Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators - Hawaii Annual Conference
Saturday, February 23, 2013 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ala Moana Hotel, Garden Lanai Room
Hear what's trending in the world of children's books, polish your writing and/or illustration skills, hang out with "your" people, and take advantage of the option of having your work critiqued by a professional.
The day will be chock full of insider information that is sure to inspire both beginners and experienced writers and illustrators—and just might put you on the road to publication.
Our extraordinary featured speakers:
- Lin Oliver: award-winning author of more than two dozen books, and co-founder/executive
- Cheryl Klein: executive editor, Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic
Program:
8:30-9:00 a.m. Registration/Welcome/Announcements
9:00-10:00 a.m. Cheryl Klein: Hook Your Readers into Your Characters from the Beginning of Your Story
10:00-10:45 a.m. Lin Oliver: 15 Things I've Learned About Creating Books for Kids
10:45-11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. First Page/First Look: Cheryl, Lin
12:15-1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:45-3:30 p.m. Craft Breakout (choose one):
A– Cheryl Klein: Some Best Practices for Illustrators
B – Lin Oliver: Writing Great Dialogue
3:30-4:00 p.m. Q&A/Closing
Registration deadlines:
*January18, 2012: conference and manuscript critique
*February19, 2013: conference alone or with workshop or portfolio critique
(Late fee applied to registration after February 19; meal availability will be at the discretion of the hotel.)
GENERAL SESSIONS
Hook Readers into Your Characters from the Beginning of Your Story—Cheryl Klein
Whether you are writing a picture book or novel or doing illustrations, your readers (including editors, agents and art directors) need to connect with your characters immediately to want to keep turning the pages—you have to hook them "right" from the start. Learn how it's done from an experienced editor.
The 15 Most Important Things I've Learned about Creating Books for Kids—Lin Oliver
Since founding SCBWI more than 40 years ago, Lin Oliver has listened to the wisdom offered by virtually every great children’s book creator of our age. Much of this body of information has been distilled into 15 concise yet profound pieces of advice, an essential list of do’s and don’ts for people who create children’s books. Share in her ringside seat to learn what the "best of the best" have to say.
First Pages/First Look Critiques—Cheryl Klein and Lin Oliver
When you have only a page or two, or an illustration or two, to gain the attention of an editor or agent, making a good first impression is a must. Our guests will share their reactions to first pages and postcards/illustrations submitted anonymously by participants. No advance sign-up is needed, and no extra cost.
First page format: double-spaced, 12-pt. type, one-inch margins, no name, title okay, note whether a picture book, middle grade or young adult fiction, or nonfiction.
No additional fee. Bring one first page and/or one postcard or illustration to the conference; they’ll be collected at registration.Pages and postcards/illustrations are selected at random and no particular page or postcard/illustration can be guaranteed to be critiqued during the session.
BREAK-OUT SESSIONS
A: Cheryl Klein: Some Best Practices for Illustrators
Cheryl will share some of the good things she sees successful illustrators doing in this session that will combine craft and marketing. As an added bonus, there will be a showing of SCBWI's "Master Class" DVD with renowned illustrator, and Newbury and Caldecott winner, Tomie dePaola, the creator of more than 200 books.
B: Lin Oliver: Writing Effective Dialogue
Great dialogue is so much more than just making your characters speak. It conveys the drama of your story, reveals character, adds pace and rhythm, and pulls readers into the essence of your book. In this session, you’ll learn eight basic rules for creating effective, real, believable and interesting dialogue that propels your story forward and creates an unforgettable voice for each of your characters.
OPTIONAL MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE
For critique, your registration form and manuscript must be postmarked by January 18, 2013. Manuscript critiques will be done by Cheryl Klein, Lin Oliver, and Hawaii children’s writing professionals at assigned times on conference day (including after the conclusion of the day). Guidelines for submitting a manuscript for critique:
- Format:double-spaced,12-pt. type, one-inch margins, title/page number on all pages.
- Picture books: six-page maximum. Novels: ten pages plus one-page summary.
- No folders, binders, cardboard, plastic sheets. No artwork except for author/illustrators submitting story with dummy.
Additional fee—sign up on registration form.
OPTIONAL PORTFOLIO CRITIQUE
Portfolio critiques will be done by Cheryl Klein or a Hawaii children’s illustration professional at assigned times on conference day; bring portfolio to conference.
Additional fee—sign up on registration form.
SPEAKER BIOS
Cheryl Klein is the executive editor at Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic. Among the titles she has edited are MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD by Francisco X. Stork, winner of the ALA's Schneider Family Book Award for Teens; A CURSE DARK AS GOLD by Elizabeth Bunce, winner of the Morris Award for a YA Debut Novel; WORDS IN THE DUST, winner of the Christopher Medal; THE SNOW DAY by Komako Sakai, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; THE SAVAGE FORTRESS by Sarwat Chadda, and ZOE GETS READY, by Bethanie Deeney Murguia. She also served as the continuity editor in the U.S. for the last two books of the Harry Potter series. Her book SECOND SIGHT: AN EDITOR'S TALKS ON WRITING, REVISING, AND PUBLISHING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS was published in 2011.
Lin Oliver is a leading children’s book author and writer-producer of family films, television series and movies for children. With co-author Henry Winkler, she writes the New York Times best-selling series HANK ZIPZER: WORLD’S BEST UNDERACHIEVER, which has sold almost four million copies, as well as GHOST BUDDY, a new comedy series; the first two GHOST BUDDIES books, ZERO TO HERO and MIND IF I READ YOUR MIND?, are available now. She is also the author of four comedy novels that comprise the WHO SHRUNK DANIEL FUNK? quartet. Lin’s current projects are SOUND BENDER and its sequel THE SHADOW MASK, middle-grade adventure novels that she co-authors with her son, Theo Baker, and she is also working ALMOST IDENTICAL, a series about tween twin girls, the first two books of which have been published. In addition, she produced the animated feature TRUMPET OF THE SWAN and has written and produced over 300 half-hours of television, including HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS, CORDUROY
and WAYSIDE SCHOOL
. As if all that weren't enough,Lin is also the co-founder of SCBWI, an international organization of 22,000 writers, illustrators and publishers of children’s books, and she serves as its Executive Director.
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