Saturday Breakouts

Have a book project you dream of publishing? Seasoned Author-Illustrator-Indie Publisher Jane Smith will cheerlead you onto giving YOURSELF a book deal, while providing a roadmap for success. Session will cover popular POD services, setting up ISBNs, book design tips, applying for Library of Congress Control numbers, adapting print books to e-books and more!

Through looking at Scholastic’s Acorn early reader line, I’ll reveal how to craft engaging, easy-to-read stories for beginning readers! Whereas picture books are read aloud by adults, beginning-reader books must meet the needs of kids who are only just learning how to read. We’ll explore key features of the text and artwork in these books, we’ll talk about why this is a crucial category for young readers, and we’ll do brief writing exercises together.

One of the most important skills you can learn as a writer is how to absorb and implement critique feedback on your writing. In this session, New York Times bestselling author Kristy Boyce will review how she handles her own revisions. She will walk you through each step in her revision process, including real life examples of her edit letters and drafts, along with practical tips you can use to streamline your own revisions.

When an illustrator is offered a picturebook it is exciting but can be daunting because it is a big task and a lengthy schedule. Learn about the breakdown and process of how the illustrator will work with the art director and editor all along the way. Helpful for novice illustrators feel more confident.

For authors and illustrators, break down the basic elements of picture books. Discuss what agents look for in submissions and how agents submit projects to editors.

How much is too much? How realistic can you get? How can we be honest about traumatic events without causing trauma while reading? In this breakout session, learn how to use description, vocabulary, pacing, and juxtaposition to write about traumatic events to discover what works and doesn't work for picture books and middle grade readers—and how it differs from YA.

To write for kids it's important to remember what it felt like to BE a kid. When we write from our current adult POV, it's easy to talk down to kids or minimize what they're going through. In this session, Lindsay Bonilla will use storytelling activities to help attendees unlock childhood memories that will get them thinking like a kid again. She will also invite them to play with their stories in order to see them in fresh ways.

In this breakout session, you will practice several short exercises to help you improve and polish your manuscript for submission.

Learn how to build your portfolio and social channels in a way that appeals to what agents and ADs are looking for. Talk about how to cater your portfolio to different types of children's publishing that are a fit for your style, whether that be nonfiction or fiction picture books, chapter books with interiors, graphic novels, etc. Discuss how to account for and think about trending book genres, styles, and other market factors, and how they relate to the way you show your work. Session 2D Attendees: Please bring your portfolio with you (ideally on a laptop) as the session will be interactive!

For more advanced illustrators, learn about ways to elevate and finesse illustrations. View examples of things to avoid that can make your art seem too conventional and not memorable/distinct. Examine examples of illustrations that WOW! and enhance the story.

Discuss idea generation, where and how to find inspiration, and how to get your best ideas on paper.

The opening of your manuscript is crucial for representation. Look at the openings of successful Middle Grade novels and talk about what works AND what to avoid. Examine the first pages of session attendees and talk about tailoring the opening for submission. *Session attendees will be asked to submit optionally using a Google Form prior to the conference

In this breakout session, you will discover and define what you truly desire the heart of your story to be. We will do this through exercises that will determine what and who your story is really about. Once we know the heart of the story, we will begin to draft and/or revise the internal (emotional) arc and external (events/actions) arc our protagonist needs in order to align their journey with the heart of the story.

Through looking at Scholastic’s Branches early chapter book line, I’ll reveal how to craft quality, page-turning series for newly independent readers! Early chapter book readers are just starting to read longer page-count, more text-heavy books. So they need certain supports in place to invite them into this format. We’ll explore key features of Branches books and do brief writing exercises together. Also, while this category generally targets children ages 5-8, I’ll highlight the importance of creating high/low books for today’s marketplace—now that more older children than ever before are significantly behind in their reading journeys.

What if we could take children beyond being listeners to being active story participants? In this interactive workshop, Lindsay demonstrates how she turns her books into interactive story experiences perfect for school and library visits. Drawing on her theatrical background, she shows how she weaves kinesthetic movement and vocal participation into her presentations, keeping audience members of all ages engaged. But this approach isn’t just useful for presentations! These same techniques can be applied to crafting engaging stories full of sensory detail. Come play and learn how!

You don’t know what you don’t know, but Author-Illustrator Jane Smith does! Reap the benefits of Jane’s 20+ years of experience working in the children’s publishing industry as she gives the inside scoop on how to advocate for yourself and your books when working with agents & publishers, negotiating business contracts, reading royalty reports, promoting your books and more!

Are you seeking illustration representation? Cover the ins and outs of what a relationship with an agent looks like. Topics will include what an agent will do for you, what will be expected from you as the illustrator and the pros and cons of working with an agent.