2011 Conference Series- Faculty Q & A with Lin Oliver

One week! One week! I can't believe we are so close to our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference!! We have a few more Faculty Q & A's to share, and with the week's countdown it seems only right to share Lin Oliver's answers. Lin is the SCBWI co-founder, and one of our Distinguished Faculty member. You can read her conference bio here. Lin has a wonderful sense of humor (as you'll see).

If you hadn't become a writer and formed the SCBWI, you might have been an....
Earring designer or a potter.

What is the best and worst advice you were given when you started in children's literature?
The best advice is: Approach writing the way you jump into the ocean. Be prepared to splash around and make merry! (E.B. White)

And the worst advice is: Write what you know. I think you should write what you wonder about. You already know what you know.

What were your favorite books as a child? And now?
My favorite books as a child were the LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRARIE SERIES. How I loved Pa. Also WINNIE THE POOH. (I still have a thinking place, just like Pooh did.) As a teen, I loved FIFTEEN by Beverly Cleary, and all the books of Max Shulman (THE MANY LIVES OF DOBIE GILLIS), and of course, CATCHER IN THE RYE. My favorite books now are JANE ERYE, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, CHARLOTTE'S WEB, and anything with a horny vicar.

What do you most want our attendees to know about you?
That I have a secret crush on flirty vicars? No, really. That I feel incredibly lucky to be involved with children’s book creators. It is the best peer group in the world. I can think of no other group I’d more like to be a part of.

What are you most anticipating about being part of the 2011 SCBWI faculty?
Talking to everyone there and asking personal questions. I love to get the true scoop on all attendees.

What's your favorite snack?
Oh, tuna melts. Wait, that’s a meal not a snack. So then I guess I’d have to say those little baby drumsticks with chocolate at the bottom of the cone that come ten to a pack. Cookie dough flavor, please.

What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
I love the people I get to work with (children’s book folk) and I love that I get to exercise creativity every day. That is never to be under-estimated. What do I like least? That’s easy. Getting up in the morning. I would like all jobs to begin at noon, which coincides with my own peculiar circadian rhythm.

Fun answers from Lin! Make sure you visit the event website to get your name on the waiting list (registration is full).

2011 Conference Series- Faculty Q & A with Brent Hartinger

The 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference is right around the corner (a good reason for a mid-week dance of joy!). We've still got so much to share about our faculty, events, and more (more celebratory dancing!). Here's an Faculty Q & A with Distinguished Faculty member Brent Hartinger. You can check out his conference bio here if you missed it.

What is the best and worst advice you were given when you started in children's literature?
Oh, the worst advice was probably also the best: "Relax! Don't worry about reviews or sales or anything. Everything will be what it will be!"

It's absolutely the right advice. Writers should try as much as possible to focus on the craft and the project they're working on, and ignore the ups and downs of the marketplace and the mixed signals your publisher might be giving you at various times in your career -- all of which you really ultimately have very little control over, so what's the point in worrying about it anyway? It's like worrying about the weather: wasted energy.

That said, for me anyway, it was simply impossible NOT to worry about it, even obsess about it, with my first few books. For the record, this is why so many authors are so miserable, despite being published!

I'm much better now -- I make a conscious point to avoid all the "marketplace" stuff as much as possible. But it's always a struggle.

What advice would you give now to others?
Well, this will sound like I'm contradicting my first answer, but I'm not: in addition to learning the craft, learn the business of publishing. Work in a bookstore or publishing house or library, go to conferences, take classes. Absorb all the information you can.

Look, here's the truth: a career as a published author is extraordinarily difficult and very, very stressful. The competition is insane -- and it's a contracting industry to boot.

So I'm a big believer in doing everything you can to avoid all those rookie mistakes that we all make at first, before we learn the unwritten rules of the industry and the marketplace. Basically, there's already so much rejection and heartache -- why invite even more on yourself by doing things that are basically certain to fail?

What was your favorite book as a child? And now?
I loved THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (by C.S. Lewis) and THE GREAT BRAIN books (by John D. Fitzgerald). And I might say they're still my favorite books! They don't just get any better than that, and I still examine them regularly to try to figure out why and how the storytelling is so damn good.

Which authors/illustrators do you feel are most influencing current trends in children's literature genre?
This is a fascinating question, and I'm sure all the bestsellers and award-winners are creating and influential the trends. Or are they? I guess when push comes to shove, I'd say that "trends" are sort of out of the control of individual authors: they happen (for WHATEVER reason), and sometimes we authors are lucky enough to take advantage of them, either by writing the right book at exactly the right time (which starts a new trend), or by writing a book that sort of taps into an existing trend.

I've actually done both these things, and it's a heady thing. But did I plan it? I wish I could say I did, but I think I was just lucky. Because other times I've tried to predict or start a new trend -- and fallen flat on my face.

I think we authors are flattering ourselves if we say we "created" a trend. Ultimately storytelling is all reinvention -- and random chance. I'm quoting William Goldman, who first said it about screenwriting, but ... "no one knows anything." It's sadly true.

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?
It's my opinion that the best food of all time -- not just the best snack! -- is popcorn. But I don't even want to be within a 50-mile radius of that microwave stuff, which I think is way over-salted, stale, and dreadful. Popcorn simply has to be popped in oil in an actual popper.

Attendees are often nervous to meet you at a conference. What, if anything, makes you nervous about being part of the faculty?
Ha! I'm never nervous if someone asks me what I think makes a good book or story -- maybe I'm deluding myself, but I think I know what I'm talking about there and actually have something worthwhile to say, an angle you don't usually hear from most other creative writing teachers (plot is my forte, something I think is too often slighted).

But ask me what will win awards or make the best-seller list? That makes me nervous, because I have absolutely no idea whatsoever. (For the record, I don't think anyone else does either. And if this is the primary reason why you're writing, you're in the business for the wrong reason.)

What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
It all boils down to the writing, which I love, and the feedback from readers who are so incredibly generous. Basically, the rest of it I could take or leave -- especially the traveling, which is exciting the first few times you do it, but then gets really old really fast.

What do you most want our attendees to know about you?
That I'm generally, well, an open book. I've been teaching creative writing for years (at Tacoma's School of the Arts, the Masters in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College, and many other places (many of my students have gone on to be published very successfully). I don't teach for the money (truthfully, I make more money doing actual writing), but because I enjoy it, and I genuinely think I have something to say.

Great answers from Brent! You can learn more about Brent, and his work at his website.

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Rollin Thomas

Happy April!!! In two weeks from now we'll all be enjoying the 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference! I'm so excited for the incredible faculty, the creativity in our conference planning (dance party anyone?), and time to be with fellow SCBWI WWA members. Speaking of faculty, and fellow members, we have one more Distinguished Faculty to introduce; Rollin Thomas!

Rollin is an artist, designer, author, playwright, and educator. He has designed for over 240 theatrical productions including operas, musicals, plays, puppets, and festivals. Rollin has written/adapted over thirty plays for elementary school performances, creates books for children and teaches a course in creating and illustrating for children. He also has over twenty-nine years of teaching arts and design at all levels.

As an added bonus (since we're getting SO close to our conference) I've included two illustrations that Rollin has done, and also his Faculty Q & A. He has some wonderful answers (the last one is my favorite). Enjoy reading Rollin's responses!

What is the best and worst advice you were given when you started in children's literature?

“After you have written and illustrated the best story you can, it is a numbers game and every ‘no’ is just that much closer to a ‘yes,’ so persevere. Oh,” she said, “and join SCBWI.”

What advice would you now give someone starting out in children's literature?

Same advice I received and that we get what we aim for, so aim high, and believe in yourself to keep persevering.

Where do you do your best work?

Wherever I am but I do my best work when I am consciously creating for people I love.

What are you most looking forward to about being part of the 2011 SCBWI WWA faculty?

I really look forward to being with my friends and meeting new ones—that and going dancing this year—but I don’t have to be on the faculty to go to the dance.

Attendees are often nervous to meet faculty at a conference. What, if anything, makes you nervous about being part of the faculty?

Meeting the faculty— kidding. Being certain to help and not harm new writers and illustrators and a few old ones. I believe we all have something to give and I want to help people learn to give their gift well, so many can receive it.

What do you like most about your job?

Which one? My job as a writer, illustrator, teacher, set designer, puppet designer, playwright, fine artist, or whatever job I am doing in the moment? Oh, that job. I love creating things for children, quite selfishly to see their eyes light up and smiles cross their faces. In the end, I really create things to entertain myself or someone I have in mind. My favorite question to answer is, “You really did that?” And the answer is always the same, “You can too if you give it a try.”

What do you like least?

Not working. I get anxious and restless and very unhappy. So to create for me is to live.

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

In the category of longest set-up & question—shortest answer:

Chocolate.

What was your favorite book as a child? And now?

Favorite picture book was anything by Dr. Seuss but it started with MCGILLIGOT'S POOL for Christmas when I was six (published just two months before I was born). I began drawing in earnest, noodling away the hours creating Dr. Seussian worlds, funny houses and towns and strange creatures and contraptions. When I graduated to middle grade reading it was DAVID AND THE PHOENIX by Edward Ormandroyd. The first novel I read it in one sitting but I was such a slow reader then and it took me all day. Both books were pivotal adventures that lifted me away from my own world but started me on reading more. To me, any book that lifts me away is my favorite book while reading it.

Which authors/illustrators are most influencing current trends in children's literature genre, for better or for worse?
I can only speak to picture books and the over all quality is raising the bar. There is a staggering array of very talented creators being published. Worse will take care of itself because it does not last long, but for better, three people come to mind (though there are so many others) as being innovative and perhaps starting new trends or more accurately being excellent examples of our craft:

Mo Willems for his expanding Elephant & Piggie book series. Like little early reader graphic novels. While he is not the first with this idea, he is the first with a series that is trimmed down to strong emotions, simple backgrounds, and only what hand props or clothes are needed. His simplicity succeeds for me.

I really like the work of Oliver Jeffers such as THE INCREDIBLE BOOK EATING BOY and each of the books that have come after that. His spare almost European style has a nice appeal, what we need to see, we can see right away in his well composed images. He has a fun use of supportive collage for the book mentioned above but he uses media choices to fit each book.

And lastly, I really like the work of our local SCBWI’s Paul Schmid because he too uses great emotion in his characters, simple—only what is needed backgrounds and fun color. His stories are so very accessible for all readers. Check out his work in A PET FOR PETUNIA.

In all three cases, there is a wonderful use of age appropriate humor and each story is a read-it-again kind of story with wit, compassion, and discovery. They are a move away from heavily illustrated books, a move toward visually easy to read images that are actually helping the young readers to read both words and pictures. Good use of type and overall design only helps to enhance this effect. And the drawing style of their characters can be emulated by children. This is not to diminish the place for the page filled with visual opulence, saturated color, details to delight the eye, and beautifully painted characters, but simplicity might be the new trend and as a bonus, these books will translate well to electronic media.

Rollin's blog is a fun place to visit, and it even has one of the non-plotted story structures (Rollin's talk at the conference) on there to try out (good pre-conference activity). He's also rebuilding his website, so we can look forward to seeing what he has in the future! Thanks Rollin for sending the illustrations! They are perfect for Spring! Make sure you visit the event website if you haven't gotten your name on the waiting list for the conference (registration is full).

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Jim Whiting

Just a few more days left in March! Which means we're getting that much closer to our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference! It's time to introduce another wonderful faculty member who is part of our Distinguished Faculty; Author Jim Whiting. Not only is Jim an author, but he has also been a journalist, editor, and photographer for more than 30 years. He has written and edited about 200 nonfiction children s books. He covers a huge range of subjects; from authors to zoologists.

Jim worked a seventeen year stint publishing Northwest Runner (a regional running magazing) and is the founder, and head couch for the Bainbridge Blazers Cross Country Club, a youth running program. Jim also offers editing services (you can see some great recommendations on his website), and does school visits.

Jim has a bio on the Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library webpage, and the fun quote below is from an article on the Kitsap Sun page.

Whiting's work also makes him "one popular guy at parties." That is, if you don't mind listening to a guy describe the training habits of cage fighters or how childbirth was carried out in Hungary, circa 1860.

A fun fact about Jim is that he ran a marathon in Greece over the original course from the Plain of Marathon to downtown Athens. Jim is also co-leading the Nonfiction Intensive at our upcoming conference (along with Editor Lionel Bender). You can find out more information about Jim, and his work, on his website (he has some Fun 'n Fascinating Facts section posted).

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Jesse Joshua Watson

Each day we're getting closer to our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference! We still have more AMAZING Faculty to tell you about!! Next up is one of our Distinguished Faculty; Jesse Joshua Watson. Jesse Joshua Watson is an award winning, NY Times Bestselling illustrator and author; some of his books include HOPE FOR HAITI, MARCELO, and he's illustrated CHESS RUMBLE, and the HANK ZIPZER series (among others). He also teaches art to kids, and exhibits fine art (Jesse's artwork has been displayed in galleries, cafes, clubs and a museum).

Here's a Q & A from an interview on Lee & Low Books with Jesse and Tony Medina on their book I AND I BOB MARLEY.

Jesse, are there particular challenges to illustrating a book largely about music – translating or connecting something auditory to something visual?

JJW: Yes, there is a challenge that comes with visually depicting somebody we are all used to hearing. When you get a likeness of a person down but miss the spirit of that person, the work feels hollow. I need to paint to encompass the musician, bringing the spirit of his or her music and message to the canvas. The image then begins to look like that musician and also becomes him or her. I see my duty as being similar to a shaman’s, in a way. I take a piece of art and I give it a heartbeat. If I do my job well, the viewer will hear the music coming from the painting. It dances. It has life within. This is maybe my highest calling as an artist.

The Children's Book Review has a video of Jesse sharing about his book HOPE FOR HAITI (it's a great piece to check out!). You can find out more information about Jesse, and his work on both his website and his blog. A fun fact about Jesse is that he shares on his website bio is that he is "infatuated with growing bamboo".

Since the registration is full, make sure you visit the SCBWI WWA's event website to get your name on the conference waiting list.

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Jolie Stekly

The 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating Conference is just around the corner!!! Although the event is full, you can still get your name on the waiting list. One reason I'm so excited is because we have the most amazing faculty! The talent, experience, and all-around-awesomeness is overwhelming! Another one of those super stars is our own Jolie Stekly.

Jolie is a writer, mom, and former elementary teacher (she writes mostly YA). She is the Retreat Director for our annual fall retreat for Writers-Weekend on the Water, and also writes for SCBWI Team Blog. Jolie was the co-regional advisor for our SCWBI WWA region from 2006-2009. She is represented by Rosemary Stimola (who I found out also represents Suzanne Collins).

I first heard Jolie speak at the Conference Orientation for First-Time Attendees at last year's annual conference. I'd never been to the annual conference (and was still relatively new to SCBWI). I wasn't sure what to expect, and was a little nervous, but after listening to Jolie share her first time conference experience, and go through the weekend's events, I was so excited for the conference! Jolie is empathetic, energetic, and encouraging; which really sets the tone for the entire weekend. She really encouraged us to get to know the other attendees, and that turned out to be my favorite part of the conference.

Her blog, Cuppa Jolie, is a great blog to follow! Jolie has a wonderful regular post called Monday Moments, which she started in January 2009 (she's on post #110). Monday Moments are writing prompts for works-in-progress. They are questions that come from Jolie's experiences, are very useful writing post/tool if you're working on developing your characters.

So if you're a First Time Attendee attending the annual conference, make SURE you attend the Conference Orientation session (which Jolie organizes). Check out her blog, and you can also follow her on Twitter. You can also get your name on the conference waiting list by visit the event website.

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Rosanne Parry

Registration is full for our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference, but the wait list is open! Go to the event website and get on the waiting list asap! And to give you that little bit of extra motivation, we're going to introduce another one of our very talented Distinguished Faculty; Author Rosanne Parry.

Rosanne has written a picture book, and two novels; including SECOND FIDDLE; her newest book that is coming out March 22. Here's what Rosanne says about her newest book:

It’s a girls road trip adventure set in Berlin at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was great fun to write and should strike a chord with anyone who has ever loved making music with their friends.

She has also written short stories, newspaper, and magazine articles. She is a member of the Class of 2K9.

Here's an interview from Boys Read Boys Rule, and an article on novel revision on Darcy Pattison's blog. Here's a little preview of that article (definitely worth a read):

Sometimes good revision means writing a scene you know you’ll never use

You can find out more about Rosanne (including some fun facts: she can play the violin, and juggle), and her work on her website.

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Lin Oliver

Just a few spots left for our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference!! We have more staff to highlight (and starting soon you'll see interviews with these fantabulous faculty). One of our Distinguished Faculty stands a little bit above the rest, because she's part of the reason SCBWI exists!! Lin Oliver is not only an author, but also just happens to be the Executive Director for SCBWI International.

Lin started SCBWI when she was writing educational books for children. She and fellow writer Steve Mooser hadn't written for children before, so they decided to go to a conference to learn more. Fortunately for all of us, there wasn't one, so they started their own, and in 1971 SCBWI was born (and now has over 22,000 members!)

After writing educational books, Lin worked as Senior VP of Television and Home Video at MCA/Universal. Lin now has her own production company, (Lin Oliver Productions), and most of her projects are based on children’s books (including the animated feature of E.B. White’s The TRUMPET of the SWAN, and the Showtime Family Film, FINDING BUCK MCHENRY, based on Alfred Slote's book, which was nominated for an Emmy).

In addition, she is a NY Times Bestselling author of the WHO SHRUNK DANIEL FUNK? series, as well as the HANK ZIPZER Series (co-written with Henry Winkler). I found a fun youtube video where Lin and Henry Winkler talk about the HANK ZIPZER series.

Here's a Q & A from an SCBWI Interview by Anna Olswanger.

How can members best take advantage of SCBWI?

The most important thing they can do is to participate. If they attend the conferences, contribute to the newsletters, participate in the critique groups, if they make friends and continue to stay in touch with their friends, there is no way that they can't benefit. It's like everything else in life. The more you put in, the more you get back.

Lin has a very interactive, kid & adult friendly, fun website you need to check out (the 20 Oddball facts are pretty fun)! If you haven't registered for the conference, get to the event website asap!

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Deb Lund

If you haven't yet registered for the 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference...you'd better go register here at the event website (right after you read this post), because there are just a few spots left!!! And to entice you just a little more...here's another one of our FANTASTIC distinguished faculty; Author Deb Lund.

Deb has written four books including; TELL ME MY STORY, MAMA; which Publishers Weekly says in it's starred review: "The shelf of new baby books may be crowded, but it's well worth making room for this graceful, gently funny entry."

Deb is a former music and classroom teacher, as well as a librarian, and founding director of a home-school support program. She has led workshops at the Orcas Island Writers Festival, and will be presenting at The Whidbey Island Writers Conference, The SCBWI Oregon Spring Conference, and of our course our SCBWI WWA Annual Conference.

Here's a Q & A from an interview with Deb on the Check It Out blog.

Writing the first draft or revising? Which is your favorite?

There’s great energy around first drafts for me – nonstop spewing onto paper – but I love rearranging the pieces, as if there’s only one best way to put together a story’s puzzle.

Read more about Deb here on Sidelights, and you can find out more information on Deb's website and blog. A fun fact about Deb is that is when she was a 5th grader she had a poem published in a book of student writing called WONDER WRITERS.

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Victoria Jamieson

Only a few days left in February! That means spring is just around the corner, and just a bit longer until our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference!! We still have many more incredible faculty to showcase, and one of those is a member of our Distinguished Faculty; Author/Illustrator Victoria Jamieson.

Victoria has worked as a designer for HarperCollins, and Greenwillow Books creating interiors and covers for both picture books and novels. She now works full time as an artist. Her first book was BEA ROCKS THE FLOCK, and she has two more books schedule to come out; OLYMPIG! (out in 2012), and BUG MUSICAL (comes out in 2013).

Here's a Q & A from 20 Questions post with Victoria Jamieson on Author Jane Heinrich's blog.

Which illustrators or artists do you admire the most? Why?

Oh, goodness. Mo Willems' books are genius, pure and simple. I never get tired of that pigeon. I also have a copy of Peter Brown's The Curious Garden next to my drawing table. That book is so beautiful it makes me almost physically sick (that's a compliment). It has such a subdued, beautiful color palette. I also love No, David! by David Shannon- another deceptively simple tale, but that always gives me goosebumps by the end. And Beverly Cleary depicts childhood with such stunning honesty. And, and, and...!

I also found this article written by Victoria on the Greenwillow Books Alumni Association Report (it shows a progression of her work on one of her book covers). You can find out more information on Victoria, and her work at her website. You can also follow her Illustration blog (with great artwork, and a fun post about Neil Diamond), and see more of her work on her Book & Graphic Design blog. A random fact about Victoria is that she once worked as a portrait artist for a Carnival Cruise ship.

For more information about the conference, and to register visit the event website.

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Brent Hartinger

Happy Wednesday fellow SCBWI WWA members! It's time to meet another one of our Distinguished Faculty for our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference; Author (and Playwright) Brent Hartinger. Brent has sold eight novels; including GEOGRAPHY CLUB; a novel about a secret high school gay-straight alliance.

Besides books, he writes screenplays, published articles, essays, short stories, newspaper columns, cartoons, and even greeting cards. Brent also teaches writing; you can follow him on Twitter (and get his patented Daily Writing Tips). He also occasionally joins the faculty at Vermont College in the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Here's a Q & A question from a Writer's Digest Interview with Brent;

What is the most rewarding part of writing for the YA audience?
It is absolutely the response I get, which is just so honest and sincere and rewarding. I think adults are far less likely to really get excited about something. … For a teenager, it's an immediate, visceral thing, and the response is often so passionate and so emotional.

Here's another Interview to check out on Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Something to know about Brent is that his second great love is the theatre. You can find out more information about Brent, and his work on his website, and his blog.

For more information about the conference, and to register visit the event website.

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Kevin Emerson

Time to introduce another one of our 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference Distinguished Faculty members; Author Kevin Emerson. Kevin is the author of the OLIVER NOCTURNE books and CARLOS IS GONNA GET IT. He also writes songs and sings in Seattle band Central Services, and their kids' music counterpart, The Board of Education. A former elementary school science teacher, Kevin continues to work with kids and teens at 826 Seattle and teaches through the Writers in Schools program.

Here's a question/answer from an Interview on TRT Book Club.

A group of teens ask you the best way to become a published writer. How do you answer the question?

I would tell them to keep writing, start every new idea, don’t worry about finishing them all. And as they write something, to imagine who they are writing for. If you imagine other teens reading your work, then show it to other teens. Be the coolest writer among all your friends, then your class, then your town, and so on and so forth. Also, seek out some criticism early, but not too much, and look to the books you love for inspiration.

You can find out more information about Kevin, and his work on his website. An interesting fact about Kevin is that he spent a semester in Kenya studying wildlife biology and conservation.

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Sara Easterly

We've been focusing on Keynote Speakers, Agent Faculty, and Editorial & Art Director Faculty, but we'd like to introduce some of our incredible other Distinguished Faculty. First up is Sara Easterly, who is an author and publicist, and many of you know her as the former SCBWI WWA co-Regional Advisor.

Sara's first children’s book was LIGHTS, CAMERA, FASHION! for ArtLab: Fashion Studio, and was illustrated by fellow SCBWI WWA member Jaime Temairik. Additionally, Sara has published several magazine articles and is currently writing a middle-grade/tween graphic novel series that she's working on with Jaime.

An author publicist, as well, Sara handles publicity for fellow SCBWI WWA members Kirby Larson and Bonny Becker. She also handles PR for readergirlz and book publisher Wizards of the Coast, supporting New York Times bestselling authors R.A. Salvatore, Margaret Weis, and Tracy Hickman.

You can find more about Sara and her work on her website. Sara wrote a post on writing as a guest blogger on the readergirlz website.

For more information about the conference, and to register visit the event website.