Are Conferences Addicting?

As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve attended numerous national SCBWI summer conferences.  I’ve also taken part in many other SCBWI events—Writers’ Day, Editors’ Day, and Working Writers Retreats.  All have been informative, enjoyable, and always worthwhile.

However, I recently read an article that stated conferences, workshops, etc. can be addictive.  The new ideas, the networking, the chatting with friends, the opportunity to meet editors and agents and learn what they are seeking, the books everywhere you look…some writers, it seems, need the “buzz” they get from this environment.  And, they need it often.

But when do these writers actually sit down and write, the article asked?  Are their copious notes being turned into articles, short stories, and book proposals?  Are editors and agents being contacted with solid queries targeted to their needs?   Are catalogs and guidelines being seriously studied so that queries can reach the best possible market?  Or do some writers simply seek out more and more conferences that use up valuable writing time and large amounts of money?  And, are they using up even more time endlessly corresponding with people they meet at conferences?

None of these endeavors are “wrong,” but they do seem counter-productive to the true purpose of conferences.  They have tremendous value, whether they last one day, a weekend, or longer, and I certainly am an advocate of them.  But this article made me stop and think.  Can a person become addicted to conferences?  I’m not sure, but I now realize that it’s very important, especially in today’s precarious economy, to pick and choose carefully the conferences that mean the most to me and then to follow through with what I’ve learned.  I think if each of us makes the effort to do this, we will be putting our time and money to the best possible use.

Marjorie Flathers

Planning Ahead

Looking for some writers/illustrators conferences to attend in the next year? Check out the SCBWI website under Events to access a list of conferences in your area.  www.scbwi.org

Conferences — Necessary for Publication?

Are you a beginning writer? Have you heard as you stumble along in your early steps of a writing career that you won’t get published if you don’t attend a writers’ conference?  Do you gulp every time you think about that expensive registration fee?

Although I think conferences are an excellent place to learn valuable tips and techniques for your writing career, I know from personal experience that you can get published without one.

When I wrote my initial manuscript for Pelican Publishing Company, I had not attended a single conference. Frankly, as a single income family with four kids, I couldn’t afford the high price of a SCBWI conference. But because of tips from my veteran writer friends (who had all gone to several conferences), I was able to glean from their knowledge so I could present a manuscript that was polished and professional.

And, because I studied my publisher, I was able to offer them a subject that drew their interest and eventually led to a contract. My picture book, The Declaration of Independence from A to Z, will be available in the spring of 2010.

Since that time, however, I’ve attended two mini one-day conferences that have been inspirational and educational, and at a cost I could afford.

So if you’re just starting out and can’t afford to go to a big conference at this time, don’t fret. You can still get a book published. But if circumstances change and you can partake of these events at another time, go for it. You can never have too many opportunities to expand your writing career.

Contributed by Catherine L. Osornio

Conferences, a great place to start!

Many conferences that I have attended have been through SCBWI. I have attended the national conference, and various one-day workshops for writers and illustrators. Since I knew nothing about this field when I started, except my love for children’s books and my desire to be a children’s book illustrator, I have found the workshops to be immensely helpful.

Through conferences and workshops, I’ve learned a little about every aspect of children’s books and publishing. Topics have included everything from writing techniques, what to include in your portfolio, marketing tips, advice for school visits, critiques of manuscripts and portfolios, contests, how to get an agent, what types of stories editors are looking for, what type of art to include in a portfolio, what to do while your waiting for that big contract to come in, how to land an agent, how to build your online presence, and so much more. It can be overwhelming! And, while some things are about stages that I haven’t reached yet, overall there is great information to store for later, or immediately put into action. 

Another great thing about conferences are the opportunities to meet people and the relationships that start to build. When I first started out, I didn’t know anyone in this field. I was very lonely and missed being around other creative types. Through the conferences I learned about various gatherings, schmoozes and critique groups, that happen in person and on line.

Conferences are definitely worthwhile for beginners. There’s a lot to learn about writing for children, publishing and marketing. Conferences and workshops are steps that can point you in the right direction.

See you at the next conference!

-Veronica Walsh, children’s book illustrator

Mary Poppins’ Carpet Bag

For more items to take to a conference so that you have a Mary Poppins experience, practically perfect in every way, here’s a list of imaginary things to pack in your magical carpet bag:

GPS: Be sure to pack a reliable GPS to help you navigate successfully through the full range of emotions many people experience at a conference. You might feel giddy, depressed, thrilled, disappointed, excited, full of dread, confident or ill-equipped. These emotions are all natural. Navigate through them all each step of the way and treasure the good times instead of focusing on the difficult moments.

Lazyboy Recliner: Make time to sit each day in your imaginary chair. Find at least one moment each day to put up your feet and relax. Enjoy the journey. Rest when you need to. Don’t worry you’ll miss something. You’ll get where you need to be when you need to be there. Learn to pace yourself through the jam-packed schedule so that you’ll be healthy and happy.

Bouquet of Roses: You are a writer. Yes! You Are. This is your big week. No matter what you hear, what others might imply, or what others may do, YOU are a writer. Give yourself a bouquet of roses and celebrate the joy of being the writer that you are.

-contributed by Nancy I. Sanders

A Mary Poppins Conference

If you hope to attend an upcoming conference, here are some tips to help you have a Mary Poppins experience–practically perfect in every way.

Do you remember Mary Poppins and her magical carpet bag? It could hold ANYTHING from a six-foot tall lampstand to a small hand mirror. As you’re preparing to go to a conference, here are some things I recommend packing in a “magical carpet bag” to take along to make your conference experience the best it can be.

Diet Bars: Be sure to pack these and take them along for feeding your ego. Why? It’s necessary to want to do your best and succeed and accomplish great feats if you want to get published, but it’s also important to keep these feelings in check.

MIcrophone: Hold out your pretend microphone and let others talk. Ask them to share their journey as a writer. Encourage others to stand in the spotlight as you validate their worth as a writer. Taking time to listen to other writers will help you connect in a deeper way with other people who have the same heart as you do.

One Minute Egg Timer: Speakers, Editors, and Agents are often over-stressed and overwhelmed with the flood of wannabe writers and potential manuscripts at a conference. Practice your manuscript pitch in one sentence and practice holding a conversation with an editor that takes up just one minute of their time. Be gracious, kind, and succinct. You’ll make more of an impact if you do.

-contributed by Nancy I. Sanders

An Outstanding Conference with one Flaw

I attended my first SCBWI national conference in August, 1995, and since then I’ve been fortunate enough to attend 10 more.  These 4-day events all have been interesting, fun, very helpful….and exhausting!

However, my favorite by far was the 1996 conference, which was SCBWI’s 25^th Anniversary conference.  The organizers truly went all out, both with content and with faculty, gathering many, many talented (and famous) writers and illustrators who extended themselves to provide timely, heart-felt, and often funny presentations.  It was especially heady for me to hear, and sometimes meet, authors whom I, and my children, had enjoyed reading over the years and to buy their books and get them autographed.  At this particular conference I also met the editor of the magazine, Guideposts for Kids—now, unfortunately, out of print—and made my first sale in the children’s market!

I’ve found that all SCBWI conferences — pricey though they are when you add in the hotel stay, food, etc…and of course, buying all those books — are always worthwhile.  The opportunities to find out what editors are looking for, to see how other authors work, to meet writing colleagues and to make new friends, are invaluable.

The only part that gives me pause are the critique sessions.  An attendee is given the chance to have a sample of his or her work evaluated a month or so ahead of time by an editor, agent, or other writer.  I have done this a number of times.  The editors and agents I’ve met have been unfailingly friendly and kind, and they’ve always had positive comments about my work…i.e., “this is a great idea,” “I like your writing style,” “this is what we’re looking for,” etc., and they have always encouraged me to send them the complete book.

Of course, I’d come home and send out the finished manuscript as soon as possible.  And, unfortunately, that’s always been the end of it.  Anywhere from 3 months to a year later, I’d get my book back, with a form letter saying “not right for our list.”   I’ve never figured out quite what’s going on here, but since I’ve been published more than 300 times in books, magazines, and newspapers, I find it hard to believe my writing never measured up.  Other writers I’ve talked to have had similar experiences.  It’s a puzzle to me to this day.

However, I still recommend that writers attend one or more SCBWI national conferences, if possible.  With that one caveat, I think these conferences are outstanding, for beginning and experienced writers alike.  Beginners will glean information they will get nowhere else, and more seasoned “pros” will enjoy the networking and fun.  All will come home with renewed energy and ready to get to work!

Marjorie Flathers

Virtual Book Tour: Yes! You Can

Today we are one of the official Virtual Book Tour stops for a new book by our very own Nancy Sanders called Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career. This is a terrific resource for writers of all levels, using tried and true techniques that has helped Nancy build a very successful writing career.

After you enjoy the video, visit Nancy’s blog at Blogzone for more information about her wonderful book and to follow along with the rest of the tour. She will be holding drawings for free prizes and will offer a free download each day with tips to help you build your own successful writing career.

Click on the link for YouTube Video for Nancy’s Virtual Book Tour.

Conference Compatibility

Conferences for children’s writers offer a host of perks. Editor’s Day at the Santa Ana Zoo is a good example. First of all, the setting always makes me feel like a child again. Tarzan was one of my early heroes, and I guess I never got over liking the feeling of being on safari.

Second, I got to renew old acquaintances and make new ones. I wasn’t the only one. I observed lots of business cards being exchanged — as well as lots of hugs! One of the best things about children’s writers is that they are not only eager to find markets for their work — they are supportive of each others’ efforts. It seemed to me that the room was full of excitement, and more than once I overheard someone being congratulated for a job well done.

Third, we got to take out our notebooks and write down all those words of wisdom that editors threw our way. I know that I recorded some memorable quotes. I was particularly interested in the need for series and (probably because I have just finished another editing of The Quicksilver Tree) I am intrigued by the idea of creating a “set-up” of characters, with the possibility for many different stories about them.

More than one speaker stressed the importance of understanding whom you are writing for — of realizing the importance of where you grew up — of making imagery specific to the character’s view of the world, and of creating a point of no return — all things that I intend to ponder.

I will be going over my notes carefully for the next few days, gleaning bits of wisdom, highlighting what applies to me and what I’m writing. I’m sure everyone who attended will do the same thing. It would be fun to compare notes. I’ll bet we all wrote down a lot of the same things. That’s just another example of how we are a real community of people who are trying to write the very best literature possible for young readers!

Marilyn Donahue

Editor’s Day 2009

This past Saturday was the SCBWI Orange County/Inland Empire Editor’s Day held annually at the Santa Ana Zoo. We had some wonderful speakers: Editors AnnMarie Harris from Scholastic, Jessica Garrison from Dial Books, and Kate Angelella from Aladdin, screenwriter Michael Mahin, Author/Illustrator Steve Bjorkman, Author Alexandria La Faye, and our very own Nancy Sanders. Each one had their own unique tips and topics to share.

One of the benefits of attending a conference such as this is for a brief open door to submit to publishing houses that are normally closed to unsolicited manuscripts and/or unagented writers. I am definitely going to take advantage of this offer. Although it is rare for a manuscript to be accepted this way, I still want to try. You never know when you might catch the attention of an editor that you would not have had access to under normal conditions.

So the next time Editor’s Day comes around (announcements usually start in August of each year), plan on attending. You want to do all you can to increase your chances of publication.

Contributed by Catherine L. Osornio