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By: Lee Wind, M.Ed.,
on 7/31/2016
By: Lee Wind, M.Ed.,
on 7/29/2016
By: Lee Wind, M.Ed.,
on 2/13/2016
Artists working across boundaries must demonstrate profound respect for and deep knowledge of the Other. This means a thoroughly open-minded attitude—and much labor in terms of research and questioning one’s own assumptions.
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Take your pick!
It’s time. As much as it pains me, I must purge my bookshelves a bit. Because I’m your fan, I want to share my purgings with you. Huh. That didn’t come out right, did it.
Moving on–we have a resource for non-fiction writers, one for picture book attempters, a practical book for any writer and (yes, there’s more) a set of brilliant middle grade novels by masters of the genre. And you thought this was going to be an ordinary day. Silly you!
Lean in and I’ll tell you how you can be a winner of the Spring Cleaning Giveaway: simply comment on this post and let me know which book (or books), you’d like to win. Then, I’ll draw names on Friday, April 17 at Noon. Easy sneezy.
Here’s what’s on the menu (and good luck deciding!) . . .
The Magazine Article: How to Think It, Plan It Write It by Peter Jacobi
This book was published in the late 1900s (makes it sounds really outdated, doesn’t it). What it lacks in advice about online research, it more than makes up for in how to add substance, depth and honesty to your work as a non-fiction writer. Plus, it’s Peter Jacobi. He’s amazing. If you ever get the chance to hear him speak, do. He’s a true orator. And can that guy write. Oh, my. Did I mention this book is signed? I almost hate to part with it.
Writing with Pictures: How to Write and Illustrate Children’s Books by Uri Shulevitz
This is a classic. If you write (or aim to write) picture books, you simply must have this book. It’s a treasure. And yes, I am willing to share it with you. Is that love or what?
Writer’s First Aid: Getting Organized, Getting Inspired and Sticking to It by Kristi Holl
I met Kristi ages ago at a Highlights Foundation workshop. This lady knows her stuff. While this little volume looks demure, it can be a real kick in the pants.
These fine middle grade novels, I’m offering as set. You can study them for craft, enjoy each as a fun, quick read and then share them with a child you love.
Have you made up your mind? Don’t wait too long. Leave a comment by Noon on Friday and hopefully you’ll be a winner. Regardless, you are a fine person and there are plenty of kids who would be happy to sit by you at lunch. Remember, don’t slouch.
With freedom, books, flowers and the moon, who could not be happy? ~ Oscar Wilde
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By: Martha Brockenbrough,
on 2/7/2015
It's a face-freezing cold kind of day in New York City, but that's not keeping anyone from basking in the warmth of this thrilling event, the 16th of its kind in the Big Apple.
We're looking forward to keynotes by Newbery Medal winner Kwame Alexander; bestsellers James Dasher, Anthony Horowitz, and Kami Garcia; and picture book revolutionaries Herve Tullet and Laura Vaccaro Seeger, as well as breakout sessions by top editors, agents, and art directors.
SCBWI Co-Founder Steve Mooser welcomed a record number of attendees:
"It's no mystery why you did make the decision to come. A conference on an iPad is never the same as in person. What makes the difference here are the friendships you make, the personal connections, some of which last a lifetime."
Lin Oliver reminded us that we're here to practice our work, to network, and to make friends. She asked us to turn to the person on the right and get acquainted—and the volume in the room went to 11.
There are 1,133 people at this conference, coming from 47 states in the U.S., and 16 additional countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K.
No one is here from Kansas, Wyoming, Oklahoma.
"This is the 12th year that we've had no one from North Dakota here, so I propose a constitutional amendment to eliminate North Dakota from the union," Lin said.
The best represented state is New York, followed by California and Massachusetts. She gave New Jersey a break on account of their bridge-closing governor (zing!).
Thirty-two percent of attendees are published authors and illustrators, and more than 375 illustrators are here—a new record. There is also a clown, a bartender, and a writer-dentist. (A clown, a bartender, and a writer-dentist walk into a conference...)
And away we go!
By: Kathy Temean,
on 10/18/2014
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
By: Lee Wind, M.Ed.,
on 8/1/2014
Lin Oliver, SCBWI's Executive Director, and Stephen Mooser, SCBWI's President, start us off with laughs, warm hearts and some great statistics.
1,235 people are here!
From 19 countries, including the USA.
Lin mentions how, looking at the faculty of this 43rd Annual Summer Conference, it struck her that many of the people who will be on her side of the podium this time around were once in our chairs - they were attendees.
The conference faculty do their annual parade, entering to Pharrel William's Happy … and share their one-word-for-us-to-savour-and-contemplate.
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| Lin grooving on down as the conference faculty enter past her, to the crowd clapping along |
By: Liz,
on 3/31/2014
After a long harsh winter, spring beckons with an invitation to warmer days and newness in nature and it’s all on the cusp of a special delivery by Mother Nature. So why not celebrate spring AND National Poetry Month come April, with some great introductory books to rhythm and rhyme for your young readers.
Little Poems for Tiny Ears is a great place to start, presenting poems by Lin Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of some twenty-five books and co-founder of the Society of Children’s Book Writers. And the book’s illustrations dovetail charmingly and fittingly with the lively material and are rendered by none other than that “living treasure” of picture book fame, one Tomie de Paola. He is the recipient of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contributions to children’s literature, the Regina Medal, the Smithson Medal from the Smithsonian AND the 2012 Original Art Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Illustrators. How could you go awry with a picture book “curriculum vitae” from headliners of such imagination as these two? Both poems and art deliver the goods.
And speaking of deliveries, these poems are designed to deliver the wonder of poetry to the newest picture book devotees in the neighborhood – tiny tots. The titles and subject matter for the poems are perfect for the experience of joy found in the everyday awaiting the youngest among us. We, adults tend to forget as we are distanced from childhood, that everyday becomes not so commonplace when experienced for the first time or remembered from our own childhoods. When set to rhyme those experiences become even more immediate and memorable. And, we get a chance to experience some of the firsts all over with, and through the eyes and voice of a child in these poems.
In the story hour that I have weekly with three, four and five year olds, I am introducing them to many Mother Goose rhymes. Last week we did The Three Little Kittens. Remember those kitties that lost their mittens? These tots loved the rhythm and energetically acted out the story of finding, washing and drying those lost and dirtied mittens so they may partake of the pie. I remember lots of nursery rhymes from my own childhood and I do believe that they fire up the imagination early to begin fueling it for a lifetime of reading. Isn’t it sad that so many of these early introductions to poetry have been lost in the race to the chapter book?
But never fear; there are still many Mother Goose rhymes to be shared if you are so inclined, and also new entry vehicle books for sharing and seeding the love of poetry with a young reader. Small Poems for Tiny Ears is a good place to start this April!
Here are but a few of the titles of the poems within this book for the tiny-eared set. Even for a slightly older reader, they can be used to reminisce about their younger days when things like My High Chair, Peekaboo, and Belly Button loomed large in their world. The poems include titles of time honored tot-relatable subjects such as Blankie, My Mobile and In My Stroller.
Tomie de Paola’s softly hued borders for the poems add the perfect poetic punch to his calming and comforting illustrations. Great job, Tomie!
If you want a book that has wonderfully imaginative poetry, complemented by illustrations brimming with the discovery of “tot-topia”, all spoken through the tiny voices of its discoverers, Little Poems for Tiny Ears is EAR RESISTIBLE! Here’s a sample.
My High Chair
I like to drop food from my chair.
It lands kerplop, but I don’t care.
I watch it fall down to the floor.
It’s so much fun, I toss some more.
My mom says no, my dad says please
Stop launching bits of toast and cheese.
They’re right – I will try hard to stop.
But first….just one more small kerplop!
And this book provides the PERFECT gift, too, as the back flap, covered with sensational complementary designs by Tomie de Paola, wraps around the front, and when sealed with the included stickers, your gift is good to go! Gift your own young reader or a young friend you may know with Little Poems for Tiny Ears this April!
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By: Susanne Gervay,
on 6/22/2012
SCBWI Head Office is packed with the life of children’s illustrators and writers across the globe.
Crystal Kite awards packed and ready to send to award winners from Australia to Hong Kong to France;
Sarah Rutenberg attached to her laptop working at all hours answering SCBWI questions;
illustrations lining the walls;
award winning books piled in Steve Mooser’s Office;
the creative Director Sarah Baker designing posters just before the new baby arrives;
Lin Oliver getting ready to speak at the American Librarian Association mega event in LA;
Chelsea Mooser meeting new designers for SCBWI;
- it’s a vibrant life.
SCBWI is a partner of the National Year of Reeading 2012 Australia.
Love being part if it.
By: Susanne Gervay,
on 6/20/2012
Love Sally Crock (data Base manager SCBWI) and Steve Mooser (President SCBWI) and of course the fabulous Lin Olver (Executive Director SCBWI).
I’m working hard at – Venice Beach, Getty Museum, Hollywood Boulevard – love it all.
Got to hug the SCBWI’s Creative Director – what’s her secret?
It was wonderful seeing the illustrations lining the office walls of SCBWI.
Had the pleasure of showing off about the talented Australian and NZ illustrators and their brilliant exhibition to open the SCBWI Conference at The Hughenden in Sydney.
By: Kimberly Pauley,
on 11/8/2011
Do you ever stop and listen to the sounds around you? I mean really listen? The ticking of a clock? The rhythmic sound of tires running over pavement? When you're listening to a song, do you only hear the lyrics or do you hear the sounds all the other instruments are making? How about objects? Do you hear the sounds they make? Can you hear the danger in them? Twelve year old Leo Lomax can.
Click here to read my full review
By: Lee Wind,
on 11/3/2011
I got to sit down with Lin Oliver, SCBWI's Executive Director, and learn why the new Illustrator's Marketing Intensive coming up on the Friday before the full 2012 SCBWI Winter Conference isn't just going to be great - it's going to be essential.
You can register now for the Illustrator's Marketing Intensive and the whole Lucky 13th Annual SCBWI Winter Conference!
Hope to see you there,
Namaste,
Lee
By: Susanne Gervay,
on 8/9/2011
Lin Oliver’s humour and engagement with the writing community connected everyone at the huge SCBWI LA Conference winner.
Love Lin and Henry Winkler’s (the Fonz) NY best seller series Hank Zipzer series.
Gary Paulsen was riverting – the maveric who turned his tragic early years into wild independence, crashes and ultimately couragee and an independence that had led to powerful award winning books.
Verla Kay, a dynamic,really generous writer has established a kids’ literature writing community that gets 1 million hits a month – everyone in the community is welcome – www.verlakay.com
Katie Davis an engaging and delightful speaker and author gave great insight into how to promote your book – her online talk radio gets over 2.6 million listeners every month [email protected]
Leonard Marcus – the guru of children’s literature; Ellen Hopkins – best selling YA author of edgy verse books; Bruce Hale -brilliant speaker and best selling author; Allan Silberberg – award winning humorous author; Frane Lessac – award winning illustrator; Henry Winkler – the Fonz and best selling author …. and more are all part of the SCBWI International celebration of children’s literature in LA.
By: Martha Brockenbrough,
on 8/5/2011
It's hard to imagine two funnier, kinder people than Lin Oliver and Henry Winkler, the co-authors of the bestselling Hank Zipzer series—and now, the GHOST BUDDY series from Scholastic.
Neither needs any introduction, of course: Lin co-founded SCBWI, and Henry is one of the best known actors in the world. Their collaborations—18 novels worth—are hilarious and full of heart, as was their session on writing.
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| Lin Oliver and Henry Winkler deep in discussion. Note: This picture isn't as funny as the panel. Blame the fish. |
By: SCBWI,
on 8/5/2011
SCBWI Steve Mooser opens the conference talking about starting SCBWI 40 years ago and encourages attendees to be friendly and meet other conference-goers, as you are sure to make lifelong writing friends as he has.
Lin Oliver gives stats on attendees:
By: Susanne Gervay,
on 3/23/2011
The Bahamas retreat was hugely successful in connecting SCBWI leaders from around the world with each other, so we can better represent our members.
SCBWI includes 25,000 children’s writers and illustrators and is the leading children’s book organisation. A not for profit organisation it is committed to children’s and young adult books reaching kids everywhere – promoting story, literature, literacy and a better world.
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By: Martha Brockenbrough,
on 1/29/2011
Steve is welcoming us to the 12th annual winter conference in New York--a tough trip for a lot of people thanks to the crazy snow.
He's promising to make the conference worth our while (apparently he has some sort of deal going with Mother Nature). Oh, wait. That wasn't it--Lin Oliver shoveled the runway at JFK. What a lady.
Steve is reminding us to pay attention, get to know people, network, and have a good time.
The good time begins with a patented Lin Oliver chicken breast jokeTM. She's telling us about the upcoming 40th annual summer conference in Los Angeles, where it is warm and dry. The organization has come a long way in 40 years. There were only about 30 people at the first conference, and Lin's mom cooked the chicken.
Lin just polled the crowd. About 60 percent of 1,100 or so people in the room are here for the first time, and Lin is welcoming the newcomers to our warm and supportive community (seriously--we're like a fur bra).
After telling us about the conference bookstore (where we can get books to be signed by the incredible faculty), she introduced our first keynote speaker, Lois Lowry.
By: Susanne Gervay,
on 9/17/2010
 SCBWI Conference opened with a celebration of Alessah Darlinson’s ‘Totally Twin’s illustratrated by the talented Serena Geddes in the Hughenden Victorian lounge
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Lin Oliver Executive Direcot of SCBWI, film Director and author of the 3.5 million best selling Hank Zipster written with Henry Winkler, flew to Sydney to be part of this international Conference.
Aleesah’s ’Totally Twins’ is the start of a series that will engage kids in the adventures, humour and reltionships of twins and all kids. Marc McEvoy Deputy Literary Editor of the Sun Herald launched the book with warm stories of the significance of reading and books.
Publishers, authors, illustrators started with a great party to start a weekend of friendship and community in the world of kids writing.
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By: Martha Brockenbrough,
on 7/30/2010
Lin Oliver is explaining to us how these conferences are organized, and for those of you who didn't make it this year, it's a great way to understand some of the benefits of this gathering:
By: Alice Pope,
on 4/28/2010
Looking Back on CWIM: The 2000 Edition
An Interview with S.E. Hinton...
This edition of CWIM saw the addition of Agents & Art Reps and section devoted to SCBWI Conferences. Among the publishing professionals interviewed: Caldecott Winner Jacqueline Briggs Martin; Allyn Johnston, then editor at Harcourt (who now has her own S&S imprint, Beach Lane Books); YA novelist Francesca Lia Block; SCBWI Executive Director Lin Oliver; Writers House agent Steven Malk; and more than half a dozen others including a feature with the iconic author of The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton who at the time was coming out with her first picture book.
Here's an excerpt from the Q&A by Anne Bowling:
You were 15 when you started writing The Outsiders, and wrote 4 full drafts for the next year and a half before you had the manuscript. Did you have a mentor at that time, or was someone guiding your revisions?
No. I love to write. Actually, The Outsiders was the third book I had written, it was just the first one I had tried to publish. The first two ended up in drawers somewhere--I used characters from them later in other books, but I certainly didn't go back and rework them. Everybody's got to practice.
When I was writing The Outsiders I would go to school and say "Well, I'm writing a book, and this has happened so far, and what should happen next?," 'cause I'd get stuck. Someone would say, "Oh, make the church burn down." And I'd say, "That sounds good, I'll make the church burn down." I was just doing it because I liked doing it.
Because there was very little being published at that time for young adults that included such violent content and emotional depth, were you concerned at all that the book was really pushing the envelope?
No, I wasn't. One reason I wrote it was I wanted to read it. I couldn't find anything that dealt realistically with teenage life. I've always been a good reader, but I wasn't ready for adult books, they didn't interest me, and I was through with all the horse books. If you wanted to read about your peer group, there was nothing to read except Mary Jane Goes to the Prom or
By: SCBWI,
on 1/29/2010
Lin: What mistakes did you see.
Allyn: First-person narratives in picture books, and rhyme that's off. Picture books that are on themes that have been done so many times that they wouldn't be salable. (Read books, buy books, go to bookstores, she advises.)
Ari: Manuscripts that started in the middle of a scene.
Wendy: Pages that seemed crammed with information in the beginning. A lack of awareness of the marketplace and what's working
--POSTED BY ALICE
By: SCBWI,
on 1/29/2010
Lin: What did you see today?
Allyn: I didn't ask to buy anything today. I did ask everyone who sat at my table to send me something, but that thing might not be the thing we talked about today. Everyone should go home and think about that.
Ari: I got a lot out of being in a critique group and hearing the comments of the writers who brought up things I didn't think of. It just goes to show that every editor is going to thing a little differently about your work.
Lin: What advice would you offer writers on using the comments they got today?
Wendy: Go home and think about the comments you got today and decide what resonates with you. If you're consistently getting the same feedback, those may be the things you should concentrate on.
Ari: There's always a lot of negotiating between and editor and a writer. Think about the comments you got and if you don't think they'll work for your story, think of another way to solve them.
--POSTED BY ALICE
By: SCBWI,
on 1/29/2010
Lin Oliver is moderating the post-intensives panel on what to do post-critique.
Panelists include:
By: Mark G. Mitchell,
on 8/24/2009
Massive, and I do mean massive blog coverage of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) National Conference in Los Angeles at The Official SCBWI Conference Blog.The team-blogging effort was led by Alice Pope, who edits the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market, the annually updated directory published by Writer’s Digest Books.
I also recommend Diandra Mae’s blog Taking Flight for her attentive and fun coverage of her experience as an attendee of the four days of panels, workshops, talks and socials .
Before we get into the blogs, though, here’s a clip of the great picture book artist and creator Tomie dePaolo being interviewed by SCBW National Executive Director Lin Oliver about the “art of the picture book.” No, the video’ was not part of the conference but part of an SCBWI “Master Class.” But these are two personalities who loom large over the org.
If you’ve not yet heard of SCBWI or know much about it, here’s an interview from the org’s website where Executive Director (and prolific children’s author and producer of movies based on children’s books) Lin Oliver does a good job of speaking for the now global organization.
D’s posts put you in the shoes of someone packing her bags and heading out to Los Angeles for the big event. She ’s a talented illustrator in the Houston area — a former 7th grade teacher now active with the Houston chapter of SCBWI .
She catches many good quotes and observations in her blog Taking Flight, like David Weisner’s remark in an illustrators’ Q&A:
“…He did mention that with all of these portfolios he is asked to view at art schools around the country, he’s noticed that there is a serious lack of drawing ability that often hinders brilliant and wonderful ideas. ‘Take a figure drawing class for goodness’ sakes!’ He reminds us that this ”is not about making precious drawings, it’s about learning the craft’ because ‘observational drawings are at the heart of everything we do.’ “
I enjoyed reading about what apparently was the first ever Illustrators’ Social at the conference. D writes,“What a wonderful concept! Cecilia Yung, David Diaz, Priscilla Burris were there to facilitate the chaos of portfolio sharing, card swapping and chatting. They talked a little about how we illustrators were only 15% of the attendees, and we needed to band together for support.”
So here you go: Day One , Day Two , Day Three,
Day Four . Thank you, Diandra Mae for some wonderful reporting.
The SCBWI LA Conference team blog includes the Golden Kite Awards/2009 Conference Portfolio Awards along with art from the winners of the SCBWI New York Portfolio Exhibition and the Tomie dePaola Award.
Alice Pope on her own Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market blog (on August 12) includes a transcript of her own tweets throughout the four days. They’re entertaining even if you’re not familiar with all of the authors’ and editors’ names.
You can read all tweets from all persons who tweeted in real time on the event at this Twitter site. (Or you can pull them up on your own twitter page by searching for: #scbwi09.) The tweets are nano-quotes from the artist/writer/editors/ agent panels and talks, breadcrumb trails of “kid publishing” thought.
Team blog carries reportage on talks by the wonderful illustrator Marla Frazee
Dan Yaccarino, Scholastic Executive Art Director Elizabeth Parisi (on book dummies), Golden Kite Award winner for illustration (for Last Night, Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Hyewon Yum — and more from David Weisner, like how, for those lily pad piloting frogs of his Caldecott Medal winning-picture book Tuesday, he found frog skeletons to study.
//
Hi Kathy – this sounds like a great opportunity for new writers, but it’s Lauren Oliver, not Lin.
Patti,
Thanks for pointing out my mistake. It is easy to make after being Regional Advisor of the SCBWI for ten year and being connected to Lin. I’m quickly correcting this.
Kathy