Hounding Editors, Agents and Authors at the SCBWI Winter Conference

Okay, so, the title of this post is a stretch. I didn't really "hound" anyone - I was more of an active observer at my first writer's conference, but I had to work in the puppy theme! I also needed an excuse to post (grainy) pictures of me with famous authors and illustrators.

Honestly, the only productive thing I've done with my first writers conference experience was share it with my children's schoolmates.

The third graders have been reading Tomie dePaola's books. So, after hearing about my trip and seeing photos from the book signing, our lovely and enthusiastic librarian encouraged me to talk to the 3rd grade classes about my "meeting" with Tomie dePaola. Note: I do not have a 3rd grader at the school; The third graders have no idea who I am. Note, also: It was a conference with over 1000 in attendance; I heard Tomie speak briefly from the podium and then met him - even more briefly - at the book signing. Nevertheless, I came up with a "lesson plan" (teachers everywhere should be cringing, as I have no background in education). I went in on St. Patrick's Day, talked about seeing Tomie at the conference, showed them some delightful video interviews with Tomie on Reading Rockets, and read Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato. I think it went well. Three classes and no one asked to leave to go to the nurse or the bathroom. I'll call that a success.

I then went to my daughters' first grade classes and told them about meeting Marc Brown. They all know and love the Arthur books, so I talked about Marc's process (words first, then pictures) and how he comes up with his story ideas (from his children and his own childhood). My girls also shared their "books" with their classmates - they are each in the process of writing and illustrating a picture book. (Their idea - not mine - honest!) Each of their books is about a problem they are having and a creative solution. I've since heard from the girls that some of their friends are now writing and illustrating their own books, too. I can't ask for better results than that!

For my son's 5th grade class, I modified my talk to include anecdotes and tips shared by some of the authors at the conference. For example, I asked them how many times they revised their work before handing it in? Two? Three? How many times did they think Marc Brown revised his work before sending it to his editor? According to Mr. Brown, he revises his work at least 30 times before he considers it ready to submit. (You should have seen the looks on their faces!)

On story ideas, I borrowed from Francine Pascal's "what if's" and gave them some examples from books they have been reading. For example, "Who can identify this book from its basic idea: What if an 11 year old orphan suddenly discovers he is a wizard?"

I also shared some advice from David Almond with the 5th graders: "Dare to [look] stupid ... the process of writing rubbish is valuable." "Imagination is like exercise - the more you use it, the more [energy] you have available."

Along with some quotes from the authors, I handed out a list of places for the students to get their writing and artwork published, including:

Fern’s Poetry Club at pbskids.org

Scholastic Writing With Writers

The Young Writers Club

Highlights for Children

Potluck Magazine

Stone Soup: The Magazine by Young Writers and Artists

Finally, I shared my growing collection of signed books with the students. Their favorite? Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhardt's Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs!