The Los Angeles SCBWI (Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators) Conference was packed with over 1200 people. Like a conference in any industry, you need to have a plan to tackle getting the information you need. I introduced Melissa Manlove, editor with Chronicle Books, as one of my regional advisor (RA) duties. She was terrific. Check out Chronicle's site for…
At the SCBWI national conference in Los Angeles 4 years ago, I attended a wonderful workshop by SCBWI regional advisor Sue Ford. (She writes under Sue Uhlig. She was RA in Kansas at the time and is now RA in Oregon!) While I'm published in other industries like health care, I did not have published work in children's literature. (And…
Everyone hits roadblocks in their work and their writing. Sometimes coming up against one roadblock after another, and sometimes big slam-backs, just make you weary. You need something to clear your brain and give yourself a break. For me, it's running. And especially running along rivers, high desert paths (without super hi heat.) and trails that give me God's spectacular…
Whew! The conference team has been working on the preparations for months and we are so excited about this workshop-based conference. Be prepared to work, be inspired, and meet new colleagues on October 19th, 8 - 5, Preservation Park, Oakland. The masthead illustration is perfect! Alice Feagan is the winner of our masthead contest. I am an autumn girl and…
After a back injury related to running 2 marathons, I am blessed to be able to train with running friends and run one year later in the Alameda Half Marathon on this Sat. June 8th. I've done slow training to get to a few 14 mile runs. I've had to retrain my running style, use the PT exercises and more.…
Had to put my two finished manuscripts aside. Now working on the third about the Marsh World - Della Gets Dirty. Della is a 9 year old who hates dirt. But when two marsh animals make her acquaintance, she is drawn into the marsh world. She is faced with the horrible decision between her Dad filling in Frog Pond on…
On May 18th, we held 2 local region meetings, one for illustrators in Oakland, and the other for writers in Walnut Creek. It was just one of those scheduling things where one speaker could only do that day and we had already scheduled the other event. We weren't sure if there would be torn allegiances -- the desire to attend…
AppleSeeds Magazine's current issue, It's the Greatest, peeks at the greatest things in the world. I pitched a few queries - the sewing machine, The Great Pyramid, and Our National Park System. I was assigned the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a wonder to whittle down to 2- 3 sentences on each Ancient Wonder after lots and lots…
I have completed 2 chapter book manuscripts. I've been submitting both a bit to agents and editors. Then I rewrite, then a new critique, then a new rewrite, then I submit. I've received complimentary rejections (which is way above a postcard, or check- the-box-of-no-suitability) and also postcards or crooked copies of "no thanks" form letters or just no response. So…
Even though I have spoken nationwide and consulted with firms around the world, children's writing is a totally different animal. It has taken me awhile to absorb and take to heart the wonderful advice and experiences from other published writers. It's not that I don't believe them, nor didn't understand how to implement their good advice. I think there was…