|
|
Monthly Meetings2008-2009 Professional Series MeetingsWhen you pay for SCBWI Western Washington 2008-2009 regional programming, your passport to all of the following monthly meetings is included so there is no additional cost at the door. Visitors are more than welcome to attend our meetings, as well. The cost at the door is just $8 for full or associate SCBWI International members (bring your membership card with you for entry) or $10 for non-members.
Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of every month from September through April at Seattle Pacific University, Demaray Hall, Room 150. Registration at 6:45 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m. Get Map and Directions here. Sign up here for Regional Programming.
Recent MeetingsApril 8, 2009Mini-Session: WHOSE BOOK IS IT? THE PROS, CONS, AND HOW-TOS OF WRITING WORK FOR HIRE with panelists Molly Blaisdell, Vijaya Bodach, and Allyson Schrier. A publisher has a topic, a concept, maybe even a title. Now all they need is a writer. How can that writer be you? Our three panelists, who have written over 70 work-for-hire books in total, will share their collective insight in cracking this fun and lucrative market. When you can write to specifications and on tight deadlines, the results can include beautiful fiction and nonfiction books that children read, a real paycheck, and the boost of confidence that comes from being published.
Main Program: HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE: LANDING THE AGENT OF YOUR DREAMS with Holly Cupala. Think getting an agent is a waste of time? Impossible? How do you find the right agent for you? Holly decided to find out the hard way, the easy way, and every way in between before receiving two offers of representation. She’ll spill her secrets to help you find an agent, too. Holly wrote and illustrated many stories, articles, and crafts for publication before turning to writing for young adults. Her first novel received an SCBWI Work-in-Progress grant, and her dream agent sold it in a two-book pre-empt deal to HarperCollins for publication in 2010. March 11, 2009Mini-Session: R.A.D.-ICAL AUTHENTICITY IN FICTION with Pam Withers. To write a book on snowboarding, Pam took up the sport, interviewed avalanche survivors, and studied helicopter accident reports. Jam-packed with engaging anecdotes and advice, Pam’s session will promote putting authenticity in your fiction through Researching the topic, Asking experts, and Doing it. Pam’s books include the 10-book TAKE IT TO THE EXTREME series, as well as three other best-selling teen novels. Her newest book, GOING VERTICAL, will be released in the fall of 2008. See www.takeittotheextreme.com.
Main Program: THE ILLUSTRATOR’S TOOLBOX with Elsa Warnick. An illustration’s power comes not from its particular subject or the what it is. It comes from the voice and skill of the illustrator, the how it is. Elsa will discuss how to nurture the latter to create art with more power. Among Elsa’s illustrated children’s books is a series on animal migration by Seymour Simon. Her book BEDTIME, which she also wrote, was a Children’s Book-of-the-Month Club Main Selection, and her most recent book is THIS IS WHAT I PRAY TODAY, written by Phyllis Tickle. Elsa currently teaches children’s book illustration for Portland Community College. She’s also a faculty member at Portland State University’s annual Children’s Book Conference. See www.ElsaWarnick.com.
February 11, 2009Mini-Session: PODCASTS & SOCIAL NETWORKING: THE FUTURE IS NOW with Tony Dirksen. Podcasts. Blogs. Social networks. For little or no expense, you can use the Web to promote your work, build a fan base, and get your voice heard. Discover how these new technologies can work for you, and get a simple primer on how to create your own place on the Internet.
Main Program: BE WISE, REVISE with Bonny Becker. As the old saying goes, 90 percent of writing is rewriting. And that’s even more true with a picture book, where every word counts. Bonny, the local author of the New York Times bestselling A VISITOR FOR BEAR and a half dozen other great books, will share how to trim, revise, and polish your picture book manuscript. See www.BonnyBecker.com.
January 14, 2009Mini-Session: None. Main program begins at 7:00 p.m.
Main Program: THE GREAT CRITIQUE. Have your manuscript or art critiqued by a published writer and/or illustrator who can help you pinpoint needed improvements. Meet in a small group with an experienced critique leader and receive feedback on your own work while learning from comments by the critique leader about the work of others. Manuscripts and art to be reviewed must be submitted before the meeting. To register, or get on the waiting list, click here. December 10, 2008Mini-Session: None, so we’ll have time for holiday cookies, networking, a chance to buy great books for gifts—and a special celebration you won’t want to miss!
Main Program: STRATEGIES FOR FINISHING A NOVEL—FIRST DRAFT AND BEYOND with Laini Taylor. Finishing a novel is one of the toughest things many of us will ever set out to do. The good news: It’s something you can learn. Join Laini for a discussion of the fine art of wrangling your manuscript across the finish line. She will share practical tactics and strategies for fighting your way through the mid-manuscript slump, as well as tips for making the mental adjustment necessary to move on to the next phase: draft number two! See www.LainiTaylor.com. November 12, 2008Mini-Session: RAISE YOUR HAND IF SCHOOL VISITS SOUND SCARY! with Deb Lund. Are school author visits for you? We’ll get right to the nitty-gritty of school visits—what to do with the kids! What do you have to share? How do you get their attention? What if things get out of control? Whether you’re a seasoned author or a newbie writer, Deb’s tips will put you at ease in the classroom. She is a teacher of teachers and the author of several picture books, including her celebrated DINOSAILORS and ALL ABOARD THE DINOTRAIN series and her new book, MONSTERS ON MACHINES. In previous lives, Deb was a librarian, music and classroom teacher, and school founding director. See www.DebLund.com.
Main Program: NAVIGATING THE BUMPS ON THE ROAD TO PUBLICATION with Suzanne Williams. The road to publication is an emotional journey as well as a logistical one, and it’s hard not to doubt your abilities along the way, especially after plenty of rejections. The author of more than two dozen books, Suzanne remembers the ups and downs, and she’ll share the truth about rejection, mind tricks that can help us survive, and baby steps that can keep us moving on down the road. Suzanne’s books include the PRINCESS POWER and FAIRY BLOSSOMS series for middle-grade readers, as well as picture books such as her recent TEN NAUGHTY LITTLE MONKEYS. See www.Suzanne-Williams.com. October 8, 2008Mini-Session: LEVERAGE YOUR TIME AND CREATIVITY SIMPLY BY GETTING ORGANIZED with Kimberly Condrin. Are manuscripts, illustrations, and thoughts scattered all over your desk, your office, your home, your car, and your mind? Don’t worry, there is hope! Organization can be taught, you don’t have to be born with that ‘organizing gene.’ Kim, a certified professional organizer from Organize To Order, will speak on new and easy ways to simplify the process of getting and staying organized while keeping the creative process in mind.
Main Program: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL TODAY with Mark Siegel, Editorial Director for First Second Books. The fastest growing category in publishing, the most trafficked aisle in the bookstore chains, and above all an exploding, flowering medium for our times—the graphic novel is a vibrant, open field with unprecedented growth, commercially and creatively. Mark will help us take a look at its place in the publishing world today and tomorrow. Also, don’t miss his special graphic novel creators’ workshop earlier that day; participation will limited to the first 35 people who register. September 10, 2008Mini-Session: None. Main program begins at 7:00 p.m.
Main Program: FALL EDITORIAL PRESENTATION AND ART SHOW with Alexandra Penfold, Associate Editor with Paula Wiseman Books at Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. Alexandra will kick off our year’s programming with several special events, including first-page and manuscript reviews prior to our regular meeting. Tonight, check out our local illustrators’ great work while you mingle, then join Alexandra as she presents Hit the Books: Learning Character Development from the Classics. What makes a good book great? How do the elements of character, voice, plot, and language come together to make a story that readers want to read again and again? Using specific examples from well-loved children’s books, Alexandra will show how you can delve deeper into your characters to capture their unique voices and add layers of depth and authenticity to your manuscript. Call for Presenters
SCBWI Western Washington is seeking workshop presenters for our 2009-2010 year. Our chapter holds monthly Professional Series Meetings from October through April, and hosts an annual conference each spring. We welcome fresh and compelling workshop ideas for any of these events! Download the Workshop Presenter Application now.
CarpoolingFrom Whatcom or Skagit Counties:
Interested in carpooling from Bellingham (or other areas up north) to one or any of the SCBWI WWA Professional Series Meetings in Seattle? A carpool regularly leaves Bellingham around 4:30 on the evening of the meetings. We are happy to stop in Burlington or Mount Vernon for a general pick-up as well. For more information, contact our Bellingham Network coordinator,Kjersten Hayes, at 360-734-6555. Please be prepared to donate gas money. |
