SCBWI-NORCAL (Northern California) held its Spring Spirit IV in Davis, California April 5. This was my first writers conference and it will not be my last. You know the commercial where the announcer gives a price for a variety of items but one is always priceless? Information garnered at this conference---Priceless.
SCBWI is a strong global voice for professional writers and illustrators.
I highly recommend that all children's writers and illustrators bite the bullet and join this important group. You can find out how to join by clicking HEREAuthor of Hattie Big Sky, Kirby Larson opened the event with a heart warming and entertaining presentation.
Victoria Rock, Editor-at-large at Chronicle Books in San Francisco.... Pamela Bobowicz of Delacorte Press (an imprint of Random House Children's Books), New York........and Heidi Kilgras, Editorial Director at Random House Children's Books in New York were able to convey why editors do what they do. They love their jobs and they want the best for their readers.
Always take an extra notebook and maybe a small fold up camping seat to place in front of you to put your laptop or folders on instead of having just your lap available.
Requirements from editors and publishing houses may vary. For example Random House prefers picture books to be about 450 words in length. A key point: "Is it re-readable?" In other words how many times is your little one going to want to "read it again"?
Delacourte Press accepts Middle Grade 8 to 12 and YA Novels 12 and up but does not accept picture books and Chronicle Books will accept all children's genres at this point.
This is just a couple of gems that were thrown out there this weekend.
Write it down,
Carma
great website. I liked the links you had for the How not to get published humor too.
ReplyDeleteI could stay her all night reading.
Hi Jewel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting. I want to make it interesting.
Great information... I want to join everything. There is so much to learn and I so want to develop a freelance career. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteterri.forehand@gmal.com
http:/heartfeltwords4kids.blogspot.com
Even though I do not want to write specifically for children. I learned a lot at that site. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteGayle McCain
www.gaylemccain.blogspot.com
Terri, believe me I know exactly how you feel about joining things. I have the impulse to join everything I hear about. It is crazy. It is best to keep a narrow focus sometimes.
ReplyDeleteGayle,
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know that there are many basic techniques and info that apply to writers of all genres
Hi, Carma,
ReplyDeleteYipee! You made it to a SCBWI conference. Aren't they GREAT? Besides gaining a lot of useful information at these events, it's always so much fun to network with other children's writers and illustrators!
Suzanne Lieurance
National Writing for Children Center
http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com
Yes Suzanne, it was a great time. I can hardly wait utnil the next one.
ReplyDeleteHi Carma, I am so glad I found this blog and as soon as I post this, I am going to link to it from my blog.
ReplyDeleteI have a middle reader book to write, one of these days. My first book, co-authored with 5 women, will be published this fall, so we are ecstatic! The title is "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts."
Carma,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the tips on Random House, Delacorte and Chronicle. Going to the conferences and listening to the editors first hand is the best way to connect.
I look forward to getting to know you more at CWCC.
Cindy
www.cynthiareeg.com
Welcome Terra, Thanks for the link love. I want to visit your blog too and contratulations for your soon to be published book. You must let us all know about it.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, thanks for stopping by. I love being part of the CWCC and getting to know you too.
ReplyDelete