Picture Book (Part 3): Conference Critiques and the Cinderella Dream
So, back to writing picture books, Conference Critiques (and the Cinderella Dream).
I submitted my PB ms for a critique at the 2015 SCBWI Summer Conference, knowing full well that the true purpose of submitting for critique critiques is to get professional level feedback on the work. However, like many authors and illustrators, deep in my heart, I hoped for the Cinderella dream. You know, the one where the glass slipper fits so perfectly, the assigned agent/editor makes an immediate offer of representation/publication. Yeah. That’s the one.
Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci, Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)
Picture Book (Part 2): Submitting the MS or I think it’s done, I think it’s done!
Submitting the manuscript is always a big step in the publication journey. It's as true for submitting picture book manuscripts as anything else. After two years of writing, revising, re-visioning, asking for feedback from other picture book authors, and more rewriting, I finally had a PB ms (Picture Book...
Payson Book Festival 2016
We spent last Saturday at the Payson Book Festival. It was a very well-run event. The organizers and volunteers were awesome and we had a good time meeting new readers and getting to know some new Arizona authors, as well.
All set up and ready for the day to begin.
As usual with an author, a Story Monster lurked nearby. 😉
Story Monster lurks over my shoulder.
I also got a chance to say hello to this guy:
How Much Glitter Does One Woman Need?
Assorted examples of glitter & sparkly stuff passed along.
I like glitter as much as the next person. I also like sparkly, colorful objects. I especially like making stuff, including stuff made out of glittery, sparkling materials. However, at some point there needs to be some limit to the amount of crafting and sewing supplies one attempts to keep at hand. Especially, as one’s crafting/sewing foci evolve.
Recent Author Appearances Recap: Cirque du Livre and #PCC2016
Cirque du Livre 2016: First Page Panel with Tom Leveen
The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Here is a quick recent author appearances recap. First, I attended the Cirque du Livre Writers Conference in Mesa, where I presented on with Alan Black, Deena Remiel, and Tom Leveen on topics that included creating antagonists readers love to hate, the best path forward on your publishing journey, and my process for developing a strong reader pitch. I also co-presented a first page read panel with Tom Leveen, where we gave on the spot critiques to writers. Of course, I also attended some great sessions on dialogue (Tom Leveen and Bruce Davis) and marketing (Deena Remiel and Alan Black) to name a few.
The Fabulous BrickCave Staff: Jenn LaBuz, Claudia Romero and Amber Gallagher.
Upcoming Appearances, Panels, and a Freelance Article
Book Signing
I have two major event appearances coming up quick. The first is the debut Cirque De Livre Writer’s Conference in downtown Mesa, Arizona May 27-19, 2016. I will be doing panels, signing books and hanging out with a lot of great authors, editors, illustrators, booksellers, screenwriters, etc., etc.
Here are the event details: Cirque de Livre
Here is my list of panels:
US Navy Boot Camp Spontaneity: Improbable, Not Impossible
Having a spontaneous moment at The Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore, MD.
Spontaneity is not really my strong suit. With as busy as I am I have to be proactive. In order to manage all of my responsibilities I need to plan ahead. So, it is difficult for me to do anything on the spur of the moment these days. There was, however, a time when I was not as structured, when I did impromptu things, to use a cliché, at the drop of a hat. The odd thing is that the last place I would have expected to experience that kind of spontaneity would be US Navy Boot Camp.