SCBWI Summer Conference 2017 Wrap Up: Attending the Pro Track for the First Time

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Helena Ku Rhee, Joy Preble, Laurie Halse Anderson, Linda Sue Park, Miranda Paul, Rubin Pfeffer, SCBWI Annual Summer Conference

By Helena Ku Rhee, Kite Tales Contributor

Lin Oliver, left, and Judy Blume chatting it up during the Golden Kite Luncheon & Awards Presentation.

As in years prior, SCBWI’s annual summer conference was spectacular. We laughed, we cried, and at the end, we were inspired to rush home to create good art. A highlight for me was attending the pro track for the first time. With my debut book coming out in 2018, I knew I could benefit from sessions such as Rubin Pfeffer’s “Be Empowered, Publishing is Your Business” and Linda Sue Park’s marketing overview.

I was amazed to be sitting in the pro sessions with industry veterans. Hello, Laurie Halse Anderson! My first thought was: After publishing 20+ books, don’t these veterans already know everything? And my second thought was: If such luminaries are here, maybe I don’t belong! But later on, I discovered that artists in all phases of their careers were in attendance – from the pre-published to the many-times-published. I have to admit, before I got my first book deal, I didn’t think I was allowed in the pro track so I never even thought to attend. But I admired the forward thinking of the aspirants in the audience.

Book Festivals and Conventions Happening in 2017

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Book Festivals, Book Fests, conferences, Conventions, SCBWI Annual Summer Conference, SCBWI Annual Winter Conference, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, Writer's and Illustrator's Day

A panel at the SCBWI Summer Conference 2016.

If you’re the type to make New Year’s resolutions, then your list probably includes goals like finishing that work in progress, launching a blog, or just plain writing or illustrating more often. While all of that will move you toward becoming published, consider adding “attend a book festival or convention” to your list, because nothing fuels inspiration like being surrounded by people who share your passion.

Here are the dates and information for SCBWI’s biggest annual events.

Central Coast Regional News, Fourth Quarter 2016

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Ann Cathleen Neumann, book talk online, CenCal Grant, CenCal Writers Retreat, Donald Maass, Drew Daywalt

by Ann Rousseau Smith, CenCal News Liaison

SCBWI Summer Conference 2016

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2016 Summer Conference staff, Alvina Ling, Editor's Panel, Kat Brzozowski, Kate Sullivan, Kim Wildman, Lin Oliver, Matt Ringler, Melissa Manlove, Neal Porter, Nutschell Windsor, Reka Simonsen, Sally Jones Rogan, Sara Sargent, Stacey Barney

by Christine Van Zandt

Inspiration, education, and conversation  The SCBWI’s 45^th Annual Summer Conference was held at the beautiful, centrally located Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. With almost 1,000 attendees representing 48 states and 15 countries, from the first moment it was apparent that this was the place for a children’s writer or illustrator to be.

Author’s Perspective: Interview with Shannon Hale

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chapter book, middle grade, Princess in Black, Shannon Hale

New York Times best-selling author Shannon Hale (and SCBWI member) has published more than 20 children’s books. Her third Princess in Black book was released earlier this month; this middle-grade chapter book is part of Hale’s latest series.

CHRISTINE VAN ZANDT: Welcome! How long have you been writing books?

SCBWI Summer Conference By Julia Markovich

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conferences, SCBWI events, SCBWI members

“In Reverence of Resonance”

At the 44^th Annual SCBWI Summer Conference, the esteemed Mem Fox, Queen of children’s storybooks, told us that there are really only two themes in all of literature: the “Quest” and the “Stranger Comes to Town.” As a first-time conference goer, I certainly felt like the ‘stranger come to town’ as I navigated my way through the biggest Summer Conference to date – a whopping 1,173 people attending from 19 countries (including France, Japan, Spain and Bangladesh!) and 48 states represented. But with over 400 “pre-published” new attendees just like me, I knew I wouldn’t be alone for long.