the society of children’s book writers and illustrators...
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THE SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS PRESENTS
The Annual SCBWI Midsouth Fall Conference
WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING FOR THE CHILDREN’S MARKET
Be the Hero of Your Creative Journey!
September 19th and 20th, 2015 (Intensives Friday, September 18th)Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center • 820 Crescent Centre Dr, Franklin, TN 37067
2Friday, September 18 Intensives
SESSION KEYThese keys are suggestions and are not mandatory.
=Recommendedforfirsttimeconferenceattendees
=Sessionsforillustrators
=Sessionsfornovelists
=RecommendedforPublishedAuthorsand/orIllustrators(PAL)
=Sessionsforpicturebookwriters
FRIDAY, September 18th INTENSIVESPre-conference intensives are available for an additional fee of $50 each. Registration is limited. To register for one or two intensives, please check the appropriate box on your online conference registration. Intensive attendees must also be conference attendees. Intensive registrations are non-transferrable.
12:30-2:30 pm Sara Sargent The Tension Headache: Raising the Stakes in Your Manuscript
FT Nov. PAL Ifyou’vebeenlookingtoupthestakesinyournovel,looknofurther.We’lldiscusshowtoincreasetensionacrosstheentiremanuscriptaswellasscene-by-scene.You’llwalkawaywithabettersenseofhowtoexecutesolidpacingandcreatetheconsummatepage-turner. Limit 30
12:30-2:30 pm John Rocco & Kristen Nobles The Visual Perspective on Writing Picture Books
FT Illus. PB Getatwo-for-oneperspectivefromCaldecotthonorwinnerJohnRoccoandCandlewickArtDirectorKristenNobles.JohnRoccodiscusseshisprocessofwritingapicturebookfromtheuglystarttothehopefullywonderfulfinish,whilealwayskeepingpicturesinmind.KristenNoblesleadson-siteexercisestofreecreativityinestablishingpicturebookelementsofcharacter,vocabulary,visualstory,pacing,setting,andreason,aswellassequentialnarrative.GoodforPBwritersandillustrators.Nodrawingskillsrequired. Limit 30
2:45-4:45 pm Courtney C. Stevens Character As A House: Crafting Characters Who Stand Out
FT Nov. IfIloveacharacter,Iwillfollowthemintothewardrobe...intoHogwartsorgulags,intoaworldofapocalypticcrazinessorafighttothedeathortheirownemotionalinstability.IfIloveacharacter,Iwillfollowthemanywhere.Creatingacharacterwhostandsoutonthepageandintheheartofthereaderdoesn’thappenbyaccident.Thissessionwillwalkattendeesthroughavirtualhouseofcraftingbelievablecharacterswithemotionalresonanceandagency;encouragingthewritertobebothanarchitectandarchivistoftheirstory.(Attendeeswillleavewithaninventorytooltheycanuseagainandagain.)Limit 30
2:45-4:45 pm Kristen Nobles & John Rocco Your Best Dummy: What is working, what is not, and how to make it shine!
FT Illus. GettheexpertopinionsfromBOTHCandlewickArtDirectorKristenNoblesandCaldecotthonorwinnerJohnRoccoonYOURbestdummy,andwhatyouneedtoknowbeforeyousenditoutintheworld!EverydummywillbereviewedandcritiquedinagroupsettingduringtheIntensive.YoumayalsohangyourfinishedspreadonourIntensiveGalleryWall,whichwillbeondisplayallweekend.UponregistrationyouwillreceivedetailedinstructionsfromIllustratorCoordinatorSusanEaddyforsubmissionprocess.AllpdfdummiesareduetoSusanEaddybyAugust14th.([email protected])
Conferenceregistration,intensiveregistration,andallfeesmustbereceivedbyAugust14thtoparticipate.Limit 12
Wanttoobservethisintensive?Illustratorswishingtoobserveonlymaydosoforafeeof$25.Checkthe“observeonly”boxontheonlineregistration.Limit 15
3Friday, September 18 Dessert and Autograph Party Portfolio Showcase
7:30-9:30 pm Midsouth Dessert and Autograph Party with Portfolio Showcase CometomeetandgreetotherMidsouthConferenceattendeesandouresteemedfaculty:TracyBarrett,
AmyCloud,KellyCreagh,JulieDanielson,SusanEaddy,CateHart,LaurenMacLeod,JenMalone,RickMargolis,SarahMiller,GailNall,KristenNobles,JohnRocco,SaraSargent,BrooksSherman,CourtneyC.Stevens,andKristinO’DonnellTubb.AlleventswilltakeplaceonthegroundfloorofEmbassySuites,wherewine,tea,anddessertwillbeavailableforconferenceattendeesandfaculty.Conferencefolderswillbeavailableattheconferenceregistrationdesk.
Autograph Party, 7:30-8:30 pm: PurchasethatspecialbookandhaveitsignedbyconferencefacultymembersTracyBarrett,KellyCreagh,
JulieDanielson,SusanEaddy,JenMalone,GailNall,JohnRocco,CourtneyC.Stevens,andKristinO’DonnellTubb,aswellasotherconference-attendingauthorsandillustrators.*Friendsandfamilyarewelcometoattendtheautographportionoftheparty.
*Registeredconferenceattendees,PAL-levelSCBWImembersonly(fromanyregion),limitedtothefirst10authors or illustrators to complete online conference registration, pay registration fees, and send in titles (limit 5) with ISBN numbers. Titles for signing must be published as children’s literature, be returnable, have no minimum order requirements, and be available from Ingram. Exceptions may be made if the book is already stocked by Parnassus Books. (Authors and illustrators should determine the publishing date and availability of their titles before deciding to participate.) To participate in the 2015 autograph party, all registration, fees, and title information must be received by July 8. Send an email with contact info (please indicate whether you are an author, illustrator, or both), along with titles, ISBN numbers, and any questions to Jessica Young at [email protected]. Titles from the autograph party will also be made available for purchase in the conference bookstore throughout the weekend.
Portfolio Showcase, 7:30-9:30 pm: View the beautiful work of our conference-attending illustrators!* *To display, bring your portfolio to the conference registration desk between 4:45-5:15 pm or 6:30-7:15 pm
on Friday, September 18. There is no charge to display a portfolio. For more info on setting up and displaying a portfolio, see the Portfolio Guidelines at midsouthillustrators.blogspot.com. (No digital portfolios. Please collect your portfolio after the Dessert Party at 9:30 pm.)
SCBWI PAL Display: SCBWImembers,PALlevel(anyregion),thatareattendingtheMidsouthconferencemaybringupto
threebooks(writtenorillustratedforchildren)andbusinesscards/promotionalmaterialfordisplayoutsidetheGrandBallroomonSaturdayandSunday.Booksetupwilltakeplaceat7:00pm,Friday,September18;bookpickupwilltakeplaceat1:00pmSunday,September20.Autograph party participants will have their books displayed in the conference bookstore.
4Saturday, September 19
Schedule of Events:(You must pre-register for breakout sessions on the online registration form. Please refer to this brochure when making breakout session choices.)
SATURDAY, September 19th7:30-8:15 am Registration 8:15-8:30 Welcome 8:30-9:15 Keynote – John Rocco Always Striving To Make A Better Book
Johnwilldiscusshisexperiencesinauthoringandillustratingchildren’sbooksandwhathehaslearnedalongtheway.Hewilltalkaboutwhatdrivesustodowhatwedoandhowwecanstaytruetoourvision.
9:15-9:30 Break9:30-10:30 Breakout I
FT Nov. PB A Kristin O’Donnell Tubb Children’s Writing and Publishing 101
“I’vewrittenabookforteens/tweens/middlegraders/children:nowwhat?DoIneedanagent?HowshouldIformatmymanuscript?HowdoIfindapublisher?WhatshouldIdoatTHISconference?”Ahighlyrecommendedsessionforthoseattendingtheirfirstconferenceorjustbeginningthewritingadventure.
FT PB B Sarah Miller Picture Book Hooks (and endings)
Likeallgreatpopsongs,goodpicturebooksneedgoodhooks.Similartotheirmusicalcounterparts,apicturebookhookiswhatkeepsthereaderatitthroughthelastpageandinspiresthemtogobacktothatbookagainandagain.Explorewhatmakesastandouthookandhowtocomplementthathookwithagreatending.
FT Nov. PAL C Sara Sargent What A Character!: Developing and Growing the People in Your Novel
Strongcharactersareoneofthemostimportantelementsofaproject.Youwantyourreaderstofallinlovewith—or,perhaps,totallydespise—thefolkswhopopulateyourstory.Eitherway,youwanttoinspirestrongfeelingsinyourreaders!Inthissessionwe’lldiscusshowtobuildinteresting,evocativecharactersandhowyoucangettoknowyourcharactersbetter.Funexercisesgalore!
Illus. D Susan Eaddy Beginning the Illustrator Journey
HowshouldIputtogethermyportfolio?DoIneedawebsite?DoIneedanagent?LearnstrategiesforpromotingyourselfandgettingyourartworkinfrontofCreativeDirectors.Tipsforillustratorsatalllevelswhetheryouarefreshoutofschoolorjustnewtotheworldofchildren’sbooks.
10:30-10:45 Break10:45-11:45 Breakout II
FT Nov. PB A Brooks Sherman Crafting a Compelling Query
Pickuptipsandstrategiesforhowtomakeyourqueryletterstandoutfromtheslush.LiteraryagentBrooksShermanwillsharedosanddon’tsofwhattoputinyourquery,andhowtoformatittokeepittightyetinformative.
FT Nov. B Amy Cloud Crafting Come-Alive Middle Grade Characters
Middlegradebookcharacterscanconnectandstaywithchildreninawaynoothercharactercan.Inthisworkshopyou’lllearntheinsandoutsofcraftingmiddlegradecharacterswithheart,dimension,andinternalconsistency—thekindofcharacterskidswillrelateto,love,andwanttoreturntoagainandagain.We’llgothroughexamplesofwhatmakesacharactersingandtheconcretestepsyoucantaketoensureyourcharactersarerobustenoughtoholdtheattentionofan8-12yearoldeveninthisageofdigitaldistraction.We’llalsodiscusstechniquesthatwillhelpyourmiddlegradecharactersstandouttoprospectiveeditorsandagents.
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5Saturday, September 19
FT Nov. C Becky Monds Inside Thomas Nelson for the Young Adult/Middle Grade Author
EditorBeckyMondsgivesusaninsidelookatthedailylifeofaneditorattheThomasNelsonimprintofHarperCollins.Shewilldiscusshownovelsareselectedforacquisition,theeditingprocess,andsendingabookintothemarketplace.
Illus. D John Rocco Picture Book Anatomy 101 Anintensivelookatpicturebookmaking,focusingonthepacingandstorytellingwithimagesandwords.11:45-12:00 Break12:00-1:00 Lunch 1:00-1:10 Break 1:10-1:50 Author and Illustrator Panel Achieving Work/Life Balance
AuthorsKellyCreagh,JenMalone,GailNall,CourtneyC.Stevens,andKristinO’DonnellTubb,and author/illustratorsSusanEaddyandJohnRoccowilldiscusstheirownpersonalwritingandillustratingprocessandanswerquestionsfromconferenceattendees.
1:50-2:00 Break2:00-3:00 First Pages FirstPagesisauniqueopportunitytogaininsightintothefirstimpressionthoughtsofanagentoreditor
whenamanuscriptcomesacrosshis/herdesk.Anonymousfirstpageswillbechosenrandomly,readaloudtothegroup,andfacultywilldiscusstheever-importantquestion:WouldIreadmore?(Firstpagesubmissionisnotrequiredtoattendthissession,andnotallfirstpageswillberead.Attendeesmaypre-registerforonesessiononly.)
A Picture Book–JulieDanielsonandSarahMiller B Middle Grade–TracyBarrettandAmyCloud C Young Adult –CourtneyC.StevensandSaraSargent Tosubmitafirstpage,pleaseplacetwocopies(oneforthefacultymembers,oneforthereader)ofyour
firstpageinthesessionsubmissionboxforwhichyouhavepre-registered:PictureBook,MiddleGrade,orYoungAdult.Submissionboxeswillbelocatedattheconferenceregistrationdeskbetween7:30and8:15amonSaturday.FirstpagesmusthaveNOAUTHORNAME,butmayincludethetitle,andmustbeinstandardformat,onwhitepaper,with1-inchmargins,blackink,12-pointfont,anddouble-spacing.Limit200words(excludingtitle),onesubmissionperattendee.Firstpagesexceedingwordcount,withidentifyingmarks,innon-standardformat,orplacedintheincorrectsubmissionboxwillbediscarded.
3:00-3:15 Break3:15-4:15 Breakout III
Nov.Illus.FT
PAL PB
A Rick Margolis Kate, Markus, Mo, and Me: The inside scoop from some of the world’s best kids’ book creators
BeforeRickMargolislaunchedRisingBearLiteraryAgency,hewasSchoolLibraryJournal’slongtimeexecutiveeditor.Thebestpartofhisjob?Interviewingmanyofthegreatestchildren’sbookauthorsandillustrators,includingKateDiCamillo,MoWillems,MarkusZusak,SuzanneCollins,andJohnGreen.Margolissharessomeofthelessonshelearnedaboutlivingacreativelifeandwhatittakestomakeitinpublishing.
Nov. PAL B Sara Sargent Build-a-World: Improving World-Building in Your Novel
Whetheryouwritereal-worldrealisticcontemporaryorthemostcomplexfantasy—yournovelalwayshasaworldofitsown.Tohookreaders,youwanttomakesurethatworldisfullyrealizedandsupercompelling.Inthissession,editorSaraSargentwilldiscusshowtobuild,develop,tweak,improve,andgrowtheuniversethatexistswithinyourbook.Shewilluseexamplesofothernovelstoshowyouwhereyoucanimproveyourown.
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6Saturday, September 19
FT Nov. PAL C Kelly Creagh Reduce, Reuse, Revise
Youhaveyournoveldraftedandit’stimetodigintoyourfirst(orfifth)revision.Thereareasmanywaystoapproachthisdauntingphaseoftheprocessastherearefordrafting,butwhichisbestforyou?Inthissession,learnmethodsthatwillhelpyoutodeterminewhattokeep—includingyourcool—whattopitch,andhowtoremain(mostly)saneinthemeantime.
Illus. D Kristen Nobles Illustrator as Illuminator
ArtDirectorKristenNobleswillprovideanintroductiontowhattheCandlewickPressartdepartmentlooksforinanillustratorwhenpairingthemwithamanuscript.Theprocessoffindingtherightillustratorinternally,thefoundationskillsyouareexpectedtobringtothetable,visualexamplesofwhatworksandwhatdoesn’t,andhowCandlewickworkshands-onwithillustratorsasartdirectorsanddesignerswillbediscussed.
4:15-4:30 Break
OPTIONAL CRITIQUE GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL PAID MANUSCRIPT AND INDIVIDUAL PAID PORTFOLIO CRITIQUES 4:30-6:00 Optional Critique Groups –Allattendeesareinvitedtobringamanuscriptand/orartportfolioto
shareinanoptional,no-charge,critiquegroupsession.Eachgroupwillbeassignedaccordingtoonlineregistration,andwillbegivenadesignatedplacetomeet.Pleasedonotsendmanuscriptsorportfoliosaheadoftime.Attendeeswillbedividedintopicturebook/earlyreadersandmiddlegrade/youngadultgroupsandthenintosmallergroupsbyzipcode.Tobeincludedinthe“ListservCritters”group(formembersoftheMidsouthKidbookslistservwhoexchangematerialinadvanceviaemail),pleaseindicateontheonlineregistrationform.Bringthefirstfivepagesofyourwork-in-progressorafullpicturebookmanuscripttosharewiththegroupforverbalcritique.QuestionsregardingOptionalCritiqueGroupsmaybedirectedtoEricaRodgersate.rodgers13@gmail.com.Tobeincludedinanillustrators’group,indicateontheonlineregistrationform.Toparticipateinanoptionalcritiquegroup,youmustregisterbymidnight,August8th.
4:30-6:00 Paid Manuscript and Paid Portfolio Critiques (requires pre-registration and prepayment during online registration)
Individual Paid Manuscript Critiques – Haveyourworkcritiquedbyaprofessionalinthefieldofwritingforchildrenforanadditionalfeeof$40.TobescheduledforanIndividualPaidManuscriptCritique,checktheappropriateboxonyouronlineregistration.SeethesectionofthebrochurelabeledIndividualPaidManuscriptCritiquesfordetailsandthesubmissionguidelinesfor2015.Submission guidelines have changed, so please review them carefully. One manuscript critique per attendee, limited to current SCBWI members from any region. Online registration and manuscripts must be received by July 11.
Individual Paid Portfolio Critiques –HaveyourartcritiquedbyArtDirectorKristenNoblesforanadditionalfeeof$40.TobescheduledforanIndividualPaidPortfolioCritiquechecktheappropriateboxonyouronlineregistration.SeethesectionofthebrochurelabeledIndividualPaidPortfolioCritiquefordetailsandsubmissionguidelinesfor2015.(Limitedtothefirst12attendees,conferencefeesandregistrationmustbereceivedbySeptember1toparticipate.Onepaidportfoliocritiqueperattendee,limitedtocurrentSCBWImembersfromanyregion.)
6:30 pm The Kid Lit Creators’ Dinner RoundoffthedaywithKidLitfriends,oldandnew.See“MoreConferenceEvents”forthedetails!
7Sunday, September 20
SUNDAY, September 20 7:30-8:15 am Registration8:15-8:30 Welcome8:30-9:30 Amy Cloud, Jen Malone, and Gail Nall How On Earth Do You Write a Book With Someone Else?
Thinkyoucouldnevermeldyourwritingprocesswithanotherwriter’s?Inthiskeynoteaddress,the co-authorsofthemiddlegradeseriesYou’re Invited,alongsideAmyCloud,theireditoratSimon&Schuster,discussthefunyoucouldbemissingandexaminesomeprosandconsofsharingawritingcredit.
9:30-9:40 Break9:40-10:40 Breakout IV
FT Nov. A Brooks Sherman Writing a Gripping Opening Howdoyoucrafttherightbalanceofcharacter,setting,andplotinyourmanuscript’sfirstpagesto
hookanagent,editor,andreader?LiteraryagentBrooksShermandiscussesthecharacteristicsthatmakeupacompellingopeningforyourmiddlegradeoryoungadultnovel,pointingtoconcreteexamplesfrompublished(andsoon-to-be-published)works.
FT Nov. B Jen Malone and Gail Nall It’s Like, You Know: Writing for Tweens
ForkidsoutgrowingyoungermiddlegradetitlesbutnotquitereadyforthecontentinYA,there’sthetweenmarket!Inthisseminar,learntheinsandoutsofwritingforthe9-13yearoldagegroup—includinghowtonailthathard-to-gettweenvoiceandwhatcontentwillandwon’tfly.GailNallandJenMalone(authorsofsixnovelsforthisagegroup,includingtheirco-writtenseriesYou’re Invited)discusseverythingfromthecraftbasicstothemarketfortweenfiction.
PAL C Courtney C. Stevens PAL Marketing Roundtable
APAL(PublishedAndListed)roundtablediscussionmoderatedbyCourtneyC.Stevens.Memberswillcoversuchtopicsasmarketingmaterialsandswag,schoolvisits,bookfairsandfestivals,launchingabook,andyouronlinepresence.What’sworked?Whathasn’t?Pleasebringsamplesandmaterialstoshare.
Illus. D Kristen Nobles and Sarah Miller Portfolio Peeks
Whatisyourportfolio’sfirstimpression?Findoutwhatcatchestheeyeofanagentandartdirectorasportfoliosareanonymouslyflashedacrossthebigscreen.Intimedsegments,learnhowotherillustratorspresenttheirworkandhowyoucanmakeyourownworkstronger.Portfolioswillbeseeninrandomorder,andnotallportfolioswillnecessarilybeseen.Donotsendartaheadoftime,bringportfoliostothesession.
Noportfolioyet?Noproblem!Allarewelcometoobserve. Formoreinformationonputtingtogetheraportfolio,seethePortfolioGuidelinesat
midsouthillustrators.blogspot.com.10:40-10:50 Break10:50-11:50 Breakout V
FT Illus.
Nov. PB
A Brooks Sherman Getting a Handle on Effective Social Media Use LiteraryagentandTwitterenthusiastBrooksSherman(@byobrooks)shareshisthoughts,experiences,
andmistakeswhenitcomestoactivityonsocialmediachannels.Thisclasswillbeusefulforwriterswhoareconsideringdippingatoeintosocialnetworkwaters,aswellasforthosewhoarealreadyactive.Learnhowtouseyourdigitalfootprinteffectively,andtohavefunwhiledoingit!
FT Illus. Nov.
PBPAL
B Rick Margolis How a Guy Like Me Ended Up in a Profession Like This: A literary agent spills the beans Fornearly15years,RickMargolisworkedfortheworld’slargestreviewerofbooksforyoungreaders.
AlthoughhelovedhisstintasSchoolLibraryJournal’sexecutiveeditor,Margoliswasreadyforanewchallenge.Butnotjustanyjobwoulddo.Hewantedtofindhistruecalling—onethathewaswildaboutandthatcouldcontributesomethingofvaluetotheworld.Theanswer?Tolaunchhisownliteraryagency.Here’shisstoryandwhatyouneedtoknowwhenyoustartyouragentsearch.
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82015 SCBWI Midsouth Fall Conference Faculty
FT Nov. PAL C Kelly Creagh People, Places and Beings: The Spices of an Intriguing and Immersive Read
Strong,believablecharactersareamustinallgoodfiction,butparticularlyinaYAseries.Setting,too,iskey.Andwhenitcomestostirringintheunusual,themysteriousorthemagical,sometimesjustadashwon’tdo.Inthissession,learnhowtomixandblendtheseelementstocreatetheperfectconcoctiontomesmerizeandenchantyourreaders,tolureandhopelesslyentrenchthemintheworldandstoryyou’vecreated,renderingthemasanxiousaboutthedwindlingpagesastheyarefortheimpendingclimaxandresolution.
Illus. D John Rocco You Can Judge a Book By Its Cover
Anin-depthstudyofthebookjacketandhowtoapproachdesigningthem,bothforpicturebookandmiddlegrade.
11:50-12:00 Break12:00-12:45 Editor, Agent and Art Director Panel The Artistic Hero
HearthewisdomofAmyCloud,RickMargolis,SarahMiller,KristenNobles,SaraSargent,andBrooksShermanastheydiscusshowwritersandillustratorscantaketheirideasintothewiderworld.Facultywillalsoanswerquestionsfromconferenceattendees.
12:45-1:00 Contest Winners, Door Prizes, Closing Remarks
FACULTY:Tracy Barrettistheauthoroftwentyworksoffictionandnonfictionforyoungreaders,mostrecently The Stepsister’s Tale(HarlequinTeen),Dark of the Moon(Harcourt),andThe Sherlock Filesseries(HenryHolt).TracywasSCBWI’sRegionalAdvisorfortheMidsouthfrom1999to2009andiscurrentlySCBWI’sUSRegionalAdvisorCoordinator.ShewasawardedtheSCBWIWork-in-ProgressGrantin2005.SheholdsanA.B.inClassicalArchaeologyfromBrownUniversityandanM.A.andPh.D.inMedievalItalianLiteraturefromUCBerkeley.ShelivesinNashville,Tennessee,whereuntilrecentlyshetaughtItalianatVanderbiltUniversity.tracybarrett.com
Amy CloudisaneditoratAladdinBooksatSimon&Schuster,whereshehaseditedeverythingfrompicturebookstononfiction,thoughherheartisinrealisticmiddlegradeandtweennovelsandhumorouschapterbooks.She’sonthelookoutforengaging,relatablecharacters—especiallyboyprotagonists;quirkyvoices;uniqueconcepts; andgut-bustinghumor.AtAladdinshe’sluckyenoughtoworkwithtalentsuchasBruceCoville,DebbieDadey, JenMalone,andGailNall.PriortojoiningSimon&Schuster,AmywasaneditoratCallawayArts&Entertainment,wheresheeditedbooksbybestsellingauthorssuchasDavidKirk,Madonna,andJillAbramson.
Kelly Creaghisa2008graduateofSpaldingUniversity’sMFAinCreativeWritingprogram.Whennotwriting,hauntingbookstorecoffeeshops,orobsessivelystudyingPoe,Kelly’spassionsincludetheancientartofbellydance.Sheliveswithhersquirrely,attitude-infuseddogs—Annabel,Jack,andHolly—intheheartofOldLouisville,Kentucky’slargestandspookiestVictorianneighborhood.KellyistheauthoroftheNevermoretrilogy.VisitheratKellyCreagh.com.
Julie DanielsonwritesaboutpicturebooksatKirkusReviews,BookPage,andherownsite,SevenImpossibleThingsBeforeBreakfast.ShehaswrittenfortheHornBookandtheAssociationforLibraryServicetoChildren.SheisoneoftheauthorsofWild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children’s Literature,releasedin2014,andshealsoteachesapicturebookcoursefortheUniversityofTennessee’sSchoolofInformationSciencesgraduateprogram.ShehasjuriedfortheSocietyofIllustrators’OriginalArtAwardinNewYork,aswellasfortheBolognaRagazziAwardsinBologna,Italy.sevenimpossiblethings.org
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92015 SCBWI Midsouth Fall Conference Faculty
Susan Eaddyworksinheratticstudiowritingpicturebooksandplayingwithclay.ShewasanArtDirectorforfifteenyears,andwoninternational3DillustrationawardsandaGrammynomination.HerclayillustratedtradebooksincludeMy Love for You is the SunbyJulieHedlundandPapa Fish’s LullabybyPatriciaHubbell.SheistheauthorofPoppy’s Best PapercomingfromCharlesbridgein2015.ShelovestotravelandhasusedtheopportunitytodoschoolvisitsanywhereintheworldfromTaiwantoBraziltoAlabamatoHongKong! susaneaddy.com
Cate HarthasbeenwiththeCorvisieroLiteraryAgencysince2013,whereshefirstservedasintern.SheisaNashvillenativeaswellasaYoungAdultauthor.Activelybuildingherclientlist,CateislookingforadventurousMG,character-drivenYA,diverseandLGBTstories,aswellasselectadulthistoricalromanceandmystery.
Lauren MacLeodjoinedTheStrothmanAgencyin2007aftergraduatingfromEmersonCollegewithaBFAinWriting,LiteratureandPublishing.Shespecializesinyoungadultandmiddlegradefiction(includingJodiMeadows,authoroftheIncarnateandOrphan QueenseriesandHélèneBoudreau,authoroftheReal Mermaidsseries)inadditiontohandlingtheBarbaraCooneyEstateandforeignandsubsidiaryrightsfortheStrothmanAgency.SheisafullmemberoftheAssociationofAuthorsRepresentatives.ShelivesinNashville,Tennesseeandtweetsunder@Lauren_MacLeod.
Jen Malonewritesbooksfortweensandteens.HertweennovelswithSimon&Schuster/Aladdininclude At Your Service(2014),theco-written(withGailNall)seriesYou’re Invited(2015,2016)andtheupcomingThe Sleepover(2016).HerYoungAdulttitleswithHarperCollinsincludeMap To The Stars(2015),Wanderlost (2016),andathirduntitledforthcoming.JenlivesoutsideBostonwithherhusbandandthreechildren,teachesatBostonUniversity,lovesschoolvisits,andhasa“thing”forcutehedgehogpictures.Youcanlearnmoreaboutherandherbooksatjenmalonewrites.com.
Rick MargolisworkedforSchool Library Journalfornearly15years.AsSLJ’sexecutiveeditor,oneofthebestpartsofhisjobwaswritingamonthlyinterviewcolumn,“UnderCover,”whichhighlightednewandpromisingauthorsandillustrators(suchasJohnGreenandSuzanneCollins)whowentontohaveamazingcareers.Asaformerreadingspecialist,Rickunderstandstheprofounddifferencetherightbookcanmakeinayoungperson’slifeandthatawarenesshasshapedhisvisionforRisingBearLiteraryAgency.Itsmission?Tohelpchildren’sbookcreatorsdotheirbestpossiblework,topairthemwiththeperfectpublisher,andtoseethemdeveloplong,rewardingcareers.
Sarah Miller,editoratSleepingBearPress,publishedherfirst(andonly)children’sstoryintheGlengaryElementarySchoolnewsletterattheageoften.Sincethen,however,she’sdecidedshe’smuchhappierlettingotherstellthestories.HerfavoritestoriesincludeWhere the Wild Things Are,Miss Rumphius,andtheHis Dark Materialstrilogy.AgraduateofBostonUniversity’sCollegeofCommunications,SarahspentseveralyearsinNewYorkCitywithPuffinBooksandiscurrentlyaneditorwithSleepingBearPressinMichigan.
Becky MondsisaneditoratHarperCollinsChristianPublishers.Shehasbeenwiththecompanysince2007.Previoustothat,sheworkedatDavis-KiddBooksellersasthePR/EventsCoordinator.Shehasapassionforyoungadultfictionandfictioningeneral.Whensheisn’tworking,sheenjoysknitting,waterskiing,andspendingtimewithherhusbandandtheirtwintoddlers.
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102015 SCBWI Midsouth Fall Conference Faculty
Gail NalllivesinLouisville,Kentuckywithherfamilyandmorecatsthannecessary.SheoncedroveaZamboni,hascampedinthesnowinJune,andalmostgottrampledinParis.Aladdin/S&SreleasedGail’smiddlegradedebut,Breaking the Ice,onJanuary13,2015.Sheisalsotheco-authoroftheupcomingYou’re InvitedbookswithJenMalone(Aladdin/S&S,May2015andSpring2016).SheisacontributingbloggerforKidliteratiandtheFearlessFifteeners.GailisrepresentedbyJuliaA.WeberofJ.A.WeberLiteraturagentur.YoucanfindGailonlineatgailnall.com.
Kristen NoblesjoinedCandlewickPressin2004,oneofthelargestindependentpublishingcompaniesintheworld.Asanartdirector,shehasworkedwithaward-winningillustratorsLesliePatricelli,SophieBlackall,YuyiMorales,JohnRocco,MattMyers,EdYoung,andCarsonEllis.Kristenlovesastrongcharacter,auniquestyleorretrolookmadenewagain,andlooksforanewspinontraditionalthemesinchildren’sbooks.Beforereturningtotheeastcoast,KristenwasaseniordesigneratChronicleBooksinSanFrancisco.Herpassionforchildren’sbookshasbeenpasseddownfromhermother,anelementaryteacher,andhergrandmother,alibrarian.
John Roccoistheauthorandillustratorofseveralawardwinningbooksforchildren,includingtheCaldecottHonorBook,Blackout.HeisalsoknownforillustratingRickRiordan’sbestsellingPercy Jackson and the Olympians,The Kane Chronicles,andThe Heroes of Olympusseries.Johnalsoco-wrotetheYAnovel,Swim That Rock,afinalistfortheNewEnglandBookAward.JohnlivesinLosAngeleswithhiswife(alsoachildren’sbookcreator)anddaughter(avoraciousreader).roccoart.com
Sara SargentisaneditoratSimonPulse,animprintofSimon&Schuster,wheresheacquiresyoungadultfiction.SheworkswithsuchauthorsasAbbiGlines,DebCaletti,JenniferEchols,JulieCross,AaronKaro,andAnnStampler.Previously,shewasanassociateeditoratBalzer+Bray,animprintofHarperCollins.SaraalsoreceivedherMasterofScienceinJournalismfromNorthwesternUniversity.Youcansometimesfindhereatingtakeoutandreadingonthecouch.Youcanalwaysfindheronlineatsarasargent.wordpress.comandonTwitterandInstagram@Sara_Sargent.SaralivesinBrooklyn.
Brooks ShermanisaliteraryagentwiththeBentAgency,havingpreviouslyworkedasaliteraryagentatFinePrintLiteraryManagementandatpublisherHenryHoltandCompany.Beforestartinghiscareerinpublishing,Brooksspentseveralyearsworkingintheentertainmentindustry,andtwoyearswiththe PeaceCorpsinWestAfrica.Brooksisahands-on,editorialagentwhodelightsindevelopingprojectswith hisclients.Heworkswithmiddlegradefictionofallgenres(particularlyfantasyadventureandcontemporary),humorousprojectsfromauthor-illustrators,andYAfictionofalltypesexceptparanormalromance.FindhimonTwitter:@byobrooks.
Courtney C. StevensgrewupinKentuckyandlivesinNashville,Tennessee.Sheisanadjunctprofessorandaformeryouthminister.Hernovelsinclude:Faking Normal,The Blue-Haired Boy (Novella),andThe Lies About Truth.Asaneducatorandauthor,shevisitsschools,designsretreats,andteachesworkshopsonmarketing,revision,characterdevelopment,andChannelingYourBrave.Whensheisn’tteachingandscribblingideasinanotebook,she’splayinglasertag,goingclimbing,oreatingchipsandqueso.Youcanfindoutmoreatcourtneycstevens.comorfollowheronTwitter@quartland.
Kristin O’Donnell Tubb’sfantasydebut,The 13th Sign,(Feiwel&Friends/Macmillan2013)wasaSpring2013IndieNextselectionandawinnerofthe2014SCBWICrystalKiteMember’sChoiceAward.TubbisalsotheauthorofSelling Hope(Feiwel&Friends/Macmillan2010).Itwasafinalistforthe2012NationalHomeschoolBookAwardandawinnerofSCBWI’s2011CrystalKiteMember’sChoiceAward.Tubb’sothertitlesincludeAutumn Winifred Oliver Does Things Different(DelacortePress/RandomHouse2008),whichwasselectedbytheTennesseeStateLibrarytorepresentthestateofTennesseeatthe2009NationalBookFestivalandwasnominatedfortheVolunteerStateBookAward(2011–2012list).KristinTubbisdelightedtoserveastheRegionalAdvisorfortheMidsouthSCBWIregion,whichincludesTennesseeandKentucky.Pleasevisitherwebsite:kristintubb.com.
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112015 SCBWI Midsouth Fall Conference Registration
REGISTRATIONRegistrationforthe2015MidsouthFallConferencecloseswhenwereach200registrantsoronSeptember1st,whichevercomesfirst.Toregisterfortheconferenceandselectyourbreakoutsessions,pleasegotomidsouth.scbwi.organdclickonthelinkforthe2015MidsouthFallConference.Registrationsareonlineonly.PaymentoffeesmustbemadeonlinewithacreditcardorPaypal.Therearenorefundsforthisevent,exceptinthecaseofanattendee’simmediateemergencyandawaitinglistexists.Registrationmustbeclosedbeforerefundscanbeissued;SCBWIMidsouthwillkeepa$50handlingfeeforallrefunds.Tobeincludedonawaitinglist,[email protected](inallcaps)inthememolineofyouremail.Pleasenotethatbecauseofschedulinglogistics,weareunabletogivearefundofanykindafterSeptember8th.Thankyouforunderstanding.
SCBWI MIDSOUTH FALL CONFERENCE TUITION:Early Bird Tuition SCBWI member Non-member FullconferenceforbothSaturdayANDSunday $175 $255Tuition after July 15: SCBWI member Non-member FullconferenceforbothSaturdayANDSunday $200 $275
INDIVIDUAL PAID MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUES (Optional)TwokindsofIndividualManuscriptCritiqueswillbeoffered:Face-to-FaceorWritten-Only.BothFace-to-FaceandWritten-OnlyManuscriptCritiqueswillbeofferedforanextranonrefundablechargeof$40,andwillhavethesamesubmissionguidelinesandduedates.OneIndividualManuscriptCritiqueperattendee,limited to current SCBWI members from any region. PleasechooseeitherFace-to-FaceorWritten-Onlyonyouronlineregistration.
Face-to-Face Individual Paid Manuscript Critiqueswilloffer15minutesofverbalcritiquegivenbyamemberofthe2015MidsouthConferencefaculty(seebiosofAmyCloud,CateHart,LaurenMacLeod,RickMargolis,JohnRocco,SaraSargent,BrooksSherman,andKristinO’DonnellTubb),orbyanadditionaleditororagent.Face-to-Facecritiqueswillalsoincludewrittencomments.EveryeffortwillbemadetoplaceFace-to-FaceManuscriptCritiqueswithintheIndividualPaidCritiquetimeallottedintheconferenceschedule.Aftertheseslotsarefilled,however,somecritiquesmaytakeplaceduringbreakoutsessions. Seebelowforsubmissionandformattingguidelines*.
Written-Only Individual Paid Manuscript Critiques PictureBookCritiqueswillbegivenbyKatherineJacobs(SeniorEditor, RoaringBrookPress).MiddleGradeandYoungAdultcritiqueswillbegivenbyNoaWheeler(Editor,HenryHoltBooksforYoungReaders).Submittedmanuscriptsandcritiqueswillbeavailableforpickupattheconferenceregistrationtablefrom4:30to5:00pm onSaturday,orduringregistration7:30-8:15amonSunday.Seebelowforsubmissionandformattingguidelines*.
Individual Paid Manuscript Critique Submission Guidelines (Face-to-Face and Written-Only) *:SUBMISSION GUIDELINES HAVE CHANGED, SO PLEASE REVIEW THEM CAREFULLY.
For $40, you may submit one of the followingOnecorrectlyformattedpicturebookms.,picturebookdummy**,shortstoryms.,orupto10pagesofpoems,ORAone-page(single-spaced)synopsisofafictionornon-fictionproject,plusuptothefirst10pages(double-spaced)ofthecorrespondingms.,correctlyformatted. (Note: entire ms. submission including synopsis and chapter[s] should not total more than 11 pages.)
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12SCBWI Midsouth Fall Conference September 18, 19 and 20, 2015
*Formatting Guidelines:Mss.forcritiquemustbeinstandardformat.Standardformatiswhitepaper,12-pointtype,blackink,1-inchmargins,double-spaced(note that synopses may be single-spaced) withastandardfontsuchasTimesNewRoman.Sendyourdocumentsaseither.docor.docx.Nootherfiletypescanbeaccepted.NoothercriteriawillbeusedtodeterminestandardformatforIndividualPaidManuscriptCritiques.Foradditionalformattingtips,goHERE.Please make sure all pages are numbered, and that title, author name, author contact information, and category (picture book, middle grade, young adult, non-fiction, etc.) are present on the first page. The name on your manuscript must match the name on your conference registration even if you write under a pseudonym. Mss.submittedinnon-standardformatwillbediscardedandsenderwillbegivenachancetore-submit.Ifre-submissionarrivesafterthedeadline,thems.willbediscarded.
**Picture Book Dummies:
IllustratorswhoalsowritemaybeallowedtosubmitapicturebookdummyforanIndividualManuscriptCritique.Dummymustbeaccompaniedbyaproperlyformattedms.,andcertaincriteriamustbemetandpermissiongrantedbeforeadummycanbeaccepted.PleasecontactSusanEaddy(IllustratorCoordinator)[email protected] for detailsofthepermissionprocess.
How to Send in Your Manuscript for an Individual Paid Critique:Allmanuscriptsordummiesforpaidcritique,eitherFace-to-FaceorWritten-Only,mustbereceivedbyemailnolaterthanmidnightCDT onJuly11,withonlineconferenceregistrationcompletedandallfeespaid. Please type either “Face-to-Face” or “Written-Only” in the subject line of your email, as well as your manuscript’s genre (i.e., fantasy, mystery, contemporary) and category (i.e., Picture Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Nonfiction).
Email your ms. for critique to: [email protected]
Emailearly,butemailonlyonce!Wewillnotbeabletoswapmanuscriptsafteryou’vesentyourstorytous.Ifyourms.arrivesaftermidnightCDTonJuly11,youwillbeinformed.Thefeeisnonrefundable.
EveryeffortwillbemadetoplacecritiqueswithintheIndividualPaidCritiquetimeallottedintheschedule.Aftertheseslotsarefilled,however,somecritiquesmaytakeplaceduringbreakoutsessions.
Note: Individual Paid Manuscript Critiques have a different submission policy than the Fiction Manuscript Contest. Do not include Fiction Manuscript Contest entries with manuscripts for Individual Paid Manuscript Critiques. For Fiction Manuscript Contest guidelines, go to midsouth.scbwi.org and click the link for the 2015 Midsouth Fiction Manuscript Contest.
INDIVIDUAL PAID PORTFOLIO CRITIQUES (Optional):PortfoliocritiquesbyArtDirectorKristenNobleswillbeavailablefor$40per15-minutecritique,andarelimitedtothefirst 12 received.TobescheduledforanIndividualPaidPortfolioCritique,pleasechecktheappropriateboxonyouronlineregistrationform.OnlineregistrationmustbecompleteandallfeesreceivedbySeptember 1tobescheduledforaportfoliocritique.Please bring portfolio with you to the conference, do not send art ahead of time. Oneportfoliocritiqueperattendee,limited to current SCBWI members from any region.
EveryeffortwillbemadetoplaceportfoliocritiqueswithintheIndividualPaidCritiquetimeallottedintheschedule.Aftertheseslotsarefilled,however,somecritiquesmaytakeplaceduringbreakoutsessions.
Note: Individual Paid Portfolio Critiques have a different submission policy from the 2015 Illustrator Contest. For complete Illustrator Contest guidelines, please go to midsouth.scbwi.org, and click on the link for the 2015 Midsouth Illustrator Contest. Guidelines will also be found at midsouthillustrators.blogspot.com.
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13SCBWI Midsouth Fall Conference September 18, 19 and 20, 2015
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Embassy Suites-Cool Springs 820 Crescent Centre Drive Franklin, TN 37067 615-515-5151 nashvillesouth.embassysuites.com
All rooms at Embassy Suites include a living area with sleeper sofa, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave, and a separate bedroom with one king or two queen size beds. A cooked to order breakfast, Manager’s reception, and use of the business center is included for every guest at no extra charge. Fitness area, indoor pool, wireless internet, and free shuttle within a five mile radius are also available. There will be complimentary self parking on site for conference attendees. Valet parking is $5/day and $10/overnight per vehicle. Room rates are $149 for single occupancy, $159 for double occupancy, $169 for triple occupancy, and $179 for quadruple occupancy; please use the promo code SCB when reserving your room. Note: Reserve early! The promo code will expire at midnight, August 18.
MORE CONFERENCE EVENTS!The Annual Midsouth Fiction Manuscript Contest: For attendees of the Midsouth Conference. Winners in the Picture Book, Middle Grade, and Young Adult categories will be announced at the conference and will receive an invitation to submit their work to this year’s judge. For contest rules, dates and times, click on the Midsouth Fiction Manuscript Contest link at midsouth.scbwi.org. Contest entries will be judged by Katherine Jacobs (Editor, Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan). Fee of $12, limited to the first 20 entrants in each category.
The Annual Midsouth Illustrator Contest: For attendees of the Midsouth Conference. Contest entries will be displayed for judge Kristen Nobles and all conference attendees. Winning artwork will be announced at the conference and will become part of the yearly Midsouth Illustrator Hall of Fame display. For details and contest guidelines, click the Midsouth Illustrator Contest link at midsouth.scbwi.org, or to midsouthillustrators.blogspot.com. Register for the contest when you register for the conference. Entry fee of $12.
Illustrator Promos – Illustrators may bring promotional postcards for inclusion in a care package to relevant Faculty Members and for display on Conference Gridwalls (as space allows). Turn in promo cards Friday between 4:45-5:15 pm, or 6:30-7:15 pm or Saturday between 7:30-8:15 am.
The SCBWI Midsouth Kid Lit Creators’ Dinner at Puckett's Boathouse, 94 E Main St, Franklin, TN 37064 on September 19, 6:30 pm: Want to meet old friends or make new ones? Want to ask questions or just blow off steam after a day packed with learning? Attendees new to the industry can sit with experienced authors and illustrators and keep the creativity flowing.
For $35 you get dinner, dessert, and all the Kid Lit compadres you can handle. Seating is limited and reserved on a first come first served basis. Register for the Kid Lit Creators’ Dinner when you register for the conference. Anyone and everyone welcome!
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14SCBWI Midsouth Fall Conference September 18, 19 and 20, 2015
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT:Online conference registration: [email protected] info: [email protected] Critique Group/Paid Critiques: [email protected] Manuscript Contest: [email protected] Lit Creator Dinner: [email protected] Questions/Volunteering: [email protected] Questions: [email protected]
DATES TO REMEMBER:May 15 Onlineconferenceregistrationopensat6:00amCDT/7:00amEDT(gotomidsouth.scbwi.organdselect
2015 Midsouth Fall Conference)July 8 Lastdayconferenceregistration,fees,andlistoftitleswithISBNsmaybereceivedforparticipationinthe
MidsouthConferenceAutographPartyJuly 8 Lastdayconferenceregistrationandfeesmaybereceivedforparticipationinthe2015FictionManuscriptContest
July 8 FictionManuscriptContestbegins,8:00pmEDT/7:00pmCDTJuly 10 FictionManuscriptContestends,8:00pmEDT/7:00pmCDTJuly 11 Lastdaymanuscripts(alongwithconferenceregistrationandfees)maybereceivedviaemailforanIndividual
PaidManuscriptCritique.(Must be received by midnight CDT!)July 12 FictionManuscriptContestfeesdue,8:00pmEDT/7:00pmCDT(notifiedentrantsonly)July 15 LastdayforearlybirdconferenceregistrationandratesAugust 8 LastdaytoregistertoparticipateinanoptionalcritiquegroupAugust 14 PictureBookdummyforintensiveduetoSusanEaddy(IllustratorCoordinator)[email protected]
(digitalPictureBookdummypdf)August 18 SpecialconferenceroomrateforEmbassySuitesendsatmidnight.Sept. 1 LastdayconferenceregistrationandfeesmaybereceivedtobescheduledforanIndividualPaidPortfolioCritiqueSept. 1 ConferenceRegistrationclosesunlessithasalreadyclosedduetoasell-out.Tobeplacedonawaitinglistafterthis
date,[email protected](inallcaps)inthememolineofyouremail.Sept. 8 NochangesorrefundsafterthisdateSept. 18 PALDisplaybookandpromotionalmaterialsdropoff:7:00pmSept. 18 Illustratorportfolioturn-intimes:4:45-5:15pm,or6:30-7:15pmSept. 18 IllustratorContestentriesandpromodisplayturnintimes:4:45-5:15pm,or6:30-7:15pmSept. 19 IllustratorContestentriesandpromodisplayturnintimes:7:30-8:15am
MidsouthSCBWIlogocreatedbySusanEaddy|susaneaddy.com BrochuredesignandillustrationbyKrisSexton|krissexton.com