SCBWI | Cathy C. Hall Writes

On Saturday, I took Cathy-on-a-Stick with me to an SCBWI schmooze where author/illustrator Susan Nees put on quite a lovely show. Er…presentation. I am happy to report that Cathy-on-a-Stick behaved herself, but Melissa Abigail Rose (whom everyone calls “Missy”)? That scamp of a protagonist in Susan’s illustrated chapter books was quite the character.

Okay, okay. Hold the groans, people. I mean, I could’ve come up with plenty of (worse) puns. After Susan shared her publishing journey and tips, and after listening to critiques of fellow writers’ first pages, my brain was about to burst with ideas and writing know-how and creativity. So really, I could’ve produced puns of epic punniness. But I’m saving my creative spillover for a manuscript revision. I need to apply some of that brilliant writing wisdom to my latest picture book draft.

I wish I could share here all the gems I gathered. But it was one of those events where you really had to be there, listening, to learn.

I can, however, share this gem: if you have the opportunity in your community to hear an accomplished writer speak, for FREE, go! Listen! Learn! Make connections, meet new writer friends! Broaden your writing horizons! For FREE!

I think I enjoy free writing programs just a little bit more than the ones I pay to attend. I suppose that’s the frugal side of me coming out. I mean, something for nothing? You canNOT beat a great freebie, right?

And in that spirit, I’m going to give away the Susan Nees’ chapter book in the pic with Cathy-on-a-Stick. (Leave a comment, and if you leave a punny comment, I’ll give you an extra entry!) You’re going to love reading Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe Picture Day-–and you just might learn a little something something about writing, too.

(So, yeah. Cathy-on-a-Stick’s a little jealous of Missy. Two characters in the house is one too many…)

Having someone write a lovely post about a topic you were planning to write about is like having a day off. So here’s Janice Hardy (who is quite lovely herself and chock full of writer wisdom!) espousing on an upcoming SCBWI conference:

Springmingle is the annual regional conference for Southern Breeze, offering writing workshops and sessions with agents, authors, and editors to help writers and illustrators learn the skills they need to get published. Meet editors, art directors, and agents who are looking for new talent. Connect with a friendly, supportive group of authors and illustrators.

It’s a fantastic conference for writers and illustrators of juvenile fiction and non-fiction from picture books to young adult novels. Not a SCBWI member? No problem. Non-members are welcome and encouraged to attend. In fact, it’s a great way to meet the members and see if it’s a group you’d like to join.

The conference faculty includes: Lucy Ruth Cummins, Art Director Simon & Schuster; Cheryl Willis Hudson, Creative Director Just Us Books; Ruth Sanderson, Author/Illustrator; Cheryl Klein, Editor, Arthur Levine Books; Ammi-Joan Paquette, Agent, Erin Murphy Literary Agency; and Jo S. Kittinger, Award-Winning Author.

Looking for Feedback?
Both formal and informal critiques are available. Formal critiques are $40, informal are free. The deadline for face-to-face critiques has passed but you have till Wednesday, February 26 for a written critique so act fast if you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity!

For a peek at how agents and editors think, there’s the Image/Eight panel. Attendees can submit the first eight lines of their manuscript or an opening illustration for a free review by a panel of conference faculty.

Springmingle takes place on March 28-30, 2014 at the Atlanta Marriott Century Center.
Conference tuition is $195 for SCBWI members, $225 for non-members, or $205 for students.
Advance registration is required and spaces are limited for some activities.

For more information please visit southern-breeze.scbwi.org.

I’ll be there–and Janice will be there, too. Y’all come join us and have some writing fun at Springmingle!