Children's Writers: Want to Go to a Free Children's Book Writing Conference?
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The Mid-Atlantic Region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Virginia Festival of the Book are presenting a fabulous lineup of authors this year. The Virginia Festival of the Book is a five-day annual event held in Charlottesville, Virginia, in conjunction with the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. The panels aimed at children's authors and children's book lovers are clustered on Saturday, March 20, 2010, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The event is free to the public.
After a day of attending these fantastic free panels, definitely make plans to attend the Festival’s Author Reception at 6:00pm at the Paramount Theatre, which, like the Omni, is located on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. It is a great opportunity to wind down, get something to eat, and have a drink with your favorite author. The author reception costs $35.00 and it is recommended that you purchase your ticket(s) online in advance at: http://authorsreception2010.eventbrite.com/. If you and your group do not wish to attend the author reception, there are many delicious restaurants within walking distance of the Festival venue on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall.
For more information about other Festival programs (there are many!), directions, and logistics, please check the Festival website at http://www.vabook.org
Mid-Atlantic SCBWI is hosting the following three panels at the VFB:
Terrific Kids’ Novels Adults Will Love Too (10 a.m.)
Moderated by SCBWI member and author Barbara Kanninen
If you are writing for middle graders, this is the panel for you! Operation Yes is a finalist for the Cybil Award; When the Whistle Blows and The Last Newspaper Boy in America were in numerous Mock Newbery programs around the country; and Mockingbird and Leaving Gee’s Bend are getting great buzz prior to their upcoming releases. Come listen to these authors read from their works, discuss publication, and talk about all things middle grade writers need to know!
Fran Cannon Slayton (WHEN THE WHISTLE BLOWS)
Kathy Erskine (MOCKINGBIRD)
Sara Lewis Holmes (OPERATION YES!)
Sue Corbett (THE LAST NEWSPAPER BOY IN AMERICA)
Irene Latham (LEAVING GEE’S BEND)
Getting Published: Picture Books to Young Adult (12 p.m.)
Moderated by SCBWI member and author Fran Cannon Slayton (yours truly!)
Want to get published in the children’s market? This is the panel for you! Deborah Heiligman was a 2009 National Book Award finalist and the winner of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, Laura Rennert is both an author and a children’s book agent, and Bonnie Doerr, Emily Ecton, and Ruth Spiro have got the young adult, middle grade and picture book markets covered. Be ready with your questions!
Deborah Heiligman (CHARLES AND EMMA - Nonfiction)
Laura J. Rennert (BUYING, TRAINING, AND CARING FOR YOUR DINOSAUR -PB, agent)
Bonnie Doerr (ISLAND STING - YA)
Emily Ecton (NIGHT OF THE LIVING LAWN ORNAMENTS - MG)
Ruth Spiro (LESTER FIZZ, BUBBLE GUM ARTIST - PB)
Hot Young Adult & Teen Fiction (4 p.m.)
Moderated by SCBWI member and author Anne Marie Pace
Do you write YA? Come hear some of the hottest young adult authors around. Be prepared for a lesson in voice when you hear them read from their works, and definitely bring your questions about what works and what doesn’t in YA literature.
David Macinnis Gill (SOUL ENCHILADA)
Jennifer Hubbard (THE SECRET YEAR)
Amy Brecount White (FORGET HER NOTS)
Paula Chase Hyman (FLIPPING THE SCRIPT)
Other panels you may be interested in that include SCBWI member/authors are:
Land Ho! Creating New Worlds in Any Genre (2 p.m.)
Moderated by SCBWI member and author Sara Lewis Holmes
Whether you’re writing fantasy, historical or contemporary fiction, world-building is part of your craft. Come listen to five authors discuss how to build believable, memorable worlds that readers will love falling into.
Suzanne Morgan Williams (BULL RIDER)
P.J. Hoover (THE EMERALD TABLET)
Keri Mikulski (SCREWBALL)
Stacy Nyikos (DRAGON WISHES)
Barrie Summy (I SO DON’T DO SPOOKY)
Dancing with the Manuscripts: Hooking an Editor on the First Page (2 p.m.)
This is a first page critique: email your first page to moseleys2010@gmail.com from February 1-March 12th; or submit it at the door. 250 word limit.
Fran Cannon Slayton (WHEN THE WHISTLE BLOWS)
Jennifer Elvgren (JOSIAS HOLD THE BOOK)
Deborah Prum (RATS, BULLS AND FLYING MACHINES)
Andy Straka (A WITNESS ABOVE)
I hope you can come!
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Facebook users can RSVP to the event here, if you'd like: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=320443791214