• Manuscript Competition for Unpublished SCBWI Members
  Grand Prize: One Year Picture Book Writing Mentorship.
• Professional Portfolio Display for Published SCBWI Members.
• Hands-on Illustrator Workshop.
• Bonus: Submit the first page of a picture book manuscript for analysis and critique in a professional forum!

Presenters:

Kathryn Madeline Allen is a writing instructor at Oakland Community College and the author of This Little Piggy's Book of Manners (Holt, upcoming), One Little Bench (School Zone, 1999), and Summer Vacation (Entertainment Publications, 1999), a collection of educational short stories for 1st and 2nd graders. Her poem, "Dear Cousin," was published in Lee Bennett Hopkins' 2000 anthology, My America, A Poetry Atlas of the United States (Simon and Schuster). Kathie holds a Master's in creative writing from Wayne State University.

Judith Ross Enderle and Stephanie Jacob Gordon are the co-authors of many picture books including Two Badd Babies, Upstairs, Six Sleepy Sheep, and their latest, Something's Happening on Calabash Street (Chronicle Books, 2000). For eight years they worked as co-editors of the Fox Broadcasting Children's Network magazine, Totally Fox Kids. Their children's film credits include 26 "Rimba's Island" scripts for the Fox Network's Clubhouse Daytime.

Ann Tompert is the author of almost 100 picture book manuscripts of which nearly three dozen have been published. Little Fox Goes to the End of the World was cited by School Library Journal as "one of the best picture books published between 1966 and 1978." Ann has published books in each of the past five decades, but describes herself as "a late bloomer and self-taught writer who learned by doing." Her latest books include The Hungry Black Bag (Houghton, 1999) and Saint Nicholas (Boyds Mills Press, 2000).

Wong Herbert Yee's career as a children's illustrator/author began with Eek! There's a Mouse in the House (Houghton Mifflin, 1992). Since then he's had nine children's titles published, including Fireman Small (Houghton Mifflin,1994), Mrs. Brown Went to Town (1995), Hamburger Heaven (1999) and Here Come Train Mice! (2000). A Detroit native, Herb's books have been reviewed in the The New York Times and have been awarded Parent's Choice Awards and IRA-CBC Best Book honors. He holds a B.F.A. in printmaking from Wayne State University.

Program / Schedule

Schedule subject to change.

8:00 a.m.	Check in. Beverage service available.
9:00	Welcome and Announcements
9:15	Kathie Allen, From Little Red Riding Hood to Little Nutbrown Hare: What We Can Learn from Memorable Characters Past and Present. Through a survey of classic and current children's literature, Kathie will examine a cast of memorable characters, discuss what makes each outstanding, and offer techniques that writers and illustrators can use when developing their own characters.
10:15	Break; Book Sale; Autographing.
10:30	Ann Tompert, Plotting Picture Books. There are no new plots, only new characters, new settings, new twists to old themes. Have a great idea? Ann will show you how to develop it into a more saleable picture book manuscript.
11:30	Lunch; Book Sale.
12:30 p.m.	Concurrent sessions. For writers: Words, Words: The Joy of Language with Judy Enderle and Stephanie Gordon. Judy and Stephanie will explore picture book language, including rhythm and rhyme. They'll also provide tips on how to "power up" your manuscripts. For illustrators: Story Telling Through Pictures with Wong Herbert Yee. Anyone who has read a picture book to a child knows that long before the listener can read, he or she usually follows the story through its pictures. Although illustrations usually run parallel to the text, they can also provide interesting side trips. The goal of both is to deliver a page-turning adventure, arriving hand in hand at the end. Dummies, revisions, and decisions will be discussed.
1:30	Break.
1:45	Kevin Lewis, Is It Worth the Trees? Kevin will discuss the five questions he asks himself in determining his decision to accept or reject a manuscript for publication.
2:45	Professional Portfolio Display; Book Sale; Autographing.
3:15	Stephanie Gordon and Judy Enderle, How to Grab an Editor's Attention: The Importance of Your First Page. All participants are invited to anonymously submit the first page of a manuscript for analysis and critique in a professional forum. Judy and Stephanie will select some to be used in their presentation to show what's working, what's not…and how to fix it. Fun and informative! [Note: All who submit a first page will receive written comments.]
4:30	Book Sale and Autographing by Presenters. Last chance!
4:45	Announcement of Mentorship Competition Finalists and Presentation of Runner-Up and Grand Prize. Farewells and Door Prizes.

You can print this "Program Schedule" page only.

First Pages Manuscript Forum

With Judy Enderle and Stephanie Gordon. Open to nonmembers as well as SCBWI members. Send the FIRST PAGE of one picture book manuscript to the SCBWI-MI event registrar. (Your picture book first page should be double-spaced. Do not put your name on the front. Pencil your name on the back of your first page.) You may include the first page with your registration or send it separately, by the May 15 deadline, in an envelope containing your name and address. Some first pages submitted by our registrants will be selected as examples for use in the presentation. Everyone will receive brief written critiques of their first page. Deadline for receipt of first page: May 15.

Manuscript Competition for Mentorship Program

The 2001-2002 mentorship focus is picture book writing. The Mentorship Manuscript Competition information provides details. Please review the guidelines carefully. Note: all Mentorship entries will receive brief written comments re: the strength(s) and weakness(es) of the manuscript.

Professional Portfolio Display

Call for Portfolios! Have your work seen by Simon and Schuster Editor Kevin Lewis as well as your published peers. Open to published SCBWI members only. Bring your portfolio and any promotional materials (i.e. business cards, ad tear sheets, postcards). Comment cards are provided by SCBWI-MI and will be placed next to your portfolio. We're sure you'll get some feedback from this informal, but informative, review. (Artists will not accompany their portfolios when viewed by Kevin Lewis but an SCBWI-MI event coordinator will carefully guard your art!)

Manuscript and Portfolio Reviews

A very limited number of manuscript and portfolio reviews are available to SCBWI-MI members only on a first-come, first-serve basis, for an additional fee. One review per person. Reviews will include brief written comment and a 10-minute appointment with our guest editor. You will receive notification of your appointment time when you arrive on June 2.

Manuscripts must be typed, double-spaced, and accompanied by a short cover letter. [Cover letters should be brief and include your experience as a writer and publication credits (if any). If you have a specific question about your manuscript, include it in your cover letter.] Send ONE complete picture book manuscript, or magazine story, or one complete chapter of a longer work, up to 10 pages max. Manuscripts for review should be mailed to the event registrar, Buffy Silverman, at the below address. You must be present at the June 2 event to receive your review. Deadline for receipt of submission: April 30.

Portfolios. Do not mail portfolios for review. Illustrators should bring their portfolios to the June 2 event.

IMPORTANT. In order to be as fair as possible, SCBWI-MI members who register may choose to enter the manuscript competition -or- apply for a manuscript/portfolio review. It will not be possible to obtain both.

If your goal is to improve your manuscript or writing, entering the mentorship competition will likely provide more specific suggestions.

Book Sale

Books by our presenters will be on sale and presenters will be available for autographing.

Lunch, Parking and Lodging

A deli-style lunch with a selection of sandwich breads, meats and cheeses, salad, cookie and drink is included.

Free on-campus parking is provided and indicated on the map your will receive upon registration. To accommodate those who do not live in the Metro Detroit/Ann Arbor area, we can provide a short complimentary list of local hotels.

Fees, Deadlines & Cancellation Policy

Register early – we will sell out! Advance registration required.

Registration Fee
$79 SCBWI Members
$89 Nonmembers
SCBWI members must provide a copy of current membership card upon registration.

Additional Fees: Open only to SCBWI Michigan members
$15 entry fee for Mentorship manuscript competition.
Additional $35 fee for manuscript or portfolio review. SCBWI-MI members only.

Deadlines

• April 30: Receipt of all manuscripts (whether for review or competition). Your registration must be included and all tuition and fees paid in full.
• May 15: Receipt of one picture book "first page" to receive brief written comments and possible inclusion in presentation.
• May 15: Registration deadline for those not entering the mentorship competition or requesting a manuscript review. After this date, registrations will be accepted only if space permits.

Note: your tuition must be paid in full at time of registration.

Cancellation Policy
If you cancel prior to April 30, your registration will be refunded less a 10% handling fee. Refunds for cancellations after April 30 are available only if we are able to fill your spot. 10% fee still applies. No manuscript or portfolio reviews or entry in Mentorship competition will be provided if registration has been cancelled. You must be present on June 2 to receive your review, Mentorship competition award or comments on your entry.

Questions

General event questions, registration, reviews, picture book first pages: Contact Buffy Silverman, buffysilver@yahoo.com or (616) 731-5609.

Mentorship Program questions: Contact Lisa Wroble, lannrhugh@provide.net or (734) 451-1458.

You can request a printed copy of this brochure.

Click for Registration Form

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