SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Hawaii Annual Conference

Saturday, February 27, 2010, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Ala Moana Hotel, Garden Room

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll benefit from this banner program. Polish your skills and hone your talents as you plunge into the world of children’s books!

Featured speakers:

Nancy Siscoe

Kathi Appelt

James Rumford

Margaret South

Tammy Yee

Scott Goto

• Nancy Siscoe: Associate Publishing Director and Executive Editor, Knopf & Crown Books for Young Readers

• Kathi Appelt: multi-award-winning author of both picture books and novels

• Margaret South: Hawaii-based writing teacher

• James Rumford: multi-award winning picture book author/illustrator

• Tammy Yee: author/illustrator of numerous picture books

• Scott Goto: illustrator of several picture books, and now an author/illustrator

Sessions:

For all:

• general session with Nancy Siscoe, executive editor at Knopf on character development in both text and illustration.
• after-lunch panel with representatives from Mutual Publishing, Island Heritage, and Bess Press who will talk about what kinds of manuscripts they are looking for and how to submit to them.
• optional manuscript and portfolio critiques.

For writers:

• hands-on session with Newbury honoree Kathi Appelt on “Endowed Objects–What’s in your Character’s ‘Magic Box?’”
• first-pages session
• session on “The Art of Story” with Margaret South, who wowed us all at last year’s conference.

For illustrators:

• hands-on session with James Rumford, “Now That’s Another Story: the Art of the Picture Book”
• presentation with Tammy Yee on “The (Happy) Marriage of Illustration and Technology”
• presentation with Scott Goto “Working from References and Other Tricks of the Trade”

And, for conference attendees,

Kathi Appelt Fiction Workshop: Friday, February 26, 2010
On the day before the annual conference, author and teacher Kathi Appelt (THE UNDERNEATH) will lead an all-day, limited-attendance fiction workshop at a location to be determined.

For more information, visit SCBWI-Hawaii's Website or contact Lynne at lwikoff@lava.net

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8th Annual Big Sur Writing Workshop for Adult Fiction, Young Adult and Middle-Grade Fiction

Writing Workshop for Adult Fiction, Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction, March 12-14, 2010.

A weekend packed with experts in publishing to help writers polish their manuscripts.

Special Saturday evening program with New York Times bestselling thriller author, Barry Eisler!

Congratulation to Vanitha Sankaran who attended the Big Sur Writer's Workshop in 2008. Her book, Watermark: A Novel of the Middle Ages, will be coming out from Avon this April.


Testimonies from the last workshop:

"This is the first conference I have walked away thinking this was worth every penny. I actually feel like I have something of value, and I am a better writer for going."

"The critique groups were amazing. The editors, agents, and authors were very approachable, and their comments/edits were invaluable. The writers in both critique groups shared fresh/unique perspectives, with an uninhibited ear/eye for what was and was not working. I stayed up nearly all night on both nights to create a revised first chapter that's both immediate and evocative...
...kick your butt in a good way workshop. It was inspiring."

"The best part was the intensity. The editors/agents are so down to earth & accessible. I like that serious writers were here to discuss work. It raised the standards for people!"

______________________________

The Henry Miller Library is a non-profit arts organization.

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2010 Biennial Writers' Conference: Write Where You Are

When:

Friday, April 9, 7:30-9:30 pm
Saturday, April 10, 8-5 pm

Where:
Punahou School

1601 Punahou Street
Honolulu

Workshops that inspire discussions that stimulate...a conference for all writers and aspiring writers.

Keynote Address and Special Workshop by Lisa Yee, award-winning young adult author.

See flyer below.

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Another Opportunity for Writers: July 12-16 and July 19-23, 2010

Passing along info about the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop...sounds like a great reason to travel to the Northwest!

OREGON COAST CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS WORKSHOPS, SUMMER 2010
www.occbww.com

Next summer, July 12-16 and July 19-23, 2010 we proudly will present the eighth Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshops, www.occbww.com, in the exquisite Oregon coast town of Oceanside.  The instructors for each workshop will include five established children's book authors (between them, specializing in YA and middle school novels, picture books, non-fiction, magazine pieces, and poetry), two children's book editors from major houses, and one children's book agent.  Summer Workshops 2010 promise to be our best yet because

- The instructor-student ratio will be a maximum of one to six,
- Each day, you will meet with an instructor for at least one comprehensive consultation, and
- You can have one-on-one informal meetings with instructors each day as well, and
- Every student who wishes can have an anonymous first page manuscript critique by all eight instructors in front of the class, and
- We will offer at least twelve instructional lectures on various aspects of writing and publishing, and
- There will be two evening readings/discussions by instructors, and
- Out-of-class consultations with instructors are available, and
- There will be at least three guest lectures, and
- There will be two wonderful parties (quite appropriate for friends, partners, spouses, children)

If you are ambitious to publish a children's book (or simply adore children's books), this is the workshop for you.   It will allow you to connect directly with authors, editors, agents who are active in the children's book business. If you go to the website and look under Evaluations, you'll see that it's received extraordinarily high praise (some listed below).

The course is available for graduate credit.

For complete information we welcome you to visit our website at www.occbww.com

We always tend to fill up early and turn many people away who wish to attend simply because there isn't space.  So, if this is of interest, you may want to register sooner than later.  There's a generous refund policy (described at the website) if you decide not to attend.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop
www.occbww.com

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Editing/Revision Workshop for Honolulu Writers

Here's a workshop I would advise Honolulu residents and visitors to look into. I've known Lynne Wikoff for years. In addition to being the Co-Regional Adviser of the Hawaii Chapter of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), Lynne is a gifted writer and editor whose support and advice I have come to respect and cherish.

Edit my own work? Me??? Revision Secrets of the Pros

When: Saturdays, February 6 and 13, 2010, 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Where: Honolulu, Hawaii
Cost: $60 Enrollment is limited.
Contact: lwikoff@lava.net

Instructor Lynne Wikoff:

"Over the past three decades, I’ve written columns in both the Advertiser and Stat-Bulletin, published several articles in national magazines, worked in corporate communications and PR, and been a free-lancer editor and writer. I’ve had two books published by Island Heritage and currently have a completed novel under consideration by agents."

Workshop Description:

Today’s harried editors are demanding close-to-perfect manuscripts. That means the task of revision falls to writers. (Yes, you.) Whether you’re ready to refine a completed novel draft or you want to temporarily switch from writing to editing, I can help.

In two 3-hour sessions, I’ll reveal the tricks of the editor’s trade—revision techniques sure to make your manuscript stronger. (Maybe even strong enough to sell!)

• Session 1 – The Best Story: Overview Editing
  Structure/plot/scenes; character inventory; believability; where to expand, where to contract; timelines; format
  
  
• Session 2 – The Best Words: Content Editing
  Tighten and strengthen; dialogue; description; a good start; Q & A

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Putting it into perspective: "The Known Universe"

From the American Museum of Natural History:

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Mindblowing Cardboard Entertainer from Italy

Ennio Marchetto is a world renowned and awarded comedian who has created his own theatrical language mixing mime, dance, music and quick change costumes made out of cardboard and paper. In 18 years Ennio has performed in over 70 countries for more than a million people. His show has received numerous awards and international critical acclaim.

He does impressions of stars and singers using paper costumes that transform from one person into another.

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Mystery Spiral in the Skies Over Norway

And an animation of the scientific explanation...spiral ejecta from a failed Bulava ICBM launched from a nuclear submarine in the White Sea...

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Surfers Riding on the Backs of Monsters, December 7, 2009

And photos of Waimea Bay by MICHAEL GOULDING, The Orange County Register:

 

They came from all over: veteran Australian surfer Tom Carroll, who severely injured his ankle while surfing at WaimeaBay.

 

Anyone got a spare?

 

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High Surf at Shark's Cove, North Shore O'ahu

This is where I often go tide pooling, off of Pupukea.

A view of Shark's Cove, the same area seen when the video pans left. The size of people standing on the pool's outer rim give you a sense of scale. Bigger waves are expected tomorrow, with the High Surf Warning extended through Wednesday. Organizers are 90% sure that the Eddie Aikau Invitational will be held tomorrow.

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Kuntz-Kamera Museum of St. Petersburg

'Kuntzkamera' (is) a museum in St. Petersburg. It’s a really strange place, was founded by Russian Tsar Peter the First. He collected different weird stuff all over the Russia to this museum: freaky people and animals preserved in alcohol, torture instruments, strange paintings and much more.

More...

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Writing Workshop with Pat Wood, November 14

Best selling author, Pat Wood, will be holding a one-day writing workshop on Saturday, November 14, at the University of Hawaii Lab School Campus.

8:30-12:30: WRITING WORKSHOP
Bring writing samples and Pat will work with students on pitch and synopsis, plus give sample critiques. The morning session will be geared toward writers of all genres of FICTION (literary, mystery, historical, YA, romance, supernatural, etc.) and those who write memoirs. $85

1:00-3:30: THE BUSINESS OF WRITING
Lecture format talk about publishing and the business of publishing. Find out how to query, if you need an agent? Should you have your complete manuscript written? Q&A to follow. $50.

Take both sessions for $125 ($10 discount) plus an opportunity for individualized feedback on your revised piece (after the conference) from author Patricia Wood by email.

For more information, contact Jacqui Pirl: 224-4008 or tropicalparadise@hawaii.rr.com.
Limited openings. Only 25 openings left.

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Finished digital art for a children's book

And here's the finished work, from a book I wrote and illustrated, Whales' Tails and Turtle Trails:





©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

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Kseniya Simonova, a testament to the power of art

Sand artist Kseniya Simonova moved audiences to tears creating an animated painting on an illuminated screen memorializing the Great Patriotic War, which killed one in every four Ukrainians.

Hands dancing across the table in a choreography of fine finger strokes and broad sweeps, she transforms lovers into bomb raids, flames and finally, hope.



Ms. Simonova is the winner of Ukraine's Got Talent.

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creating a digital albatross for my latest children's book, feather by feather

The Laysan Albatross (Moli, or Phoebastria immutabilis), with an 80 inch wingspan, breed in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.




1. Creating feathers using a general leaf template.




2. Next, grouping feathers together.



3. Now it's time to create a framework on which to paste my feathers.










4. Finally, colorizing the feather patterns completes the albatross.





5. Now that I've established the distinctive markings of the albatross, it's time to stylize the bird so that it's more appealing to children. I've enlarged the eyes and the beak, and have added a lei:



©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

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