Local successes! From left, Jennifer K. Mann, Alysson Valentine, Dana Sullivan, Elizabeth Rose Stanton Let's hear it for our local success panel! These are four hardworking, fabulous individuals whose first books have been published within the last year (some within the last few weeks, even!). The books are: Jennifer K. Mann's Two Speckled Eggs, which... Continue Reading →
#scbwawwa14 Master Class: You’ve Got a Contract, Now What? with Justin Chanda
Justin Chanda (photo by Kim Baker) Justin started his talk by breaking down what the different departments and people at a publishing house really do. It pays to know who does what, but ultimately, everything should go through your editor. He or she is an author or illustrator's in-house champion and coordinates the efforts of... Continue Reading →
#SCBWI-WWA2014: Breakout session, Claudia Gabel
Claudia awaits her introduction. Executive editor at Katherine Tegen Books, Claudia Gabel, talked about First Pages in Reverse. Claudia is not only an editor, but she's also an author (the In or Out series, Romeo and Juliet and Vampires, co-writer of Elusion). (Dang, the talent is just dripping off the walls in here this weekend!)... Continue Reading →
#SCBWI-WWA14: Keynote Speaker Renata Liwska
Keynoter and illustrator Renata Liwska interviewed by her husband, Mike Kerr. Our first keynote of the day is Renata Liwska, illustrator of gorgeous books like The Quiet Book, The Loud Book, The Red Wagon, and, most recently, Once Upon a Memory (among many others), positively bubbles over with excitement. She is effusive about her process,... Continue Reading →
#SCBWI-WWA14: Agent/Editor Panel
Justin Chanda, publisher/editor (Simon & Schuster imprints) Claudia Gabel, editor (Katherine Tegen Books) Susan Hawk, agent (Bent Agency) Holly McGhee, agent (Pippin Properties) Alexandra Penfold, agent (Upstart Crow Literary) Lauren Rille, associate art director (Simon & Schuster) From left: Justin Chanda, Claudia Gabel, Susan Hawk, Holly McGhee, Alexandra Penfold, Lauren Rille. This is no ordinary... Continue Reading →
#SCBWI-WWA14: Editor & agent panel about to begin
Simon & Schuster vice president Justin Chanda is one of the vivacious faculty at our conference this year, and he gave a useful master class on Saturday revealing all the secrets you'll need to know once you've gotten The Call. The editor & agent panel will be the first event this morning. Stay tuned for... Continue Reading →
#SCBWIWWA14: The ballroom’s abuzz!
Name tags have been picked up, portfolios set up for the art show later, coffee slurped, newbies oriented by the capable Jolie Stekly, and our fearless leaders, region co-advisors Dana Arnim and Brenda Winter Hansen, are aflutter on the stage. After a great day of master classes and roundtables on Saturday, our region's biggest annual... Continue Reading →
#SCBWIWWA14: Franny Billingsley’s master class on character
Why is it that we can hear the same advice over and over, but every time it takes on a new shade of meaning or resonates differently, depending on the project we're working on at the time? That's what I'm thinking as Franny discusses the importance of what a character wants... and why she wants... Continue Reading →
#SCBWIWWA14: Conference 2014: Off to a great start
The chatting is winding down, the noise level down to a low hum, with little pockets of creative people still finishing late snacks and talking about their projects and kids' books. That's right, our biggest Kid Lit Drink Night of the year is winding up, and as usual, it got our annual Writing and Illustrating... Continue Reading →
Bringing the conference to YOU
Even if you aren't able to make the conference this weekend, you can follow along and learn from the comfort and serenity of your very own domicile. Here's how: 1. All weekend long, your intrepid SCBWI WWA Advisory Committee and Blog Team will be sending updates and pithy observations via Twitter: check in and out... Continue Reading →