How to use this Page

We’ve been toiling away to get everything set up for this years New Jersey SCBWI Conference registration. We’ve got a lot of cooks in the kitchen trying to get this feast on the table. Since every detail of what is going to happen during the conference will be on the online registration form, it has brought things up to the beginning that we would have done in April and May. Thus, the heavy lifting started in November. It’s more than just putting in the schedule. Example: Lots of applications had to be filled out so you could pay as soon as you register. One of the hold ups is on the approval end of making this happen. Meanwhile, we are working on the set up.

You will be able to click a button and read the bios for each faculty member and see their likes and dislikes before clicking the button to sign up for one of the times still available.

Each workshop will have a detail button that will describe the session.

I have set up an email for everyone on the faculty doing critiques, so this year you will not have to spend money mailing in your manuscript, because you will be able to e-mail it anytime before the deadline to the e-mail provided on the registration form. In years past, some of you had made plans for a vacation with your family, which made it hard to submit your manuscript in on time. This method eliminates these problems and it also reduces the amount of manuscripts we have to juggle. I think we had close to 300 critiques last year, so many hands had to be available to get them out the door and in the right hands.

There have been corrections on the schedule from last week. I have made some of them, but check again on Friday. I should be able to check and correct what I put up, so you can get ready for opening day. Also, I made a few changes in the individual faculty schedules. This was made with an eye for trying to put as many critiques on the schedule that would not take you out of a workshop. There still are some, but many less than last year. Also check the individual schedules later this week. I am working to get more information about their likes and dislikes on each schedule.

If you sign up for an Intensive, the three critique option, take a consultation spot, register for a First Page Session, do a pitch, and sit with a different editor/agent at lunch on Saturday and Sunday, you will meet 9 different editors/agents without even counting the workshops, Pitch Critique Session, and other networking available.

We are including a box lunch with the Intensive Workshops on Friday. The editors and agents will be eating their lunches with you before the start of the workshop. This provides another opportunity to network. This year we have included a beginners level Children’s Book Writing 101 for all the new people starting out. There is so much to learn. Most of us have spent years learning all the things we need to know. You should be able to cut off a few years by attending this 4 hour session. Anita Nolan is teaching it and she does a great job. If you are new to the field, you will learn so much.

Last year we had our first Mix and Mingle with all the editors, agents, art directors and authors. It was a tremendous success. I personally introduced members to editors and agents. I know of two where I made a match, so you should try to attend. It is fun on top of providing a lot of time to talk with everyone.

You can sign up to do the Writer’s Critique Group on Saturday night after dinner. The only thing I ask is that you do not sign up if you do not plan to do the critiques for the other people in you group. It is very disappointing to the other member who have spent their precious time to critique your writing and then not show up.

I started thinking, what about the poor illustrators? Why haven’t I planned a group for them in

This year the New Jersey SCBWI Chapter is asking authors and illustrators who want to present at our annual conference to fill out the form attached in this post to be considered.  You do not have to live in the state for be considered. 

Please check back for the form link later today.  I was not able to upload it to the New Jersey SCBWI website, due to server problems.  I know there are a lot of you who have been waiting for this information, so I decided to paste it into the blog.  Compensation is listed at the end and link at bottom.

New Jersey SCBWI 2012 Conference

Workshop/Intensive Proposal Application

All potential workshop and intensive presenters must submit a written proposal. We are interested in a variety of types of workshops/intensives, both lecture and hands-on.

Submit a separate form for each workshop/intensive you are proposing.

Conference Dates: June 8-10, 2012 2012 Conference Location: Wyndham Princeton

Proposal Due Date: November 15, 2011

We will strive to notify presenters by January 15, 2012

Submit Form to:

[email protected] - Subject: Conference Proposal Application 

Title of Workshop/Intensive: __________________________________

Circle one:

Workshop presentation (45 minutes) or Friday Pre-conference intensive (4 hours)

Name:___________________________________________________

Phone: __________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

Email: ___________________________________________________

Website: _________________________________________________

Will You Partner with Other Presenters for Your Workshop? ___________

If so, list their names, addresses, phone numbers,emails,and websites:

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Description (Please attach outline) of workshop in 150 words or less:______

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Title of Workshop/Intensive: __________________________________

Maximum number of workshop participants? ______________________

What will your workshop focus on?

Writing Illustrating Marketing Other ______________________________