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BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

USING MEDIATION FOR WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

Laurie Calkhoven will take you through a guided meditation, followed by free writing and/or sketching sessions, which will help you build a richer, deeper connection to your stories and your characters.

Whether you’re brainstorming new ideas, searching for the heart of your story, trying to conjure up a scene, working on a revision or your portfolio, or just getting to know your characters, meditation can help.

WHEN: Sunday, February 24, 2013 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: The Carriage House Kean University, Union, NJ

WHAT: Using Meditation for Writers & Illustrators with Laurie Calkhoven

COST: $95 (SCBWI Member) $115 (SCBWI Non-Member)

This event is open to all SCBWI and Non-SCBWI members.

SPACE IS LIMITED.

REGISTER EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT!

QUESTIONS? Contact ARA Sheri Perl Oshins

To register click this link

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Here is a useful article that was written by Laurie Calkhovan and published in Sprouts Magazine in 2010.

We all dream of getting published the “traditional” way. An editor falls in love with our manuscript, makes an offer, and the next thing we know, we’re holding a shiny new hardcover and inviting our friends to book signings. I wish that for everyone who writes a children’s book. But there are other ways to see your name in print, and one of them is by writing what I call “other peoples’ books.”

I have been making my living as a writer for nearly seven years. Of the forty books I’ve written,
only a handful bear my real name. Primarily, these are work-for-hire titles—books for which I’m paid a flat fee. I don’t own the copyright or collect a royalty.

I was shopping around my first novel when an editor who liked my work took a job at a children’s television network. When they needed a writer for a new book series, I “auditioned” for the role. I studied the company’s “bible” of character descriptions, setting, and basic storylines, wrote three chapters, and crossed my fingers.

I got the gig and quit my job with a contract to write one book, and an option to write three more. Unfortunately, the company lost interest in the series even before I finished the first book, but that was the beginning of my new career. I contacted editors and sent my resume to anyone I thought could help. I studied Publishers Weekly, Children’s Writer, and the SCBWI Bulletin looking for leads.

I billed myself as the writer of the first book in an exciting new series from the television company and hoped no one would ask about the book’s chances for publication.

PERSISTENCE IS KEY

With persistence and much follow up—I sent e-mails to editors every six to eight weeks—I
eventually landed jobs. The first was an assignment to write two friendship quiz books for the Scholastic Book Clubs. The second was from a different Scholastic division for nonfiction titles based on History Channel programming.

I used those titles to generate other assignments. I wrote three more nonfiction titles for Scholastic over the next year. When I read they had licensed the book rights to a number Nickelodeon TV shows, I lobbied for more. I eventually wrote fourteen media tie-in novels for the company.

I updated my resume with each title, and constantly networked to make new contacts and stayed in touch with old ones. I sent my friendship quiz books to American Girl, which led to The Family Quiz Book. Sterling Publishing hired me to write for their biography series on the basis on my History Channel titles, and my media tie-in novels led to Hannah Montana assignments from Disney.

GETTING STARTED
• Have a resume ready to go
• Play up your strengths
• Network
• Say ‘yes’ to projects that will help further your career
• Deliver what you promised and meet your deadlines

Laurie Calkhoven is part of our faculty at the June conference. She is contract 4 different workshops and is doing one-on-one critiques.
Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Here is a useful article that was written by Laurie Calkhovan and published in Sprouts Magazine in 2010.

We all dream of getting published the “traditional” way. An editor falls in love with our manuscript, makes an offer, and the next thing we know, we’re holding a shiny new hardcover and inviting our friends to book signings. I wish that for everyone who writes a children’s book. But there are other ways to see your name in print, and one of them is by writing what I call “other peoples’ books.”

I have been making my living as a writer for nearly seven years. Of the forty books I’ve written,
only a handful bear my real name. Primarily, these are work-for-hire titles—books for which I’m paid a flat fee. I don’t own the copyright or collect a royalty.

I was shopping around my first novel when an editor who liked my work took a job at a children’s television network. When they needed a writer for a new book series, I “auditioned” for the role. I studied the company’s “bible” of character descriptions, setting, and basic storylines, wrote three chapters, and crossed my fingers.

I got the gig and quit my job with a contract to write one book, and an option to write three more. Unfortunately, the company lost interest in the series even before I finished the first book, but that was the beginning of my new career. I contacted editors and sent my resume to anyone I thought could help. I studied Publishers Weekly, Children’s Writer, and the SCBWI Bulletin looking for leads.

I billed myself as the writer of the first book in an exciting new series from the television company and hoped no one would ask about the book’s chances for publication.

PERSISTENCE IS KEY

With persistence and much follow up—I sent e-mails to editors every six to eight weeks—I
eventually landed jobs. The first was an assignment to write two friendship quiz books for the Scholastic Book Clubs. The second was from a different Scholastic division for nonfiction titles based on History Channel programming.

I used those titles to generate other assignments. I wrote three more nonfiction titles for Scholastic over the next year. When I read they had licensed the book rights to a number Nickelodeon TV shows, I lobbied for more. I eventually wrote fourteen media tie-in novels for the company.

I updated my resume with each title, and constantly networked to make new contacts and stayed in touch with old ones. I sent my friendship quiz books to American Girl, which led to The Family Quiz Book. Sterling Publishing hired me to write for their biography series on the basis on my History Channel titles, and my media tie-in novels led to Hannah Montana assignments from Disney.

GETTING STARTED
• Have a resume ready to go
• Play up your strengths
• Network
• Say ‘yes’ to projects that will help further your career
• Deliver what you promised and meet your deadlines

Laurie Calkhoven is part of our faculty at the June conference. She is contract 4 different workshops and is doing one-on-one critiques.
Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

This is author Laurie Calkhoven.  She is the author of nearly 50 books for young readers. In addition to writing her own fiction, she has ghostwritten middle grade mysteries, authored TV tie-in novels, and contributed to many nonfiction series for children. Currently she is writing historical action/adventure novels for her own series, “Boys of Wartime”, published by Dutton Books for Young Readers.

You may recognize the name, because she is on this years faculty for our June Conference.  All her critique spots are completely taken, but you can still get into one of her many workshops she is conducting at the conference in June.  I can’t wait to hear what she has to say about building a career as a freelance writer. 

This Sunday, Feb. 12th, she will be signing her Book titled, I GREW UP TO BE PRESIDENT at Washington’s Headquarters at the Moland House – 1641 Old York Road, Hartville, PA  18974

This is your chance to create a family adventure, mix in some history, let the kids see Washington’s Headquarters first hand, while supporting your fellow authors.

New Jersey author Debbie Dadey will be joining her to sign her book WEREWOLVES DON”T RUN FOR PRESIDENT from her Bailey School Kids Series.  Debbie is not in the area the weekend of the conference, so she will not be available to come to the book fair.  This might be your only chance to get her books signed. 

Also, Debbie has a new book series, MERMAID TALES coming out on May 8th by Simon and Schuster.

Congratulations, Debbie!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

2 Comments on Weekend Book Signing, last added: 2/8/2012