California

Friends:

What an exciting week it has been! I was at one of the best SCBWI conferences I have attended. The keynotes were funny, inspiring, thought-provoking, and moving.

My roommate, Mary Jo Huff, and I traveled from the NSN Conference, where the day before, I presented a master class in “Taming Technology.” The first keynote of the day was Jon Scieszka, resident funny guy. His topic was: “Tales of a Picture Book Writer: Do’s, Don’ts, Maybes.” The best advice he gave, in my opinion, was “Read every picture book you possibly can.”

Following Jon was M.T. Anderson. I didn’t take notes during his presentation because I was so caught up in it. His topic was “The End of All Our Exploring: The Journey of Narrative.” He talked about how he came to the place where he wrote his books, full of humor and whimsy. He ended with a rousing, self-composed song about Delaware.

Then it was time for the workshops. I was on the pro track so I attended “Networking/Twitter 101″ with Alice Pope and Greg Pincus. It was a good workshop. Though I personally have a handle on social media, I liked hearing their perspective and saw how helpful they were to the other workshop participants.

Then it was time for lunch! I attended the pro track luncheon with faculty with the topic of “Staying Financially Afloat.” The discussion got a little carried away by one of the participants but, nevertheless, I still took away valuable pieces of information. I also met one of my new BFFs, Samantha Berger. It was serendipitous that we sat next to each other because we just connected instantly! She is now my “Samberger.”

My next pro track workshop was with Jennifer Hunt, Editor with Little Brown. Her topic was “Peak to Peak: How to Build a Career After Your First Book.” She is so eloquent and gracious and you can tell her authors adore her. I had the great fortune of spending more time with her and can’t wait to read the book she edited, Ninth Ward, based in New Orleans before and after Katrina.

The afternoon keynote was with Loren Long on “The Picture Book: My Two Cents Worth.” I enjoyed seeing how his career shaped and how every book builds upon the previous book. He is the illustrator of Madonna’s Mr. Peabody’s Apples and one of the illustrators for Jon Scieszka’s Truck Town series.

That evening, there was the wine and cheese reception honoring the pro track members with book sales. Lots of great authors were there! Here is a picture (taken the last day) of me with one of my favorite picture book authors, Tammi Sauer. She is an incredible person and such an energetic spirit!

I socialized late into the night and made many wonderful connections! The next day, I skipped the first morning keynote by Gordon Korman. Sometimes, you just have to make choices! I chose to sleep in… The next event was a panel of literary agents (Josh Adams, Ginger Clark, Lisa Grubka & Ken Wright). It was interesting to hear all the different perspectives. Ginger Clark emphasized that she liked to work with authors to shape their careers.

The next pro track workshop was “Skyping the School Visit” with Bruce Hale.

Bruce did a great job explaining how Skype school visits work. He also had a mock visit with Jarrett Krosoczka (author of the Lunch Lady series), showing the audience what did and didn’t work. Bruce plowed marvelously through some technical difficulties too. It was a useful pro track workshop. Bruce is a personal friend and he blurbed my new book, The Gigantic Sweet Potato.

I lunched with friends and took an extra long lunch. After years of attending conferences, I have come to realize that you can’t always attend every single event scheduled or your head might explode. Just as important to me are the face-to-face connections I make with new friends or old friends I don’t often see, like my friends, Linda Joy Singleton or Verla Kay.

The second afternoon keynote was by E.B. Lewis. He was, by far, my favorite. He made me laugh, sigh and cry! His art is incredible and I loved seeing his artistic process, how he adds such realism and depth to his paintings. He is also a thinker and said some profound things, “As artists, we need to fill ourselves to overflowing so we can give it all back…” He also said, “Teachers can’t hug their children anymore so I paint hugging scenes in all my books so they can hug through the book.” Wow, just wow!

My afternoon pro track was with Christopher Cheng, “A Step by Step Guide to Making Your Own Book Trailers.” This was a great nuts and bolts workshop for attendees. I just finished creating my fourth book trailer and I believe in their value and importance. A direct result of the workshop was seeing Verla Kay create a book trailer at the conference for her book, What Happened to the Pony Express? Great job, Christopher! You motivated!!

That night was the Heart and Soul gala so I decided to go to my room and get ready. I wore a sparkly tiara, a glittery red dress, killer peeptoe stillettos, and a giant heart necklace. It was so much fun getting all dolled up!

I had so much fun dancing, dancing, dancing! I danced with the inimitable Jay Asher and a host of other freaking cool people!

Connie Mustang and Lynn Marie Pisano were absolutely gorgeous!

Here I am with one of my dear friends and favorite authors, Ellen Hopkins! Ellen is a writer’s writer. She is talented, funny, and so encouraging. You’ll never find another “big time” author with a bigger heart than Ellen…

I HAD to get a picture with the charming, witty and cool Lin Oliver! How she does it all, I’ll never understand…. She is a master of ceremonies, especially this one!

I had so much fun; I even danced on stage and sang Salt and Pepa’s “Push It.” Afterwards, I danced late into the night with all my friends at the X Bar, the lounge inside the hotel. The bar was right next to the elevator to my room. How convenient!

It was quite a night! But I was at SCBWI not to party, but to work so…

On Sunday, the day began late for me. I attended the pro track workshop with Alexis O’Neill on “School Visits: Setting Fees, Getting Gigs, and Delivering the Goods.” Everyone in the workshop was so hungry for the information Alexis had to offer that she was constantly peppered with questions. She definitely needed more time as did the participants because they devoured the information.

Then it was time for the Golden Kite Luncheon. Below are the Tweets I posted during the luncheon in real time:

@inkyelbows Congratulations on your 2010 #SCBWI Portfolio Showcase Award! U rock! #LA10SCBWI

Christopher Cheng fr Australia wins the #SCBWI member of the year. #LA10SCBWI
storyconnection Aug 01, 3:16pm via HootSuite

A very moving tribute by Lin Oliver, Lisa Yee & Paul Fleischman for Newbery Author Sid Fleischman 1920-2010 #SCBWI #LA10SCBWI
storyconnection Aug 01, 3:20pm via HootSuite

RT @leewind: Comedy is tragedy. It just happens to be wearing clown shoes. — Paul Fleischman #LA10SCBWI
storyconnection Aug 01, 3:42pm via HootSuite

Ashley Bryan receives standing ovation for winning #SCBWI Golden Kite Award for nonfiction #LA10SCBWI
storyconnection Aug 01, 3:47pm via HootSuite

Ashley Bryan is a wonderful storytelling poet. He still “got it!” #SCBWI #LA10SCBWI
storyconnection Aug 01, 3:51pm via HootSuite

Marion Dane Bauer wins Golden Kite for picture book text for The Longest Night #SCBWI #LA10SCBWI
storyconnection Aug 01, 3:54pm via HootSuite

The #SCBWI Golden Kite award for illustration goes to Gracias-Thanks illustrated by John Parra, written by Pat Mora. #LA10SCBWI
storyconnection Aug 01, 3:59pm via HootSuite

The #SCBWI Golden Kite for fiction goes to Julia Durango for Sea of the Dead #LA10SCBWI
storyconnection Aug 01, 4:05pm via HootSuite

Julia Durango: All of my books have secret messages to my boys. #SCBWI #LA10SCBWI
storyconnection Aug 01, 4:07pm via HootSuite

After the Golden Kite Luncheon, I went to the pro track workshop by Ken Wright, Literary Agent on “The Financial Realities of Your Career: Frank Questions and Answers.” Frankly, I didn’t find the session helpful at all. He cast a deathly pallor over the plausibility of being a career author staying financially afloat. The entire session was a Q&A. I really wanted to hear his perspective THEN have Q&A after. The whole session lacked structure and everyone left feeling depressed! Not my idea of an inspiring message. Yes, be frank but be motivating as well.

I missed the last keynote but heard a lot of great reports from friends. The last keynote on Sunday was by Rubin Pfeffer and David Diaz on “SCCC Formerly Known as SCBWI? Once a Society of Writers and Illustrators. Now a Society of Children’s Content Creators?” It seems the digital age of books is upon us and we need to welcome it, embrace it and shape it!

I fell in love with (not literally, mind you) Matt Ragghianti. The man is naturally, geniusly funny!! He wrote many episodes of Lost (the hugely popular TV series) and works in TV and film. But now he’s writing children’s books. I can’t wait to see what he comes out with. Matt is PIMP (Pee In My Pants) funny!

I also connected with Jeanine Jarrell and Molly Hall, very cool writers!

I also loved Joyce Wan! Her characters are sooooo adorable! Check out her characters, Kiwi and Pear, two monkeys who travel around the world. LOVE them!

Unfortunately, I had to leave on Monday so I spent the morning packing and getting ready. I attended one last panel (A View from the Top: 4 Publishers Discuss Our Industry) and half of a pro track workshop by Eva Mitnick and Kris Vreeland: “Marketing Libraries and Bookstores.” That was one workshop I wish I didn’t have to leave! I love hearing the perspective from these two very savvy women, one from the bookseller’s perspective and one from the librarian’s perspective.

My SCBWI conference experience was spectacular. I actually even received speaking engagements out of the conference! I look forward to seeing everyone next year. Thank you, everyone, for a FABULOUS time!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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