Breakout Sessions

A no-nonsense approach to telling the world who you are, what you create, where you fit, and why you belong. A confidence-boosting breakout for anyone creating for children. We'll cover everything from portfolios, websites and social media to attitude, self-talk, and your personal space. Come ready to visualize your success!

Ever wondered what happens after you submit your manuscript to a publisher? Get an insider’s look at the publishing process from an editor's point of view. From evaluating submissions to acquisition meetings and beyond, learn what editors consider when choosing projects and why the journey from book deal to bookstore shelves can take longer than you think. Whether you're a debut author or looking to refine your understanding of the publishing world, this session will pull back the curtain on how books come to life.

He “said”, she “said”—in this session, we’ll talk about dialogue tags, character expressions, and descriptions of character movement. When readers describe a manuscript as voice-y, they aren’t necessarily just talking about a protagonist’s dialogue or POV. Voice can permeate throughout a manuscript and is built through thoughtful word choice and economy of language. Though character movement and expressions can often be hurried to set the scene or drive along the plot, they’re also opportunities to infuse voice into the storytelling. This breakout session will look at how to rewrite character motions such that they more naturally describe the action while also providing a unique voice for the story at the same time.

In this session, you'll learn how to approach the revision process with an editor’s eye and discover what an editor looks for when acquiring books and how to identify common pitfalls before submitting your work. Whether you’re preparing to query agents or submit directly to publishers, this session will offer practical strategies to polish your manuscript.

With all the talk of genres—sci-fi, fantasy, speculative fiction, horror—where do you fit in contemporary narratives that have just a sprinkling of unexplained magic? In this breakout session, we’ll talk about the cultural history of magical realism and look through examples of magic blurring into the real in contemporary works of middle-grade children’s literature. Rather than focus on genre, we’ll talk about magic used as narrative tool and when, why, and how it might be used for certain types of stories. We will specifically consider stories where the characters struggle to convey their realities within the confines of the dominant language, such as stories told against the backdrop of marginalization or migration. We will give a brief overview of theories of racial melancholia and the Dark Fantastic as it pertains to magical narratives. Rather than look at magic as a means of escape, we will discuss the flip side to magic in children’s books: how the real can be made realer through magic.

Discover how art directors transform manuscripts into compelling visuals by identifying key scenes and crafting cohesive color palettes, compositions, and emotional tones that align with the narrative.

The first barrier to finding an agent is the quality of an author’s work. But even skilled writers with stellar manuscripts get turned down, often with the mysterious phrase “not a fit for me.” What does that really mean? And how do you find the right fit? Just like in love, the best author-agent relationships involve respect, communication, mutual admiration, and a little bit of chemistry. In this session, we will talk about finding and querying agents, selling them on you and your work, and moving on if he or she isn’t “the one.”

Lauren will provide an overview of AI and large language models (LLMs)—what it is, how it works, and what that means for creators— and unravel the impacts on the publishing industry. From copyright and licensing complexities to discussing emerging AI-related concerns, Lauren will break down the key issues facing authors and illustrators and give some insight into the ways publishers may be thinking about and leveraging AI tools. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the basics of AI and LLMS, along with the potential risks and opportunities, and what it could mean for the future. The class wraps up with a lively 15-minute Q&A, where this human will attempt to answer creators’ most pressing questions about this rapidly evolving topic!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with an Art Director? Here is your chance to learn about this unique publishing partnership. This interactive session fosters teamwork by bridging the gap between illustrators and art directors. Learn about their relationship, expectations, workflow, feedback, and process insights. Bring your questions!