Pre-Conference Kid Lit Drink Night!

Whether you're attending this weekend's annual conference or not, we'd like to invite you to help us kick off the weekend festivities at the pre-conference KID LIT DRINK NIGHT!

Anyone with an interest in children's literature is welcome to come and schmooze with children's book writers and illustrators (including some of the conference faculty!) in the Marriott’s Meritage Restaurant and Bar on Friday evening, April 20, starting at 7 p.m. We don’t know for sure who you’ll bump into (or what they’ll be doing!), but shake off any twinges of introversion (or bring along a friend of significant other for support if you like) and come out for what’s sure to be the perfect blend of mix and mingling.

This event will be held Friday night at the Marriott Redmond Town Center, conveniently located in the Redmond Town Center—Redmond's beautiful open air shopping center—just 14 miles from Seattle at 7401 164th Avenue NE, Redmond, Washington 98052. See you there!

2011 Conference Series- Faculty Q & A with Deborah Wiles

Happy Friday All! The pre-conference fun starts today! To add to the fun here's the last Faculty Q & A from our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference Faculty! Enjoy these answers from Keynote Speaker Deborah Wiles. Deborah will be our first keynote speaker on Saturday, and you can read her Conference Bio here.

What is the best and worst advice you were given when you started in children's literature?
Best advice: "Ignore any prohibitive thing and just write."
Worst: "That won't sell." (whatever "that" is)

What advice would you give now to others?
Ignore any prohibitive thing and just write.

What was your favorite book as a child? And now?
MR. DOG by Margaret Wise Brown. I wanted to belong to myself, like Crispins Crispian did. I'm still working on it.

Which authors/illustrators do you feel are most influencing current trends in children's literature?
I am so not qualified to answer this! In addition to ignoring any prohibitive thing, I'm keeping my head down in my own work.

As you know, those who are in children's literature tend to have lengthy discussions on the important topic of snacks (usually a baked good). What's your favorite snack?
Ha! I love clementines.

Attendees are often nervous to meet you at a conference. What, if anything, makes you nervous about being part of the faculty?
I want to do a good job and offer something meaningful that others can take away with them and put to good use in their own work.

What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
I like the freedom I have to create my life and work. That can also work against me, if I'm not careful.

What do you most want our attendees to know about you?
I'm shy by nature. Speaking scares me but I love it and do well, once I begin. Hugs help afterward when I'm standing there, dazed.

I can't wait to hear what Deborah has to share on Saturday! Hope to see you all tonight at the Pre-Conference Kid Lit Drink Night (you're invited whether you're attending the conference or not!).

2011 Conference Series- Faculty Q & A with Martha Mihalick

IT'S THURSDAY!! Has everyone packed? Have you brought your notebook to write down all the incredible things that you'll hear? Packed your cash and/or checks for the SCBWI store? Picked out a fun costume for the Dance Party?

Well, if haven't you've got one more day to get it done before our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference! If you have, then you can slowly sip your coffee & enjoy perusing the answers from the fabulous Martha Mihalick! Martha is part of our Editorial and Art Director Faculty. You can read her conference bio here.

What is the best and worst advice you were given when you started in publishing?

Best advice:

Never be afraid to ask a question.

Trust yourself and your taste.

What were your favorite books as a child? And now?

Too many to name! But particular favorites as a child were Tamora Pierce's SONG OF THE LIONESS QUARTET, MATILDA, BEAUTY, A WRINKLE IN TIME, and the DRINA BALLERINA series. I still love all of those (and many more!), but ones I’ve added more recently are Megan Whalen Turner's ATTOLIA books, CRISS CROSS, GRECELING, ST. LUCY'S HOME FOR GIRLS RAISED BY WOLVES, THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, and the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels.

If you hadn't gone into publishing, you might have been an....

I don’t know! But likely something that had to do with theatre in a backstage or script development way, or film editings always fascinated me. Not that I have any training in either of these things.

What's your favorite snack?

Do people really have just one favorite snack? Mine’s nearly anything chocolate or any baked good—as long as no cherries or raisins are involved!

What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?

I get paid to read and love and talk about books! I am never more challenged or fulfilled as when I’m elbow-deep in an edit. And I’m never more thrilled as when I get to call and make an offer!

What I like least? Having to say “no” a lot. That’s never fun.

Another great Q & A! Enjoy your last day before our Annual Conference! See you tomorrow at the Pre-Conference Kid Lit Drink Night (you don't have to be registered for the conference to attend!).