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
Arthur Levine, out-of-this-world editor and award-winning author, took twenty-seven authors out on a most-amazing first date. For Arthur this date was blind, not knowing who he'd meet until our first chapters hit his inbox. For us, we knew we were getting ready to meet the hottest guy around. I'm sure it's safe to say there was a whole lot of first-date jitters as we gathered and made eye contact with Arthur in the Pacific Room.
It was amazing to watch Arthur at work, as we all shared our beginning pages. The way he pinpointed what was working and what was not was a treat to listen to and learn from. We were then all asked to state what was our "best foot forward." Did we lead with it? Or something else? Did we begin in the right spot? Should it have been earlier or later? And Arthur gave us his own take on each and every beginning.
