by SCBWI Western Washington
A jury of faculty judges reviewed all of the portfolios for our 2017 SCBWI Western Washington Juried Portfolio Show. We heard over and over how impressed faculty and attendees alike were with the overall level of artistic talent. While voice, flow, and execution came through across the portfolio show, our jury found that the following... Continue Reading →
Kazu Kibuishi never set out to be a graphic novelist. His career started when he was only five years old, two years after arriving to the states from Japan. Once he had relieved the cash register in his grandparent's restaurant of all its quarters for video games, he was left with nothing to do to... Continue Reading →
Stephanie Pitts, editor with G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, feels that there are many nonfiction opportunities within the school and library market, thanks to Common Core, STEM, and STEAM. The most common type of nonfiction in picture books is the straightforward biography. Stephanie cautions that rather than a birth to... Continue Reading →
Patricia Hruby Powell has lived a magical life: as everything from a dancer who toured internationally to a substitute librarian, and her books turn nonfiction into heart-filled verse. She talked to us about empathy. If you're not rich, you can read about a rich person and know what it's like. If you're not poor, you... Continue Reading →
Kazu Kibuishi, writer and artist, is the mastermind behind the New York Times bestselling Amulet graphic novel series, published by Scholastic. Kazu threw a lot of the typical writing tools out the window (like the three act structure) and thought about the experience design. He wanted the story to feel like a ride. Kazu liked... Continue Reading →
Laurie Thompson receives the Crystal Kite Award. Laurie Thompson is the award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction books for young readers. Her young adult book BE A CHANGEMAKER: HOW TO START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS is an inspiring how-to guide for teens as well as the winner of the SCBWI's 2015 Crystal Kite award. Laurie... Continue Reading →
Jessica Anderson is an assistant editor at Christy Ottaviano Books, which has an affinity for illustrated middle grade books. To share a few (both fiction and nonfiction): Illustrations and photographs break up the narrative, complimenting the text but not distracting from it. Jessica takes us through the process (submission to finished book) with SECRETS OF... Continue Reading →
Melissa Manlove is a senior editor at Chronicle Books. She focuses on picture books and nonfiction, especially narrative nonfiction that involves, moves, entertains and inspires the reader. She gave a breakout session on writing narrative fiction that moves and informs readers. She's seeking nonfiction that's a pleasure to read, and recommends Sibert Award winners as... Continue Reading →
David Small has won a Caldecott Medal, two Caldecott Honors, two Christopher medals, and has been a finalist for the National Book Award, among other honors. He has illustrated picture books (more than 50!) and written and illustrated the searing graphic novel STITCHES, based on his own life. He sat down with a Q&A with... Continue Reading →
Author and all-around card Kim Baker moderated a panel with our editor and agent faculty. Here's a sampling of questions and answers. Kim Baker: What does a project need to have a shot in the marketplace? Melissa Manlove from Chronicle Books: "There are so many books and so many readers. The simplest, most honest answer is an audience... Continue Reading →
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