Summer 2012 - Prepping for the Next 12 Months

Summer 2012 is already booking up. The family calendar is starting to have fewer and fewer unmarked days. What I want to know is how do I fit it all in?

I have one writer's retreat scheduled and I can't wait. I've started a new YA and have been working on the outline. I'm hoping these three and a half retreat days will consist of writing as much as I can of a new first draft.

Now on to bigger and better things: 2013 NESCBWI Conference. The Call for Proposals for the 2013 NESCBWI Conference, "Word-By-Word: The Art of Craft will go out June 1, 2012. So mark your calendars. With the call going out earlier, the deadline will also be sooner, August 27th, 2012!

Registration Table at the 2012 NESCBWI Conference

We will be looking for all levels of craft workshops, particularly those that are for advanced or master level writers. These Master level classes we are calling studios and will be 180 minutes.

So, please start thinking about what you would like to propose. Also, preferential consideration will go to presenters who have sent in two or more proposals.

NESCBWI - No Place Like Home

     It was a great weekend and I hated to see it end, but it was nice to be home.
     I sat with my husband at the kitchen table and between bites of salad I explained why it felt to so good to be at a conference.
     My conference peeps aren't just colleagues, they are friends. They are genuinely happy to see me, make feel loved and appreciated, and inspire me to more than I would settle for.
     He smiled. He understood.
     To every single person who attended this year’s NESCBWI Conference in Springfield, MA, Thank you. You made this past weekend one I will never forget.

What Are You Waiting For? NESCBWI 2012 Conference

If you were in attendance at last weekend’s NESCBWI 2011 Conference in Fitchburg, MA., I want to hear from you!

• Tell me what you loved.
• Tell me what you didn’t love.
• Did you step our of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to someone new?

The NESCBWI 2012 Conference - Keeping it Real: reality and world building in nonfiction, fiction, and illustration is all set for April 20-21, 2012 and will take place at the Sheraton Hotel of Springfield, MA, so mark your calendars.

Tell me what you would like to see at next year’s conference.

Now think about this.
Do you have what it takes to be a workshop presenter? Start putting your proposal together. The call for proposals will go out sometime mid to late June. Be ready to submit, because we want you!

What To Bring To The NESCBWI 2011 Conference

I'm packing for the #NESCBWI11 conference. Packing always stresses me out. Every year, I swear I will not forget my business cards. Did I mention, I hate packing? I can never decide what to bring to wear for the weekend. So, rummaging through the closets began last night. I am almost over-packed, I might just have to stop somewhere on the way to Fitchburg to go shopping. Just in case.

In the meantime, I have to start my list. Every year I forget my business cards. So they are at the top this year. (I just ran out to the car and put them on the front seat.)

CHECK LIST

• Business Cards
• AQQ Schedule
• Copies of AQQ letters
• Copy of Manuscript Critique Submission
• Questions for Critiquer (I wonder who it is?) :)
• Laptop
• Phone
• Power cords
• Camera
• My Own Pillow (Because you just never know where hotel pillows have been!)
• A bottle of wine to share
• Something Silver to wear to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of this conference
• Clothes that I feel Comfortable Wearing!
• Comfortable Shoes
• A SMILE!

I’m sure I forgot something.

What do you usually forget? Tell me. I’ll add it to the list.

NESCBWI AQQ Sneak Peek Interview with Agent Ammi-Joan Paquette

Registration is now open for the New England SCBWI's 2011 Celebrating Milestones Conference. This year we've added additional Agent Quick Query slots to give attendees even more opportunities for face-to-face conversations with agents.

The second agent in my NESCBWI 2011 Conference sneak-peek series is Ammi-Joan Paquette. She is an associate agent with the Erin Murphy Literary Agency, and she is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Her encouraging words are full of insight, kindness, and encouragement. She is also a writer. Because of this, she understands what it is like on both sides of the Author/Agent realtionship. 

This is her second year participating in the NESCBWI’s Agent Quick Query Event.

Ammi-Joan Paquette

 

1. What makes for a healthy working relationship between you and your authors?
I think communication is one of the bedrocks of a strong agent-client relationship. When questions or issues arise, it’s important to be able to voice these openly—and likewise, to know that questions and concerns will be addressed promptly and efficiently. This type of communication and mutual respect of each other's time is extremely important in my book.

2. What are you always looking for but never receive in a submission?
One of the most wonderful things for me is when I receive something I didn’t even know I was looking for, but that suits my tastes exactly. That said, I would absolutely love to find a terrific food novel!

3. What is your agent style?
I would say: supportive, passionate, encouraging, persistent. Does that cover it?

4. What do you see as upcoming trends in the industry? What themes do see as having endurance?
I think there will always be a market for excellent writing with depth and heart. Trends come and go, but a story that’s imbued with a piece of yourself, that story that only you can write—that’s what makes a stand-out project.  

5. What would you like to see more of and why?
I’d love to see more laugh-out-loud humor, more mysteries, more tightly-woven plots that keep me guessing. I love to be surprised and caught off-guard by a twist I didn’t see coming but that fits the story beautifully. Surprise me and I will follow you just about anywhere. 

6. What conferences will you attend this year?
I have a fairly slow travel schedule so far this year, so I’m certainly open to considering invitations.

 7. Is there anything you would like to add?
Many thanks to the NESCBWI organizers, and I’ll see you in May!

SCBWI New England's 2011 Conference ~ Registration Opens at 12:01 A.M. February, 15th!

New England SCBWI 2011 Conference ~ Don't miss this 25th Conference Anniversary Event

The New England chapter of SCBWI's 2011 Conference, Celebrating Milestones, begins open registration at 12:01 A.M on February 15th. Greg R. Fishbone and Kathryn Hulick Gargolinski, , the 2011 Conference Co-Directors are busy planning New England's 25th annual conference. From May 13 to 15th, we will be filling the Marriott Courtyard in Fitchburg, MA, with inspiring and informative content for authors and illustrators. Conference highlights will include:

* Keynote addresses from Jane Yolen, Tomie DePaola, Lin Oliver, Steve Mooser, and Harold Underdown

* 7 agents, 13 editors, and 2 art directors on our critique faculty

* More Agent Quick Query slots

* Marketing Consultations with Susan Raab Peer Critiques

* Special Interest Group meetings

* New England SCBWI History Panel

* Poster Showcase

* Two Illustrators Academies

* Conference podcast by Katie Davis of "Brain Burps About Books!"

* The usual assortment of amazing workshops

* A screening of "Library of the Early Mind" followed by a discussion panel

* A Silver Anniversary Ball and cabaret

* ...and more!

We recommend registering as early as possible on or after February 15th to ensure your choice of programming.

To register for the conference, visit the registration site at https://www.regonline.com/nescbwi11

Please note that both manuscript and portfolio critique registration is OFFLINE this year. Critique slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and are not guaranteed.

Check the New England SCBWI website (http://www.nescbwi.org/conferences/spring/) for updates and drop any questions to our online FAQ at http://www.formspring.me/nescbwi

Twitter users can follow the New England SCBWI Twitter account, (@nescbwi), and use the #nescbwi11 hash-tag to discuss the conference.

Hope to see you in Fitchburg! 

NESCBWI 2011 Agent Quick Query Sneak Peek Interview with Agent Stephen Fraser

With registration opening on February 15th for the NESCBWI 2011 Celebrating Milestones Conference, I wanted to give everyone a chance to find out what the 2011 Agent Quick Query agents are thinking. 

First up, Stephen Fraser of Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency.

Stephen Fraser

1.  What makes for a healthy working relationship between you and your authors?

Clients need to know that the onus is one them to stay in touch. I will stay in touch with clients as I submit manuscripts and then as I get rejections or offers. I am good about responding right away. But an e-mail or call from a client as a reminder doesn’t hurt; and I don’t mind.  If a client hasn’t heard from me for months, that is really their fault. With more than 40 clients to handle, I can’t be in touch with all of them all the time. Except, of course, if I am selling all their books!

2.  What are you always looking for but never receive in a submission?

I have been extremely fortunate.  The most wonderful manuscripts have found their way to me…and into publication. So, I can’t complain. We had a PEN award winner last year and a Newbery Honor winner this year. Yahoo!

3.  What is your agent style?

I am quick to respond, honest in feedback, friendly with editors - albeit persistent. One of my clients called me "a true gentleman of the business," which was extremely kind. But I like to think it's true. I do think civility is important. And I think Fun is an important part of this whole thing, too. It's a joyful thing to be involved with children's books.

4.  What do you see as upcoming trends in the industry? What themes do you see as having endurance?

Y.A. has been having a comeback, thanks to certain vampires.  I think paranormal is probably here to stay, but I think vampires may be replaced by other creatures. I’m frankly am bored by the dystopian novel, because I think it’s too easy to get depressed about the world right now.  I’d rather see someone try something bolder like optimism or humor.  Middle grade certainly is not going anywhere, either historical or contemporary.  Chapter books are becoming more of a staple.  And I would [like] to believe that picture books, lyrical and imagistic and beautiful, will always have a place.

5.  What would you like to see more of and why?

I’d like to see more mysteries and ghost stories (really scary ghost stories). Love stories are always fun. Nonfiction that is one of a kind and fresh is always welcome. I adore poetry – though it can be hard to sell (I’ll try!) And funny books, truly funny books.  

6.  What conferences will you attend this year?

Right now I have three invitations, including Montana and Iowa SCBWI. I’ll probably accept a couple more.

Jumping Back In

Six weeks or so since the last blog entry! Summer must have been a success. Actually, yes it was. The entire family was busy having fun in the sun! And sun there was plenty of this year.

Week two of back to school is ending. The leaves are turning. Thor has started doggy day care twice a week and he is loving it. My husband has a new motorcycle, and me, I am revising and getting ready for my school year to start. Some of the kids are already on campus for sports camp training. I have a new office and have been organizing and decorating. This year my office has a window.

Next weekend is my 9^th Writer’s Schmooze hosted by Tamra Wight at her Poland Springs Campground. This year I am tenting it. No cozy trailer for me, I have decided to be brave.  I hope my tent site has electricity so when I wake up from that unknown noise (a raccoon most likely) I can surf the web until I fall to asleep again.

Maybe, just maybe, I should bring Thor!

This is Thor

Last Day of the BEST retreat ever!

As I write this, I'm looking out at Lake Champlain.

The fog glistens from a ray sun fighting it's way through the moist air. Not enough light for a rainbow today, maybe later when I'm on the ferry heading home.

Last night, shortly after midnight, I finished writing the novel I have been working on forever. I keyed in the last word. I realized that this word has a new meaning for me. Instead of running away, I run toward. I have faced all the demons of my adoption.

I want thank everyone at this retreat for their support. Go buy their books!

Jeannine Atkins
http://www.jeannineatkins.com/

Julie Berry
http://www.julieberrybooks.com/

Elizabeth Bluemle
http://www.elizabethbluemle.com/

Erin Dionne
http://www.erindionne.com/

Sibby Falk
http://elizabethfalkbooks.com/

Cindy Faughnan
http://cfaughnan.livejournal.com/

Stephanie Gorin
http://gemella1.livejournal.com/

Jennifer Groff
http://jenlibrarian.livejournal.com/

Sara Lewis Holmes
http://www.saralewisholmes.com/

Joyce Johnson
http://thewritejoyce.blogspot.com/
http://thewritejoyce.livejournal.com/

Marjorie Light
http://marjorielight.livejournal.com/

Sarah Darer Littman
http://sarahlittman.com/

Cynthia Lord
http://www.cynthialord.com/

Kate Messner
http://www.katemessner.com

Jenny Moss
http://www.jenny-moss.com/

Joan Paquette
http://www.authorsnow.com/the-tiptoe-guide-to-tracking-fairies-by-ammi-joan-
paquette/

Susannah Paterson
http://www.learncentral.org/profile/susannapaterson

Mona Pease
http://www.monapease.com/

Peggy Thomas
http://www.peggythomaswrites.com/

Alyson Whatcott
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1073553-alyson-whatcott