Austin SCBWI

I recently attended the SCBWI Winter Conference in New York with my husband, Clay, and was reminded why these are important. When I first started writing, my goal at a conference was to catch the eye of an agent or editor. While this is still a wonderful goal, there is so much more to be had at a conference. From the people you meet sitting next to you, to the ideas you get while listening to inspirational words from the likes of Richard Jackson or Richard Peck, Tomie DePaola or Jack Gantos, my notebook is full of much more than notes on how to submit to whom, when, where, and how.

The New York conference invites many editors and agents and speaks to the marketing side of our writer’s life as well as the craft side. Each attendee went to three breakout sessions, choosing from eight options of editors and art directors. I heard from Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum, Jennifer Greene from Clarion, and Michelle Nagler from Bloomsbury. Just as important as the information they imparted was the rare look at their personalities. Instead of guessing at this from looking at their book lists, I saw how they interacted with us and answered questions. Instead of bouncing around on Google, checking out publisher web sites, and tracking down clients to try and decide if a particular editor would be right for my work, I was able to see them face to face. With Clay attending three separate sessions, we were able to compile our notes and impressions of each editor. Going to the conference with a friend is a great idea, so you can try and cover the many bases provided.

In addition to the editors, there was an agent panel where four agents introduced themselves and how they worked, and then answered numerous questions. The consensus amongst them all was that while the economy looks bad, publishing in children’s books has always been hard and good writing will eventually be discovered. If we are only tenacious and continue to work on our craft, the rest will follow. They urged authors to be up front. If the manuscripts you submit to an agent has been submitted to publishers first, fully disclose to whom and when this occurred. If you are multiply submitting to several agents, let them know. And if you’ve multiply submitted and are contacted by an agent who wants to represent you, take the time to notify the other agents before you accept, giving them the chance to make an offer as well if they are interested.

In addition to hearing from the editors and agents, Richard Jackson inspired us with his vision for future projects and how they relate to our lives as writers. I wrote down over ten quotes as I listened to Richard Peck share pearl after pearl of wisdom regarding the writing life. I encourage everyone to visit the SCBWI web site and purchase the SCBWI Master Class on Writing the Novel DVD with Richard Peck. They offer another one that focuses on picture books with Tomie DePaola, another wonderful resource.

We heard how successful authors, Jarrett Krosoczka and Jay Asher, got to where they are, and I was able to relate to so much of what they said. While everyone has a different story about their road to success, it’s always comforting to hear that it does happen. Bruce Hale gave eight pointers on how to make a middle grade fiction story work. Jack Gantos made us laugh and reminded us why we all write. Because we were readers before we were writers. As Jack went through books that made impressions on him I made my own mental list.

I realigned my priorities. Sure, I’d love to make that connection with the perfect agent or editor. But perhaps that isn’t going to happen in the mad dash that inevitably occurs at the end of a presentation. Maybe that connection only happens when I’ve reminded myself to write from my heart, and continue to produce new and different work that grows and changes just as my characters need to. My connections to those editors and agents will continue to deepen as well, as I submit to them following the conference. I now have a point of contact, and they know I submit to them because I feel they are the best person to represent my work.

The pages of notes I made at this conference will grow grubby and dog-eared as I go back and refer to them again and again. For information and inspiration. I’ll look for the places I starred, sometimes new ideas that occurred to me as I listened. Sometimes a particularly poignant story or suggestion that struck a chord with me. I encourage you, if you can afford the time and money it takes, to attend one of the national SCBWI conferences. And if you can’t, count yourself lucky that you live in Austin, Texas, home of such a vibrant and dynamic children’s writing community. The more conferences I attend, the bigger my writing world gets,