AWAY and BACK AGAIN

Heading to the 2012 SCBWI
costume party at the LA conference

This is the longest I have been away from this blog since I started it in 2009. It has been a time avalanche since I began preparing for my March workshop (which was absolutely fantastic). I spent the rest of my time getting ready for the 2012 SCBWI conference in Los Angeles and, of course, doing client work. I also had a lot of important family events to give special attention to. Something had to give and it was the blog. I am back now and look forward to posting about the conference very soon. Until then, I will be processing it all...and unpacking...and catching up with my family. See you soon...

So you want to write and/or illustrate a children's book. NOW WHAT?

Parts and pieces for a past submission

I have been illustrating and designing professionally for over 25 years, but I didn't discover children's books until after our daughter was born. That's when I truly fell in love with them and became serious about pursuing children's publishing. It was quite a humbling experience and I made a lot of mistakes. Tahoe publisher Bona Fide Books has asked me to give a talk and workshop on the subject. This month I will be sharing my mistakes and everything I've learned in order to help others get a better start in children's publishing. If I had known all of this information when I started out, it would have saved me years! If you are in the area...I hope you will join me.

Information from the publisher:

Bona Fide Books is offering a two-day session -
“So You Want to Write and/or Illustrate a Children's Book. Now What?”
Thurs. Mar. 22 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (FREE)
and Sat. Mar. 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ($75)

Writer and illustrator Kristen Schwartz will be leading this two-part session aimed toward helping writers and illustrators of children’s, middle grade and young adult books find their footing in the publishing industry. The Thursday session is a Q&A and a breakdown of top tips and tricks for creating and submitting marketable work for younger audiences. This session is free and open to the public, to be followed by a $75 intensive, personalized class Saturday Mar. 24 from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., including a half-hour lunch break. Part two will include familiarizing writers and illustrators with industry tools and the query process, and working directly with attendees on how to publish their personal projects. Space is limited; call now to reserve your spot in the Saturday session. 530-573-1513.

For more information, contact Kim Wyatt at Bona Fide Books or visit our website

The Saturday session is intended to help writers and illustrators learn what specific steps need to be taken on their individual projects to keep them moving forward toward publishing. I will also be introducing the art of talking about your work, so that when an opportunity comes up to tell people about your project, you don't draw a blank (been there, done that). This will lead into the query process and researching publishers that are a good fit for you. It will be a full and productive day, so bring your projects with you!  Feel free to contact me if you have questions.