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Last week I had dinner in NYC with Agent John Cusick from the S©ott Treimel NY Literary Agency. He told me about the live Webinar he is doing with Writer’s Digest on August 9th at 1pm. It is titled, Writing and Selling Sci-Fi & Fantasy for Kids and Teens. Since this is a hot genre and the fact that John did a fabulous job with the workshops he ran in June, I thought I would pass this information on to all of you Sci-Fi/Fantasy authors.

Event Date: Thursday, August 9, 2012
Event Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost $89

Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation. In all WD webinars, no question goes unanswered. Attendees have the ability to chat with the instructor during the live event and ask questions. You will receive a copy of the webinar presentation in an e-mail that goes out one week after the live event. The answers to questions not covered in the live presentation will be included in this e-mail as well.

ABOUT THE CRITIQUE

All registrants are invited to submit a query letter for their novel. Every query is guaranteed a written critique by instructor John M. Cusick within 60 days of receipt. John reserves the right to request manuscripts or sample chapters from attendees by e-mail following the event.

ABOUT THE WEBINAR

Young adult and middle grade are two of the fastest growing and most robust fiction genres in publishing. These juvenile categories have a tradition of fantasy and sci-fi narratives that continues today with wizards, vampires, and clockwork princesses. The young adult and middle grade markets are rich with imaginative and fantastical stories, worlds, and characters.

What makes some stories stand out, and others unsuccessful, cliché, or—worst of all—left buried in the slush pile? How can you refine your craft to create novels at once lasting and fresh? How does writing for kids and teens differ from writing for adults? How can you capture the attention of an agent in this rich and extremely competitive market? In other words, how can you give your story the best chance to get published?

In this webinar, John M. Cusick will answer these questions and more, using his experience as a literary agent, author, and editor to explore the art and business of writing. This invaluable course with an industry insider will help authors open new doors in their craft and career.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

•How to write for young people—capturing the voice, narration, story, and style
•How to use tropes, myths, and archetypal story structures to create striking, unforgettable fantasy & sci-fi tales
•How to craft detailed, unique, engrossing worlds, full of history and depth
•How to bring to life layered and compelling heroes, anti-heroes, villains, and antagonists
•How to avoid cliché and trend-chasing, and create wholly fresh, standout novels
•How to win the interest of an agent in this competitive market.

INSTRUCTOR

John M. Cusick knows the business from both sides, as a literary agent for young adult and middle grade fiction at Scott Treimel NY, and as a young adult author. His debut novel, Girl Parts, was published by Candlewick Press in 2010, and his much-anticipated follow-up, Cherry Money Baby, is slated for 2013. His clients include debut novelists and veteran authors. John has lectured for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the Writers’ League of Texas, and for Utah’s Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. His pieces on writing for teens have appeared in Writer’s Market, The New Inquiry, and on mu

For the last three years we have held dinners during June, July and August with the editors, agents, and art directors in the children’s publishing industry at various nice restaurants in New York City.  These dinners are open to any SCBWI member.  Since writers visit NYC to meet with their publishers and also visit the city with their families, we have had members from Australia, Canada, and from all over the US, join us.

Over the years I have made friends with many editors and agents and enjoy their company so much that I was inviting them out to dinner, just for fun. That’s when I thought I should open this up to writers and illustrators to help them get to know the wonderful people in our industry.

The dinners run around $130 - nice restuarants with private rooms cost a good amount of money in NYC.  I’d like to say we make money on these dinner, but our goal is to break even at the end of the night. 

So what do we do at these dinners?  Is there a workshop or program before or after the dinners?

The dinners are just a way to make friends and network with the editors and agents invited.  They are set up to provide some time before dinner for everyone to mingle and socialize, then once we sat down and have orders, we go around the table and introduce ourselves.  Each person talks a few minutes about what they are working on and their industry goals.  The rest of dinner is getting to know the editors and/or agents seated next to you.  We switch the editors/agents around when it is time for dessert, to maximize your interaction with them.

No one brings a manuscript or book dummy to the dinner.  Illustrators can bring a postcard to give to the editors or agents and they can bring a small portfolio, but they can only show it after dinner if they are asked by and editor or agent to see it.

Already this year, members are asking me if we are going to do the dinners again this summer.  So with the New York City SCBWI’s approval, we are going to have a few Networking Dinners again this year.  I have not set up the restaurants, so the prices are also not set up.  I have sent out the dates to the editors and agents, so I have listed the dates below, in case you want to mark your calendars.

Space is limited, since only two people can attend for each industry professional.  Plus, we are also having less dinners this year.

Here are the dates and the editors/agents, so far, who have committed to a date:

June 26th – Agent Melissa Sarver – Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency

July 24th – Agent John Cusick – Scott Treimel Literary Agency

July 25th – Agent Sean McCarthy – Sheldon Folgeman Literary Agency

Aug. 14th – Editor Heather Alexander from Dial BFYR

If you know you want to attend a dinner on a certain date, you can e-mail me to get on the list, now.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy