The Day's Schedule

This schedule is tentative and may change.

Unless otherwise noted in (parenthesis), presentations and lunch are in the main room.

Presentations with a * means it will be live-streamed and recorded.

8:45 - 9:15 a.m. Registration/Meet and Seat - meet others and find a seat! 

9:15 - 9:30 a.m. WELCOME *

9:30 - 10:00 a.m. “The Lady or the Tiger?” Keynote Speech,  LeUyen Pham *

10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Break 

10:15 - 11:00 a.m. Craft Sessions 1:

• (Illustration/Picture Book) “Tips From an Art Director: How to Get Your Foot in the Door”, Tracy Shaw (Main) *
• (Picture Book) “A Picture Book’s Path Through Publishing: How the Industry Actually Buys and Creates a Book and What Truly Matters”, Ian Lendler (Classroom 1)
• (Novel) “How To Craft a MG/YA Novel Editors Will Want To Read”, Kristie Choi (Classroom 2)

11:00 - 11:15 a.m. Break 

11:15 - 12:00 p.m. Craft Sessions 2:

• (Novel) “Let’s Fall in Love: Crafting a Compelling Romantic Arc”, Jennifer March Soloway (Main) *
• (Picture Book) “Pitfalls of Picture Books: What to Avoid to Ensure a Stand-Out Story”, Connie Hsu (Classroom 1)
• (Illustration) “Starting from Script”, LeUyen Pham  (Classroom 2)

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch 

1:00 - 1:45 p.m. “Guided Tour of Children's Book Marketing & Publicity”, Sally Kim *

1:45 - 2:00 p.m. Break 

2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Breakout Panels:

• “Failing Forward and Failing Up: using perceived setbacks as a springboard for your career”, Faculty Panel with Jennifer March Soloway, Sally Kim, Ian Lendler, Tracy Shaw, Kristie Choi, and Ian Tseng, moderated by author Seina Wedlick (Main) *
• “A Good Fit”, Conversation with LeUyen Pham and Connie Hsu (Classroom 1)

2:45 - 3:00 p.m. Break

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Various Activities:

• Pitch Clinic for those pre-registered (Main)
• Portfolio Reviews for those registered for Saturday (Main) 
• Illustrator Plein-Air Color Sketch Hour (bring color mediums to sketch) with Shirley Ng-Benitez (Outside Patio)
• Writing Activity - Words and Collage with Christine Evans (Classroom 1)
• Hike and Rant with Stephanie Lucianovic (Meet outside the front door)

4:00 - 4:15 p.m. Closing and Awards

4:15 - 5:00 p.m. Social Hour and Book Signing

Morning pastries, lunch, coffee/tea/beverages, and social hour refreshments are included in your registration. Please make your lunch selection at the time of registration.

LeUyen Pham - “The Lady or the Tiger?” Keynote

In a literary career, you are often faced with many paths to travel without understanding what it means to make that choice.  From deciding to write or illustrate a book, to getting an agent or going solo, to quitting your job or writing after the kids go to sleep, down to the types of stories you choose to make, it’s often hard and scary to predict where the path will take you.  In this speech, I’ll offer up my own stories, some of my friends’ choices, and advice after having traveled down many of those paths myself.

LeUyen Pham - “Starting from Script”, Illustration Workshop

In this workshop, we analyze a particular manuscript, and puzzle out the different ways the story can be illustrated.  From what’s written on the page to what can be suggested between the lines to the visual narrative you choose to put in there, a well illustrated story with many levels can be found that will not only illustrate the story, but bring its own story to the book.

Tracy Shaw - “Tips from an Art Director: How to Get Your Foot in the Door of Children’s Book Publishing” 

Knowing more about the business side of picture books – how we function, what we expect, and best practices – will help you navigate how best to get noticed and achieve your publishing goals. Learn about what really goes on behind the scenes of book production, hear some uplifting success stories, and take notes on my best advice for both new and experienced authors/illustrators.

Ian Lendler - "A Picture Book's Path Through Publishing: how the industry actually buys and creates a book, and what truly matters”

Get insider insight from author and agent on the inner workings of the picture book industry. 

Kristie Choi - “How To Craft a MG/YA Novel Editors Will Want To Read” 

We'll go over the importance of revising and craft principles such as plot/pacing, characterization, and voice before diving into the granular: what makes for compelling and engaging prose. Kristie will use examples from middle grade/young adult novels that she has worked on. She will also lightly touch on the difference between writing for MG and YA as well as market considerations that factor into an editor's decision to publish a book.

Jennifer March Soloway - “Let’s Fall in Love: Crafting a compelling romantic arc”

Ah, romance. Whether it’s the main plot or a secondary element threaded through your novel, romance is a wonderful way to hook your readers--and for teens hoping to have a first love, romance can be everything. In this session, we will discuss classic romance tropes—enemies to lovers, the love triangle, just to mention a few—as well as ways to create fun twists on readers’ expectations to keep them guessing and turning the page. Whether it’s a hot and heavy bad romance or a slow burn happily ever after, the best romance is full of tension. Get ready to make your characters (and your readers) swoon!

Connie Hsu - “Pitfalls of Picture Books: What to Avoid to Ensure a Stand-Out Story”

Common criticism for picture books often fall under the categories of "too quiet", "too slight", or "too familiar." In this session, we will discuss why picture book submissions often fall into these pitfalls and explore why some manuscripts rise above the rest.

Connie Hsu and LeUyen Pham - “A Good Fit”

LeUyen Pham and Connie Hsu discuss how exploring and finding a strong author-editor relationship can help creators bring out their best work.

Sally Kim - “A Guided Tour of Children's Book Marketing & Publicity”

Whether you're looking for an agent or already have several published books under your belt, it's never too soon to think about marketing and publicity. This presentation will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how children's book publishers approach marketing, where it fits into the bigger picture alongside editorial and sales, and how YOU, as an author or illustrator, can build your brand and position your future book(s) for a successful launch. 

Hike and Rant with Stephanie Lucianovic -  Publishing brings out ALL the emotions and what better way to vent frustrations or celebrate wins than on a Hike and Rant with Stephanie Lucianovic where we will rant loudly, laugh wildly, and -- most importantly -- breathe deeply. It's good for the body and the soul.

Illustrator Plein-Air Sketch Hour with Shirley Ng-Benitez - Bring some supplies (sketchbook, favorite sketch utensils, color mediums) and join in on a plein-air sketch hour. Shirley will talk about capturing light and how it affects the landscape. It will be a low-key and fun illustrator activity!

Writing Activity - Words and Collage with Christine Evans - Have fun combining words and collage! Bring a notebook and a writing utensil. We’ll chop words, photos, and art from magazines before using them as prompts for poems and stories.