Final Call for 2013 NESCBWI Conference Proposals

August 27th brings with it the close of
2013 New England SCBWI Conference Proposals,
so take a moment and submit your most awesome idea today! 

Proposal Due Date: August 27, 201

Presenter Notification Expected: October 15, 2012

For Additional Information go to NESCBWI

Presenters from New England who send in more than one, well-crafted and detailed proposal will receive preferential consideration. Also, you may be asked to present your workshop twice during the conference. You might consider doing a 120 or 180 minute presentation and then tweaking it to fit a 55 minute format. With so much talent in our New England and surrounding regions, bringing you together to share knowledge and skill is what makes New England SCBWI the largest regional conference.

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

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. 

Selection Criteria and Topics

Every year SCBWI New England receives so 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 that spotlight elements of craft: outlining, story arc, tools, tips, character, dialogue, sketching, etc.
• Hands-on illustration workshops
• Publishing 201 session for intermediate authors or illustrators
• Developing an idea from conception to completion
• How to complete a Detailed Novel Outline
• 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, organizing your mystery
• Planning Out Clues
• How to write chapter books
• How to design an eBook
• Writing Teen Romance
• What I publish/represent and why
• Historical Fiction for middle grade and YA - What makes it work!
• How to reinvent yourself as a writer and reignite your career
• What exactly happens at BEA, ALA, Frankfurt, Bologna and how can it help you with book sales? 
  
• How to write suspense for MG & or YA
• Illustration techniques - making the magic happen
• Defining the terms: High Concept, Realistic Fiction, Magical Realism, etc.

Got Questions? Ask in the comments section below!

Quality Books

Quality Books! That's what Pugalicious Press is all about. My "Partner-in-Publishing," Jen Carson and I, have been so impressed with the many wonderful manuscripts we have received for consideration.we are amazed at the amount of talent out there. And you are a talented bunch of writers!

You can review the guidelines here.

But think long and hard about whether your manuscript is polished draft. Because most often, we reject because they aren't. The ones we accept are.

So if you want to be let into the Doghouse, send us your very best.

NESCBWI 2012 Conference

It’s closer than you think….

Here it is! NESCBWI 2012 "Keeping it Real" Conferenece

I can only give you a glimpse of things to come but we did change things up.

Registration opens January 23, 2012. Get your manuscripts and agent quick queries ready! Deadlines for submitting for critiques close early for the upcoming conference due to the dates being in April.

Kudos to Jen Carson for all she's done with her work on the newest version of the postcard and in such a teeny-weenie amount of time.

Calling ALL Volunteers for NESCBWI 2012!

We need you to make 2012 the best conference ever!

Only 251 days until the conference.

Want to volunteer?

Click here to complete the volunteer survey.

The New England SCBWI annual conference is entirely organized and run by volunteers, so help is vitally needed and greatly appreciated. This is one of the largest regional SCBWI conferences, and last year we sold out the conference in two weeks. This year, the theme is "Keeping it Real: Reality and World-building in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Illustration" and the conference will take place April 20-22, 2012 at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, Springfield, MA.

Please complete the conference volunteer survey if you are interested in helping out. Getting more involved in the NE-SCBWI conference is a great way to meet accomplished authors, illustrators, editors, and other publishing professionals.

Volunteers are needed to assist with many different aspects of the conference. Conference weekend volunteers are responsible for tasks during the conference weekend only, and will be trained that weekend. We also need volunteers to help select workshops for the conference. The Workshop Selection Committee will meet on October 2, 2011 in Holden, MA to choose the best workshops out of all the proposals submitted.

We are also seeking volunteers to take on roles with greater time commitment and involvement. If you are interested in any of the following volunteer positions, please email nescbwi12@gmail.com with your full name, contact information, and a brief explanation of why you feel you would be a good fit for the position.

Open Volunteer Positions

Special Interest Group Coordinator

Special Interest Groups are informal discussions meant to promote networking and discussion on topics of mutual interest. For example, past Special Interest Groups have discussed writing fantasy, using Twitter, and digital illustration. The Coordinator will need to solicit topics for the groups, find and recruit volunteers to lead the discussions, create signage for the tables, and make sure that the event runs smoothly.

Contact nescbwi12@gmail.com if you are interested in this position.

Book Signing Coordinator

Authors and illustrators who present at the conference are invited to sign books. The Book Signing Coordinator is responsible for contacting and scheduling faculty for the signing, coordinating with the conference book seller to ensure that their books are available, and figuring out the best set-up for the book signing room, including line management.

Contact nescbwi12@gmail.com if you are interested in this position.

Assistant Critique Registrars

The Critique Registrar takes every manuscript submitted for a critique at the conference, organizes them by genre, and submits them to appropriate editors and agents. The Registrar also puts together the schedule of critique meetings. Assistant Critique Registrars will work with the Registrar to manage this process and deal with critique requests and scheduling issues. We are looking for volunteers who live in the Burlington, MA area.

Contact nescbwi12@gmail.com if you are interested in this position.

Open Mic Coordinator

Open Mic night was popular this past year, so we would like to offer this event again in 2012. The Open Mic Coordinator will plan the open mic night (or nights) and will be there to ensure that the event goes smoothly.

Contact nescbwi12@gmail.com if you are interested in this position.

Door Prize Coordinator

The Door Prize Coordinator will solicit prizes to give away during the conference weekend, organize the prizes at the conference, and come up with a fun, creative, and efficient way of conducting the raffle.

Contact nescbwi12@gmail.com if you are interested in this position.

Poster Showcase Coordinator

The Poster Showcase Coordinator organizes and runs the Illustrator poster contest at the conference. The Coordinator will come up with a concept for the contest, solicit prizes for the winners, present the prizes to the winners, and take charge of set-up and take-down of the contest.

Contact nescbwi12@gmail.com if you are interested in this position.

Portfolio Critique Coordinator

Art Directors give portfolio reviews at the conference. This Coordinator will seek out Art Directors who are interested and available the weekend of the conference to critique portfolios, and will manage the portfolio critique schedule.

Contact nescbwi12@gmail.com if you are interested in this position.

Portfolio Display Coordinator

This year, we are interested in adding a location for illustrators to display their work. The Portfolio Display Coordinator will recruit illustrators to take part in the display, and will manage set-up and take-down of the room.

Contact nescbwi12@gmail.com if you are interested in this position.

NESCBWI 2012 Call for proposals

It's official! Today the call for proposals for the 2012 NESCBWI Spring Conference "Keeping it Real: Reality and World-building in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Illustration" is out. 

Reality doesn't often get the spotlight in the post-Harry-Potter world of children's literature, but even in fantasy or highly stylized illustration, a believable world is fundamental. Also, there is so much we all can learn from nonfiction research and writing techniques. Finally, how do you stay realistic and focused on your future in this rapidly evolving industry?

As always, the conference will have a strong focus on craft. This year, we are moving to a new venue with more space available for workshop sessions. We'd like to invite more small, hands-on workshops. 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. We also encourage artists and writers of color, those who are differently abled, and others from underrepresented groups to propose conference workshops.

What YOU Need to know: Important Information

Conference Dates: Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, April 20-22, 2012
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: September 16, 2011
Presenter Notification Expected: November 1, 2011

Types of Presentations: 55-minute workshops; 120-minute intensives

 
What are we looking for?

55-minute workshops

• Presentations that relate to our conference theme.
• Presentations that last 55 minutes in their entirety. When planning, leave time for participant questions and any required audiovisual setup.
• A range of presentations for all SCBWI members, including illustrators and writers in all genres.
• 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. 
• 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 three tools or ideas." A few examples: ideas for a new direction or revision in their own work; increased understanding of a specific genre, style, area of craft, art media, etc.; a step-by-step plan of attack for marketing, revisions, problem-solving, etc.
• Hands-on workshops where attendees spend significant time in writing, illustration, or marketing exercises applying ideas to their own work.
• Lecture-style presentations  with information that participants can take back to their desks to ponder and play with. 
• Presentations that include a range of examples rather than drawing 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.

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, and there are fewer slots available for these workshops.
• Two hours are provided, so plan exercises or some interactive element in the workshop. An intensive should not only be a lecture.
• 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!

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 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: tools, tips, outlining, character sketching, etc.
• Hands-on illustration workshops
• Publishing 101 session for authors or illustrators
• Developing an idea from conception to completion
• Nonfiction and fiction research
• 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
• Writing nonfiction articles and short stories
• Mystery writing
• Creative writing courses in the New England area
• Game plan for leaving a full time job to become a freelancer

I hope to see you there!

Gratitude

Sometimes I have to be hit in the head with it.

Today I share it.

I am grateful to my husband for allowing me the flexibility to pursue my dreams. I’m grateful for my children who love to travel, aren’t followers, dream big, and are voracious readers.

I am especially grateful for my writer friends. They challenge my writing, expect nothing but the very best, and always tell me the truth. Even when I don’t want to hear it.

I am truly and sincerely grateful for the unexpected encounters with some of the most amazing people from around the world. Whether here in the United States, or when abroad, or via the web. These are the people who end up never knowing they have had a profound affect on me and changed me. Given me some small thing, whether a word of encouragement or a smile, that has made me a better person.

Thank you!

E is for Email Queries

Don’t leave! Yes, I used the word query. Truth is, you can’t get published if you don’t query. Most editors and agents prefer this method of submission. It’s green, eco-friendly,  and postage-free.

It’s also so darn easy if you do your homework.

Just like in the “old” days, there are submission guidelines you need to follow. There is no excuse not to know them. Just about everyone has a website or blog where these guidelines can be found. This is not a hardcore, you must do it like this, set of directions.

I'm just offering some common sense things to think about. So here goes.

Use the correct email address. Does it go to a Query@email.com address or to s specific person's email. Make sure you know.

Subject Line - use it. Include the word query, that’s what it is. Not using the word, won’t get them to open the email any faster. Actually, it might be the reason they delete it, unread.

Salutation - be professional. No “Whaat’s up, Dog! Dear Mr. (insert last name), Ms. (insert last name), or if you are on first name basis, Dear (insert name).

Body Text - keep it short and to the point. You know the cliche; hook, line, and sinker. Use it.
    Hook - Exactly what it sounds like, with name of project and page count.
    Line - One paragraph, description or pitch.
    Sinker - Tell them if you have have included sample pages and who you are.

Signature Block - Name and contact information, Include your email, web or blog address, and  a phone number.
    Example:    Samantha Writer

            youremailaddress(@)email.com
            Writetoblog.bloghost.com
            555-555-5555

Know what to include:
Did they ask for a synopsis and the first chapter?
Do you insert into the email or as an attachment?

Everyone has different preferences. Make sure you know them.

Do you have any great email query tips? I would love for you to share them. Post them in comments.