September - October 2004

After the Ball: The 33rd SCBWI Annual Summer Conference Report
by Michelle Parker-Rock

"This year, it's all about glitter," said SCBWI president, Stephen Mooser, at the 33rd Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles where sparkle-osity was the word for nearly 1000 attendees. "Of course," said Executive Director, Lin Oliver, "the highlight of the conference is the faculty." And this year's teaching staff glistened. Beginning with lustrous words like corazon, delphinium, twirl, and courage, the faculty exhaled effervescence with every expression.

On Friday morning, Karen Cushman sparked our attention. "I'm here to tell you a story," Cushman, the author of Rodzina, told the audience. "I love what I do. I write because it's my dream job. During revising and editing, I learn a lot about patience and telling the truth."

Poet and author of Bronx Masquerade, Nikki Grimes, said she believes in the power of story. Like iridescent jewels, she layers her stories so they work on many different levels. "Young readers deserve manuscripts that are rich and complex and wrought," she said.

After lunch, Wendy Loggia, Executive Editor at Delacorte Press, suggested that writers construct brief story descriptions like the ones editors write for the back covers of books. Blurbs should radiate with zing. This process can help writers focus on their work.

Later in the day, G. Brian Karas illuminated the stage with his versatile art. "As artists, we should think of ourselves as works in progress," said the illustrator of Atlantic. When Karas opens a book, he doesn't want to see his work. He wants to see a seamless picture book where the artwork fits the tone of the book and goes beyond what the words are saying.

That evening, as the glimmering sun descended in the west, friends and family gathered at a memorial service for Paula Danziger. Her spirit will gleam forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

On Saturday morning, Executive Editor at Scholastic and author of Boy Meets Boy, David Levithan, beamed. "I'm here because I believe in teen literature," he told the audience. Levithan said there is a rise of new authors and the body of teen literature is energized once again. "We are living in an age now," he said, "where teen literature is being embraced."

Alessandra Balzer, Executive Editor at Hyperion Books, vibrantly told conferees that a book is a collaboration between the author and the editor. "Don't be afraid to take risks and write what you feel passionate about," she said. "Be honest and talk directly to kids."

"Editors separate the wheat from the chaff and publish the chaff," said Gordon Korman, author of Son of the Mob. What appeals to one editor, he pointed out, may not appeal to another. "Find an editor who likes your mishagoss," he said. Korman's glint is generally humor. "I suppose my message is lighten up. I want kids to have a good time with my books."

Bruce Coville, author of Juliet Dove, Queen of Love, offered shining advice when he took the stage after Saturday's lunch break. He reminded writers to tell stories that are fixed so vividly that people must pay attention to them. Make sense of not just what you write but of yourself. If there comes a time as a writer to jump off a cliff, jump. You may crash. But if you don't jump, there will be no wings. "We write because we have a passion for it," he said. "Our world is the stuff that dreams are made off. What more could we ask for?"

Literary Agent Jodi Reamer shared polished points for managing a career. "The best way to do this is to establish a brand," she said. The author-agent relationship must be a good match. "Do your homework," she advised.

Moderator, Arthur Levine, asked panelists Libba Bray, A Great and Terrible Beauty; Melinda Long, How I Became a Pirate; Billy Merrell, Talking in the Dark; and Lisa Yee, Millicent Min, Girl Genius, "What have you learned?" They responded while basking in the glow of their recent success. "Put your butt in the chair," said Bray. "Diligence pays off," said Long. "Write about things you care about," said Merrell. "Make time for yourself," said Yee.

Saturday concluded with the Juried Art Portfolio Exhibit. Then conferees, already all aglow, glittered up and strutted their razzle dazzle at the one and only Glitter Ball.

On Sunday morning, with telltale glitter still on their minds, attendees graciously greeted Connie Epstein, the New York contributing editor for the SCBWI Bulletin. Epstein delivered her yearly market report.

Author/illustrator Barbara Seuling shared shimmering memories of her work with children's writers in Moscow. She coaxed them to remember what it was like to be a child. Their stories came from deep within. The author of Oh No, It's Robert urged conferees to write about interesting situations that are surprising and fun and to include humor, action, and opportunities to savor the language. "I believe," said Seuling, "that you can teach technique, as well as how to see like a child."

At Sunday's luncheon, recipients of the Golden Kite Awards and Honors shone in the afterglow. Donna Jo Napoli, Robert Byrd, Carmen Bredeson, Amy Timberlake, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Loren Long and Yuyi Morales were on hand to accept. Jerry Spinelli will accept in New York.

Richard Peck appeared luminous as he accepted the honor of SCBWI Member of the Year. And there was a twinkle in Lisa Yee's eye when Sid Fleishman presented her with the Sid Fleishman Humor Award for her novel, Millicent Min, Girl Genius. Member William Swain won Overall Best in Show at the Juried Art Exhibit.

Donna Jo Napoli, author of Breath, breathed sparks into the topic of research. "Research is the bones of your story," she said. "But it is not the blood. Your reader wants the blood. Your reader wants the emotions. Your research is there so that your reader can feel the emotions."

Early Monday morning, Senior Editor at Dutton Children's books, Mark McVeigh, took the stage and gave a glowing talk about five groundbreaking books. Little Bear; Where the Wild Things Are; The Contender; I'll Get There, It Better be Worth the Trip; and Weetzie Bat made his list.

Jon Scieszka blew the house down with his bedazzling humor. "Don't believe anything you hear, including stuff from me," said the author of Math Curse. On a more serious note, Scieszka reminded the audience to read and devour everything they can. Picture book writers should "Get rid of half of it," he said. And all writers, he suggested, should save their rejected stories. They may one day become published books.

Libba Bray charmed conference attendees with her shining pearls-of-humor and colorful confessions. "I've never been in a formal writing program," said the author of A Great and Terrible Beauty. Bray confessed that she spent years in a variety of jobs. "I didn't set out to write for teens," she said. She worked for a book packager, where she learned about plot, character and deadlines. This job led her to the editor of her young adult novel. But writers cannot duplicate a road taken by someone else. "What is not accidental?" asked Bray. "The work."

" Ladies and gentleman we have gathered for the greatest cause; that is, to create something out of nothing," said author, Richard Peck. Peck believes that we are in a golden age of young-adult literature, and that books give readers the support that their peer groups never can. Peck cautions us not to resort to pornography to cover up weak writing. "It is not enough to write books," Peck told the audience. He believes that our job is to prove the power of the English language and its infinite possibilities. "Childhood is not a garden; it is a jungle. And our books must provide roadmaps through the jungle. We've all seen how easily the illiterate are led. Our most important job it so show the literate young the way out of town."

The conference ended with a Glitterati-Literati-studded autograph party. Conferees were seen leaving the scene with armloads of books, following trails of glitter that headed east in the direction of the 6th Annual Winter Conference set for February 5 and 6, 2005. And if the glitter runs out, don't worry. They say the streets there are lined with gold!