Keynotes
Randi Pink (Opening Keynote)
Shanda McCloskey (Closing Keynote)
Panels
The day's events will include three panels that feature industry professionals:
· First Pages Picture Book Panel (for writers)
· First Pages MG & YA Panel (for writers)
· Quickfire Portfolio Review Panel (for illustrators)
Breakout Sessions
Rachel Orr (Agent)
What a Character! Crafting Strong Characters:
Strong characters hold the key to strong writing, regardless if your book is fiction or nonfiction,
commercial or literary. Using examples of books I’ve represented, I’ll discuss the importance of
crafting characters that are both unique and flawed, while still remaining likable. I’ll also provide
tips for having the characters drive the plot, and talk about the significance of strong secondary
characters as well.
AND
Beginnings and Endings
This is a fun “game”, so to speak, where we take a look at the beginnings of ten different picture books.
The attendees then identify the works, rank them in order from strongest to weakest, and then think about
why they work (or don’t). Great for group discussion. At the end, we’ll look at ten different endings.
We’ll also briefly discuss the importance of an enticing beginning and a solid picture-book ending.
Matt Phipps (Editor)
Are We There Yet? Looking at Different Publishing Timelines, From Submission to On-Sale
This session will explore the eternal question: why does traditional publishing take so long?
We will look at a few examples of both middle grade novels and picture books to track them through every stage
of acquisition, revision, design, production, and more, in order to give a realistic sense of just how long (or short) this process can last . . . and why.
AND
Getting to Yes: Why Editors Say No
This session tackles the myriad possible reasons why an editor might pass on a submission . . . and what might make them say yes. We will discuss how you’re pitching your project, assessing its fit for the marketplace, evaluating which editors and houses might be the right home for it—and which ones might not. We’ll also talk about the kinds of conversations and considerations that arise at editorial/acquisitions meetings and why some projects make the cut and others don’t.
Shulokhana Khan (Editor)
How a Picture Book is Made
This is a great chance to get the perspective from an editor. She will share correspondence with the author and artist, and various drafts and sketches that brought them all to the final version of the books.
AND
How to Keep Readers Turning the Page
As an editor of picture books, I've learned techniques for capturing the attention of young readers from the very first page, and will share some of the most important ones in a session designed for picture book writers.
Sasha Illingworth (Creative Director)
From Doodles to Deals: The Art Behind the Books You Love
Join Associate Creative Director Sasha Illingworth for a lively, behind-the-scenes tour of how picture books and novels go from rough sketches to bookstore shelves. Along the way, Sasha will share real stories from bestselling hits and award-winning titles—highlighting the creative sparks, surprising detours, and artistic decisions that shape every book. You’ll walk away with fresh inspiration, a better sense of how the publishing process really works, and creative insights to power your own projects from pitch to print.
AND
From Pitch to Published: Navigating the Children's Publishing Industry
This behind-the-scenes look at how creators get hired—and stay hired—in the children’s publishing industry. From the initial submission to signing a deal, and from the first sketch to final files, this talk will demystify the process behind the scenes. Sasha will cover how the editorial and art departments work together, what we look for in new talent, and how creators can best position themselves for success. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of the current publishing landscape, actionable tips for professional collaboration, and what “being a good partner” really looks like in today’s fast-paced, competitive market.
Randi Pink (Keynote Author)
Character Lab: Building Believable Characters
This highly interactive workshop gets to the heart of storytelling with guided exercises exploring character personality, background, motivation and more.
AND
Write Back! Defying Book Bans
Join this collaborative session to brainstorm bold, creative strategies for resisting book bans and challenges. We will explore real-world challenges and develop actionable ideas to advocate for diverse voices and the right to read.
Shanda McCloskey (Keynote Illustrator)
Crafting Believable Characters for Children's Books
Author Visit Business 101 (an overview of the best tools, tips, and tricks I have learned that help my school visit side hustle run smoothly).
AND
Putting Together a Graphic Novel Pitch Packet
Do you have a graphic novel in you? In this session, Shanda will walk you through each piece of her graphic novel “pitch packet” that sold! … for published AND unpublished authors and illustrators.
Sonja McGiboney (Author)
Self-Publishing Doesn't Mean You Do It Yourself
One of the reasons traditional publishing takes so long is that a book goes through a series of reviews, meetings, illustration edits, revisions, then more meetings, more revisions. Then it goes to another team, like the marketing team and the publicist. They spend time figuring out strategies to bring the book into the world with the biggest bang. The temptation to do it fast, to get your book up and into the world, using one of In Demand platforms like IngramSpark, KDP, or Lulu, is hard to resist. But take it from someone who did everything the wrong way, you want to mimic as much of the traditional process as you can to ensure the success of your book. This means going through the review process with other authors in your genre. It means hiring strangers to do developmental or copy edits. It means giving your book an intense workup, letting the world know it's coming soon, and finally, delivering a product.
This session will highlight the intricacies of self-publishing and the importance of having a team to help you.
TK Read (Author)
Book Marketing Top Ten Dos and Don'ts
-FIVE THINGS YOU MUST DO: So, you’ve got a publication date that’s fast approaching. What are the things you absolutely must do before your book’s birthday?
-FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T: Ack, marketing is tough. It’s easy to throw time, effort, and money at it, and have none of it pay off. Based on her own and other writers’ experiences, TK will tell you what you probably should steer clear of.