September 16th I attended the Inland NW SCBWI
Conference: Plotting Your Course. This makes the ninth time I’ve attended this regional
conference in Spokane, Washington and I’ve never regretted a single trip. Why? It’s
a combination of things, I think.
The INW region has a great core group who put on this
conference. Most may live in or close to Spokane, naturally, but they have
never made those of us from further away feel like shirttail relatives. They
are a welcoming group, a sharing group. A group who are always looking to give
participants the best possible opportunities to learn and grow as writers.
This conference is smaller, more intimate than many others.
With fewer people, it’s easier to catchup with old friends while still leaving time
to make new ones. Finding an opportunity to briefly chat with one or more of
the faculty is also more likely. And there’s something to be said for the lower
stress of a one-day schedule that takes place in one room. Sometimes it’s nice
not to have to remember what topic you picked for which of multiple breakout
sessions or not worry about finding the right rooms.
Yet even a one-day schedule can be packed. There were four
main presentations, two table-talk sessions (each with a choice of 4 topics),
two panel discussions, and even a short first pages critique session filling
our day. The topics were industry current, highly informative, and had
something for both the newbies and the more seasoned crowd. To give you an
idea, here’s a glimpse at the main faculty presentations.
Jennifer Mattson, agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency,
opened her talk by assuring us that despite the gloom mongers, juvenile sales
are up. She then gave us an overview of the five big categories in juveniles, defining
their characteristics (as well as noting some current changes in those), and
then touching on the “ever-green” types of stories that sell best in each.
Agent John Rudolph, from Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret, shared
his insights into how to hook a children’s book agent. His Big Three: Exciting
Plot, Original Characters, and Unique Voice. He elaborated on those in
reference to the three categories he represents (Young Adult, Middle Grade, and
Picture Books) and closed with tips on query letters and elevator pitches. John
admitted up front that his talk would be based on his personal likes and
dislikes, but as the “seasoned crowd” could affirm, there was ample universal
truth in those.
Miriam Newman, Associate Editor with Candlewick Press, gave
us an insider’s look at the revision process once a book gains an editor’s
attention. From the back and forth of “Big Picture” structural revisions down
to the final rounds of copy editing, it can be a very long voyage, but the
destination is always to make the resulting book the very best it can be.
Miriam also shared an important caveat, one that might be hard to follow when
offered your first book deal. Be honest, if the feedback you get doesn’t meet
your ultimate vision for the work, thank them and say you feel your visions
differ, and then move on.
Author Amber Keyer (The Way Back from Broken; Pointe, Claw) spoke
from a naked heart in her key-note address: Staying the Course in All Kinds of
Weather. Pulling from her own life journey as it became her publication journey,
Amber’s story was both gut-wrenching and up-lifting. The emotions in the room
were palpable as we relived the events she shared. Nevertheless there were at
least two very positive things I took away from this talk. Why write? Because there
are stories that demand to be written, even those that come from our pain. And how
do we keep on writing? By surrounding ourselves with a supportive family and
the caring friendship of other writers.
Okay, now you’ve seen what a smaller conference can offer.
What’s that? You’re still not sure it will suit you? No worries. That merely insures
it will stay just the right size for the rest of us.
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