoholic beverage. Price: $145

Meredith Mundy – Senior Editor – Sterling Publishing Co.
Kate Sullivan – Associate Editor – Little, Brown, and Co.
Tamra Tuller – Senior Editor – Philomel
Sara Sargent - Associate Editor – Balzer and Bray
Sean McCarthy - Agent – Sheldon Folgelman Literary Agency
Christa Heschke – Agent – McIntosh & Otis
Ginger Harris – Agent – Liza Royce Literary Agency

The New Jersey SCBWI is not responsible for editor/agents getting sick, changing dates, and or dropping out. We will do everything we can to keep the ratio the same in the event that this happens. Please note: No refunds for dinners, since they have to be paid in advanced and guaranteed.

Falling Leaves Master Class Retreat – Picture Books 2011

2011-06-15T23:06:00.000-04:00

Eastern NY SCBWI is hosting five wonderful editors: Kate Fletcher (Candlewick), Dianne Hess (Scholastic), Sylvie Frank (Holiday House), Marilyn Brigham (Marshall Cavendish) and Kelly Smith (Sterling). Each participant will receive a one-on-one 25-minute critique of their submitted manuscript from one of these editors. In addition, each editor will provide a hands-on workshop and writing exercises in the evenings.

New this year --- they've added Associate Art Director, Katrina Damkoehler from Sterling to offer our author/illustrators the opportunity for portfolio critiques!

This is bound to be a fantastic weekend! Applications will begin being accepted June 15, 2011. Come join them for a weekend filled with inspiration, community and education!

Nancy Castaldo
RA, Eastern NY SCBWI
http://scbwi-easternny.org/conferences.php

Writing Course at Silvermine

2011-06-08T13:38:00.001-04:00

Write a Book: For Children
Course Code: LCORRSAT10AM070911
Summer 2011
Faculty: Laura Toffler Corrie
Start Date: Saturday, 07/09/2011
Time: 10am - 1pm
Duration: 3 Weeks
Fee: $145

Do you have a story to tell, but think it is too complicated to write a book? Do you start writing and then get stuck or run out of steam? This course will provide you with the tools, motivation and information to get you started and keep you going! In a positive, supportive environment, you will learn how to develop your story idea, create your main character, plan a setting, devise a plot, set up obstacles, uncover your main idea and find your writer’s ‘voice.’ Plus, we will discuss the best way to market a ‘kidslit’ book in this competitive environment.

Visit the Silvermine Arts Website for more details and to register.

Class on Writing for Children with Victoria Sherrow

2011-05-23T18:48:00.002-04:00

Time: Mondays 10am – Noon
Cost: 6 classes $250
Dates: May 23, (plus Tuesday May 31) June 6, 13, 20, 27
Where: Write Yourself Free 252 Post Road East Westport.

A local author, Victoria has published 12 picture books and more than 70 other books for young readers aged 4 through teens for Harper, Scholastic, Macmillan, National Geographic, and others. Her books have received starred reviews and awards, including the Parents Choice Gold Award, NY Public Library Best Books for the Teenage, and VOYA (Voices of Youth Advocates), and they have been translated into Spanish, German, Chinese, and other languages. Twenty-six of her books were listed in Best Books for Children, Preschool Through Grade 6 and Young Adult (2005). She has also sold short stories and articles for young readers to such magazines as Highlights for Children, Jack & Jill,Humpty Dumpty, and Children's Playmate. An experienced teacher, Victoria has taught for 18 years at The Institute of Children's Literature and 10 years at Westport Continuing Education. She has done numerous presentations at schools, bookstores, and libraries, including a program on biographies called "Find Your Heroes in Books" and has served as a "Writer In Residence" at elementary and middle schools. In 2003, she served on the selection panel for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Ilustrator

(possible Thursday group forming- please inquire)

contact: tishpatrick@gmail.com or 203.557.4614 for more information.

Tassy Walden Awards Announce Winners

2011-05-04T09:03:00.006-04:00

One of our own members has been chosen as a finalist in the Illustrated Picture Book category of the Tassy Walden Awards competition:

Jennifer Edwards of New Canaan.

Congratulations, Jennifer!

The Shoreline Arts Alliance recognizes the best in children’s books with the New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden awards. An annual juried competition, the Tassy’s were established in 2001 to encourage and nurture the creation and publication of exceptional quality books for children by unpublished Connecticut writers and illustrators. Submissions in each of five children’s book categories are judged by publishing industry experts.

For more information and a full list of winners and finalists, please go to the Tassy Walden Awards website.

Writer's Room in Westport, CT

2011-05-02T15:16:00.004-04:00

I have been facilitating the critique group in Weston the past year. Along with that monthly meeting, I attend the Writer's Room in Westport where I participate in a weekly writer's group. Both have proven very rewarding and helpful in different ways. While the Writer's Room is oriented more for "adult" writing, it can also be a huge benefit to children's authors--especially Middle Grade and YA.

The Writer's Room is located off the Post Road in a quaint 19th century Carriage House. It is a gathering spot for creative folk to meet and write in a stimulating atmosphere on a drop-in basis--and a place to take writing, songwriting, and screenwriting classes; speak at storytelling nights; and engage in other learning opportunities. Patrick is the primary instructor and his approach to writing has given me much insight and inspiration. He is very focused on the cognitive experience of characters and how we as readers experience that as story.

They are soon starting their next run of classes so it is a good time to take a look at their offering. One thing that caught my eye is a writing seminar for teens this summer which would be an interesting alternative to camps for your creative children. Here is there web site: http://writeyourselffree.com

CAPA Prize Winner Francine Morlando

2011-04-21T09:37:00.006-04:00

Francine Morlando, a member of our Picture Book Group, recently won 2nd place in the Children's Story category for her story, Crusty, in the annual Connecticut Authors & Publishers Association's Jerry Labriola Brian Jud Writing Contest.

Congratulations, Francine! (2nd from left in picture)

Cheerios New Authors contest: $5,000 grand prize!

2011-04-13T17:19:00.002-04:00

Cheerios® is seeking the next great children’s book author and encourages ambitious authors nationwide to submit an original story (500 words or less) in either English or Spanish for children ages 3 to 8. The grand prize is $5,000. The winning story will be printed and distributed in 3 million boxes of Cheerios and also offered for a possible contract to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. There are two runner-up prizes of $1,000 each.

Entries are due by July, 15, 2011 and can be entered online here. Only unpublished authors may enter. Official rules are located here. Entries will be judged using the following criteria: appropriate story/content for ages 3 to 8; emotional connection; writing quality; uniqueness; and read-aloud potential.

Good luck!

Registration Open for Rutgers One-on-One Plus Conference 2011

2011-04-11T21:55:00.002-04:00

The 42nd annual One-on-One Plus Conference is a one day event to be held this year on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Busch Campus Center of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ. The Conference is sponsored by the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature. The One-on-One Conference offers an opportunity for children's writers to bring samples of their current works in progress and pair one on one with experienced authors, illustrators, editors, art directors or agents. Click here for a full schedule of the day's events.

Guest speakers this year are Jon Scieszka and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich.

Enrollment is limited to 70-80 qualified applicants. The conference is said to be of greatest benefit to those not already represented by an agent. Applications are now being accepted and two scholarship awards are available. Applications (with writing samples) are due July 1; notification of acceptance will be made by late August. The conference fee is $195.

Southampton Children's Literature Conference July 6-10, 2011

2011-04-01T21:22:00.002-04:00

The Southampton Children's Literature Conference takes place at Stony Brook University/SUNY in Southampton NY from July 6-10.

Fees include tuition, room and board for the five-day conference: $1495.00.

Application and guidelines. Applications due May 20. Must include a writing sample. ($15 application fee).

The faculty for 2011 includes:

Newbery, Caldecott and Coretta Scott King honoree, author and editor Andrea Davis Pinkney
National Book Award finalist and award-winning middle-grade author Tor Seidler
National Book Award finalist and ALA Best Book of the Year Award-winning YA author Patricia McCormick
No. 1 New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds
New York Times bestselling author Chris Barton

In the afternoons, participants choose from a wide range of elective sessions with distinguished authors, editors, publishers, and agents. Because the Childrens Literature Conference runs concurrently with the Southampton Playwriting and Screenwriting Conferences, evening events feature well-known authors, playwrights, and filmmakers. Among the guest presenters currently scheduled are author/illustrator Jules Feiffer, children's literature historian Leonard Marcus, marketing guruSusan Raab, bestselling author and illustrator team Kate and Jim McMullan, and children's literature specialist Connie Rockman.

Children's Literary Salon at NYPL- April Event:

2011-03-21T14:59:00.003-04:00

The Children’s Literary Salon at the Children’s Center at 42 ^ndStreet is pleased to announce a panel discussion event:

An Afternoon with the Ezra Jack Keats Awards

Sat. April 2 at 2:00pm

Established in 1985, the Ezra Jack Keats Awards are presented jointly by The New York Public Library and the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation to talented new children’s book authors and illustrators, who, in the spirit of Ezra Jack Keats, create vividly written and illustrated books for children (age 9 and under).

Join a distinguished panel discussing the nature of the award and those books most deserving of its attention.

This panel will consist of:

- Deborah Pope, Exec. Dir. Ezra Jack Keats Foundation

- Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, 2008-2009 EJK Award Chair

- Nina Crews, Children's book author and illustrator

- Pat Cummings, Children's book author and illustrator

- Lisa Von Drasek, Bank Street College of Education Library and www.EarlyWord.com

The moderator will be Barbara Genco, the 2010-2011 Award Chair, (Library Journal)

New York Public Library
Children's Center at 42nd Street
Room 84
42nd Street and 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10018

2011 Ruth Landers Glass Scholarship for NESCBWI Writers

2011-03-20T09:17:00.000-04:00

I'm excited to announce the 2011 Ruth Landers Glass Scholarship for NESCBWI writers. As some of you may know, Ruth Landers Glass was an active member in NESCBWI who nurtured aspiring writers. She was an artist, writer and founding member of two Newton, Massachusetts, critique groups which helped many writers move toward publication. The scholarship provides writers with an opportunity to attend the NESCBWI conference.

General Guidelines:
* You must be a current/active member of SCBWI and a resident of New England.
* All submissions must be postmarked or e-mailed by April 15, 2011.
* All submissions are a maximum of 10 pages. Additional pages will be removed.
* The winner of this year's scholarship will receive free tuition for ONE DAY at the 2012 NESCBWI Conference. The winner will be announced Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the NESCBWI Conference in Fitchburg.

You may submit ONE of the following:
* One (1) picture book manuscript, not to exceed 10 pages
* Three (3) poems, not to exceed 10 pages
* One (1) non-fiction manuscript, not to exceed 10 pages
* Longer fiction (such as chapter book, middle grade, young adult), not to exceed 10 pages

Please include in your submission:
* Name, address, phone number and e-mail address.
* Mark the work Fiction or Non-fiction AND if it is: Picture Book, Poems, Chapter Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Graphic Novel, etc.

Our preferred method of submission is a PDF attachment e-mailed to:
francinepuckly@verizon.net

If you cannot send a PDF attachment, you may mail your submission to:
Francine Puckly
73 Mowry Street
Mendon, MA 01756

If you have any questions, please contact me at francinepuckly@verizon.net or news@nescbwi.org. Detailed information about the Ann Barrow Illustrators Scholarship will be following shortly from this year's coordinator, Margo Lemieux. Margo can be reached via e-mail at mlemieux@lasall.edu.

I look forward to hearing from you!
Francine Puckly
ARA - SCBWI New England

New School Forum on Writing for Children: Upcoming events

2011-03-11T10:41:00.002-05:00

At the New School's Forum on Writing for Children, noted freelance editor Deborah Brodie moderates authors and publishing professionals as they talk about their work and answer questions from the audience. Events are one hour long and cost only five dollars for the public. The spring programs are listed below. More on Deborah Brodie's appearances page, or the events listing on the New School's website (select for writing events, wade through events to find Forum).

Tuesday, April 12 – Elizabeth Winthrop
Elizabeth Winthrop, winner of numerous awards, is the author of more than 50 works of fiction for all ages. Her children’s books include The Castle in the Attic; Counting on Grace, a Jane Addams Peace Prize Honor book; and Dumpy La Rue, praised by School Library Journal in a starred review for “the musical quality of the text.”

Tuesday, May 10 – Barbara Shook Hazen
Barbara Shook Hazen is the author of 80 books for children and adults, including If It Weren’t for Benjamin, I’d Always Get to Lick the Icing Spoon and Tight Times, one of the first Reading Rainbow selections, still in print after 30 years.Publishers Weekly called the Christopher Award-winning Even If I Did Something Awful “touching, funny and realistic.”

All programs 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Tickets at The New School Box Office, Mon–Fri 1–7 p.m.;
call 212-229-5488. Admission $5.00
Readings at 66 West 12th Street, Room 510.
For more information: 212-229-5611.

Patricia Reilly Giff's Spring Writing Class

2011-03-03T11:22:00.002-05:00

Dates of classes:
Sunday, March 20
Sunday, March 27
Sunday, April 3
Sunday, April 10

Time: 2:15 - 4:00

Location: Dinosaur's Paw bookstore, 1300 Post Rd., Fairfield, CT

Registration: in person, at the store, or by phone (203-256-0797) with MC or Visa, beginning Sat. March 5th.

Accommodations are limited, your registration will be taken on a first come/first served basis.

The non-refundable tuition for the course is $250.00. If you wish to receive a critique for the first class, leave manuscripts at the store by Saturday, March 12th. Any manuscripts brought after that date will be critiqued at the second class.

New Meet the Editor Evening Dates

2011-02-21T15:28:00.003-05:00

Meet Stacey Barney and Connie Hsu at Jennifer DeChiara's Meet the Editor Evenings.

Cost of each evening: $125 for a critique critique 10 pages of your work in a small group setting. To register email Stacy. Dates and information about each editor's interest below:

April 7: Stacey Barney, Putnam Children's Books
Stacey Barney is an Editor at Penguin/Putnam Books for Young Readers and primarily acquires middle grade and young adult fiction. She has edited Kristin Levine's acclaimed historical middle grade The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had as well as the Young Adult debut Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman, New York Times bestselling author of Queen Bees and Wannabes, the book that inspired Mean Girls. This year she's excited about the publications of Ask Elizabeth by accomplished actress Elizabeth Berkley, Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor and Lara Zielin's latest The Implosion of Aggie Winchester.

She's looking to acquire standout literary middle grade -- contemporary, light fantasy or historical with a real hook. Rita Williams-Garcia or Savvy are authors/titles that come to mind. Also standout commercial YA -- E. Lockhart's The Boyfriend LIst, something John Green or Sara Dessen like. She'd love boy YA as well. Marcelo and the Real World was a recent fave of hers. Contemporary paranormal with engaging and special writing are also things she's looking for.

April 21: Connie Hsu, Editor, Little, Brown Children's Books

Connie Hsu has edited a wide range of books, from novelty to YA. She’s currently focusing on acquiring new licenses and novelty projects, picture books, early middle grade, and select illustrated YA. Her acquisitions include Happyface (fully illustrated YA), The Adventures of Nanny Piggins (hilarious middle grade), and a Booker T. Washington picture book to be illustrated by award-winning artist Bryan Collier. Her list includes works by Samantha Berger, Elise Broach, Rachael Hale, Kathy Jakobsen, Jim McMullan, Scott Menchin, Dan Santat, Karma Wilson, and Salina Yoon.

Learn From Fantasy's Best

2011-02-19T10:50:00.007-05:00

If you’re a fan of children’s fantasy, then it’s likely that you’ve read and loved the work of two of fantasy’s best: Laura Ruby and Anne Ursu. Laura authored the standout books The Wall and the Wing and its sequel The Chaos King. Anne penned the amazing middle grade novel, The Shadow Thieves. Most of us would stand in line a long time to get either author’s autography, but now a select eight writers will have the opportunity to spend an entire week learning directly from these two fantasy stars!

Join Laura and Anne for the Whole Novel Workshop for Fantasy, May 1–8, 2011. These two outstanding writers will mentor you toward significant improvement on your novel. In this workshop, Laura and Anne will discuss issues of craft along with issues specific to the genre, including

• using physical details to build a vivid fantasy world;

• defining your magical system without losing a sense of wonder;

• ensuring your characters are as interesting as your world;

• communicating your world through your storytelling; and

• finding the right narrative voice.

Fantasy lovers often become fantasy writers, but few have a chance to learn directly from authors of such renown. Whole Novel Workshops are by application, and applications must be submitted by February 25 for consideration. For more information, contact Jo Lloyd at 570-253-1192, e-mail jo.lloyd@highlightsfoundation.org, or request an application online. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by March 15, 2011.

Highlights Foundation Founders Workshops take place near Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Author-Agent Panel at the Harry Bennett

2011-02-12T14:46:00.004-05:00

Two authors, two agents. Each with their own special relationship. Ever wonder what it is like to work with an agent, come to the Harry Bennett Library, 115 Vine Road in Stamford, on March 5, 2011, from 1 - 3 pm to hear authors Laura Toffler Corrie and Amanda Marrone, and literary agents Elana Roth and Wendy Schmaltz discuss what makes the author-agent relationship work.

Admission is free.

This event is co-sponsored by NESCBWI.

SCBWI-NY 11: Day 1

2011-02-02T17:31:00.002-05:00

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the SCBWI Conference in New York City. It was my fourth conference in New York, and one of my favorites. Here are my notes from the first day. Look for a post about day two soon.

The conference kicked off with an introduction of Lin Oliver by Stephen Mooser.

Lin started off with her usual charm, welcoming the room and asking first time conference goers, "Where have you been?"

Morning Keynote: Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry used her time with us to answer the unanswerable question, "Where do you get your ideas?" Using couplets, old photographs, and wonderful stories of the past, she took us through many of her 37 books, including Anastasia, which has fallen into the past but still remains, for her, a personal favorite.

And for children who want to know of she has a dog, yes, she does.

The Picture Book with Jane Yolen, Mark Teague, and Patricia Lee Gauch

Jane Yolen spoke first about the things that haven't changed in the picture book world. A good picture book needs to be lyrical, the individual lines need to sound good read aloud. It also needs to be compressed, it is writing of essence. It needs to be child centered, which doesn't mean it is about a child, but it has to reach a child's sentimentality. It has to have a hook and be focused. Words must be picked carefully. Last, a picture book needs illustrate ability. There has to be room for the pictures to tell some of the story.

Mark Teague said that a illustrator want to meet the writing on its own terms. The picture should extend the text. He believes in learning to illustrate by trial and error. Through trial and error your find your voice. Children's illustration is a free for all. The only rule is that it has to work. You are always in service to the book and the story. The book needs to be child centered but keep in mind that the book is a shared experience between the adult and the child. You want that to be a great experience for both of them. The parent is absorbed with the words but the child is absorbed with the pictures. There should be details and mystery. The parents will read the book to the child then the child will reread it through the pictures. That's what puts them on the path towards a life long love of books.

Patricia Lee Grauch sees the picture book in a slightly different way. She is looking for picture books that break out of the pack. The writer has to discover a story worth telling. A pictufre book writer needs to "let go to story." A story is in your gut. She calls it "the well." The things that make up the child in you. It can help you discover the original story, character, or climax. Let who you are drive it. Making a picture book is an act of mischief that leads up to attitude. That attitude leads to voice. Going far enough into the climax you catch in a breath. It doesn't come from your head. It comes fromg the deepest part of you. This is why you piece your story in a dummy and read it aloud to hear the pacing, rhythm, and story.

After each person spoke, the panel spoke about the author/illustrator relationship. Patty talked about the importance of remembering that both the author and illustrator and artists. Each ones ideas need to be respected. When you put them together, the writer, who is more verbal, tends to win. If the author has something really important to say, the message needs to be conveyed.

As a writer, you need to respect the work habits of the artist. Some like feedback and some work on their own. We as writers have our own process. Illustrators have process too. Picture book writers expectation should be that they will not get to see or approve the pictures. The artistry of the editor is to find the right illustrator and the artistry of the art director is to put it all together. The editor and art director knows things that the writer doesn't know. There is a lot of passion involved. Everyone comes at the book with a different perspective.

Morning Breakout Sessions

Dan Lazar- Writer's House

He spoke about the market and what we can control as writers. He thinks that this is an exciting time for children's books. The children's book market is less impacted by ebooks and is still growing. The subject matter for YA has gotten much more ambicious. It may be over saturated with magic and fantasy so the bar seems to be higher but people are still buying it. And illustration and art in MG and YA is growing. Reading books in your target age group is important. Reading books won't make your work derivative. He tries to visit a book store once a month. Look at what the publisher is putting their money behind.

What do agents do? They think about the business side and help you to protect your rights. They fight for you and with you to help you get the best deals.

When he thinks about a submission he thinks about age, voice, situation, tone, and unclassifiable. Savvy is written in an artful, literary way. When he reads it aloud he gets chills. The Chicken Dance is another example of these five things.

The query letter. He gets hooked when the query makes him laugh. She frames the letter about a central conflict. Voice is obvious. A great letter comes from being specific about a character, framing the central concept around the character, and finding the character's voice in the letter. Make sure to be specific. Don't write fictional novel. Don't use rhetorical questions. Don't worry about your genre. The agent can figure it out. Be specific. Don't waste time on things that aren't important.

Alessandra Balzer

Alessandra Balzer discussed the things that stick out in a good story.

1. Voice, voice, voice - Voice does the work for you. It helps you show, don't tell. I'm A Shark is a good example of voice. Doesn't have to be a humorous voice. Unidentified is a YA example.

2. Ground breaking concept - Thinking about what the market needs before the market needs it. Just Be Audrey is a great example of concept.

3. World Building- Doesn't have to be fantasy. Rules and limitations in the world. Don't just ask the what if. Ask ten questions after. Bumped is a great example of this.

4. Read aloud quality- not just picture books, but voice, accessibility, text heavy picture books are a hard sell right now, pause, page turn. Good example: Cat Secrets.

5. Heart- the x factor. Good example called Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator.

6. Ripped from the Headlines- Pop by Gorman Corbon. He heard news story about how football players can lose their memory. Story about boy with ex football player.

7. Fresh Take on Popular Genre- A story worth telling needs to have a fresh angle.

8. Character- Characters in the picture book market are really working. The character becomes a friends.

9. Layered story- What is the story saying on a deeper level?

10. Story Arc- there is nothing more frustrating then when the plot falls off the cliff. Where is the story going? What is the journey? How have you ended in a different place then ot starts.

Lunch Keynote: R. L. Stine

The humorous R.L. Stine kept us entertained at the end of lunch. When he talks to kids he always starts with the poem Haunted by Shel Silverstein because he feels the poem most speaks to what he tries to do. He shared some of his worst reviews-- from kids. He is often asked what it is like to be a writer of so many series books. He said, "It's not what you think." He didn't start writing for children until he was over forty. Someone else gave him the idea of writing a scary story a told him to go write them. He wrote a book called Blind Date and it became popular right away. From there he started Fear Street, which was a monthly series. He started Goosebumps in 1992. The secret kids network made the series popular. He ended up with a career he never deamed of so his overall advice is, “Just say yes.”

Afternoon Breakout

Ginger Clark, Curtis Brown

Curtis Brown has three agents that handle children's books. Her list is made up about 60% of children's books. Their list is made up of many well known writers including Jane Yolen, Linda Sue Park. She is looking for middle grade sci fi, fantasy, underexposed para normal, ya contemporary, ya literary, with characters that are compelling and interesting.

Then she went over the market. Middle Grade is a hard sell. It is hard to market to them. Parents and children are decision makers. No way to access kids without accessing adults. That said, it is a field where you can be a stand alone writer and sell well. Every book is different but all have a middle grade sentimentality. Similar themes but entirely different. Entire children's market is strong, picture books have declined but it is also that middle grade and YA is growing. The whole market for kids is strong. Fiction and nonfiction is heavily digital but kids still find real books more social. Kids habe a digital fatigue. Turning to YA, the YA market has boomed. From Twilight bloomed a bunch of vampire books and old book resurgence. Then fairies, werewolves, fallen angels, and dystopia. Dystopia was very big in 2010 and big one are coming. Dystopia is more like Island of Blue Dolphins. Half the population is gone, how do we rebuild. YA Space Opera, Cyberpunk, YA Blade Runner would all be coming. However, everyone's prediction is different.

Closing Keynote: Jules Phiffer

Children's books was a field he never expected to enter. He started as a political cartoonist. He was drawn into kid’s books because he lived in Brooklyn Heights in the same building as Norton Jester and that’s how he ended up illustrating The Phantom Tollbooth. He joked that Norton neglected to tell him it would be a classic. He has no method of drawing a kid’s book. The style comes out of the text. Each character has his or her own way of moving. He wants the characters to come alive on the page.

Children’s Literary Salon: A Passel of Poets Feb. 5th (free)

2011-01-29T15:51:00.002-05:00

The Children's Literary Salon at the Children's Center at 42nd St has announced a free event that may be of interest to some of our writers:

A Passel of Poets: Children’s Poetry in the Modern Age will bring us four children's poets in conversation about the state of modern children's poetry: Stephanie Calmenson, Bobbi Katz, Marilyn Singer and Charles R. Smith.

The event is free and requires no registration.

NESCBWI Conference May 13-15, 2011

2011-01-29T15:37:00.002-05:00

Conference Schedule

Workshop Descriptions

Conference FAQ

The NESCBWI Conference is celebrating its 25th anniversary! Registration begins Feb. 15.

Connecticut Press Club Event 2/5/11

2011-01-12T11:39:00.002-05:00

Connecticut Press Club Presents:
Writing for the YA & Children’s Market
Books ∙ Magazines ∙ TV

with
Angela Santomero
Creator of the breakthrough
children’s educational shows
Blue’s Clues
and Super WHY!

and

Darice Bailer, author
Michele Hofbauer, illustrator
Marianne Prokop, author/poet
David Linker, Editor, HarperCollins

Saturday, February 5, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Norwalk Inn, 99 East Avenue (I-95 - Exit 16), Norwalk
Admission: $25.00 (CPC/FCC/NYPC/teachers and students with valid I.D.)
$30.00 non-members ∙ Admission includes buffet brunch

Reservations requested, but walk-ins welcome
Call (203) 968-8600 or e-mail ctpressclub@gmail.com
Visit www.ctpressclub.com

Children's Picture Book Festival

2010-12-01T20:54:00.002-05:00

Photo Caption: Seven-year-old Alice Jackins with noted children’s poet Calef Brown.

Congratulations to the organizers of the Children’s Picture Book Festival held Sunday, November 21, at the Pequot Library in Southport, CT. Throughout the afternoon, fourteen authors offered readings and commentaries on their work and process. The library’s auditorium played host to a “Meet the Authors” session where visitors of all ages could purchase books and chat with the authors. Attendees ran the gamut of picture book aficionados: parents with kids, grandmas doing Christmas shopping, graduate students, aspiring writers, wannabe illustrators, and more. I was particularly impressed with the kind and gentle manner with which the authors connected their youngest fans. Whether inscribing a book with a special autograph, playing a game about a favorite character, or simply engaging a shy child in conversation, the little ones were made to feel very important. If this is not yet an annual event, I hope it becomes one.

Written by Margaret Jackins

Children's Author Visits at the New Canaan Library

2010-11-29T21:26:00.007-05:00

You won't want to miss Gail Carson Levine, the author of Ella Enchanted, who will be reading from her latest picture book, Betsy Red Hoodie, and speaking to the audience at the New Canaan Library on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 11am.

Also, Jane O'Connor will be there Saturday, Dec. 11 at 1:30pm to read and discuss Fancy Nancy and the Fabulous Fashion Boutique!

Writer's Digest Conference Jan. 21-23, 2011

2010-11-19T02:53:00.004-05:00

Find out what some of today’s top agents think of your work!

Pitch Slam
NEW: Intensive Workshops & Bootcamps
Expert sessions, in-depth guidance on how to succeed
Ready for a critique? Is your work getting rejected? Unsure of how to take that first step? The Writer’s Digest Conference will help you get answers to these questions and help you better understand today’s marketplace. Put yourself in a position to sell your work!

Topics and Themes for 2011
Getting Published in the Digital Age
Formats for publication have exploded, but writers looking to land a publishing deal still have a tough road ahead of them. We’ll walk you through your options, show you what happens inside a publishing house, and get you where you want to be.

Perfecting Your Pitch
We’ve brought back our famous Pitch Slam, so we have plenty of sessions to help you make the most of your time to shine. Learn how to make a great impression, hear what agents want, and perfect your pitch!

Honing Your Craft
These sessions will do a lot more than “show, don’t tell!” Authors like John Greene, James Scott Bell, and Hallie Ephron will talk all about writing a page turner, no matter what your genre.

Platforms and Social Media
Every writer has been told they need to have a platform to publish – but building your base takes hard work. Successful marketers, authors, and publishers in social media will show you the how and why of brand building so that you can bring your writing to the largest audience possible.

The Future of Publishing
Doom and gloom pundits have declared book publishing dead a long time ago, but there are still great authors, publishers, and agents out there who believe there’s a place for the well written word. At the Writer’s Digest Conference, you’ll hear why we may be on the cusp of a massive explosion of literary opportunities and watch a rousing keynote by Richard Nash on “How to be an Author in a World Where Everyone Is a Writer.”

Who Should Attend?
Writers interested in finding representation for their work and in honing their pitch to publishers and agents.
Writers who keep getting rejected after submitting their manuscript to an agent or editor.
Writers looking to understand their publishing options, including self-publishing in ebook and print.
Writers who want to hear the secrets successful authors have used to build their platforms and sell books.
Writers who know that publishing is changing and want to find the best format for their work.
Manhattan Up Close
You’ll stay at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, right in the middle of the books and publishing capital of the US. Take a stroll down Poet’s Walk in Central Park, catch a show on Broadway only steps away, visit the Museum of Modern Art, all nearby when you register with the conference.

For more conference information, including lists of sessions and agents attending, visit the conference website.

New Editor Evening Dates for 2011

2010-10-09T11:42:00.007-04:00

Two favorite editors are coming back to Jennifer DeChiara's Meet the Editor Evenings.

Thursday, Jan. 20: Alvina Ling of Little, Brown and Company

Alvina is at Little, Brown Books for Young Children. She acquires books for all ages, with a particular interest in literary fiction for the Middle Grade and Young Adult audience. She is also looking for beautiful and/or unique picture books as well as trade nonfiction books.

Thursday, Feb. 3: Catherine Onder, Disney-Hyperion Books for Children

Catherine Onder develops picture books, chapter books, middle grade fiction and YA novels. Recently, she was the editor for The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean, winner of the 2008 Printz Award. Whether funny and light or dark and mysterious, traditional or edgy, she looks for strong narrative and voice, and a clear vision in all manuscripts. Authors and artists she has worked with include Matthew S. Armstrong, Karen Barbour, Ann Cannon, Alex Flinn, Katherine Langrish, Geraldine McCaughrean, Laura Ruby, Allan Stratton, Terry Trueman, and Jenny Valentine.

The evenings take place from 6-8 pm at Jennifer’s office in Manhattan, 31 East 32nd Street, Suite 300. The cost is $125 includes a ten page critique from up to two manuscripts. Submissions are due one month before the event by email. For more information, or to register, send an email to Stacy.

Kidslit Author Panel

2010-10-09T11:41:00.001-04:00

Saturday October 16, 2010
1:00 PM until 3:00 PM

Ridgefield Library in association with SCBWI of Lower Fairfield County and ‘Books on the Common’ present: A ‘kidslit’ Writers' Panel: ‘Talk from the Trenches: Six published authors give advice on writing, finding an agent and selling your children’s book.’

The writers are:
Ann Leal - ALSO KNOWN AS HARPER
Jame Richards - THREE RIVERS RISING
Michaela MacColl - PRISONER IN THE PALACE
Sari Bodi - THE GHOST IN ALLIE'S POOL
Caragh O'Brien - BIRTHMARKED
Laura Toffler-Corrie - THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF AMY FINAWITZ.

Books will be for sale and signing after the event thanks to Books on the Common. No registration.

Location: Dayton Program Room

Picture Book Festival

2010-10-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

Notes From Publishing with a Small Press Event

2010-10-02T13:48:00.002-04:00

September 25, 2010

Presenters: Lori Calabrese, Donna McDine, and Jo Ramsey

Lori is published with Dragonfly Publishing, Inc.; Donna is published with Guardian Angel Publishing, and Jo is published with Jupiter Gardens Press. They are part of IndieDebut, a group of 10 writers who have debut books coming out this year from a spectrum of small presses across the country.

Indie Debut started out of the frustration that their books weren't getting recognized because their presses weren't listed in the Publishing Marketplace Book. As a group they were able to work together to get the word out. Now they have their own website and articles on what it's like to publish with a small press. IndieDebut2010.blogspot.com. They are also on twitter @IndieDebut2010.

Part of the stigma with publishing with a small press is some people think that you are self published. But publishing with the small press is the same process as publishing with a larger press.

At this point in the publishing world the definition of a small press is changing. There are six large publishing companies but currently it is hard to break into those markets.

What is a small press? Small presses, Indie publishers, small market, produce less than ten titles a year. They are not vanity or subsidy presses. They did not have to pay to get their books published. A small publisher works on the traditional model of submission and contract with royalties.

Lynn Miller-Lachman, the author of Gringolandia, added the importance of looking at contracts. Some companies hide the fact they are a self publisher or vanity press. Red alerts to look for are realizing that the contract asks you to buy a certain amount of books.

Donna recommended going to conferences to meet people from different publishing houses. You can also enter contests. Donna's book placed at a Writer's Digest contest and that got her name up. She also used a professional editor before sending in her book.

The group agreed that you can open your own doors by getting your name out there and getting involved with critique groups who will give you the truth.

Lori said attending events like this are great because you get to meet other writers and you never know how they might help you in the future.

So many publishers require agented submissions but members of SCBWI can open those doors.

Muse Online Writers Conference happens every October. It's online and free. You meet people in chat rooms, lounges, and forums. A lot of small publishers attend this conference. The pitch sessions allow you to make personal contact with the publishers.

Donna said you have to get to the point where your words are just words. Sometimes a publisher likes your writing but not your manuscript and will ask you to try something else.

Lori said be careful of sending your manuscript out too soon. Just because a larger house has rejected it doesn't mean that the story's not good. It's just not for them right now. Finding the one person who likes your story is important.

Standards are high. Even though small presses don't always get the respect they deserve, they treat themselves with that respect. Right now the small press is a great opportunity for aspiring writers to break in. They are more willing to take on books that won't necessarily be a big seller. Small presses can be that stepping stone. As a stepping stone, an experience, it adds to your resume. Small press books do sometimes get picked up by larger presses.

An audience member, Barbara Ehrentreau is an editor for 4RV publishing and agrees that the small press is a stepping stone.

Another reason they enjoy the small press is that it can also be more personal. Jo has a strong relationship with her publisher and is helping to grow the company’s young adult line.

You can find lists of small presses at the Children's Writer, a magazine you can subscribe to and the SCBWI has a list in their member resources. Children's Book Insider and Jacketflap also have lists of small markets. Another place you can look is Foreword Magazine.

The majority of small press books are not marketable to the main market. The smaller presses know how to reach out to the niche market and school market. The small press companies have specific submission guidelines that tell you what they take. Make sure to follow all submission guidelines from manuscripts to queries. Go to the libraries and book stores and see what books are supposed to look for.

Payment is different for a small press. You don't tend to get an advance but the royalty rate is similar to the larger market. If you don't have an agent, you can have people look at your contract on Verla Kay's Blue Boards or hire a lawyer. There is also a book called Negotiating a Book Contract by Mark Levine. Mr. Levine will be presenting a workshop at the Tappan Library, Tuesday, October 26 at 7 pm. Visit www.tablib.org for further details.

An audience member asked whether the small press helps with the distribution. Lori says that not only do they help with distribution but they also are connected to whole sale markets in case you get a big order. Jo had her book ordered by a whole school. If the publisher does not have distribution they may be a vanity market.

Another audience member asked if the small press distributes to chain stores. Lori says that small press doesn't pay to have their books on the shelves. But many of the small presses have their books in places book stores can request. You also need to do a lot of your own marketing and get your book out there. Get it reviewed. Think outside the box. The small press doesn't always get ARCs made up but that is a good promotional tool.

Lynn felt that the best ally of the small press book is the Indie book seller. Larger stores take large orders of books but any they don't sell, they return. Indie's get what they need and tend to sell what they have. They also talk up the books.

The publisher will get the books onto Amazon and then it is filtered down. It will get to other online book sellers. Another reason why you have to make sure your small press has good distribution. Then make sure to have an author's page on Amazon and reviews.

Small press is thriving because there are so many ways to reach out now. Social Network, online marketing, blogs, facebook, are all ways to get the word out. Writers are expected to know how to sell so they look to see unpublished authors have a media presence.

One of the audience asked why bother? If you have to market it yourself, why not self-publish. Going through a publishing company puts less of the ownness on you. It also gives your book validity. You have to decide what works for you but the publisher has connections an individual doesn't have.

Some resources to find a small press market are:

Publishing Central

Agent Query

About.com

SCBWI under member resources if you are a member.

Patricia Reilly Giff's Fall Writing Class Registration

2010-09-27T20:02:00.003-04:00

Beginning Wed. Sept. 29, registration will begin for Patricia Reilly Giff's fall series of four writing classes which will take place on Oct.9, Oct. 23, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 from 3:00-4:45. Tuition is $250.

Please register in person at the Dinosaur's Paw bookstore in Fairfield, or by phone at 203-256-0797.

Workshop: Publishing with a Small Press

2010-09-12T23:08:00.003-04:00

Publishing with a Small Press

Saturday, September 25 at 11 a.m.

Three indie debut authors share their experiences about publishing with a small press.

Lori Calabrese’s first picture book, The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade, was named Dragonfly Publishing Inc.’s 2009 Best Children’s Book. Her articles and stories have been published in Boys’ Life, Odyssey, Appleseeds, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., Turtle

Magazine for Preschool Kids, and Stories for Children Magazine.

Donna McDine placed twice in the top 100 of the Children's/Young Adult category in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. Her book, The Golden Pathway, was published by Guardian Angel Publishing.

Jo Ramsey is a former teacher. When she was five years old, she wrote her first story and hasn’t stopped writing since. Her

first published YA novel, Connection, was published in January 2010.

HARRY BENNETT BRANCH

For more information call 203 351-8292 or go to Indie-Debut 2010 to find out more about the authors and their books.

The Ferguson Library

Harry Bennett Branch

115 Vine Road, Stamford • fergusonlibrary.org

Generously supported by the Friends of The Ferguson Library

and co-sponsored by the Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators of Lower Fairfield.

Rabbit Hill Festival Filling Up!

2010-09-11T10:26:00.004-04:00

The focus this year's 10th anniversary festival is "Collaboration," the magical thing that happens when authors and artists work closely together.

Please go to this registration page and sign up soon!

Workshop: Marketing Outside the Box

2010-09-04T15:17:00.003-04:00

Marketing Outside of the Box – Bringing Your Book to Life with author and marketing maven Marie Lamba

These days, authors have to function as their own publicists before publication. You need to know the best way to get your manuscript to the attention of editors and agents. Join Marie Lamba as she shares her unusual and effective low-to-no-cost publicity techniques. From unorthodox (and minor rule breaking) ways to rise above the slush pile, to great tips for nailing free national press, Marie’s out-of-the-box techniques will help you take charge of your writing career and sell like a seasoned pro.

Marie has worked in publishing as Book Promotion Manager and Editor, and she’s an award-winning public relations writer. She is author of the young adult novel WHAT I MEANT… (Random House), and is widely published in national magazines. Her latest articles include “Priceless Promotion” (August 2010 issue of Romance Writers Report, national magazine of Romance Writers of America), and “Beyond the Bookmarks: marketing partnerships that’ll get you noticed” (scheduled for an upcoming issue of Writer’s Digest magazine).

When: Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 6 pm.

Where: JD Lit 31 East 32nd Street NYC

Cost of the workshop is $150.00

Contact Literary Agent, Jennifer DeChiara, at 212-481-8484 x362 to register.

Topics to be covered in this workshop include…

- Nail the description of what you are selling

- Forget the traditional synopsis…instead shape one that gets to the heart of your work

- Form your one-minute pitch

- Make sure your manuscript is perfect before submitting, but not too perfect…

- How to jump the line when submitting

- How to speed up response times to your work

- Ways to break down the door at houses closed to unagented submissions

- How to rise above the slush and stand out

- Being the consummate professional

For more information about Maria, visit her website at http://marielamba.wordpress.com

Celebrate the Launch of LIFE, AFTER

2010-08-16T13:00:00.001-04:00

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 7:00 PM
SARAH DARER LITTMAN

LIFE, AFTER

LAUNCH PARTY @ Just Books
28 Arcadia Road, Old Greenwich, CT

Launch Party; Free and Open to the Public

Just Books is pleased to welcome award-winning teen and tween authorSarah Darer Littman, a Greenwich resident, as she introduces her third novel for teens Life, After (Scholastic Press; $17.99). After a terrorist attack kills Dani's aunt and unborn cousin, life in Argentina - private school, a boyfriend, a loving family - crumbles quickly. In order to escape a country that is sinking under their feet, Dani and her family move to the United States. It's supposed to be a fresh start, but when you're living in a cramped apartment and going to high school where all the classes are in another language, and not everyone is friendly, life in America is not all it's cracked up to be. Dani misses her old friends, her life, "Before." But then Dani meets a boy named Jon, who isn't like all the other students. Through him, she becomes friends with Jessica, one of the popular girls, who is harboring a secret of her own. And then there's Brian, the boy who makes Dani's pulse race. In her new life, the one "After," Dani learns how to heal and forgive. She finds the courage to say goodbye and allows herself to love and be loved again. Sarah Darer Littman's widely praised first novel for middle grade readers, Confessions of a Closet Catholic, won the 2006 Sydney Taylor Book Award. She is also the author ofPurge. Sarah lives in Connecticut with her two children.

Join Laura Toffler-Corrie for the Launch of AMY FINAWITZ

2010-07-22T08:05:00.003-04:00

‘THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF AMY FINAWITZ’

BOOK LAUNCH AND SIGNING

Where: The Dinosaurs Paw at 1300 Post Road, Fairfield, CT

When: Wednesday, July 28^th, 8:15 p.m.

Please RSVP at: ldtcorrie@optonline.net

‘Hysterical! Everyone will find a little bit of Amy in themselves as they get a front row seat to her antics, adventures and attempts to keep busy in the absence of her best friend.’ Goodreads Review

‘Most special here is shy, stolid Beryl and the way Toffler-Corrie portrays both Beryl’s orthodox Judaism…and Amy’s hippie flaky Judaism…with value and sweetness.’ Kirkus Review

For more about Laura and her book visit her website at www.lauratofflercorrie.com

You can also see an interview with Laura at It's All About the Journey

Web Savvy for Writers at the Harry Bennett Library

2010-07-08T01:10:00.000-04:00

Click on the flyer to enlarge.

More on Web Savvy

2010-07-08T00:58:00.001-04:00

WEB SAVVY: Using social media to build your presence as a children's book writer and enhance your career. Whether you are an aspiring writer or a seasoned professional, this panel will teach you about modern ways to get the word out about you and your books. The panel will discuss and demonstrate using twitter, facebook, blogs, nings, message boards, chats, and skype to connect to the writing community and the world at large.

Moderator:

Donna Sweidan (@careerfolk) is a career coach and social networking enthusiast before it was popular. From Linkedin to Twitter, Donna is a well-known expert and popular speaker on social media for career and business success. She is passionate about helping people overcome the percieved barriers and myths surrounding these tools, and is dedicated to demonstrating how the power of social media can build credibility and reputation in our digitally connected world. Through her company Careerfolk, she teaches how to build “G-cred” or “Google credibility, and can speak from personal experience as more and more people seek out her services because of her online identity and reputation. Donna is featured as a Social Media Expert on the 2010 NYTV series Job Hunt, and is a contributer to the recently published Twitter Job Search Guide. She is also currently writing her own book on how to build ones reputation and career through social media platforms. She has been quoted in the NY Times, International Business Times, Fortune.com, NY Dailynews, Fairfield Parent and The Stamford Advocate and has also been interviewed on CNN, TotalPictureRadio.com and JobRadio.Fm. Please connect on Facebook.com/careerfolk or Linkedin.com/in/donnasweidan and read more at www.careerfolk.com

Panelists:

Sarah Darer Littman (@SarahDarerLitt): Sarah is a living example of the cliche, "Life Begins at 40." After spending much of her adult life doing things she didn't really plan to, including such diverse occupations as financial analyst and farmer's wife, she at long last found her true calling as a writer. Sarah’s debut novel Confessions of a Closet Catholic (Dutton 2005) won the 2006 Sidney Taylor Award for Older Readers and was a YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults. Her YA novel Purge (Scholastic 2009) was on the 2010 Bank St College of Education Best Books of the Year list. Life, After, a novel of immigration, loss and recovery in a post-9/11 world, was published Scholastic Press on July 1^st. Want to Go Private?, a chilling tale of a high school freshman who becomes entangled with an internet preduator, comes in July 2011. Sarah has been an editorial page columnist for the Greenwich Time/Stamford Advocate since January 2003 and has generated a wide following for her outspoken political views, as well as lots of interesting hate mail. She was named one of the 2008 Movers and Shakers by the Connecticut Jewish Ledger. Learn more about Sarah at http://sarahdarerlittman.com http://saraclaradara.livejournal.com, and @sarahdarerlitt

Francine Lucidon (@VoraciousReader): Three years ago Francine Lucidon opened The Voracious Reader in Larchmont, NY to a delighted community of families eager to support an independent bookstore for babies to teens. Since then, despite the recession, the store has thrived and is soon expanding to double its space. Roughly two years ago, Francine was initiated into the joys of Twitter by publicist Deborah Sloane and author Mitali Perkins when they orchestrated a Valentine's Day Event via that medium. Since that fateful day, she has discovered new books, arranged author visits, and even acquired a wonderful new part-time employee via Twitter. "I've found Twitter to be an essential tool as a bookseller faced with more information to gather than time allows. It's a great way to keep up, connect and just simply enjoy the company of other booksellers, authors and booklovers, as well as my customers." Francine also maintains a website, sends out regular email newsletters, and keeps a Facebook page for her store. "The trick" she says "is finding ways to make the technology work for YOU and not the other way around." Learn more about Francine at http://www.theVoraciousReader.com

Stacy Barnett Mozer (@SMozer): Stacy is an aspiring middle grade and young adult writer, book enthusiast, and twitter addict. She discovered twitter at a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators event in NYC, when the agent panel suggested that writers join twitter to get to know agents, editors, and the market. She soon found that twitter connected her to a secret writing community where popular children's novelists email you on your birthday because your reading their book, comment on your posts about their book, and even editors give you book suggestions. Stacy is also the founder of the SCBWI of Lower Fairfield and is in contact with over a hundred writers in the area through the groups blog and email lists. In her new position as New England SCBWI Critique Group Coordinator, Stacy plans to use blogs, message boards, websites, and Yahoo Groups to contact writers and help them find and maintain critique groups in all the New England states. Learn more about Stacy at http://lowerfairfiedwriters.blogspot.com

Sponsored by the Friends of the Harry Bennett Library and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators of Lower Fairfield (a subgroup of NE-SCBWI).

RSVP appreciated, but not required. A book signing will follow the panel.

Cheerios "Spoonfuls of Stories" Contest

2010-06-30T17:31:00.002-04:00

The Cheerios company's "Spoonfuls of Stories" contest deadline is coming up on July 15 if you are interested. The official rules are located here. The contest is open to unpublished authors and the task is to "write and submit an original story for a book for children ages 3 to 8" in 500 words or less. The grand prize is $5,000, with two first runner-up prizes of $1,000 each. The winning pieces become the sole property of General Mills.

Why not give it a try?

Is There An App for That? Update

2010-06-25T00:02:00.000-04:00

One week and five days ago I wrote that I was getting an iPad. I couldn't wait to see how it would help me and my writing. Here's what I found so far. And, btw, all the apps listed below are free:

DocstoGo: This was my favorite writing app on my iTouch because it syncs seamlessly from the handheld to the desktop but I hated writing on such a small screen, only looking at a few words at a time, and using such a small keyboard. On the iPad, however, by turning it sideways I can use a full sized key board. I look at the whole page when reading, and half a page when the keyboard is up. An additional feature I am finding very useful is that whenever I open a document in mail or on the internet (such as when I am using Yahoo Groups), the iPad will ask me if I want to open it using docstogo. From there I can revise, edit, and sync the document to my computer. I can also email it, which has been great for critique group. Other great features are an undo button, and my favorite, a button for word count info.

iBooks: ibooks comes free on the iPad and is fun to use for reading because you can actually flip the page, which feels very booklike, unlike in Kindle where you just slip there. A great feature for writers is that you can upload pdf files using iTunes and mark them up with notes and highlights that are saved on iTunes and can be accessed there from other computers. I have not used this feature on a pdf yet, but I did mark up and make notes in a book. It was easy.

Twitterrific: I will admit to being disappointed that my favorite twitter app, Echofon, hasn't been updated for the iPad yet, but Twitterrific has been working well. It's easy to read and new tweets are marked in orange. It also color codes the tweets so that you can see @ replies, direct messages, and your own messages clearly. And it tweets. I meant you hear, "tweet, tweet," whenever you get a new message. Eventually that may be annoying, but for now, it's cute.

MultiG: MultiG is a great app for accessing your gmail account and other google features such as google maps, google docs, and google reader.

Contacts Map: This one might not be useful for everyone, but as New England Critique Group Coordinator, I need to know where my contacts are located. Contact Map allows you to place a flag on a map for each of your contacts (as long as their location information is in your address book).

Photos: Okay, it's a standard app, and it has nothing to do with writing, but you have to admit the screen sized photos are really cool.

iPod: Also comes pre-installed with an amazing speaker.

One more helpful hit: When you first open an app that hasn't been updated, it comes up small on the screen. It actually looks like there is an iPhone or iTouch in your iPad. On the bottom right hand corner though there is a little circle that says 2x. If you hit this, the app will increase to the size of the screen. It's a little blurry, and you can't turn the direction it's facing, but at least this button lets you use older apps that they haven't gotten to yet, such as skype and firstclass.

Looking for other reviews about the iPad? See:
Inkygirl.com
The Bookwright
Angela Booth's Writing Blog

Any favorite apps you wish to share?

P.R.Giff's Summer Writing Class Registration Begins 6/23

2010-06-21T17:54:00.002-04:00

Patricia Reilly Giff's summer writing class which takes place at the Dinosaur's Paw bookstore in Fairfield, CT will begin registering writers on Wed. June 23rd in person or by phone at 203-256-0797. Tuition is $250. Classes will be held on four Wednesday evenings in July (July 7, 14, 21, & 28) from 6:45-8:30pm.

First-timer at the 2010 NESCBWI Conference, Fitchburg, MA May 14-16

2010-05-21T22:59:00.003-04:00

Quick Friday and Saturday impressions:

- Arrived late on Friday so only made it to the evening social where females spectacularly outnumbered the few (happy) gents. - Saturday’s keynote by Cynthia Leitich Smith wasa hoot, satisfying and funny. - Kudos to the Courtyard Mariott for a great lunch. - The second keynote address was like a fabulous ballet, with editor Allyn Johnston (Beach Lane) and illustrator Marla Frazee performing a dance of perfect creative balance; we all wanted to play, too. - Workshops, then a gathering where our own Stacy Mozer was announced as the new New England Coordinator of Critique Groups- hurray Stacy!

Sunday at the conference started off with announcements and then a wonderful conversation with Cynthia Leitich Smith hosted by Melissa Stewart. We found out some tidbits that she didn’t mention during Saturday’s talk. Like how she used to be shy- who knew? I also got a kick out of how when she was young she thought that the Newbery labels on books were kind of like trendy logos like Izod or Gloria Vanderbilt on clothing. She talked a lot about her transition from Native American writing to gothic fantasy; and how most speculative fiction has little diversity, but that it’s starting to change. She had some tips, too: She suggested starting with imagining “place” for a new character first; alternate long and short projects; if you’re too busy “go into the cave” sometimes; do one thing a week to market yourself whether it’s introducing yourself to your local librarian or writing a thank you note; and blog! She was definitely inspiring.

Kelley Fineman’s workshop on “Tactics and Techniques to Fix Your Free Verse” was chock full of detailed tips and examples that made things very clear. Poetry-geek-loved it!

In Josephine Nabisso’s “Show Don’t Tell! Secrets of Writing” we were treated to one of the most adorable, personable teachers you could ever hope for! (mmmm, red Twizzlers).

But the best was yet to come: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen’s “Picture Book Deconstructed.” This two-hour intensive blew me away. She wasn’t ooey-gooey about the wonder and magic of writing for children; she was all about how to make quality work that sells! And she told it straight with lots of humor and tact. Wish you were there!

All in all, the conference for me was fun, useful, inspiring and so worth the trip! When you hear authors, editors and experts speak frankly in person, you learn so much more than you could ever get out of articles or books. This particular conference ran smoothly and had a fun feel to it; I'd go again.

Book Suggestions from the Perrot Librarian

2010-05-18T09:12:00.009-04:00

A hole in the hearts of the teachers and children of Riverside School was partly mended today with the visit of Perrot Librarian, Kathy Jarombek. Kathy took over the reigns of beloved librarians, Mrs. K and Mrs. Mac, who were tragically lost in a car crash of 2009. Kathy's energy and enthusiasm captivated an audience of 100 third graders, along with kids in the fourth and fifth grade. We are so grateful to the Perrot Library for finding someone worthy of the shoes that had been left unfilled for too long.

To see the Perrot Recommendations please visit their website.

Connecting to New England SCBWI

2010-05-14T07:09:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you for all of your help in making the SCBWI of Lower Fairfield a success. We have brought together more than 40 writers in available critique groups and have contacted many more with our events and editor nights. In recognition of our success, I have been offered the position of New England SCBWI Critique Group Coordinator, which I will accept today at the NESCBWI conference. I hope to use this position to connect writers with writing groups in all five New England States, and bring our group into a larger circle. At this point we have five amazing critique group coordinators. With the help of these coordinators, l will continue to tie our groups together and maintain our group blog, http://lowerfairfieldwriters.blogspot.com. I will also continue organizing events and editor evenings. However, if any of you have interest in taking more of a role in our organization, there is always something to do. :-)

All the best,
Stacy Barnett Mozer
SCBWI of Lower Fairfield
NESCBWI Critique Group Coordinator

Highlights Summer Workshop

2010-05-11T17:42:00.002-04:00

Writing from the Heart: A Guided Writers' Retreat (June 20-27) will be facilitated by noted author Lori Ries. During the week, Lori will offer workshops to put your writing on track for success, as well as one-on-one critiques. Special guest faculty member, Kim T. Griswell (senior editor, Boyds Mills Press), will also be on hand for one-on-one critiques. Together, Lori and Kim have experience with every genre of children's literature—from poetry to picture books, articles to short stories, chapter books to middle-grade and YA novels. You'll find a supportive environment and expert encouragement as you work on manuscripts in progress, polish revisions, or create new work.

"I attended Writing from the Heart in June 2009. The Highlights Founders' Home surrounds you with everything a writer fantasizes about in her 'If only . . .' writer's dream—beautiful surroundings, gourmet food, a small community of supportive writers, a lovely private cabin, a writing mentor, and PLENTY of uninterrupted, guilt-free time to write. Writing for a week in such idyllic surroundings helped me to produce five stories and to break through my inability to come up with ideas. I discovered that there ARE story ideas everywhere, and now I know how to snag and develop them. I was so pleased that I hope to fuel my writing annually at the Highlights family homeplace. Spoil yourself and improve your writing in an environment where kindred spirits talk about writing, work on their writing, share their writing, and encourage each other. All responsibilities are removed, except the one you owe yourself—to make your writing dreams come true."—Pat Miller

Follow in Pat Miller's footsteps, and remember: you owe it to yourself to make your writing dreams come true.

Highlights Foundation Founders Workshops take place near Honesdale, Pennsylvania. You'll stay in your own cozy cabin, surrounded by 1,300 wooded acres and hiking trails. Workshop fee includes individual cabins; all meals (provided by a top-notch chef); airport pickup service, if needed; and an intimate teaching setting in the living room of the Founders of Highlights for Children.

To reserve your spot for Writing from the Heart, contact Jo Lloyd at 570-253-1192 or e-mail jalloyd@highlightsfoundation.org.

Tassy Walden Winners and Finalists 2010

2010-05-06T06:35:00.002-04:00

New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards
Announces 2010 Winners

(Members and Friends of Lower Fairfield SCBWI in bold.)

Children’s books provide a forum to learn about people and places throughout the world by offering an understanding of humanity, inspiring creativity, and giving access to new ideas and concepts

The Shoreline Arts Alliance recognizes the best in children’s books with the New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden awards. An annual juried competition, the Tassy’s were established in 2001 to encourage and nurture the creation and publication of exceptional quality books for children by unpublished Connecticut writers and illustrators. An award of $250 is presented to the winners in each of five children’s book categories as judged by publishing industry experts.

Editors, publishers and art directors from major children’s publishing houses have selected the following recipients for this year’s awards:

Picture Book (text):
Winner: Taxi Cats by Karen Jordan, Westport
Finalists:
If Only I Had a Dog by Anne Dichele, New Haven
Schhhlopp Flop by Pam Foarde, Fairfied
My Dog’s Chicken by Susan Montanari, Norwalk

Illustrated Picture Book:
Winner: Penny’s Birthday Surprise by Diane Warner, Old Lyme
Finalists:
Dingo Goes Surfing by Tom Charla, Glastonbury
An Owlet Story by Joseph Dykas, Old Saybrook
Spaghetti-itis by Peter Nuhn, Guilford
I Have to Go by Erin Scally, Yalesville
Some Girls versus Me by Erin Scally, Yalesville

Illustrator’s Portfolio
No Winner
Finalist:
Barbara Mansilla, Hamden

Middle Grade Novel
Winner: Zephyr by Pamela Farley, Darien
Finalists:
Gingerbread Boy by Heather Sherlock DiLorenzo, West Hartford
The Cat Who Loved School by Joan Jansen, Southington
Wayfarers by Nancy Langdal Hough, Guilford

Young Adult/Teen Novel
Winner: One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Marlborough
Finalists:
Chromosine 17 by Joseph Briganti, Guilford
In Another Life by Lynn Leite, Bethany
Kitsune by Heather Lodge, Madison
The Day Sasquatch Ate My Journal by Susan Montanari, Norwalk
Junior by Steven Parlato, Waterbury

Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists. Special congrats to our picture book critique group coordinator, Karen Jordan, on her win for Taxi Cats. And to Susan Montanari, picture book and mixed group member, for being a finalist in two categories, picture book and YA.

Some great resources

2010-05-02T09:09:00.003-04:00

One of the reasons I enjoy twitter (besides the social interaction with book enthusiasts around the world) is because of all of the great resources I find. Here is a list of some of the resources I've been directed to:

MG vs. YA Fiction, What's The Difference?
Four Steps to Becoming a Better Writer
Free copy of the book Nail Your Novel
How to Write a Young Adult Book
Young Adult Novel Guidelines
Wordiness, Wordiness, Wordiness List
Literary Agent: Top Tens
How to Pitch
Harpercollins Editor Power Chat

Did you find any of these helpful? Have others to add? Comment below.

Meet the Editors

2010-04-24T17:25:00.001-04:00

Two new dates have been added to Jennifer DeChiara's Meet the Editor Evenings.

Wednesday, June 30: Molly O'Neill, Katherine Tegen Books
Molly O’Neill is an Assistant Editor at Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books. Molly began her career in publishing in the Marketing/Publicity department at Clarion Books. After spending nearly five years working in Marketing, first at Clarion and later at HarperCollins, Molly achieved her long-term goal of moving to the editorial side of the industry, joining the Bowen Press imprint of HarperCollins at its inception in 2007, and joining Katherine Tegen Books in 2009. She is seeking both literary and commercial projects, from picture books through young adult, and looks forward to discovering vivid stories, original voices, and new talent to join her list. Molly blogs about editing, publishing, and the convergence of art and life at www.10blockwalk.blogspot.com and tweets at @molly_oneill.

Thursday, July 8: Catherine Onder, HarperCollins Children's Books
Catherine Onder develops picture books, chapter books, middle grade fiction and YA novels. Recently, she was the editor for The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean, winner of the 2008 Printz Award. Whether funny and light or dark and mysterious, traditional or edgy, she looks for strong narrative and voice, and a clear vision in all manuscripts. Authors and artists she has worked with include Matthew S. Armstrong, Karen Barbour, Ann Cannon, Alex Flinn, Katherine Langrish, Geraldine McCaughrean, Laura Ruby, Allan Stratton, Terry Trueman, and Jenny Valentine.

Cost of the evening is $125 for a critique of 10 pages from up to two manuscripts. The evening takes place at Jennifer DeChiara's Office, 31 East 32nd Street, Suite 300 from 7 - 9 pm.

If interested, please send an email to Stacy. Evenings are limited to 7 people.

Come Hear Author Marc Tyler Nobelman- June 17

2010-04-18T00:27:00.001-04:00

Everyone knows Superman but few know anything about the two young geeks who dreamed him up in 1934. On 6/17 in Stamford, Marc Tyler Nobelman will be giving a "behind-the-scenes" presentation and Q&A about Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman, my award-winning book about writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, who sold all rights to the world's first superhero...for $130.

Thursday, June 17
7:30 p.m.
Stamford Jewish Community Center
1035 Newfield Avenue
Stamford, CT

Admission is free.

Among the topics he will cover:

* how Marc went from 22 rejections to starred reviews
* the legal challenges of writing a book about a licensed character
* the Superman/Moses parallel
* the curious possible origin of Superman's Hebraic-sounding Kryptonian name, Kal-el
* the truth about whether or not Hitler himself personally banned Superman comics because he interpreted the Man of Steel as a Jew
* the reason why Joe could not draw in his kitchen on Thursdays
* how what Siegel and Shuster did in their bedrooms still fuels Hollywood today
* plus other mysteries involving murder and demolition solved!

You don't have to be a superhero fan - or Jewish - to appreciate this. The story is at once inspirational and heartbreaking. Those who already know it continue to debate whether or not justice was delivered in the end...

Field Trip to UConn Writing Workshop

2010-04-17T06:33:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, April 10, five members of the Picture Book Critique Group attended a writing workshop given by author Stacy DeKeyser (latest YA title: Jump the Cracks) at UConn as part of the Connecticut Writing Project's Saturday Seminar series. The workshop's title was "Standing Naked on a Street Corner: Finding Your Novel's Voice."

Ms. DeKeyser read excerpts from current children's novels to demonstrate different voices in children's literature. Participants tried their hand at mimicking the styles; some were surprised to find a facility with a style new to them and were urged to explore their own versions. DeKeyser told participants to use their passion to write with urgency and emotion which will trigger conviction and their writing voice.

(The Connecticut Writing Project at Storrs is part of the National Writing Project program which offers professional development to teachers for improving writing skills across the curriculum.)

Pictured above: Eve Catarevas, Susan Hood, Stacy DeKeyser, Marianne McCarthy, Tracy Porosoff, Karen Jordan.

Meet the Editors

2010-04-14T18:31:00.000-04:00

Blog Contest

2010-04-13T21:35:00.002-04:00

In honor of author Sarah Wylie's new book, ALL THESE LIVES, she is doing a contest on her blog. Here are the prizes:

1 Lucky Winner will receive a critique of their first 30-40 pages by the fabulous Suzie Townsend + a pack of Twizzlers + a copy of Hex Hall

3 Lucky Winners will receive a query letter critique by one of these three agent extraordinaires: Kathleen Ortiz, Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, or Colleen Lindsay (One agent will be randomly assigned to each winner.)

1 Winner will receive a writer's survival guide consisting of Twizzlers, a copy of Silver Phoenix and When You Reach Me, and a cute notebook and pen so you're never tempted to do this:

1 Lucky winner will score a lunch date with THE Janet Reid and THE Suzie Townsend. Um, yeah, that's not a typo. (I'm tempted to enter myself. Would it be so wrong?) Unfortunately, this is not a free trip to NYC. BUT if you live in the NYC area, or whenever you're visiting NYC? You. Janet. Suzie. LUNCH.

Good luck!

Query Workshop

2010-04-11T22:58:00.002-04:00

Literary agent, Jennifer DeChiara will be doing an intensive query-writing workshop on Thursday, May 13th. If interested, call her at 212-481-8484 x362 and leave your name and number.

Critique Groups: Why do you belong?

2010-04-04T18:33:00.002-04:00

This month the SCBWI of Lower Fairfield will be expanding from two critique groups to five. If you are interested in joining any of the five groups, please contact me or one of the coordinators.

In honor of the change, I want to hear from you. Why do you belong to a critique group? What do you hope to gain from the experience? What do you hope to give to others? You do not need to belong to one of our groups to respond.

Southampton Children's Literature Conference 2010

2010-03-27T09:45:00.002-04:00

The Southampton Children’s Literature Conference
July 28 to August 1, 2010

The Southampton Children’s Literature Conference provides a unique forum in which to study and discuss the craft of writing for children. World-renowned authors, illustrators and editors offer inspiration and guidance through workshops, lectures, group discussions and special presentations. Open to both established and aspiring writers, the Conference is located in the Hamptons on the East End of New York’s Long Island—a resort area of natural beauty.

WORKSHOPS
The Children’s Writing Workshops are led by authors and editors of the first rank. The
distinguished faculty includes:
• Caldecott Medal-winning author/illustrator Ed Young
• Award-winning middle-grade author Tor Seidler
• Accomplished editor and novelist Cindy Kane
• Best-selling author/editor Emma Walton Hamilton
• Award-winning YA author Margaret McMullan

GUEST SPEAKERS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
In the afternoons and evenings, participants choose from a wide range of elective sessions presented by notable authors, editors, publishers, and agents. The schedule of formal and informal gatherings is rich—from author receptions to open-mic night—with a few surprises, too.

Among the guest presenters scheduled to appear this year are Arlene Alda and Lisa
DeSimini, Jim and Kate McMullan, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Catherine Creedon,
and Whiting Award-winning poet Julie Sheehan.

They’re pleased to offer three graduate credits to eligible students.

Workshop size is limited; some scholarships still available. Apply now!

A Writer’s Summer
Stony Brook Southampton
239 Montauk Highway
Southampton, NY 11968
631-632-5016
SouthHamptonWriters
http://www.stonybrook.edu/writers
http://www.facebook.com/SouthamptonWriters?ref=ts

Editor Evenings With Samantha McFerrin

2010-03-24T19:27:00.002-04:00

Samantha McFerrin will be at Jennifer DeChiara's Editor Evenings on April 28th and June 9th.

Samantha McFerrin is an editor for Harcourt Children’s Books. She acquires and edits picture books and middle grade and young adult fiction. For picture books, her interest ranges from sweet to rhythmic to quirky to true. Novel subjects that grab her attention are unusual love stories, authentic urban fiction, action-packed stories for boys (though not necessarily sport stories), mysteries, magical realism, and stories told from a unique cultural perspective. She’s the editor of the Geisel Honor Award winner Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie; the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Just a Minute: A Trickster Taleand Counting Book by Yuyi Morales; and the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award winner In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck, illustrated by Tricia Tusa.

The cost of the evening is $125 for a critique of 10 pages from up to two manuscripts, which are submitted by email. A maximum of seven people can attend. To register, respond to this email. NOTE: EDITORS ARE CURRENTLY EXTREMELY BUSY. IF YOU SIGN UP FOR THIS EVENING YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT YOUR MANUSCRIPT AND BIO 4 1/2 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT. MANUSCRIPTS WILL BE DUE MARCH 28 AND MAY 9. The event takes place in Jennifer DeChiara's office at 31 East 32nd Street in Manhattan.

There is also one spot just opened for Abby Ranger on April 15. Manuscripts and Bios for that evening are due ASAP.

Please send an email to Stacy to reserve your spot.

2010 Ruth Landers Glass Writers Scholarship

2010-03-20T11:27:00.001-04:00

Posted on the NE SCBWI Website February 15, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Information about this year's Ruth Landers Glass Writers Scholarship is now available on the New England SCBWI Memory Fund page. Scholarship winners will receive one day's free tuition for the 2011 New England SCBWI Spring Conference or any other NE SCBWI one-day event including Encore, Salon or other one-day workshop that we hold. The scholarship is for tuition only and does not cover any other expenses such as editor critiques, hotel or travel.

Submissions for the Ruth Landers Glass Writers Scholarship will be accepted via email from March 1st to April 25th, 2010

Ruth Landers Glass was a talented silversmith as well as a writer who nurtured a generation of writers and illustrators as the founder and leader of the Children's Book Writers Group at the Newton Free Library as well at the two other groups that developed from that original one.

Many Boston area writers can trace their success back to the seeds planted and the lessons learned in one of Ruth's groups. Ruth celebrated talent and demanded excellence. As one of her critique group members, illustrator Christie Allan-Piper put it in a Boston Globe article, "Ruth was at her best when she worked with other people and made them shine. She was the midwife to other people's work."

To honor her memory with a contribution to her scholarship, please see the New England SCBWI Memory Fund page.

Picture Bk. Critique Group Meeting 02-01-10

2010-03-05T12:59:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to two of our longtime members, Caroline Hunter (left) and Susan Hood (right), who received news of publication acceptances! Both of their picture books will be published in 2012. Way to go, ladies!

The SCBWI Picture Book Critique Group met on Mon. 02-01-10 in Westport with 13 writers in attendance. We welcomed new member Heather W. to the group and celebrated the publication news mentioned above. Kristen Q. also shared her experience in residence at the VT College of Fine Arts MFA Creative Writing Program in January as being quite extraordinary. She recommends the program highly.

Ten writers shared their manuscripts and received critiques.

Notes from meeting:

- We discussed length of manuscripts as it applies to children's interest and ability levels. At least two members had long PB manuscripts and wondered whether to cut them down to current 1,000-word length limits. Some members thought certain manuscripts needed to keep the lengthier style and vocabulary. Someone quoted an editor as saying that holiday books in particular can withstand greater text lengths and more advanced vocabulary because parents read these aloud.

- Some books recommended to look at:

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch by Trinka Hakes Noble

Our next meeting is Monday, April 5. Please join us if you can!

One Hour Query Frenzy: Can You Handle the Truth?

2010-02-27T07:59:00.008-05:00

Today, February 27, 2009, writers have an opportunity to avoid form rejection or no response from their query. Announced last night on Twitter by Kathleen Ortiz (@KOrtizzle), agent Joanna Stampfel-Volpe (@JoSVolpe) from Nancy Coffey Literary and Media Representation, will be guest blogging and running a query contest from 12 - 1 today.

The contest, called "QUERY CONTEST - Yes, I can handle the truth" is a one hour query-fest that promises specific answers to why the query was rejected. Queries will not be posted online. And only one per writer.

Some details from the blog:

Rules:
1. The contest will be open for only ONE HOUR.
2. Queries must be submitted to Joanna between the hours of noon EST and 1pm EST today. As in Saturday, Feb 27. Any queries submitted before or after those times will not be qualified to enter and considered only as a regular query.
3. All queries entered must have this in the subject line: QUERY CONTEST - Yes, I can handle the truth
If it does not have this in the subject line, it will be considered a regular query only.
4. Queries must be in the body of the email. NO attachments!
5. Queries must be one-page length long, size 12 font. That's ONE PAGE ONLY!
6. No manuscript pages attached or included at all.

Joanna will respond to all queries entered in the contest by Monday at 5pm EST.

Make sure to follow all submission guidelines. You also may want to read about Joanna before querying so that your rejection isn't simply, "I don't take this genre,"

Places you can find information on Joanna are:

Author Magazine Audio Interview
Publishers Marketplace

Guide to Literary Agents
Market My Words
Query Tracker (better if you are a member. Membership is free.)

Good luck.

Cute Contest, Cool Prize

2010-02-22T21:49:00.003-05:00

At thenovelette.com, the Holidays short story contest (deadline March 22, 2010) has a new prize being offered for the winner:

Elite Editing of New York City is offering a FREE editorial reading and consultation - up to 2,000 words - for the next Editor's Choice winner of the Holidays short story contest.

Other prizes are $25 gift certificates.

The contest involves writing a short story of no more than 750 words about any holiday. You can even check out some of the current entries online.

Good luck!

Why Was My Manuscript Rejected? 3 Literary Agents, 3 Opinions

2010-02-22T21:22:00.001-05:00

Have you written a children’s or YA manuscript that you believe is publishable—but which has been turned down without encouragement or advice by agents and publishers? Are you hungry for feedback on your writing for children? We think we can help!

3 literary agents (Andrea Cascardi of Transatlantic Literary Agency, Anna Olswanger of Liza Dawson Associates, and Ann Tobias of A Literary Agency for Children's Books) are in daily contact with clients and publishers, who specialize in children’s books and are offering to read your manuscript and give you our reactions to it. The workshop promises to be lively with three, possibly different, opinions about the strength and weaknesses of each manuscript. They will also discuss marketplace considerations, writing tips, and hold a general Q&A session.

Workshop date: April 25, 2010

Location: Shelburne Hotel
303 Lexington Avenue (at 37TH Street)
New York, NY 10016

Time: 9:30-4:00

Our previous workshops in April and November, 2009, were a sell-out. Here are a few comments from the participants:

"It was very refreshing to meet three literary agents and hear them speak. They were not fierce! In fact, they were very nice and helpful. I have so many invaluable notes from the workshop. It was helpful to get three different viewpoints about my work. I loved the workshop and I would do it again."

"The feedback was eye opening and very helpful. As an aspiring writer I found the experience of having agents, as opposed to many of the editors I've dealt with at other conferences, very important since I soon want to query agents. What I learned that afternoon was valuable and pertinent, and can only help me prepare a more polished manuscript to market in the future."

"The light bulb that went on over my head. Seriously, something was nagging at me about my story, and I couldn't figure out what it was. The most pertinent comments, for me, were the ones having to do with plot. There was imagination, but no motivation for what my character was doing, no desire, no transformation. Kind of like a movie with great special effects but no story line to hang them on. The critique made it much more clear what needs to be done."

Register early for the special rate of $195. After March 25, the rate goes up to $225. Group size is strictly limited to allow a full discussion of each participant’s manuscript, which the agents will read in advance of the workshop.

For further information, please visit our website www.3LiteraryAgents.com.

SCBWI New York 2010 Conference Wrap-Up

2010-02-13T18:21:00.004-05:00

I was not able to attend the New York Conference this year (though I did attend an amazing Blue Boarder dinner with conference goers Saturday night). Here are a bunch of fantastic blogs where you can find inspiring conference summaries.

The Official SCBWI Conference Blog
Jess Free Falcon by Blue Boarder friend Kimberly Sabatini
The Flatt Perspective
Story-Makers Making Stories in NYC by Beth Beck
Conference Wisdomby Sydney Salter
Final Thoughts by Janice Campbell
The First Novelists Club
Publishing Tips from SCBWI NYC by the YA Highway
Blue Rose Girls by Alvina Ling

I'm sure there are a lot more out there. If you know of one, or found these helpful, please leave a message in the comments.

New Editor's Evening: April 15 with Abby Ranger

2010-02-11T17:16:00.004-05:00

On April 15, Abby Ranger, editor at Disney-Hyperion Books for Children, will be critiquing manuscripts at agent, Jennifer DeChiara's office in NYC.

Abby Ranger works on a broad range of genres and formats, from picture books through middle grade and young adult fiction. Previously, she was at Scholastic Press, a hardcover imprint of Scholastic Inc, where she had the good fortune to edit SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater, and to assist on THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick, among other books.

At Disney-Hyperion, Abby is looking to acquire original and broadly accessible picture books, as well as contemporary chapter books and middle grade novels (series and stand-alone titles) with distinctive voices and fresh perspectives. Debut YA novels are also of interest, especially ones with smart premises, strong emotion conveyed with a light touch, and riveting storytelling.

Before starting her career in publishing, Abby earned a degree from Yale University and had jobs as a journalist, a set designer, and a scenic painter. She grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, and now lives in Brooklyn.

The cost for this evening is $125 for a critique of ten pages from up to two manuscripts. No more than seven people can register, so make sure to reserve your place soon by sending an email to Stacy. ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT.

More information about editor evenings can be found here.

NESCBWI 2010 Conference

2010-02-07T22:00:00.001-05:00

In case you are debating whether or not to go to NE SCBWI this year, Kate Messner has written a post on her blog with the top ten reasons you should go.

Kate will be a presenter at New England and she also presented last year.

Registration starts at midnight, February 8. To register go to http://nescbwi.ning.com/profiles/blogs/nescbwi-2010-conference-faq.

And if that's still not enough, and you need reason number 11, here it is: I'll be there this year!

Hope to see you.

How Agents Work

2010-02-04T23:03:00.000-05:00

From PW Children's Bookshelf:

The New School in New York City is hosting a spring series of forums on writing for children, hosted by editor Deborah Brodie. The next forum, called "How Agents Work," takes place on Tuesday, February 9 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at 66 W. 12th St., Room 510, and features Tracey Adams and Josh Adams of Adams Literary.

Tickets cost $5 and can be ordered by calling 212-229-5488.

July Novel Revision Retreat

2010-02-02T17:37:00.002-05:00

Have you completed a middle grade or young adult novel? Are you ready to focus on revision with a creative leader who will encourage you to look at your novel with fresh eyes, and give you concrete steps to improve your work? Join Darcy Pattison for a working weekend to focus on what your novel needs.

NOVEL REVISION RETREAT
with Darcy Pattison

July 23-25, 2010
at
Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center, North Andover, MA

Pattison, author of Novel Metamorphisis: Uncommon Ways to Revise and numerous children’s books, structures the weekend so that each participant gets maximum feedback for his or her novel. The weekend includes small groups (manuscript exchange 4-6 weeks ahead of time to allow time for reading). You will take an inventory of your book, and work through a revision process that will:

•Cut straight to the heart of your manuscript’s problems
•Develop your writing and editing skills
•Understand the critical underlying structure of your story
•Learn theory as you work
•Spark in-depth discussions in your critique group

If you would like to receive a pdf brochure with all the details, please email Anne Broyles at annebroyles@annebroyles.com.

Dates, dates, dates

2010-02-01T22:52:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to remind all Connecticut residents and New Englanders of two important dates coming up by the end of this week and beginning of next week:

1. Tassy Walden Submissions need to be postmarked by Friday. This is a great opportunity for Connecticut residents to show off their work. Last year both Karen Jordan's, our wonderful picture book critique group organizer, and my own work were recognized as honorable.

2. NE SCBWI conference signup opens Monday, Feb. 8. The line-up of workshops, presenters, editors, and agents this year is unbelievable. Hope to see some of you there!

OREGON COAST CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS WORKSHOP, SUMMER 2010

2010-01-15T23:15:00.001-05:00

Next summer, July 12-16, the Oregon Coast Book Writers will proudly present the eighth Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop, in the exquisite Oregon coast town of Oceanside. The instructors for the workshop will include five established children's book authors (between them, specializing in YA and middle school novels, picture books, non-fiction, magazine pieces, and poetry), two children's book editors from major houses, and one children's book agent. Summer Workshop 2010 promise to be their best yet because

- The instructor-student ratio will be a maximum of one to six,
- Each day, you will meet with an instructor for at least one comprehensive consultation, and
- You can have one-on-one informal meetings with instructors each day as well, and
- Every student who wishes can have an anonymous first page manuscript critique by all eight instructors in front of the class, and
- We will offer at least twelve instructional lectures on various aspects of writing and publishing, and
- There will be two evening readings/discussions by instructors, and
- Out-of-class consultations with instructors are available, and
- There will be at least three guest lectures, and
- There will be two wonderful parties (quite appropriate for friends, partners, spouses, children)

If you are ambitious to publish a children's book (or simply adore children's books), this is the workshop for you. It will allow you to connect directly with authors, editors, agents who are active in the children's book business. If you go to the website and look under Evaluations, you'll see that it's received extraordinarily high praise (some listed below).

The course is available for graduate credit.

For complete information they welcome you to visit their website at www.occbww.com

The workshop tends to fill up early so, if this is of interest, you may want to register sooner than later. There's a generous refund policy (described at the website) if you decide not to attend.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop.

A Program for Authors and Illustrators at the Eric Carle Museum

2010-01-13T20:24:00.001-05:00

Overcoming Challenges: A Program for Authors and Illustrators

Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10:00 - 3:30
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA

$15.00 for SCBWI members
Four veteran authors and author-illustrators participate in a two-part program that addresses the challenges we all face as writers and illustrators of children's book. A book sale and signing will round out the day.

Elise Broach is the author of six picture books and three novels. Both When Dinosaurs Came with Everything and Masterpiece won the E. B. White Read Aloud Award.

Lita Judge combines her love of history and nature to write and illustrate children's books. Her first picture book, One Thousand Tracings, won the 2008 IRA Children's Book Award and was a Jane Addams Award Honoree.

Grace Lin is the author/illustrator of more than a dozen picture books. Also an author of middle grade fiction, Grace's most recent novel Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was the 2009 Parents' Choice Gold Winner.

Sara Pennypacker is the author of the New York Times best-selling Clementine series, two other chapter book series, and two picture books, one of which won the 2007 Golden Kite Award.

For additional information and Registration Form, go to www.nescbwi.org, click on News & Events, and scroll down.

NESCBWI 2010 Conference

2010-01-11T00:41:00.002-05:00

Save the Date

The NESCBWI 2010 conference theme is "Moments of Change." The event will take place from Friday, May 14th - Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at the Courtyard Marriott in Fitchburg, MA.

Keynotes

Our keynote speakers for the spring conference are Cynthia Leitich Smith, Marla Frazee, and Allyn Johnston.

You may know Cynthia Leitich Smith through her comprehensive website and blog, which we reference often on this listserv. She's an author with a wide range of publications, from multicultural picture books to gothic YA novels. Her most recent novel is Eternal (Candlewick 2009).

Marla Frazee is the illustrator of the Clementine series (Hyperion), written by Sara Pennypacker. She received a Caldecott Honor last year for "A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever" (Harcourt 2008), which she wrote and illustrated. Most recently, she illustrated "All the World" (Beach Lane Books 2009), a picture book written by Liz Garton Scanlon.

Allyn Johnston is a Publisher at Beach Lane Books, an imprint that she founded at Simon & Schuster. She has worked with authors and illustrators such as Mem Fox, M.T. Anderson, and Marla Frazee and has been in publishing for over 20 years.

Registration Information

We will have registration online again this year. Registration will begin on February 8th, 2010. We'll send postcards with the web address towards the end of this month, so watch your mail! We'll also post the link to the registration site here.

We are not mailing a brochure, so the postcard will serve as both a conference and registration announcement.

Speaking of Change...

- When registering, please note that the Saturday/Sunday schedule is slightly different this year. Instead of having 1-hour workshops on Saturday and 2-hour intensives on Sunday, we will have a mix of workshops and intensives on each day.

- We have set aside some time in the schedule for "special interest groups" (SIGs) to meet. Prior to the conference, we will ask you to suggest topics you'd like to discuss with your colleagues. Whether it's writing middle grade mysteries, creating mixed media art, or beginning regular, local meetups, you can suggest anything you'd like to discuss with other writers and illustrators. After a nomination period, we'll open voting to find out what you're most interested in. At the conference, we'll have space and time for these groups to meet so that you can find other attendees who share your interests.

In the coming weeks, Greg Fishbone, conference co-director, and I will post updates here, on the NESCBWI Ning, and through twitter @nescbwi10.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We can be reached through any of the above ways and by email at nescbwi10@gmail.com

We're looking forward to the conference and hope you are, too!

Best wishes,

Anindita

Awards, awards, awards

2010-01-04T21:02:00.003-05:00

February is the deadline for two amazing contests in our area but there are lots of contests to submit to if you are willing. This post is dedicated to contests for kidlit writers.

1. Tassy Walden Awards: New Voices in Children's Literature
This award, only open to Connecticut residents, is given out every year to writers and illustrators in a number of categories. According to the description on the website, "New Voices in Children's Literature: Tassy Walden Awards are judged on the basis of literary and/or pictorial presentation for children. Awards are not for didactic intent or for popularity. In evaluating submissions, judges consider excellence achieved among the following areas:

For Writers: Establishment of the theme; plot development; character development; depiction of setting; suitability of material for a child audience; overall presentation, including clarity, accuracy and organization of material

For Illustrators: Artistic technique; ability to convey story, theme, characters, plot, information, setting and mood through pictures; suitability of style of illustration for a child audience

An award of $250 is presented to the winners in each of five categories as judged by publishing industry experts including: Picture Book (text only), Illustrated Picture Book, Illustrator's Portfolio, Middle Grade Novel and Young Adult/Teen Novel."

Deadline is February 5. Winners and Finalists will be announced early May.

2. 12th Annual Children's Book Caucus Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award (you need to scroll down the page to find the info)
This award is open to residents of New England. Categories include Picture Books, Middle Grade or YA, Poetry, and Nonfiction. According to their website, "Each year, the PEN New England Children's Book Caucus honors emerging writers and writer/illustrators with its Susan P. Bloom Children's Book Discovery Award. Winners will present their work to the public at the PEN New England Children's Book Discovery Evening in May 2010, and winning manuscripts will be read by editors at major publishing houses. In past years, editors from Knopf, Candlewick, and Houghton Mifflin have read winning submissions."

Deadline is February 1. Winners are notified by March.

3. Nathan Bransdford's THE SECRET YEAR Teen Diary Contest Extravaganza
This is not a contest for a manuscript, but it is a way to get your creative juices flowing. You can also win a query critique, partial critique, or 10 minute phone conversation/consultation/dish session. In order to enter you need to write a fictional diary entry as a blog post at the contest site that is under 500 words.

Deadline is January 6.

4. Kidlit Contest
This one is being run by Mary Kole at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. It is for middle grade or young adult. To enter you need to submit the first 500 words of your novel. Grand Prize Winner: A 15 page critique First Place: A 10 page critique Second Place: A 5 page critique Third Place: A 2 page critique Honorable Mention(s): A critique of the first page of your novel

Deadline is January 31.

5. The Bloom Award
This award is being run by Blooming Tree Press. It is for a Young Adult Novel in the genre of Light Romance Fiction (but check the guidelines for specifics).

Writers can submit between May 17 and Oct. 31. The winner will be announced by Dec. 25 and the book will be published by the company on April 25, 2012.

That's all I have for now. Please let me know if there are any out there I have missed.

Unicorn Writer's Conference

2010-01-04T19:24:00.002-05:00

The Unicorn Writer's Conference is being held in Stratford, CT on Saturday, April 10. Special guest speaker this year will be the legendary Gene Wilder. There will be workshops on writing for the children's market, plot development, pitch writing, plus many more. For more information check out their website.

Thank you to Georgetta Morque for pointing out this conference. If you should hear of any other conferences in the area or have attended something great, please leave a post or send and email.

What Would You Want?

2009-12-22T21:59:00.003-05:00

The topic on twitter's kidlitchat tonight was "What one craft/business gift would you give the writer or illustrator on your list?" I'll admit that I didn't post a response, but it had me thinking. What would I want as a writer?

Three+ years ago, when I attempted what I thought was my first novel, I would have loved to have someone who stood over my shoulder and shook her head. "Nope," she would have said, "18.000 words is not a novel." That same someone looking over my shoulder would have told me not to call the first agent I queried to see if he received my submission... and to join SCBWI immediately.

Three+ years, three+ novels, and lots of rejections (without phone calls made) later, I've gotten lots of gifts. The success of a writer's group, launched from scratch three years ago, that has two active critique groups and lots of people attending editor evenings and other events. The amazing writers, authors, agents, and editors whose advice is always appreciated. The contacts made through the Blue Boards, twitter, and conferences that have widened my social circle around the world at all times of day.

Book contract or not, I am lucky to have been given the gift of a community of people who understand that children's books are important, and that aspiring to become a children's book author is, no matter how hard or how long it takes, worth it.

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year with lots of time to write.

Best,
Stacy