SCBWI Illinois Spring Thaw 2015

       What a perfect day for this year's SCBWI Illinois Spring Thaw: the sunny and "warm" weather (the low 40's after months of brutal below-zero windchills is paradise!) put everyone in a good mood and ready to dust off the winter's work to share and critique with others. 

       Contrary to Prairie Writer's and Illustrator's Day back in November, this conference is much more intimate. Instead of sitting in a big conference room, we were at round tables where we got to interact and get to know people. I enjoyed the format (and the shorter day, and come to think of it, shorter drive) much better!

       Some of the highlights:

      1.  A keynote speech from agent Paul Rodeen of Rodeen Literary Management located right here in Chicago. One of the biggest takeaways from his speech was that when it comes down to it, if you want to get your book published, you need to be a really, really good writer. Duh, right? But, it's very easy to lose sight of that when you're constantly inundated with workshops on finding the right agent, and mastering the query letter. So, it was nice to be reminded what truly matters! 

       2. Another keynote speech from Kelly Barrales-Saylor, an editor with Albert Whitman & Company of Park Ridge. She was hilarious and personable, and broke publishing into three main feats of human strength (my words, not hers): Do Your Homework & Research; Submit Something Great; and Get Used to Rejection. I really appreciate her last point on rejection, which was that in fact, it's NOT the rejection that's the hardest part. It's learning to work with your editor/agent after being offered a deal on COMPLETELY CHANGING YOUR MANUSCRIPT. I get why that part is difficult, I do. But if I've been offered a book deal by an agent or editor, I promise I will not mind this step. I will do whatever they suggest to make my book the best it can be! But, I do think it's good for authors to go into this knowing that will happen. That even when your work has been "accepted" by the publishing world, it's still going to need some work. 
        She also gave me a great idea for my blog: interview agents and editors! What better way to hobnob with the target audience, plus get some great advice? Stay tuned for this feature here. Kelly and I both work in Park Ridge...think she'll want to do lunch?

       3. Round Table discussions: We were seated according to book format (picture books, middle grade, YA, etc) and had two sessions where table members got to share the first 500 words of their work and get feedback from the group. This was great! It's always so nice to get fresh eyes on your work; particularly fresh eyes belonging to people familiar with the industry. I came away with a couple of good ideas and all kinds of warm fuzzies from my table-mates. I also scored a new e-mail beta reader/critique partner!

       4. A 15-minute one-on-one talk with an agent or editor who had read your first ten pages prior to the conference. Invaluable! For us pre-published authors, editors and agents often seem so inaccessible. So to have one read your work and discuss with you is so refreshing. My sit-down was with Paul Rodeen. He gave me a lot to think about, which felt overwhelming at first. I can definitely see the validity of several of his points...I'm just not ready to tackle them yet. I need to let his comments marinate for a while, then examine how I can incorporate them into my piece while still keeping it my piece. 
       Getting personalized feedback can be so hard, because it's such a subjective industry. For every agent that likes your work and relates to your vision (which is probably only a few), there are hundreds who don't. It doesn't mean you're a bad writer or they're cruel agents, it just means there wasn't that much needed connection. It can feel very discouraging at times, but I relate it to dating, in search of "The One." You kiss a lot of frogs until you find your prince, so they say. Well, you also submit to a lot of frogs until you find your Agent (note: I'm not calling anyone there today a frog.)

       5. As with Prairie Writer's Day, the highlight of my experience came in the last 5 minutes, during the Mix & Mingle. I'm really starting to get the hang of these things--and with no cocktails, either! When I first learned Chicago-based Andrea Brown agent Jennifer Mattson would be on the panel, I freaked out. She is at the very tippy top of my dream-agent-list, after having read several interviews with her and about her work. What an opportunity! I patiently waited my turn to introduce myself and my work, and we had a great conversation in which she actually asked me more about my novel after hearing my "elevator pitch!" And THEN she said she'd love to take a look at it! Done! Hooray! She even loved my bookmark business card (thanks again 12 Line Studio). 

      Now I just need to find a moment to submit to her amidst closing on a new house, moving, and a trip to Hawaii. Should be no problem :)

Writing Contests...To Enter or Not To Enter?

           Many aspiring authors who are plugged into the writing social network have undoubtedly caught wind of many, many contests meant for newbie writers to get their work in front of agents. Some involve a Twitter Pitch alone, some are queries or first pages, or maybe even the first ten pages of a work. All sound glamorous and promising, and all can be a major time-suck. Many writers probably wonder "Should I enter? Is it worth my time to finesse a 140-character gripping hook for my novel versus spending that time actually revising said novel, working on my query, or researching prospective agents?"

        Here's my take, as someone who has entered (and lost) several writing contests. Usually only one, or a few, authors win any given contest, so entering renders an individual very, very susceptible to losing (there are a LOT of aspiring authors out there, people). Upon finding out you weren't chosen, it can feel like a colossal waste of time time, resources, and hope. 

BUT...

        The way I see it, every contest you enter gets you out there. Freeing your work into the world is important (duh, because how is it ever going to get published if no one sees it?). Every time you enter a contest, you get a little more used to other people seeing and critiquing your writing. And, every time you work on creating whatever is required for contest entry, you learn something about your work. Can you hook someone on your novel in 35 words or less? It's harder than it sounds...and I think that sounds pretty hard! After entering your first 250 words into a couple of contests and not winning, you might consider making some changes. When available, reading the winning entries can also teach a lot about what people in the industry are looking for. 

       Conclusion: Enter contests, IF you have a finished manuscript. Don't kill yourself trying to enter every single one, but if you have time before a contest deadline, go for it! For every hour spent assembling a contest entry, spend two on continuing your other work. 

Some upcoming contests:

1) Pitch Madness from the contest queen, Brenda Drake (deadline is midnight February 23rd!!). I entered this year. This is the one where you write a 35-word hook, plus submit the first 250 words. 60 finalists move on to an agent round where agents duke it out to request partial or full manuscripts from finalists. 

2) SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grants (submissions March 1-31). One winner in each category will have work presented to leading publishing houses. 

3) Twitter Art Pitch Party for PB through MG (April 2). This one's for illustrators!

4) Check out Sub It Club's Contest Page for all kinds of smaller contests (win critiques or lessons, etc). 


                      BEST OF LUCK IN ALL YOUR CONTESTS! 

It Takes a Village...of Writers

In the language arts curriculum materials in my 4^th grade classroom, one of the units is called “The Writing Community.” It encourages kids to discuss, share, peer edit…you get the idea. I teach it, but never thought much about how it applies to me as a writer. 

Many writers think of themselves as loners. Islands. After all, books are published by individuals, not groups. Right? 

Wrong. 

  I used to think like that too. Taking my first official children’s book writing class, I was super worried and dubious about having to share my writing. How were these people going to help me?Wasn’t everyone going to steal my original and amazing ideas? On top of that, how would I handle the harsh criticisms my classmates and teacher were sure to dole out?

            With each classmate offering praise and helpful suggestions for my book, the lightbulb over my head grew brighter. I had my "AHA moment." The writing community is actually amazingly supportive! Fellow writers don't steal your ideas, they encourage you! Writers work together, helping others get published, because they all know just how rough it is. 

If you don't believe me, take the book you're currently reading and flip to the "Acknowledgements" section. Count how many people the author thanks for helping them publish their book...usually the count is pretty high (i.e. more than just their spouse, kids, and pets). 

I am amazed how I'm continually learning this lesson. Most recently, I joined Twitter and discovered a whole tweeting community of writers. Within a month of joining I received awesome feedback on my query letter and first chapter of my middle grade novel--just because people volunteered to help me. 

I am indebted to the writing community and hope that my small contributions make up for the wealth of help & support I've received from others. 

Pardon Me While I Teach

Late August/early September...one of the busiest times in a teacher's life. A whole new batch of kids to learn their names, their quirks, their strengths & weaknesses, and the things you can use to connect to them. On top of that, the administrative duties that happen only at the beginning of the year: getting all their computer passwords set up, making sure you have enough social studies textbooks, making nametags, labeling supplies. And then there is the "training" of the kids, getting them used to your personal routines, your schedule, your preferences for where & when they turn in homework, when they can go to the bathroom, and just how much misbehavior you'll put up with (answer: none, unless they do something that truly makes me laugh). Oh--and the most important part, yet the part that ends up the afterthought to all that: teaching. Lesson plans to get the actual curriculum rolling as soon as possible because you know that come June you'll be running out of days to squeeze it all in. 

This is where I am now, one week in. A successful week so far, if you don't count the power outage and fire alarm on the first day! But, it is busy, and it is exhausting. My writing immediately took a backseat to the start of the school year. It's as it should be, seeing as I get a paycheck for teaching and writing has provided no income yet, but it is also disappointing since I had such great momentum over the summer. It just means I have to make writing a priority in my free time (like now, sitting on the couch of my in-laws' Michigan lake house listening to the waves). 

If there are any teachers out there who think writing will be a great "summer activity," think again. It's a full-time job. Sure, the summer is a great time to get big chunks of writing or research done, but if you ever want to get anywhere, not to mention if it's something you're truly passionate about, you're not going to be able to leave it alone September through June. 

So, if there are any Pitch Wars mentors reading this, fear not: If I am chosen it will be the biggest thing to happen in my writing career and I will treat it as such. 

Besides, I'm sure my in-laws will be happy to lend me some space at their lake house so I can write.