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CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators, and Performers) has an annual day-long conference for children’s and YA authors and illustrators to better their craft and connect with others.

This year’s conference will be on Sat, Nov 5th at Victoria College in Toronto.

New this year:

We’ll start the day with a Welcome Address by Governor-General’s Award winner Sarah Ellis.
The twelve workshops will include Master-level sessions—intended for established writers and illustrators—as well as a session for Beginners. All others sessions will be at the Intermediate level.
Workshops will include marketing and business topics, such as online book marketing and how to pitch your work.
Also new, is our Pitch Perfect manuscript/portfolio critiquing sessions. You can get a one-paragraph pitch plus 1000 words critiqued by either editor Gail Winskill or agent Ali McDonald in a ten-minute private session. Or you can get five portfolio pieces critiqued by art director Andrea Casault. Space is limited, and spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You can enter a raffle to win a Blue Pencil mentorship for a picture-book manuscript with Frieda Wishinsky.
A buffet lunch of sandwiches and salads will be served to all registrants.

Here’s PYI’s line up of workshops:

Explore the nuts ‘n bolts of publishing for beginners with author Mahtab Narsimhan.
Learn how the graphic novel combines elements of art and prose with graphic novelist Jim Zubkavich.
Make connections through non-fiction writing with Catherine Rondina.
Learn how to craft a picture book with Frieda Wishinsky.
Write hearty historical fiction with author Caroline Pignat.
Discuss the illustrator’s role in character development with illustrator Bill Slavin.
Explore social media to connect with potential readers with author Hélène Boudreau.
Learn how to how to write a compelling middle-grade mystery novel with author/illustrator Kevin Sylvester.
Explore young-adult fantasy writing with bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.
Discover how to make your submission shine with editor Gail Winskill and agent Ali McDonald. In the workshop, they will also provide first-page critiques for anonymous submissions. You can submit your first page, in any genre, to [email protected], if you want a chance to be critiqued during the workshop.
Join established writers for a master-level workshop with Sarah Ellis.
Join established illustrators for a master-level workshop with Ruth Ohi.

The keynote speaker will be the inspirational and creative author/illustrator Loris Lesynski.

Register early to get your first choice in workshops and one of the limited number of Pitch Perfect critiquing sessions.

Need another reason to register early? This year, the first 75 registrants will be automatically entered in a draw to win a Blue Pencil mentorship in any genre with keynote speaker Loris Lesynski.

For more information, go to Packaging Your Imagination 2011 or contact the office at 416-515-1559 or [email protected].