Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Pre-#LA12SCBWI Interview with Natalie Lakosil


I had the chance to interview Natalie Lakosil, Assistant Agent at the Bradford Literary Agency (and blogger at Adventures in Agentland!)

We discuss how to know if an agent is right for you, how to get the most out of the conference - and talk to the agents you'll meet there, and even cover some of the things to consider about self-publishing (a topic Natalie often explores on her blog.)

Natalie's SCBWI Summer conference faculty presentations include two agent panels at the Monday Writer Intensives, and she'll be a special guest at the Friday night LGBTQ Q&A session that I'm moderating.

For your chance to learn from and be inspired by Natalie and the rest of the publishers, editors, agents, art directors, illustrators and authors who are part of the amazing conference faculty, you can still register here!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Pre-#LA12SCBWI Interview with Jarvis Braun... err, Jordan Brown


Jaime Temairik talks with Harper Collins Senior Editor Jordan Brown in the run-up to the 2012 SCBWI Summer Conference.  They diss John Scieszka, toss invisible sunflower seeds around Jordan's office (and show us the proof!) and talk about writing for boys (the subject of Jordan's breakout session at the conference.)

They even talk about how Jordan edited this year's Sid Fleischman Award-Winning novel, The Fourth Stall, by Chris Rylander (you can read my interview with Chris here.)

It's a great glimpse into the fun (and substance) Jordan has to offer.  For your chance to learn from and be inspired by Jordan and the rest of the publishers, editors, agents, art directors, illustrators and authors who are part of the amazing conference faculty, you can still register here!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

Monday, July 23, 2012

Pre-#LA12SCBWI Interview with Dan Gutman


Jolie Stekly talks with upcoming SCBWI Summer Conference Keynoter (and funny author of more than 100 books for kids) Dan Gutman!

Dan is so funny, even his BIO cracks you up!  Proof:  Here's his conference bio...

Dan Gutman was born in a log cabin in Illinois and used to write by candlelight with a piece of chalk on a shovel. Oh, wait a minute. That was Abraham Lincoln.  Actually, he grew up in New Jersey.  Like many boys, Dan hated to read but loved sports. That’s why he writes so many sports books aimed at reluctant readers.  HE graduated from Rutgers in 1977 with a degree in psychology (which means, in Latin, "a total waste of time").  He never took a writing class in his life, which is obvious to anyone who has read his books. In 1994, Dan penned a novel about a boy who can travel through time with baseball cards.  Honus & Me was published by HarperCollins which turned it into an 11-book series. In his insatiable quest for world domination, Dan dreamed up My Weird School in 2004, a series of easy readers about a school in which all the grown-ups are insane and has written 40 of them. Dan’s goal is to keep writing My Weird School until HarperCollins rips the laptop out of his cold, dead hands. He has also written The Homework Machine,Million Dollar Shot, The Kid Who Ran For President, and a bunch of other books that didn't sell.  When he’s not writing books, Dan writes self-aggrandizing third-person bios like this one. 

Jolie and Dan talk about rejections (and how to deal with them) and we even get Dan's advice on how to find our own "sweet spot" as writers. 

It's a great glimpse into what we can look forward to with Dan giving the Friday afternoon keynote, "How a Dumbass LIke Me Got 100 Books Published" and the Saturday workshop, "Let's Write A Story Together."   

To be inspired by and learn from Dan and the rest of the amazing SCBWI Summer Conference faculty) you'll need to be there yourself.  But there's not much time left!  The #LA12SCBWI conference is August 3-6, 2012.  Register here!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Pre-#LA12SCBWI Interview with Jill Corcoran



Martha Brockenbrough chats with her agent, Jill Corcoran, about Jill's conference advice, search for romance, and stick-it-out inspiration.  They even share a SCBWI Success story (Robin Mellom) and it's all really sweet and you-can-do-it (You can!) wonderful.

Go check it out!

Jill will be giving a Friday morning workshop "Choosing Clients, Agenting their Work and the Evolving Market", will be on the Sunday morning Agents Panel "Realizing Your Creative Dreams:  What the Publishing World Can Offer You," and will speak at the Monday morning Writers Intensive Agents Panel, "A Morning With 9 Agents!"

You can hear and meet Jill in person and learn from her (and the rest of the amazing SCBWI Summer Conference faculty) ... and to do that you'll need to be there yourself.  You can still register for #LA12SCBWI here!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Pre-#LA12SCBWI Interview with Deborah Underwood


Check out this awesome two-part conversation Jaime Temairik had with conference faculty member and Award-winning Author of picture books, chapter books and non-fiction, Deborah Underwood. 
Part one is maybe the quietest interview ever (appropriately enough, given that Deborah's The Quiet Book was a New York Times Best Seller!)


Part two of their interview is still funny, but goes into more depth, exploring Deborah's process, tools, passions, what she's looking forward to at the upcoming SCBWI Summer Conference, and more!

To hear Deborah's "The Power of Quiet" Keynote yourself and learn from her (and the rest of the amazing conference faculty) you'll need to be there yourself.  You can still register for #LA12SCBWI here!

And please note:  
Due to the high enrollment, there will be no part-time registration and no walk-ins.

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The LGBTQ Q&A at #LA12SCBWI

Last year's LGBTQ Q&A at the SCBWI Summer Conference

I'm very excited to announce that once again I'll be moderating this discussion at SCBWI's Summer Conference (August 3-6, 2012.)

The LGBTQ Q&A will be held this year on Friday August 3, 2012 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.  Our special guests will be:


 publisher and editor Arthur A. Levine



Assistant Literary Agent Natalie M. Lakosil, and 


Award-winning Author Sonya Sones!

We'll be discussing LGBTQ publishing, the submission process, and who is interested in what kinds of stories.

Maybe you've written a book about or for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer or questioning youth.  Maybe you're interested in doing so.  Maybe you are just curious to learn more about this vital corner of the market for young readers.

It's been a wonderful discussion and community-building experience at past conferences, and with Arthur, Natalie and Sonya this is an amazing opportunity to learn, be inspired, connect, and have your questions answered.

You can still register for the SCBWI Summer Conference here.

Hope to see you!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Pre-#LA12SCBWI Interview with Sonya Sones






I just interviewed Award-Winning Author Sonya Sones, faculty member for the SCBWI Summer Conference, (in Los Angeles, Aug 3-6, 2012), who shared just one of her secrets and tips from her upcoming intensive workshop... and that secret has already inspired some changes in my current manuscript. 

Check out our discussion, and know that there's still room for in Sonya's intensive, Should Your Tomes Be Written in Poems: Crafting the Novel in Verse, for YOU to learn from her directly...

The faculty is amazing, the inspiration heady, and the sense of community powerful...

You can register for the Summer Conference here!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee


Friday, July 13, 2012

Pre-#LA12SCBWI Conference Interview with Gary Schmidt









Gary Schmidt is the author of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy which won Newbery and Printz Honors--and The Wednesday Wars--which won another Newbery Honor--and Okay for Now--which was a National Book Award Finalist.  His most recent book is a picture book:  The Rose in the Desert: The Story of Martin de Porres.  He teaches in the English Department of Calvin College.

Check out this great interview Martha Brockenbrough did
with Gary  - they really get into Gary's writing process... and
how he works on a typewriter that's older than he is!
To hear Gary's keynote and attend his "layering your characters" workshop, you'll need to attend the 2012 SCBWI Summer conference yourself!  And here's the good news, you can still register here!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Pre-#LA12SCBWI Conference Interview: Executive Editor Arianne Lewin


Check out Suzanne Young's interview with Arianne Lewin, Executive Editor at G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.

Ari is doing three talks at the the upcoming 2012 SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles - one on how and what she acquires, another on writing fantasy, and a Monday intensive on improving your first pages.

To hear her yourself, and have a chance to learn from and be inspired by Ari and the rest of the publishers, editors, agents, art directors, illustrators and authors who are part of the amazing conference faculty, you can still register here!


Illustrate and Write On,
Lee
 

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

17 Intensives at #LA12SCBWI still have room for YOU!



As of today, there are only 17 intensives on Monday August 6th (directly after the main three-day conference) that still have space available.  These are incredible opportunities that won't be blogged by Team Blog, and are a chance to really dig deep!



AM • - Emma Dryden - Independent and Self Publishing: Best Practices

Designed for Authors and Illustrators who are already independently or self published or considering alternate publishing options for their work, this intensive offers reminders and guidelines to use as to best practicies to use to ensure you're publishing your work as professionally as possible.  It explores ways in which independently or self published authors and illustrators can recreate some of the best principals of traditional publishing (editing, design, marketing, sales); defines author/illustrator and publisher responsibilities; discusses various publishing platform options for picture books and fiction/non-fiction; considers the differences between print, e-, and POD; and explores the benefits and drawbacks of independent publishing.

And Emma's the Expert...

Emma D Dryden, the founder and principal of the children’s book editorial and publishing consulting firm, drydenbks
provides editorial and consultancy support to authors, illustrators,
agents, foreign and domestic publishers, and eBook and app publishers.
Her children’s publishing career began at Viking and Random House,
followed by a position with Margaret K. McElderry Books. After McElderry
retired, Emma became VP, Editorial Director of McElderry Books, and in
2005, VP, Publisher of Atheneum Books for Young Readers and Margaret K.
McElderry Books. Emma has edited over 500 books for children,from board
books and picture books to poetry, novelties, non-fiction, MG, and YA
fiction and fantasy.  As publisher, she oversaw the annual publication
of over one-hundred hardcover and paperback titles. Authors and
illustrators she has edited include Ellen Hopkins, Karma Wilson, Susan
Cooper, Alan Katz, Raul Colon, Lee Bennett Hopkins, David Diaz, and Paul
Zelinsky. Emma is also the leader of the Editorial Quality Panel for
picture eBook platform
uTales and is on the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Board of Advisors.



AM •- Ellen Hopkins - Building a Career Through Self Promotion 

No matter how you publish, self-promotion is an integral tool for developing broad readership.

And Ellen's the Expert...

Ellen Hopkins
is a poet and the award-winning author of 20 nonfiction books for
children and eight NY Times Bestselling young adult novels-in-verse. Her
first novel for adults, Triangles, published in 2011. In the fall of 2012, her ninth YA novel, Tilt (a companion to Triangles) will publish, along with a crossover novel, Collateral. Ellen lives near Carson City NV with her husband and teenage son, a bottomless well of inspiration for her YA fiction.

 
AM •- Ann Whitford Paul - The C.P.R. — Character, Plot, Rhythm of Picture Books

Apply techniques to revise your manuscript to be the best it can be.

And Ann's the Expert...

Ann Whitford Paul has published many award winning picture books—both fiction and non-fiction—poetry and early readers for children, including Tortuga in Trouble, Word Builder, If Animals Kissed Good Night and recently a book for adults titled WRITING PICTURE BOOKS:  A Hands-on Guide from Story Creation to Publication.   


AM •  Melissa Stewart - Four Steps To A Stronger Nonfiction Manuscript  

After discussing how to focus a nonfiction topic in a way that will interest editors, we will practice a four-step method for transforming a manuscript from okay to outstanding.

And Melissa's the Expert...

Melissa Stewart is
the award-winning author of more than 150 nonfiction books for
children, a member of the SCBWI Board of Advisors, and the PAL
Cordinator for SCBWI's New England region. Her recent picture book Under the Snow
was a Junior Library Guild Selection, a Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor
Book, and a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year. It was
also nominated for thirteen state book awards.


AM • Sonya Sones - Writing the Verse Novel (Should Your Tomes be Written in Poems?  Crafting the Novel in Verse)

Thinking of writing a novel in verse?  In the middle of writing one already?  This session will be jam-packed with info, tips and secrets about using poetry to tell your stories.

And Sonya's the Expert...

Sonya Sones
has written four YA novels in verse, which have received many honors,
including a Christopher Award, the Myra Cohn Livingston Award for
Poetry, the Claudia Lewis Poetry Award, and a Los Angeles Times Book
Prize nomination. She’ll be the first one to tell you that in 2010 her
novel in verse, What My Mother Doesn’t Know,
made the ALA’s list of the “Top 100 Most Challenged Books of the
Decade.” Sonya’s latest book, the Los Angeles Times bestseller The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus, is her first novel in verse for grownups—a coming of middle-age story about learning to grow old disgracefully. She is this close to finishing her fifth YA novel in verse.


AM • Dan Yaccarino: From Inspiration to Publication: The Essentials of A Picture Book 

This intensive covers the basic mechanics of picture books.  A picture book isn't just drawings depicting text, but images and words uniquely combined to create a story.  Learn the fundamentals, from format and character development through basic storytelling.

And Dan's the Expert...

Dan Yaccarino has written and illustrated over fifty children’s books, most notably, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, Unlovable, Every Friday and Go Go America.
His bold, stylized illustrations add wit and energy to the work of
such prestigious authors as Margaret Wise Brown, Jack Prelutsky, Kevin
Henkes and Patricia MacLachlan in addition to his own stories.
He
is also the creator and producer of his own animated television series
Oswald and the Emmy Award-winning Willa’s Wild Life, as well as the
designer behind Nick Jr's Emmy-winning The Backyardigans.
Dan lives in New York City with his family and vintage toy collection.

 
  
AM • L - A Morning With 8 Agents  

With these powerhouse literary agents:
Josh Adams, Adams Literary;  
Jamie Weiss
Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary Agency;
 
Stefanie Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary;

Jill Corcoran, Herman Agency;  
Natalie M.
Lakosil, Bradford Literary Agency;

Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary Agency; 
Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt Agency;
 
Deborah Warren, East West Literary Agency; 
Ken Wright, Writers House


PM •  Jill Corcoran - How to Write a Query Letter  

Hands-on workshop in which you will walk away with a query letter that will get agents and editors salivating for your work.

And Jill's the Expert... 

Jill Corcoran is an agent with The Herman Agency
representing PB, CB, MG & YA. Her current interests include high
concept Young Adult and Middle Grade Thrillers, Mystery,
Romance, Romantic Comedies, and Adventure manuscripts. With an English
degree from Stanford University and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from
the University of Chicago, Jill has marketed everything from sneakers
to cereal at Leo Burnett Advertising, LA Gear, Mattel, and at her own
consulting company, LAUNCH! New Product Marketing. Clients include Robin
Mellom, Janet Gurtler, Martha Brockenbrough, Kelly Milner Halls, Ralph
Fletcher, & Jen Arena. Jill is also the editor of Dare to Dream-Change the World (Kane Miller, 2012), a poetry anthology which includes Ellen Hopkins, Jane Yolen, J. Patrick Lewis, & Lee Bennett Hopkins.
  


PM • - Eddie Gamarra - Adapting Your Work for Film or Television   

• What kinds of books are best suited for
adaptation? 
• How does the adaptation process work? 
• What’s the author/illustrator’s role in that
process and who else is involved? 
• How to market your book and its adaptation to the entertainment industry
• Some tips on creating truly cinematic stories with words or illustrations 

And Eddie's the Expert...

Eddie Gamarra is a literary manager/producer at The Gotham Group,
which represents screenwriters, directors, animators, authors,
illustrators, publishers, and animation studios.  He specializes in
children’s & family entertainment, including animation, live action
and literature ranging across picture books, novels, anthologies and
graphic novels.  His clients include numerous New York Times
best-selling authors and illustrators as well as Oscar, Emmy, Caldecott,
Newbery, and Geisel award winners and develop and sell projects for all
platforms ranging from online shorts to live action feature films.  In
addition to his work at The Gotham Group, he has consulted for Teen
Magazine, National Geographic's TV series HOLLYWOOD SCIENCE, and
MANswers on Spike.  He has lectured at Vassar, North Carolina School of
the Arts, and University of Arkansas, Little Rock.  He received his BA
in Psychology from Vassar College, a Masters in Cinema Studies from NYU
and a PhD in Psychoanalysis & Film from Emory University.


 PM • - Ellen Hopkins - Creating the Really Truly Real Teen Characters     

The quickest way to turn off a YA audience is to write teen characters who little resemble teens.

And Ellen's the Expert...

Ellen Hopkins
is a poet and the award-winning author of 20 nonfiction books for
children and eight NY Times Bestselling young adult novels-in-verse. Her
first novel for adults, Triangles, published in 2011. In the fall of 2012, her ninth YA novel, Tilt (a companion to Triangles) will publish, along with a crossover novel, Collateral. Ellen lives near Carson City NV with her husband and teenage son, a bottomless well of inspiration for her YA fiction.


 PM • - Ann Whitford Paul - Rhyme Time in Poetry and Picture Books    
  
Editors have a love-hate relationship to rhyme.  Learn how to avoid the pitfalls that make them throw up their arms and plead, "NO RHYME!"

And Ann's the Expert...

Ann Whitford Paul has published many award winning picture books—both fiction and non-fiction—poetry and early readers for children, including Tortuga in Trouble, Word Builder, If Animals Kissed Good Night and recently a book for adults titled WRITING PICTURE BOOKS:  A Hands-on Guide from Story Creation to Publication. 


 PM • - Dan Yaccarino - How To Do Successful School Presentations  

The Fundamentals of how to create a successful live presentation for both children and adults.

And Dan's the Expert...

Dan Yaccarino has written and illustrated over fifty children’s books, most notably, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, Unlovable, Every Friday and Go Go America.
His bold, stylized illustrations add wit and energy to the work of
such prestigious authors as Margaret Wise Brown, Jack Prelutsky, Kevin
Henkes and Patricia MacLachlan in addition to his own stories.
He
is also the creator and producer of his own animated television series
Oswald and the Emmy Award-winning Willa’s Wild Life, as well as the
designer behind Nick Jr's Emmy-winning The Backyardigans.
Dan lives in New York City with his family and vintage toy collection.

  
 
 PM • - An Afternoon with 8 Agents   

With these powerhouse literary agents:








Stefanie Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary; 
 Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary
Agency;
 
Natalie M. Lakosil, Bradford Literary
Agency;
 
Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary
Agency;
 
Julie Kane-Ritsch, Gotham Group;
 
Linda Pratt Wernick, Pratt Agency;

Deborah Warren, East West Literary Agency;
 
Ken Wright, Writers House


 PM • - Bonnie Bader - Leveled Readers   

This hands-on intensive will not only give you a greater understanding of Leveled Readers, but it will also give you effective writing tools to become an author for this growing market.  In class activities to include:  paging out manuscripts, writing art notes, writing your very own reader, and more!

And Bonnie's the Expert...
Bonnie Bader, Editor-in-Chief of Early and Beginning Readers at Grosset & Dunlap is also the head of the U.S. arm of Fredrick Warne, which publishes Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit, Flower Fairies, and Spot.
At Grosset, Bonnie oversees all of Penguin’s leveled readers, which
fall under the imprint, Penguin Young Readers. In addition, she is
starting up an 8x8 picture book program, and a beginning/early chapter
book program which will launch in 2013. She continues to edit and
oversee several series including Hank Zipzer by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, Katie Kazoo Switcheroo and George Brown, Class Clown by Nancy Krulik, and Frankly Frannie by Amanda Stern. Upcoming series include Almost Identical by Lin Oliver (Fall 2012) and The Magic Bone by Nancy Krulik (Summer 2013). Bonnie is also a member of the SCBWI Board of Advisors.


 PM • - Ari Lewin - First Pages: An In-depth Analysis of the Very Best Ways To Start A Novel      

A hands-on workshop where we analyze the first pages of successful YA and middle grade novels, then apply what we've learned to YOUR stories.

And Ari's the Expert...

Arianne Lewin is an executive editor at G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.
 She edits all kinds of books, with an emphasis on young adult novels
and fantasy. Ari has worked with Mike Rex, Cinda Williams Chima, Rachel
Hawkins, Katie Alender, Marie Lu and Jessica Spotswood.  


 PM • - Jen Rofe - The ”So What” Factor  


When reading manuscripts, Jen Rofé asks herself “So What? Why should I care about these characters and their story?” In this three-hour intensive, we will examine the plots
of successful books to uncover how the author made us care, and we will discuss techniques for developing your own “So What?” factor in your manuscript or work-in-progress. Be warned: Side effects of this intensive include: Torturing yourself with “So what?”; looking for the “So What?” factor in books you read; and writing strong, compelling stories.


And Jen's the Expert...

Jennifer Rofé handles children's fiction projects at Andrea Brown Literary Agency
ranging from picture books to young adult. Middle grade is Jennifer's
soft spot and she's open to all genres in this category, especially the
tender or hilarious. She is always looking for fresh and distinct
voices; stories that simultaneously tug at her heartstrings and make her
laugh out loud; and "adorkable" heroes. As for YA, Jennifer is drawn to
contemporary works; dramatic or funny romance; and urban fantasy/light
sci-fi. She's especially interested in mind-blowingly smart projects
that are layered, complex, and unexpected, and she appreciates big,
developed worlds. In terms of picture books, early readers, and chapter
books, she is interested in character-driven projects and smart,
exceptional writing.
 




The Illustrator Intensive: Writing For Illustrators

Do you have a vivid picture demanding to tell a story? Do you have a lively character struggling to find a voice? Are you ready to be an author-illustrator? 

If you are an illustrator with an original idea and you are looking for the right shape and format, this day-long intensive will help you create a story that is as personal, compelling
and imaginative as your art.  

A full day of talks (check out the schedule here) from successful illustrators, editors, agents, publishers and art directors is followed by a panel review of book proposals to illuminate what it takes to put together a successful proposal for your story and art.  

With these Experts:

Tony DiTerlizzi
is a new York Times bestselling author and illustrator who has been
creating books with Simon and Schuster for over a decade. From his
fanciful picture books like, Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure, G is for One Gzonk! and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and The Search for WondLa, Tony always imbues his stories with a rich imagination. His middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles
(with Holly Black), has sold millions of copies, been adapted into a
feature film, and has been translated in over thirty countries.

Arthur A. Levine is Vice President and Publisher of his own imprint, Arthur A Levine Books,
which is celebrating its 15th Anniversary at Scholastic Inc. While
Levine has edited and published exceptional books for children of all
ages including Shaun Tan's Lost and Found, Jonah Winter's Just Behave Pablo Picasso! !, Dan Santat’s Sidekicks! and Lisa Yee’s Warp Speed,  he is perhaps most recognized as co-Editor of the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling. Levine is the author of Monday is One Day , illustrated by Julian Hector, All the Lights in the Night (a Sidney Taylor Honor Books) illustrated by James Ransome, and the forthcoming A Very Beary Tooth Fairy
 illustrated by Sarah Brannen. Arthur takes special pleasure in
launching the careers of authors he’s met through SCBWI including Martha
Brockenbrough (Devine Intervention), Mike Jung (Geeks, Girls and Secret Identities) and many others.





Bryan Collier is the author and illustrator of the Coretta Scott King Award-winning book Uptown. He received Caldecott Honors for the books Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport, which was also a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor book; Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, which received the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award; and, most recently, and Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill. Mr. Collier lives in New York.

Laura Godwin is Vice President and Publisher of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers (a division of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group),
where she has worked for over twenty years. Jackie Kelly, Eugene
Yelchin, Deborah Heiligman, Eric Carle, Peter McCarty, Dave Milgrim,
Bryan Collier, Denise Fleming and William Low are some of the many
authors with whom she works.  Laura likes nothing better than working
with an author or illustrator at the beginning of his or her career, and
has been thrilled to see five such newcomers go on to become either
Newbery or Caldecott honor recipients. She grew up in Alberta, Canada
and now lives in Manhattan.

Rubin Pfeffer
launched his career as a designer for Macmillan in 1974 after which he
joined Harcourt Brace Jovanovich serving for more than 27 years with
responsibilities spanning from entry level designer to President of the
Trade division.In 2001, Rubin joined Pearson, Inc.as SVP and Chief
Creative Officer of the Pearson Education companies where he coordinated
cross-company product development.  He served as SVP and Publisher for
Simon & Schuster Children’s Books.  Imprints reporting to Rubin
included S&S Books for Young Readers, Atheneum, McElderry Books, and
Aladdin Paperbacks.His imprints achieved the Newbery Medal and Honor
and the Caldecott Hono. In 2008, he launched Beach Lane Books, a
commercial children’s picture book imprint. Rubin joined the
East West Literary Agency
in December, 2009, as a partner and works with talents as David Diaz,
Patricia MacLachlan, Richard Jesse Watson, Susan Cooper, Michael Hague,
Jeff Mack, and a host of other published and new talents. He served as a
judge of NAPPA’s annual round-up of best children’s books for the years
2010 and 2011and has consulted for the digital publisher Ruckus Media
Group where he executive produced Ruckus’ first original story app for
children, A Present for Milo, which quickly became a bestselling children’s app on iTunes.

Jon Klassen, 

Antoinette Portis graduated
from the UCLA School of Fine Arts and then––since being a video
performance artist paid her the nice round sum of nothing
whatsoever––she worked as a graphic designer and advertising art
director. She was a creative director at Disney for many years before
she bolted to do what she had always wanted to do: be left alone in a
room to write and make pictures. Her first book was the best-selling Not A Box, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book and a Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book. A Penguin Story was also a New York Times Best
Illustrated Book. She was one of four recipients of the 2010 Sendak
Fellowship. Antoinette lives in Southern California with her husband,
Michael. They have a daughter who is also an artist.

Melissa Sweet
has illustrated many award winning children’s books from board books to
nonfiction and jacket covers.  Her collages and paintings have appeared
in the New York Times, Martha Stewart Living and for eeBoo Toys. She
has written and illustrated Tupelo Rides the Rails, Carmine: A Little More Red,  a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book, 2005  and the 2012 Sibert Medal winner, Balloons Over Broadway :The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade. Melissa illustrated A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams
by Jen Bryant, a 2009 Caldecott Honor book and a New York Times Best
Illustrated, among other awards. When she is not in her studio, she can
be found taking in an art class, hiking with her dogs or riding her
bicycle. She lives with her family in Rockport, Maine.

Eugene Yelchin is a Russian-born author and illustrator of children’s books. In 2012, Breaking Stalin’s Nose, his first illustrated novel, received a Newbery Honor award. That same year, Won Ton, A Cat Tale Told In Haiku,
which Yelchin illustrated, became an American Library Association
Notable Book, among numerous other awards. In 2010, his illustrated
picture book Rooster Prince of Breslov received the National
Jewish Book Award. Yelchin received a Tomie de Paola award in 2006 at
the SCBWI winter conference. Since then his books received starred
reviews and were included in the Best Books of the Year lists.

Pat Cummings is the author and/or illustrator of over 35 books for young readers.  She also edited the award-winning series, Talking With Artists,
which profiles prominent children's book illustrators. She teaches at
Parsons and Pratt, and her children's book illustration class has a
growing number of notable illustrator/authors among its graduates.  Pat
serves on the SCBWI board as well as on the boards of the Authors Guild,
the Authors League Fund, The Authors Guild Foundation and the Eric
Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Along with visiting schools,
universities and organizations to speak about children’s books, she
conducts a summer Children’s Book Boot Camp that brings writers and
illustrators together with top editors and art directors from major
publishing houses.



and 

Cecilia Yung is Art Director and Vice President at Penguin Books for Young Readers
where she oversees illustration and design for two imprints, G. P.
Putnam's Sons and Nancy Paulsen Books. She is fortunate to have worked
with some of the major illustrators of children’s books, but the
highlight of her work is to discover and develop new talent. She is on
the Board of Advisors of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators) as well as a member of its Illustrators Committee.


To find out more about these intensives, the assignments for attendees, and to register,  go here.


Illustrate and Write On,

Lee