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by Christine Liu Perkins and Denise Vega
"I know my work is good, but how can I make it better?" "I
have a decent draft, but what else does it need?" If these questions
occur to you, reserve the weekend of October 8-9 to attend the RMC-SCBWI
Fall Conference. You will be treated to a festival of presentations,
critiques, and fun aimed at helping you take your writing or illustrating
to the next level.
Award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli will offer her insights from
publishing nearly 50 books for all ages from preschool to older teens.
In her keynote presentation, "Voice: How to Get Heard," she
will address various aspects of that elusive yet crucial concept
of voice in writing. In her afternoon session, "When and How
to Rewrite," she will discuss how to respond to and benefit
from critique comments from various sources.
Wonder how manuscripts change from first draft to published book?
Claudia Mills, author of over 35 books, will share details of how
several of her stories evolved in her session, "Manuscript Makeovers." At
the Saturday evening banquet, Mills will inspire us with her "Inch
by Inch, Row by Row" tips on how to succeed at writing while
holding a demanding job and raising a family.
Tales of towering piles of manuscripts crowding editors' offices
are unfortunately true. But Laura Backes, publisher of Children's
Book Insider, has helped many writers rise to the
top. Come hear her suggestions for success in her talk, “Writer
Beware! How to Avoid Common Mistakes and Get Out of the Slush Pile."
Co-RA Denise Vega will take listeners step by step on her thrilling "Journey
of a First (Published) Novel." Learn how this book came to be
from idea to finished book. Vega will share her revision process,
including editorial letters, copyedited pages and galleys. She will
also explain why she believes this was accepted out of her six novels.
Renowned illustrator Wendell Minor has worked with the likes
of Pulitzer prize-winning author David McCullough, who said of him: "Wendell
Minor is an exceptionally gifted, almost unimaginably prolific American
artist. In the world of publishing there is no one quite like him.
Indeed, his value to the whole world of books, to publishers, editors,
authors, and to millions of readers who care about books, can hardly
be overstated.”
Wendell has illustrated 33 picture books for children, most recently Reaching
For the Moon by Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and Christmas
Tree!, his first collaboration with his wife Florence
Minor. His paintings are included in the permanent collections
of many museums, among them the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress,
the Norman Rockwell Museum, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book
Art, and the New Britain Museum of American Art. Private collectors
include Buzz Aldrin, David McCullough, Jean Craighead George, Pat
Conroy, Mary Higgins Clark, and Stone Phillips. We are extremely
honored to have Wendell coming to share his experiences with us.
On Saturday, Wendell will lead illustrators in "Developing
Your Craft," exploring how illustrators can push themselves
to go beyond their present ability. Come prepared to be inspired
and informed by an illustrator who has worked with many editors,
knows the business inside and out, and has written, illustrated,
and even pitched ideas to authors and presented them to editors for
acquisition.
Baffled by digital printing? Illustrator Danlyn Iantorno will offer
guidance in her presentation, "Digital Files: Help! The Printer
is Speaking Geek!" A full-time freelance artist and owner of
Painted Olive Studios, Iantorno will shed some light on the mysteries
behind digital printing, such as why your printed piece doesn't resemble
the original artwork. Iantorno has a wealth of information to share
so bring your questions!
Outgoing Illustrator Coordinator Lori Kiplinger Pandy will show
illustrators how to dismember characters in Photoshop and then reassemble
them into the person, place, or thing you actually want for your
illustration. Learn how to use this powerful tool to enhance your
own illustration.
Three editors--Yolanda LeRoy (Charlesbridge), Cheryl Klein (Arthur
A. Levine/Scholastic), and Michele Burke (Knopf)—will help
writers and illustrators navigate the waters of getting published.
In a panel discussion, they will present their houses' acquisition
policies and answer submission questions. In separate sessions, Cheryl
Klein and Michele Burke will critique "First Pages" of
manuscripts, synopses, query letters, or cover letters.
For illustrators, Yolanda LeRoy will share what criteria she uses
to select illustrations and then will critique portfolios. And one
lucky illustrator will receive a one-on-one portfolio review with
LeRoy on Saturday!
In addition, the editors will be conducting one-on-one critiques
of pre-selected manuscripts from our Critique Clinique. The Critique
Clinique provides a unique opportunity to receive valuable feedback
on your work from either one of the visiting editors or an established
author. Submitted manuscripts will be reviewed by a panel of authors
who will determine whether a manuscript is ready to receive an editorial
critique. Those selected will be sent to one of the editors based
on the age level and genre of the piece. Manuscripts not selected
will be critiqued by an author who will provide valuable feedback
to make the piece stronger. Authors who receive an author critique
will pick it up on Saturday. The deadline for the Clinique was July
15 so if you were unable to participate this year, look for other
opportunities to get feedback on your work at future events.
We will also be offering a special door prize for one lucky author—an
extremely detailed, written critique from Editorial Consultant, Michael
Wilde. After the winner is announced, arrangements will be made for
the winner to submit a full picture book manuscript or up to 75 pages
of a novel to Wilde in New York. Wilde has more than 20 years of
experience working with leading publishers in the industry in both
fiction (general, literary, and children's) and nonfiction adult
trade. "Michael Wilde is the kind of editor writers dream about.
He has a deeply sympathetic ear for character and voice, while remaining
meticulous in grammar and story logic. On top of all this, his respectful
and enthusiastic sensibility make him a pleasure to work with." ~
Curtis Gillespie, journalist and author of Playing Through (Crown,
2004).
On Sunday, three different workshops will be offered. For pre-published
writers, Donna Jo Napoli will lead a workshop, "Three Exercises
That Help You Grab and Hold onto Your Reader," where participants
will write, share, and learn together. Published writers of children's
literature will learn ways to hone their craft in the Professional
Forum workshop with editor talks by Michele Burke on "The Narrative
Voice," by Cheryl Klein on "The Rules of Engagement: How
to Get (and Keep!) a Reader Involved in Your Novel," and "Nonfiction
is Not for Nerds!" by Yolanda LeRoy. Illustrators will be treated
to a workshop with Wendell Minor entitled "Using Your Own Compass," in
which participants will explore how to follow their own instincts
instead of following trends.
The Fall Conference "Critique Fest" promises to provide
a wealth of opportunities for everyone to learn how to improve their
writing and illustrating, with an amazing array of speakers. We hope
you can join us for this wonderful and unique opportunity.
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