Descriptions

Session Descriptions
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9:00 – 10:00 Keynote
Passion, Perspiration, Perseverance, Pride, Prevail, Publish – Craig Brown
Craig Brown grew up in a rural Midwest farming community where he spent his free time drawing. In college, he expanded his art after a visit to a local bookstore peaked his interest in children’s books. Craig will talk about the Six P’s of Publishing, how he incorporates them into his Passion for art, Perspiration spent with story ideas, and Pride in Perseverance. Through the highs and lows Craig will talk about how we Prevail as Author’s/Illustrators to Publish our books.

10:15 - 11:15 (Choose one)

Editor’s Corner - Stacy Cantor, Assistant Editor, Bloomsbury Books
Looking for a place to send your work? Are you curious about what an editor does? In this session, editor Stacy Cantor will share stories and answer questions regarding herself and the publishing house she works for. A great opportunity to get first hand information about a top-notch publisher.

Spinning Tales, Making Sales - Marianne Mitchell
Frustrated by the glacial process of getting a book published? Magazine writing can ease the pain and earn you valuable credits (and cash!) at the same time. There are over 600 publications representing every age and interest for children, teachers and parents. They always need material! Award-winning author Marianne Mitchell has published over 100 magazine stories and articles in national magazines, such as Highlights for Children, Pockets, and Jack and Jill. She’ll share her tips on age targeting, markets, formats and submissions.

Kid's Book Illustration and the Research Quiz: Do I need it? ( don't we just kinda make all this up out of our imagination?) Where Do I Get It? How Do I Use It?" – Shawn Shea
Join illustrator Shawn Shea as he explores how, in almost every imaginable instance, illustrators need all kinds of visual reference / information to help us create the best, most imaginative, exciting, marketable art we can. Participants will explore where to look for references, how to shoot photos, using model releases, and using Photoshop to assist you. Please bring a pencil and paper for a quick exercise at the beginning of the session.

11:30 - 12:30 (Choose one)

First Pages with Stacy Cantor- Novels session
Want to know what an editor thinks when he or she reads your submission? Here is your chance to find out. Bring the first page of your novel and be prepared to take notes. Time is limited so we can't guarantee all manuscripts will be read. Please follow the First Pages Instructions on the Instructions for Special Sessions to ensure that your page is not disqualified.

Beyond The Bookstore – Unique Book Promotion Venues - Roz Monette and Becky Clark Cornwell
Everyone knows about bookstores, but libraries buy books too. Roz Monette will share an inexpensive and effective marketing process that will not only get your books acquired by libraries, but will increase your exposure and help start your book buzz. Becky Clark Cornwell self-published her first novel, which was like getting a PhD in publishing while sitting on a lit Roman Candle. Book promotion can involve both intense pleasure and searing pain. Becky will share tips and secrets for marketing your books in unique venues.

Mining for Story Ideas – Craig Brown
Spend an hour researching and studying where our ideas can come from and how to find a nugget and not fool’s gold. Together as a group we will discuss where our ideas come from, how to develop those ideas into a story. How do we know if we have truly found a story, how to break down ideas into a finished story and the persistence it will take.

2:00- 3:00 (Choose one)

First Book Panel – Novelists Laura Resau and Todd Mitchell and illustrator Danlyn Iantorno
What happens when your first book is accepted and published? Two authors and one illustrator will share their experience of seeing their first books come into print and what it means to their lives and careers. There will be time for Q & A at the end of the session.

Character, Talk to Me! – Linda Arms White
Develop picture book characters whose voices will resonate with readers, haunt them, call them back. Christopher Award winner Linda Arms White will explore ways to immerse yourself so deeply into the lives of your characters, you'll hear them talking!

Websites and Blogs: How To Make Them Work for You – Olgy Gary
Every published and yet-to-be-published writer should have a website and/or a blog. They are a means to an end: building your platform. It's your platform that editors and agents look for once they fall in love with your writing...and even before! This workshop will cover what you need to know in order to launch your own website and/or blog in a cost-effective manner. It'll cover the terminology, software, costs, philosophy, design components, etiquette, and maintenance of good sites that inspire visitors to bookmark them and come back to them time and again. We'll also cover the benefits and pitfalls of social networking places such as MySpace.

Group Portfolio Reviews with Assistant Editor Stacy Cantor
Bloomsbury editor Stacy Cantor will share the process of how illustrators are selected by her house and how to make your work stand out. She will review portfolios, so bring yours along (see instructions for preparing portfolios on the Instructions for Special Sessions page). Q&A also as time permits.

3:30-4:30 (Choose one)

First Pages with Stacy Cantor- Picture Books
Bring the first page of your picture book to this session for a chance to get feedback from an acquiring editor. Time is limited, so we can't guarantee all manuscripts will be read. Please follow the First Pages Instructions on the Instructions for Special Sessions to ensure that your page is not disqualified.

The Alchemy of Re-Vision: Turning Leaden Prose into Gold - Laura Resau and Todd Mitchell
For many, the secret to success isn’t writing, but re-writing. Join YA authors Laura Resau and Todd Mitchell as they reveal their revision strategies and mistakes. Learn ways to get your manuscript into submission shape, what to revise, what not to, and how to work with an editor to effectively enact your vision. Unlock the power of revision to bring your writing to the next level.

Picture Books: Beyond the First Draft – Linda Arms White
The artist within us writes the first draft, but the editor takes over the revision process to strengthen the manuscript and make it competitive with every other on the publisher's desk. We'll break down the picture book into its essential elements and analyze each to get the mouse out and put the elephant in.

Marketing for Illustrators: Effective marketing Strategies are the Cornerstone of a Successful Illustration Career – Craig Brown, Shawn Shea, and Danlyn Iantorno
Join our illustrator panelists as they discuss and share tips and tricks for marketing your art, your books, and yourself in this highly competitive field.