Call for Proposals 2013 NESCBWI Conference

Call for Proposals NESCBWI 2013 Conference Word-By-Word: The Art Of Craft
It's that time of year when we start looking for the amazing workshops, intensives, and panels for next year's conference.

Here is what we are looking for:

The workshop committee of New England SCBWI welcomes proposals for the 2013 Spring conference, "Word by Word: The Art of Craft."

Art of craft is always at the forefront of a venue like ours. This year’s focus will be on improving ones crafting the various parts of writing and illustrating NEEDS MEGA WORK HERE!

We'd like to invite more intensive, hands-on workshops and advanced and master level studio proposals that focus on a specific aspect of the craft and would love to see more than one proposal from each you. Of course, larger lecture-style workshops are still welcome as well.

This is one of the largest regional SCBWI conferences, and last year we sold out the conference in two weeks. We welcome proposals from everyone involved in the world of children’s writing and publishing.

Important Information

Conference Dates: Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, May 3-5, 2013
Conference Location: Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, Springfield, MA
To Submit a Proposal: Please complete a conference proposal form. Separate submissions are required for multiple presentations or workshop/intensive versions of the same presentation.

Proposal Due Date: August 27, 2012
Presenter Notification Expected: October 15, 2012

Types of Presentations: 55-minute workshops; 120-minute intensives; 180 studios w/15 minute break

We will give presenters who send in more than one, well-crafted and detailed proposal preferential consideration. Also, you may be asked to present your workshop twice during the conference.

NOTE: Be very specific when designating level of experience, pick only one level. (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or Master)

55-minute workshops

What are we looking for?

• Presentations that relate to our conference theme of Word-By-Word: The Art of Craft.
• A wide range of craft related presentations for all SCBWI members, including illustrators and writers in all genres.
• Be very specific when designating level of experience, pick only one level. (Beginner, Intermediate, advanced, or Master)
• Leveled presentations. We are not trying to find one presentation that everyone can attend. Instead, presenters should direct material toward a specific experience level. For example, an "advanced" illustration presentation should not begin with "Why you should carry a sketch book," and a "beginner's" writing workshop should not address marketing a contracted novel. 
• Presentations that last 55 minutes in their entirety. When planning, leave time for participant questions and any required audiovisual setup.
• Intensives that last 120 minutes and focus on specific pieces of the craft. i.e. story arc, character development, sex in YA, etc.
• Focused presentations with clear learning outcomes. These should be clear, tangible "final products" that attendees take away. Plan the presentation thinking, "I want participants to leave with these tools or a real understanding of this piece of the craft." A few examples: How to map out an in-depth revision, a step-by-step outline or map, creating a storyboard, A first draft of a non fiction proposal, how to develop initial sketches, etc.
• Hands-on workshops where attendees spend significant time working on current writing, illustration, or marketing project so they can apply your presentation content to their own work.
• Engaging lecture-style presentations filled with information that participants can take back to their desks to ponder and play with. 
• Presentations that include a range of examples. Attendees have expressed they want less presentations that draw solely from the presenter's experience or body of work.
• Presenters who are published members of SCBWI, as well as editors, agents, MFA graduates, and other industry professionals. Past presentation experience is appreciated.

NOTE: Be very specific when designating level of experience, pick only one level. (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or Master)

120-minute intensives

Intensive proposals should meet all of the criteria listed above for 55-minute workshops. Also consider the following:

• 120-minute intensives typically take place on Sunday, but there will be several slots for Saturday Advanced and Master level workshops.
• Two hours are provided; so plan exercises or some interactive element in the workshop. An intensive should not only be a lecture.
• Presentations that include a range of examples. Attendees have expressed they want less presentations that draw solely from the presenter's experience or body of work.
• Past presentation experience and in-depth knowledge of the topic are required.
• Partner presentations are welcome.

Note: If you apply to present a 55-minute workshop or a 120-minute intensive and we feel your presentation may better fit the other format, we will let you know!

NOTE: Be very specific when designating level of experience, pick only one level. (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or Master)

180-minute Studios

Studio proposals should meet all of the criteria listed above for both 55-minute and 120-minute workshops. But you must also consider the following:

• 180-minute, 12 person studios will focus on Advanced and Master level authors.
• Three hours are provided, so plan accordingly for intensive working sessions.
• These include attendees submitting samples for you to review ahead of time.
• Past presentation experience and in-depth knowledge of the topic are required.
• Partner presentations are welcome as long as both are willing to work with a larger number of attendees. Total number in studio would be 24.

Note: If you apply to present a 55-minute workshop or a 120-minute intensive and we feel your presentation may better fit the other format, we will let you know!

Selection Criteria and Topics

Every year SCBWI New England receives many excellent proposals, more than can fit into a conference schedule. Therefore, we must choose on the basis of experience, quality, variety, novelty, attendant costs, and other factors. Please use the 2013 NESCBWI Workshop Rubric for more explicit selection criteria and standards.

We would love to see presentations on the following topics. If you are an expert on one of these topics, we would love to see your proposal.

 

• Hands-on writing workshops: outlining, story arc, tools, tips, character sketching, etc.
• Hands-on illustration workshops
• Publishing 201 session for intermediate authors or illustrators
• Developing an idea from conception to completion
• Secrets of Story Arc
• How to lay out a picture book dummy
• How to start your own publishing company
• Gesture and emotion for illustrators
• School and library visits and promotion
• Grassroots Marketing strategies to libraries and other overlooked venues
• Writing nonfiction articles and short stories
• Mystery writing
• How to write chapter books
• How to design an eBook