DATE: October 5, 2013
CONTACT: Patricia Newman and Catherine Meyer
LOCATION/TIME: The Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature on the campus of CSU, Fresno, Fresno, California; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
SCBWI California North/Central and The Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature are proud to co-sponsor Children's Booktoberfest, which brings together writers and illustrators for a day-long look at craft. Whether you write novels, picture books, or nonfiction, Children's Booktoberfest has something for you.
Registration opens June 10, 2013.
Featured speakers include:
Newbery Medalist Susan Patron
Caldecott Honor winner Marla Frazee
Award-winning nonfiction author Ginger Wadsworth
Novelist & social media expert Bonnie Hearn Hill
Agent Jen Rofe with Andrea Brown Literary Agency
FEES
SCBWI and ANCA members: $80 ($90 after Sept. 5)
Nonmembers: $90 ($100 after Sept. 5)
Written manuscript critiques (only 25 available): $45 DEADLINE: in our P.O. Box by Aug. 5.
Download our
formatting guidelines (readers will select approx. 12 participants to for face-to-face meetings. You will find out on conference day if you are selected.)
Face-to-face portfolio critiques with Marla Frazee
(only 7 available): $45
NEED A PLACE TO STAY?
We have 10 additional rooms on hold at the University Square Hotel, 4961 North Cedar Avenue, Fresno, CA 93726. Main Line : 559 224 4200
www.universitysquarehotel.com. The rate is $79 plus tax. You must book by Sept. 20.
P R O G R A M
8:30 - 10:00 : Registration & continental breakfast -- meet the speakers
10:00 - 10:30 : Contents Fragile/This Side Up | Speaker: Susan Patron
10:45 - 11:45 : Breakout Sessions
A) The "So What?" Factor When reading manuscripts, Jen Rofé asks herself “So What? Why should I care about these characters and their story?” In this session, we will examine the plots of successful books to uncover how the author made us care, and we will discuss techniques for developing the “So What?” factor in your manuscripts. Speaker: Jen Rofé
B) So You Want to Write Nonfiction? Do you like doing research, taking notes, and hanging out in the library? If so, join me for chat about the pros and cons of writing nonfiction. We'll examine some 2012-2013 titles and talk about why they are successful AND how they mesh with the new Common Core Curriculum guidelines.Speaker: Ginger Wadsworth
12:00 - 12:45 : Breakout Sessions
A) Publishing in the E-Book Age Books will always be around, but the e-book age has changed publishing for all of us. Learn about the changing roles of agents and editors and explore markets for your book, including traditional and independent publishers and the new boutique publishing houses for paper and electronic books. Discover the best and most cost-effective ways to promote from an author and editor who has published with both major and boutique publishers. Unpublished? You will receive direction as to where to sell your work. Published? You will examine ways to maximize your earnings. Speaker: Bonnie Hearn Hill
B) Why it takes so long to make a picture book Using projected images, this session will explain the process, thinking, and decisions behind the picture books Marla has written and/or illustrated Speaker: Marla Frazee
12:45 - 1:45 : Lunch (bring your own)
1:45 - 2:30 : Breakout Sessions
A) Tête-à-Tête with Susan Patron: My Ten Best Writerly Tips Let's share some of our hard-won tips on creating memorable characters and stories.
B) Oral first page critiques with Jen Rofé Bring the first page of your manuscript for an on-the-spot critique.
2:45 - 3:30 : Breakout Sessions
A) The YA Games: Advanced Techniques for Fiction Writers You’ve completed or will soon complete a novel. You know your way around a scene, and you’re aware that conflict drives your story. Now it’s time to master deep point of view, emotional focus, the unreliable narrator, and other advanced fiction techniques—as well as avoiding the pitfalls that snag even the most experienced writers. The best place to learn is your own manuscript, so come prepared to read from your work and ask questions. (Recommended for the intermediate/advanced writer.) Speaker: Bonnie Hearn Hill
B) How to Look at Pictures the Way a Child Does Through the work of a variety of illustrators, we will deconstruct ways illustrations make us feel the story that's being told to us. Speaker: Marla Frazee
3:40 - 4:00 : Moderated question and answer session with RAs and the entire faculty
Faculty Bios
Susan Patron is the Newbery Award–winning author of The Higher Power of Lucky, the first of the Hard Pan Trilogy that also includes Lucky Breaks and Lucky for Good. She is the author of the ALA Notable book Maybe Yes, Maybe No, Maybe Maybe, and a historical novel, Behind the Masks, which was published in January 2012. She was a youth services librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library for thirty-five years before retiring in 2007, and currently serves on the board of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Marla Frazee was awarded a Caldecott Honor on two occasions: for All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, and for A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, which she also wrote. She is the author-illustrator of Roller Coaster, Walk On!, Santa Claus the World's Number One Toy Expert, The Boss Baby, and Boot & Shoe, as well as the illustrator of many other books including The Seven Silly Eaters, the NYT bestselling Clementine series, and Stars, by Mary Lyn Ray. She lives in Pasadena, CA, and works in a small backyard cabin under an avocado tree.
Ginger Wadsworth is an award-winning author of more than twenty-five non-fiction children's books, including Words West: Voices of Young Pioneers, Up, Up, and Away, about a ballooning spider, Camping With the President, set in Yosemite National Park, First Girl Scout: The Life of Juliette Gordon Low, and Yosemite Songster: One Coyote's Story. Ginger loves to read, hike, take photographs, bird watch, and be outside. When she isn't writing, she spends time in her desert house in Southern California, or explores national parks, wilderness areas, ghost towns, old forts, museums, and libraries around the United States. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two dogs, and six chickens. Learn more about Ginger at www.gingerwadsworth.com.
Bonnie Hearn Hill loves writing, even when she hates it. She is the author of six international thrillers from MIRA Books, three young adult astrological novels from Running Press/Perseus Books, a young adult paranormal, a co-authored book (with Christopher Allan Poe) on writing for the digital age, and numerous nonfiction and ghostwritten titles, including New York Times bestsellers.
She was a founding board member of the Fresno Poets Organization, co-founder of the Yosemite Writers Conference, and one of the first six writers and the first woman on Valley Writers Read, KVPR Valley Public Radio’s award-winning series. For eight years, she has served as community correspondent for KMPH Channel 26 “Great Day,” where she discusses books and writing on “Bonnie’s Book Club.” A reviewer for Publishers Weekly and a national conference speaker and contest judge, she is proud of the many writers she has mentored.
Jennifer Rofe (agent) handles children's fiction projects ranging from picture books to young adult. Middle grade is Jennifer's soft spot and she's open to all genres in this category, especially the tender or hilarious. She is always looking for fresh and distinct voices; stories that simultaneously tug at her heartstrings and make her laugh out loud; and "adorkable" heroes. As for YA, Jennifer is drawn to contemporary works; dramatic or funny romance; and urban fantasy/light sci-fi. She's especially interested in mind-blowingly smart projects that are layered, complex, and unexpected, and she appreciates big, developed worlds. In terms of picture books, early readers, and chapter books, she is interested in character-driven projects and smart, exceptional writing. For Jenifer's clients please visit http://andreabrownlit.com/agents.php.