SCBWI Winter Conference 2012

Conference.

If you live on the East Coast or can afford to get there and are a serious children’s, middle grade, or young adult author/illustrator, this is a wonderful opportunity!

I won’t be able to attend this winter conference due to time off and expenses, but I made it to the summer conference in Los Angeles and it was an incredible experience.  It was inspirational to listen to some of the most respected names in children’s literature speak, but it was also a valuable opportunity to network.

At the New York conference, an entire day is dedicated to “intensives,” one of which allows new authors who have a full manuscript ready for submission to share the first 500 words of their work with a table of other authors, editors, and agents.  What a wonderful, rare opportunity to share your work with potential buyers, receive feedback, and interact with possible future colleagues!

Check out the SCBWI site for more information.  If the conference is anything like the summer one, it will be an unforgettable experience.

Workshop for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators – September 10th! GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

It’s not too late!  The Nevada SCBWI Conference is tomorrow, but walk-ins are welcomed!  The walk-in cost is $100 for SCBWI members, $125 for non-members.

The day will end with a panel led by agents Michael Bourret and Kelly Sonnack in which they will read a few sample query letters or plot synopses and give their feedback. This is usually a very popular panel, since it will help you figure out what agents (and editors) really look for in a query. To that end, please plan to bring a query letter OR a plot synopsis (maximum of one page) with you to the conference. Our faculty will choose a few of these to be read aloud and critiqued during the afternoon panel. Don’t worry, these samples are kept completely anonymous. You do not even need to put your name on it! If you’d like your query or synopsis to be considered for the panel, drop it off at the registration desk when you check in.

Nevada SCBWI
Autumn Fire: Inspiring Your Muse
Las Vegas Workshop – September 10, 2011

Treading water? Ready to find inspiration for your dream of writing or illustrating for children and young adults? Join us for a one-day boot camp in fabulous Las Vegas – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM – Las Vegas Day School 3275 Red Rock Street Las Vegas, NV 89146

Our faculty includes Michael Bourett, agent with Dystel Goderich Literary Agency; Kelly Sonnack, agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency; Patti Ann Harris, senior art director, Little, Brown Children’s Books; author Susan Taylor Brown; author Kristin Clark Venuti; author Ellen Hopkins; and SCBWI Work-in-Progress Winner, Tracy Clark.

What are agents looking for? How to up the ante on your fiction? What makes a picture book work? Learn all this, and more, through our hands-on workshops and keynotes. Plus one-on-one manuscript critiques and portfolio reviews, designed to help you take your work to the next level.

Cost

	SCBWI Members	Non-Members
	$90 $100 $40	$115 $125 $40	Pre-registration (received by September 7)Registration at the door Individual paid manuscript/portfolio critique

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Upcoming Children’s Writing Contests (Summer/Fall 2011)

Upcoming Writing Contests for Kids

 

Several young writers have approached me about poetry/short story contests to enter this summer.  Well, I did some research and thanks to the Brimful Curiosities blog (written by a stay-at-home mom; full of great information about children’s books and activities), I am able to give you a brief list of contests with entries that haven’t quite passed yet.  Here is her website for more contests and great information in all things kid-related: http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com/

 

Here are contests, so you’d better get writing!  Good luck! 🙂

 

Short Story Contest

Write about anything you like!

1,000 words or less

Deadline:  July 11, 2011

Ages:  8 – 12

http://www.spillinginkthebook.com/contests/

 

Walden Media Juniper Berry Story Contest

Read the first two chapters of Juniper Berry and write your own story!  See website for official rules.  Be sure to read them carefully!

Deadline:  July 1, 2011

Ages:  9 – 14

http://walden.com/win/juniperberry

 

“Riding Shotgun with Kyle Busch Motorsports” Essay

Write an essay of 150 words or less on an experience or achievement in the last year that has affected your life in a positive way.

Deadline:  Varies (see website)

Ages:  5 – 12

http://www.kylebuschmotorsports.com/news/entry.php?nid=90

 

Save the Frog Contest

Bring awareness to the amphibian extinction problem by writing a poem about an amphibian.

Deadline:  October 15^th, 2011

http://savethefrogs.com/poetry/index.html

 

 

Also, don’t forget to check your local library.  They often have contests and other great activities planned for kids and teens throughout the summer.  Your library is a great resource!  Check them out. Have fun!

 

Two Focused Workshops: Bringing More to the Story and Revision Can Be Fun

Nevada Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

Join award-winning picture book author/illustrator Jim Averbeck for two focused workshops, Bringing More to the Story and Revision Can Be Fun, on Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Las Vegas Day School, 3275 Redrock Street, Las Vegas. The workshop is targeted for illustrators, author/illustrators and picture book authors wanting a better understanding of the marriage of words and illustrations. Illustrators are asked to bring a two-page spread for critique and discussion.

Workshop Fees: Free to SCBWI members who pre-register or $5 at the door. Non-members are welcome, registration fee is $40; join SCBWI and the $40 fee is fully refundable with proof of membership July 15, 2011. This is made possible, in part, by an illustrator grant from SCBWI International.

To register go to www.nevadascbwi.org. For more information call 702-290-3190 or email lvscbwi@gmail.com.

Jim Averbeck is the author of the critically-acclaimed Except If and winner of a Charlotte Zolotow Honor for his first book, In a Blue Room . He lives in San Francisco with his partner and their dog. He can be found online at www.JimAverbeck.com  and www.TheRevisionaries.com.

SCBWI is a professional organization that acts as a network for writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, educators; anyone with an interest in children’s literature. Members share information in over 70 regions worldwide. Membership in the international organization automatically makes you a member of your local region. SCBWI members and “friends” participate in critique groups, retreats, seminars and other activities (www.scbwi.org).

40th Annual Summer Conference – SCBWI

Image via Wikipedia

If you love children’s books, this may interest you.  If you love the illustrations in children’s books, this may interest you.  If you love meeting authors, this should interest you.  If you love writing or illustrating children’s books and are interested in learning more about the industry and how to write, publish, and market your writing, then this conference is DEFINITELY for you!!! (Especially if you live on the West Coast – easier commute!)

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators 40th Annual Summer Conference is to be held August 5th-8th in Los Angeles at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.  Members and non-members are invited to come and enjoy a weekend of creativity and learning!

The daily schedule for the event includes well-respected professional keynote speakers – authors, agents, editors, and publishers, as well as workshops designed to meet the various needs of the attendees.  You can learn everything from how to get an agent to techniques and advice on improving your craft.  Each day ends with an autograph signing session and Saturday night, all attendees are invited to the poolside gala for food, drinks, and entertainment.

For those of you who are interested, Monday, August 8th will serve as a day of intensive workshop and critique of your work.  This includes an additional charge to the conferences general admission, but it is a wonderful opportunity to get feedback from professionals in the field.

I know that I will be there and would love to meet others with my passion for writing and young adult novels. 🙂

To learn more go to SCBWI’s website:  http://www.scbwi.org/Conference.aspx?Con=8