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May 02, 2007
Seattle SCBWI Conference
Co-Regional Advisors, Jolie Stekly and Sara Easterly, along with the SCBWI-Western Washington Ad Com posse outdid themselves this past Saturday. Over 400 writers descended upon the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue to spend a day soaking up rays of writing sunshine.
The day started with a good news panel, featuring newly published writer Shannon Riggs who first attended a conference two years ago. At that time, she was agonizing over the decision of whether to keep writing when she found out she was the winner of the grand prize drawing -- free admission to the conference the following year. She took that as a sign to keep writing and we're glad she did: her first book, Not in Room 204, is just out!
The day overflowed with inspiration, information and honesty. Agent Linda Pratt (Sheldon Fogelman Agency) pointed out that "blogging is not writing." (I hope she's not reading this right now!) Stacy Graham O'Connell, Associate Editor, Walter Lorraine Books, shared the story that in its first year Curious George sold only 4000 copies. She says writing takes imagination. . .and patience.
In an insightful first pages session, editors Deborah Noyes Wayshak (Candlewick) and Abigail Samoun (Tricycle Press) reminded writers to "serve the master of story rather than the master of rhyme."
Paul Zelinsky made me feel guilty for all the refrigerator magnets I've thrown away in my life as he shared how he created the art for The Shivers in the Fridge, by Fran Manushkin.
The good news was that agents and editors alike sounded hopeful about the picture book market. And over and over again, we were challenged to write our own stories, to start our own trends.
The incomparable Bruce Coville gave the closing keynote, which involved demonstrating that a writer can make anything -- even dropping a book in a mud puddle -- full of tension and excitement. While he didn't dance on tabletops, he did climb up on one! His passion and enthusiasm sent us all on our way, awfully glad we were writers and ready to get back to work.
I don't know what's lined up for next year's conference, except that it will be two days, April 26-27. I'd plan to be there, if I were you!
Posted by kirby at May 2, 2007 08:24 AM
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Comments
Thanks so much for the update, Kirby! I missed going to the conference this year, so it was good to get the early summary from you. I have to say that some of the sparkle of this year's conference disappeared for me since you weren't doing manuscript reviews. :) I've loved having you look at my manuscripts at the previous two SCBWI conferences, and your encouragement about my writing has helped to keep me going in between conferences. This year, I'll just have to find another way to get my Kirby fix!
Posted by: Holly Huckeba at May 2, 2007 11:40 AM