Schedule

8:30-9:00 - Registration Check-in 

9:00 - Opening Announcements and Introductions

9:15-10:00 - “Writing Across Genres and Levels” Mariana Llanos

From board books to middle grade, writing each genre and age level comes with its own set of guidelines and challenges. This workshop will explore the differences across the main genres, how to get started, and considerations to have at the time of writing and marketing the books.

10:00-10:15 Break 

10:15-11:00

First Pages Panel - A panel of experienced SCBWI OK/AR members will provide live feedback on submitted opening pages. You will learn what captivates readers from the very first line. Your manuscript's first page is everything! If readers aren’t hooked instantly, they might never turn the page.

OR

“OLD MADE NEW”: Illustrator Critique Assignment 

11:00-12:00

Critique Groups 

OR

Illustrator Portfolio Critique 

OR

What’s a BISAC and Will it Bite? Decoding Publishing Jargon & Acronyms by Jennifer Sneed

BISAC, ISBN, LCCN, CIP Block, Key Words, Comps, etc. Jennifer Sneed will identify these, tell you their purpose, and why they are important. Learning about the seemingly trivial bits of book publishing will be of interest to traditionally published authors, but it is essential for authors choosing hybrid publishing, self-publishing, or those working with very small traditional presses. 

12:00-1:30 - Lunch on your own - A list of lunch options will be sent to registrants. You are also welcome to bring your own brown bag lunch.

1:30-2:30 - “Challenges and benefits of Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing." Mariana Llanos.

Each writer's journey is unique, but what can truly make a difference is to be well informed at the time of choosing our path. In this session we'll talk about the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing and what makes each unique. 

2:30-4:00

Critique Groups

OR

“Tips and Tricks to Make Research Fun” by Gaye Sanders. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, research is a vital step in creating your best possible manuscript. Gaye will share what tricks she has learned to use to help you flesh out your information, characters, or setting.

4:00-4:30 - Wrap up and door prizes 

• For Critique Groups: 

Bring five copies of the first five pages of your manuscript. 

You will sign up for a critique group when you check in for registration. 

• Room Assignments for Breakouts and Critique Groups will be announced that day.

• Submission Guidelines for Post Submissions to the offsite professionals will be handed out and emailed to you on June 7.

• Lunch Information will be sent to you the week of the event so you can have a plan in mind. 

“OLD MADE NEW” ON THE ROAD TO TUTTLE: ILLUSTRATOR CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT   

Public Domain is a classification given to works that are no longer protected by copyright. The works currently date before 1923 while works between 1923-1977 are considered in the public domain 95 years after publication or copyright. So for us as creators, this body of work can provide almost endless inspiration for our portfolios or stories. 

Recently, I discovered the website, The Public Domain Review. It’s certainly killed several hours of valuable work time for me, but it’s also helped to spark ideas when I needed a little jolt. 

From the website - “The Public  Domain Review is dedicated to the exploration of curious and compelling works from the history of art, literature, and ideas – focusing on works now fallen into the public domain, the vast commons of out-of-copyright material  that everyone is free to enjoy, share, and build upon without restrictions.”  

ASSIGNMENT: 

Choose one image from the below. Research the story associated with the image or not, but reinterpret it in your  own way. You don’t need to use a specific material or a specific size. Send your jpeg image to [email protected] by June 1, and I’ll bring it to Tuttle, so we can share and discuss our work. We can talk about what’s  working and what’s not. A critique format will be explained before we start. 

Image Sources

Bugs: Fabre’s Book of Insects (1921) 

Child in Wagon: Downhill from Here: The Slant Book (1910)

Dog Riding a Horse: The Comic Adventures of Old Mother Hubbard and her Dog (1819)

Cat: LeƩers From A Cat (1879)