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MoNkey 2 Monkey Blog

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Artist & Storyteller

Suzy Engelman Block
suspects we are all monkeys at heart.
She is always trying to access the monkey within...

Can't we all just get along?

SCBWI LA 2014 SUMMER CONFERENCE part 2

9/9/2014

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Conference Reflections Continued...
Part 2  The Editors' Panel
August 6, 2014
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Alessandra Balzer, Mary Lee Donovan, Allyn Johnston, Wendy Loggia, Lucia Monfried, Dinah Stevenson & Julie Strauss-Gabel ... *Photo credit SCBWI Team Blog
The Editors' Panel was of special interest to me as I am researching various publishing houses for the submission of my new picture book dummy.   Always enjoy these panels!  I like to hear actual voices and get a sense of these individuals as real people and the companies they represent.   

Lin Oliver moderated this panel of of 7 with the topic "3 + 3:   Three Things Your Book Should Include and Three Things your Book Should Avoid."
This is a smattering of the editors' words, phrases and comments...

DO be a smart storyteller.  Books need a voice.  Be fresh, unexpected, cause goosebumps.  Have an original point of view.   Is it a boy, girl, how old?  Perhaps the beginning should contain seeds of the end, or one could start with dialogue instead of narration.  Show, don't tell.  Have an interesting structure, a hook, a good middle arc and don't forget the final page turn.

DON'T waste editor's time by sending submissions arbitrarily.  All concurred...
There must be a 'fit' with the imprint or editor!   Do your research.  Page numbers, bottom right.  Don't be weird with submission tricks.  Don't be boring, non-engaging, voiceless and pedestrian with 10,000 words.  Don't teach or be predictable, overwhelming, familiar or humorless.

General publishers advice...Good storytelling comes from personal places.  Write your story.  Don't trend.  Listen to your inner ear.  K
now your audience.  Publishers like authenticity, thoughtfulness, unique elements, competence and confidence. School yourself in children's books.  Makes you a better editor of your own work before you send it to them!

Thanks to a great panel for their expert advice and reminders!

More conference reflections to come...
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SCBWI-LA  2014  summer  CONFERENCE!

9/2/2014

1 Comment

 
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Conference Reflection
Part 1
August  4, 2014

Hard to believe this year's 43rd SCBWI LA Annual Summer Conference has come and gone!  Both exhausting and exhilarating, it filled my heart and brain with energy and inspiration to get right back to work. 
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My '5 week art retreat prep' goal was twofold... #1... to prepare for the annual portfolio display where hundreds of illustration portfolios are presented at the Saturday night annual event.

The guest staff of editors, art directors and agents peruse the display tables before it opens up to the conference attendees.  There is actually a contest that  chooses the top portfolios as voted on by the staff.

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So my #2 goal was to get my website in shape to better represent myself as an artist and storyteller.  Hopefully, one of those views will turn into a gig!
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The list of keynote speakers were some of the top names in the children's publishing industry.  
The breakout workshop sessions had an amazing staff as well, with writers, illustrators, editors and agents all geared up to inform, excite,  and inspire.  Interesting to note that 1253 people were in attendance from 19 countries!
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That  goal was to peak interest in my work, enticing the viewer to take postcards!  Once they have a postcard, they will be directed to my updated website.
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The result of all my hard work was phenomenal!  Lots of interest and encouraging comments from the staff and attendees... with an upswing of visits to my website. 
To be continued...
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