REGISTRATION STARTS NOVEMBER 15, 2013
Register online at www.houston.scbwi.org
April 26-27, 2014 at the Westin Houston Memorial City Hotel
8am – 6pm
945 Gessner Road at Memorial City Mall
Houston, Texas 77024
www.westinhoustonmemorialcity.com
Join us for our Sterling 25th ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR.
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Eight fantastic speakers including award winning author Gary Schmidt PLUS 3 agents, 3 editors
and an art director
One-on-one manuscript critique sessions with speakers and local authors
Portfolio critiques and showcase
Joan Lowery Nixon finalist selections (winner mentored by Newbery Honor Winner, Kathi Appelt)
Selling of books by Blue Willow Bookstore plus book signings at the end of the day
Mexican dinner social celebrating the start of the Houston Chapter Come Paint the Town Read!
Silent Auction of many prizes, including the Art Auction of original art and decorative items
Door prizes
Opportunities to network
Continental breakfast, morning snack and afternoon cookie break
Go to the Houston SCBWI chapter website for updates and information.
www.houston.scbwi.org
1 2014 Speakers for Houston SCBWI Conference
Stephen Barr
Literary Agent with W riters House
Stephen Barr is a senior agent with Writers House, and holy cow does
he like books—wry and rarely paranormal YA, laugh-until-you-squirt-milk-outof-your-nose middle grade, sweet and wacky (but still logical!) picture books
from author/illustrators, fiction-y non-fiction, and really any stories that
reward the reader line-by-line and that get to know (at least) one character
really, really well. His clients include John Corey Whaley, David Kirk, and
Sam Brown of www.explodingdog.com
John M. Cusick
Literary Agent with Greenhouse Literary
John M. Cusick is an agent with Greenhouse Literary, representing
middle-grade and young adult novels. He is the author of GIRL PARTS
and CHERRY MONEY BABY (Candlewick Press), as well as managing
fiction editor at Armchair/Shotgun, a literary magazine. He is a regular
speaker at writers’ conferences, and keeps a blog at
www.JohnMCusick.com. You can also find him on twitter:
@johnmcusick. He lives in Brooklyn.
Jocelyn Davies, author and editor
Harper Collins Children’s Books
Jocelyn Davies is an editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books, where she
acquires and edits a variety of teen and middle grade fiction. Her current
list includes the debut YA novels Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff
and Eat, Brains, Love by Jeff Hart; and middle grade fantasy-adventure
series The Last Dragon Charmer by Laurie McKay, The Cloak Society by
Jeramey Kraatz and Otherworld Chronicles by Nils Johnson-Shelton. She is
also the co-editor of the forthcoming YA series Dorothy Must Die. Prior to
Harper Collins, Jocelyn worked at Razorbill/Penguin Young Readers
Group, where she edited New York Times bestselling and award-winning
authors Richelle Mead, Jay Asher, Carolyn Mackler, and Brenna Yovanoff.
In addition to editing, Jocelyn is the author of the A Beautiful Dark trilogy.
She is drawn to projects with characters that feel real, unique and
unforgettable; that sweep her up in the world of the story (whether
realistic or fantastical); that offer a fresh and unpredictable twist on a
genre; and that above all make her feel something (laugh, cry, bite her
nails, etc.).
2 2014 Speakers
Stephen Fraser
Literary agent with the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency
Stephen Fraser is a literary agent with the Jennifer De Chiara Literary
Agency in New York City, a full-service agency which handles both juvenile
and adult books.
Stephen has been voted top agent for both picture books and middle grade
fiction. One of his clients, Margi Preus, won the Newbery Honor Medal for
her novel, Heart of a Samurai (Abrams/Amulet, 2010 ); another client, Carol
Lynch Williams, won the prestigious PEN International Award for her young
adult novel Glimpse (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster, 2010); and
another client, Matthew J. Kirby, won both the Edgar award for best juvenile
mystery and the PEN USA award for children’s literature for his middle grade
novel, Icefall (Scholastic, 2011).
With more than twenty-five years’ editorial experience at publishers
including Harper-Collins, Simon & Schuster, and Scholastic, Stephen edited
such creative talents as Mary Engelbreit, Gail Gibbons, Michael Hague, Ann
Rinaldi, Kathryn Lasky, Brent Hartinger, Stephen Mitchell, Dan Gutman,
Gregory Maguire, and Daniel Pinkwater.
He is graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont and has a Master’s Degree
in Children’s Literature from Simmons College in Boston. Stephen is a
popular speaker at writer’s conferences throughout the country.
Julie Ham , Associate Editor & Contracts Coordinator
Charlesbridge Publishing
Before completing an MA in Children’s Literature from Simmons
College, Julie interned with the Houghton Mifflin children’s book
department and served as a teacher’s assistant to both nonfiction
and fiction creative writing courses at Simmons. A lover of
children’s books and the inspired people who write, illustrate, and
publish them, she feels lucky to work in such a fascinating industry.
Julie also teaches adult-ed writing courses are her local community
center and enjoys taking city hikes or attempting foolproof recipes.
3 2014 Speakers
Jim Hoover, Associate Art Director
Viking Children’s Books in New York .
Jim Hoover is an Associate Art Director at Viking Children¹s Books in New
York. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in Illustration, Jim
has been in publishing now for over fourteen years. He has designed and
art directed well over a hundred titles including JOHN LENNON: ALL I
WANT IS THE TRUTH, STUCK IN THE MIDDLE, TEA PARTY RULES, BLUE
CHICKEN, MISSION CONTROL:THIS IS APOLLO, MARCHING FOR
FREEDOM, TITANIC SINKS!, and the children’s book adaptation of Al
Gore’s AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.
Kendra Levin, Senior Editor
Viking Children's Books, an im print of Penguin Random House
Kendra Levin is a senior editor at Viking Children's Books, an imprint of
Penguin Random House, where she has spent over eight years working on a
wide range of children's literature from picture books to young adult novels.
Prior to that, she worked at Scholastic. Kendra also helps writers as a
teacher and certified life coach (kendracoaching.com). Authors she edits
include Julie Berry, Carol Goodman, Jon Skovron, Susane Colasanti, David A.
Adler, Deborah Freedman, and others.
Gary D. Schm idt
Award winning author
Gary D. Schmidt teaches writing, children's literature, and medieval
literature at Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan; he is also on the
faculty of Hamline University in St. Paul, teaching in the Master of Arts
Program in Writing for Children. He is the author of Lizzie Bright and the
Buckminster Boy, which won Newbery and Printz Honors, He wrote The
Wednesday Wars, which won a Newbery Honor, and Okay for Now,
which was a National Book Award Finalist and the winner of a Children's
Choice Award. His recent history of children's books, Making Americans:
American Children's Literature from 1930 to 1960, was recently
published by the University of Iowa Press.
4 Houston’s Very Own for 2014!
If this is the first professional critique for a particular manuscript, consider registering for a critique with one of our
featured authors. They can give you pointers for making your manuscript publishable and save you from sending a
manuscript before it's ready to catch an editor or agent's attention. And remember, as a conference attendee you
will be able to submit to the editors and agents after the conference when you have had time to polish your story.
Picture Books
HOUSTON FACULTY FOR 2014
Kathy Duval is the author of Take Me To Your BBQ (Disney Hyperion, 2013), The Three
Bears' Halloween and The Three Bears' Christmas (Holiday House) which received a starred
review in Booklist and was selected as a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. Upcoming is A
Bear's Year to be published by Schwartz & Wade (September, 2014). Her poetry appears in
the anthologies, I Invited A Dragon to Dinner (Philomel) and Ladybug, Ladybug and Other
Favorite Poems (Cricket Magazine Group).
Picture Books/
Kathy Duval is the author of The Three Bears' Halloween and The Three Bears' Christmas
(Holiday House) which received a starred review in Booklist and was selected as a Bank
Middle
Grade
Street
Best Book of the Year. Take Me To Your BBQ (Disney Hyperion) will be released March
13,
2013.
Upcoming
is author
A Bear's
Year to
be60
published
Schwartz
Wade.
Her poetry
Kimberly Morris
is the
of more
than
books forbychildren
and&young
adults,
many of
appears
in
the
anthologies,
I
Invited
A
Dragon
to
Dinner
(Philomel)
and
Ladybug,
Ladybug
them for popular series including Disney Fairies, Animorphs, Freshman Dorm and Sweet
Valley.
and Other
Poemsshort
(Cricket
Magazine
She
has Favorite
also written
stories
for Group).
the Muppets, Muppet Babies, and Fraggle
Rock characters, and animated television scripts for Thunder Cats, Silver Hawks, Tiger
Sharks
and MiniMonsters. As a custom publishing director, she has produced small and largescale custom publishing projects for HISD and Child Advocates, Inc. involving as many as 300
adult and student participants. Kimberly is an active speaker at schools and conferences for
educators, writers, business groups, and general audiences. For more information, please visit
www.kimberlymorris.com
Middle Grade / Young Adult
Sherry Garland is the award-winning author of over thirty books for children, teens
and adults. Her YA & MG novels such as Shadow of the Dragon, Song of the Buffalo Boy,
Indio and The Silent Storm have won honors such as BBYA, California Young Readers Medal,
Texas Lone Star List, Notable Book in the Field of Social Studies, Western Writers of America
Spur Award, Texas Institute of Letters Award, several ALA “Pick of the Lists,” several Junior
Library Guild selections and several state reading lists. Three of her novels were on the
bestseller list and one of her Dear America books, A Line in the Sand, was made into an HBO TV
feature. Ms. Garland also writes picture books, such as The Lotus Seed, which was an ALA
Notable book, a Reading Rainbow book, and on the Texas Bluebonnet List. Her latest project is
a historical picture book series.
Young Adult/ Middle Grade
Joy Preble is a Texas girl who was born and raised in Chicago and a former high school
teacher who now writes full time, which means she gets paid for making up stuff. She speaks
and teaches widely on writing and literacy at libraries and schools as well as SCBWI, NCTE, AWP
and other conferences. Joy’s THE SWEET DEAD LIFE series (THE SWEET DEAD LIFE and the
forthcoming THE A WORD (May 2014), both from Soho Press) is part of the new Soho Teen
imprint. Kirkus hailed THE SWEET DEAD LIFE with “Hallelujah! a paranormal tale of angels that
breaks the mold.” She is also the author the DREAMING ANASTASIA series (Sourcebooks) that
combines paranormal romance with Russian folklore. DREAMING ANASTASIA was nominated
for a Cybil Award in the Teen Sci-Fi/Fantasy Category in 2009. It was named a Best Book for
Children, Teen Category in 2009, and was featured in Justine Magazine. Joy also has a
contemporary mystery/romance on the way: FINDING PARIS will be out in Spring, 2015 from
Balzer and Bray/Harper Collins. When she’s not writing, you can find Joy eating guacamole and
unsuccessfully battling her Bravo channel addiction.
5 Non Fiction
Ana María Rodríguez writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. Her favorite topics
include science, nature, cultures, health and disease, and biographies. Some of her books are
on the best Books List of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and have
also received awards by School Librarians International. She has about 85 magazine articles
published. “The Children Who Fought Smallpox”, published in Highlights for Children received
the magazine’s History Feature of the Year Award 2000. Her latest books include Autism
Spectrum Disorders (2011) and the 4-book series Extreme Animals in Extreme Environments
(2012). Her first teen and up memoir, The Iron Butterfly, was released on March 2011. Her first
fictional
story
appeared
in
the
L.A.
Times
on
January
2012(http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/22/entertainment/la-et-0122-story-20120122)
Check her website at www.anamariarodriguez.com for details on her books, blogs, and school
and conference presentations.
FANTASTIC SUNDAY WORKSHOPS FOR AUTHORS AND
ILLUSTRATORS
Both Workshops are Sunday Morning 9am-12pm at the Westin
Hotel
GARY SCHMIDT WILL PRESENT “MOVING INWARD: THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A CHARACTER”
Gary Schmidt tells us “Flannery O'Connor writes that in fiction, everything begins with the eye. The
reader must "see" in image and action, the meaning the writer intends--or at least hopes for. In this
intensive, we'll focus on the ways in which the writer helps the reader's eye "see" meaning in a
character's every element, both concrete and abstract, by developing a character from the outside, in.
Come prepared to write.” Read The One and Only Ivan and Freaky Fast Franky Joe to get ready.
JIM HOOVER WILL PRESENT “THE ART OF THE STORYBOARD”
Illustrators will work first hand with Viking for Children’s Art Director to complete a storyboard for a
picture book manuscript. They will go through the process of creating a visual overview using thumbnail
sketches to better comprehend pacing, page turns, sequencing, and dynamic design. All of these
elements contribute to making a strong book.
This is a two-part workshop. Initial storyboard sketches will be sent to Jim Hoover for review by March 7,
2014 . Jim will provide critique, and Illustrator Coordinator Diandra Mae will pass the feedback on to
participants. Illustrators will then have until the workshop day to make revisions. If an illustrator chooses,
they may also bring with them any character sketches, cover designs, and full color spread samples to
the workshop. Further details on storyboarding will be sent to illustrators upon registering.
You can find further details on the Registration Page. Gary Schmidt’s workshop is limited
to one hundred people. Jim Hoover’s workshop is limited to fifty people. You can sign up
as a part of your conference registration or a stand-alone event. Fees for the Workshop
are listed on the Registration page.
A Workshop is a great way to round out your inspiring writing and illustrating weekend.
6 Silent Auctions and Door Prizes
Back by popular demand is SCBWI-Houston’s Fabulous Silent Auction. Items include free
SCBWI conference registrations, autographed books, and much more. Use cash or checks
to pay for the items you win in the auction. All proceeds go to the Houston SCBWI
scholarship fund. Door prizes will be given out to attendees throughout the day.
2014 also brings the return of the Silent Art Auction! Items up for bid are original art
pieces and one-of-a-kind keepsake boxes. These decorative items will have a children’s
literature theme and are embellished by illustrators and even a few crafty authors. All of
the proceeds from the Silent Art Auction go to future SCBWI illustrator events. Payment
must be in the form of cash or check.
WILL YOU DECORATE A KEEPSAKE BOX? We invite everyone to participate in decorating
and modifying a box. This is a creative endeavor, not just for SCBWI members or
proclaimed artists. To participate, simply purchase one of the raw wood or paper-mache
models ($3-$6) at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, or another craft store. The keepsake boxes can
be decorative art pieces or functional. Be creative as you wish, the only requirement is
that the theme is from children’s literature.
Simply mark on the registration whether or not you bring a keepsake box for the Silent Art
Auction. Bring the box to the conference Saturday, April 26th. You will check your box in
following registration. If you have any questions, email Illustrator Coordinator, Diandra
Mae at [email protected]
Manuscript Critiques
Critiques are available to registered participants on a first come first serve basis.
Please read the genre and style each critiquer is looking for in order to choose your best
match. Go to the ONLINE REGISTRATION form for speaker information and local author
critique categories and fees. When the limits for a critic are filled, the name will gray out
on the drop down box. Register early to secure your desired critique session.
Manuscripts for Stephen Barr, Jocelyn Davies, and Kendra Levin will be
emailed; the remainder will be printed and sent by mail.
If this is the first professional critique for a particular manuscript, consider registering for a critique with one of our
featured authors. They can give you pointers for making your manuscript publishable and save you from sending a
manuscript before it's ready to catch an editor or agent's attention. And remember, as a conference attendee you
will be able to submit to the editors and agents after the conference when you have had time to polish your story.
For each critique please submit one piece of up to 10 pages. This critique is for the first
ten pages of a single manuscript. Submit a complete picture book text or the first ten
7 pages of your non-fiction book, chapter book, middle grade novel or young adult novel.
Include a cover letter (no longer than a half page text) addressed to your critiquer. If
submitting a young adult or middle grade manuscript, please include a synopsis (limited
to one page). The cover letter and synopsis are in addition to the 10 pages. If you want
your manuscript considered for the Joan Lowery Nixon Award, read about the award below
and request consideration in the cover letter. Your submission should be in standard
manuscript format. Formatting guidelines for members can be found at www.scbwi.org
under the Resource Library tab where you'll find the From Keyboard to Printed Page
article. Non-members can use http://theeditorsblog.net/2011/01/05/format-your-novelfor-submission/ or http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/manuscript-format.html
If the format is not followed, and time allows, the manuscript will be sent
back to the participant to reformat.
Each session is twelve minutes of one-on-one face time during the conference.
See special instructions for Stephen Barr, Jocelyn Davies and Kendra Levin
manuscripts below. For all others, your cover letter, synopsis, and 10 page
manuscript need to be printed and sent to:
Mary E. Riser
19 Spotted Fawn Ct
The Woodlands TX 77381-3895
All manuscripts must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 21, 2014.
AFTER THIS DATE, NO MANUSCRIPTS CAN BE ACCEPTED; NO REFUNDS CAN BE GIVEN.
Manuscripts for Stephen Barr, Jocelyn Davies and Kendra Levin must be
emailed. When you send your pages to be critiqued, please follow these
instructions:
The cover letter, synopsis and 10 pages must be in Word attachments;
In the subject line put Stephen Barr, Kendra Levin, or Jocelyn Davies Manuscript;
In the body of the email please put:
1. Your name
2. Your phone number
3. Title of your book
4. Whether or not you would like to be considered for the Joan Lowery Nixon Award.
All manuscripts must be emailed by midnight Friday, March 21, 2014 to:
[email protected]
AFTER THIS DATE, NO MANUSCRIPTS CAN BE ACCEPTED; NO REFUNDS CAN BE GIVEN.
Portfolio Critiques
The portfolio can be leather or vinyl with page sizes from 8”x10” to 11”x14.” It should be
no larger than 17 x 26 when opened. It should contain no more than 10-15
representational pieces of your BEST artwork and any dummies that you may wish to
8 show. If you are bringing a book dummy, remember to attach it to your portfolio. Keep in
mind that your dummy may be examined by the art director providing the critique, but it is
not guaranteed. Your ART is being reviewed here, not your writing.
Remember NO ORIGINAL ARTWORK should be included in your portfolio. Have highquality color copies of your art in your portfolio instead. Please label all artwork as well as
the portfolio case.
Do NOT send your portfolio in advance; bring it to the conference. You will receive your
critique time at morning registration. Further instructions regarding portfolio critiques and
portfolio contest will be emailed to you by the Illustrator Coordinator Diandra Mae.
Illustrator Breakout Session
This year the illustrator’s break-out session focus is "The Postcard Mailer: Digital and
Analog". Art Director Jim Hoover will give a presentation on promotional mailers and how
to make them the most effective marketing tool for Illustrators. Plan on bringing a
postcard sample with you to the conference, because Jim Hoover will also provide a group
critique on submitted postcards, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each. This is
a fantastic opportunity to learn what catches an art director’s eye and how to make your
promos stand out from the crowd. Everyone will benefit from hearing the group-wide
feedback, so be sure to participate. Details will be emailed to registered illustrators.
Joan Lowery Nixon Memorial Award
The Joan Lowery Nixon Memorial Award was established to honor the writer who so
generously shared her time and talents with our members. For many years, Joan
volunteered to mentor a writer whose manuscript submitted for the SCBWI-Houston
conference was deemed nearest publication. Following Joan's death in 2003, Kathi
Appelt, Newbery honor winner for “The Underneath,” graciously took over the role of
mentor.
At the conference, each speaker will choose one manuscript that they think is closest to
publication. Kathi Appelt will select one of these manuscripts and mentor the writer for a
year. This wonderful opportunity is geared to writers who are not currently published in the
genre of their critiqued manuscript. To learn more about Kathi Appelt, please visit
www.kathiappelt.com.
9 Lodging
Hotel rooms are available at the Westin Houston, Memorial City. This is a fabulous new
hotel with lots of amenities for the day or overnight guests. The rooftop pool and spa have
a wonderful view. The hotel is located at 945 Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77024. The
conference hotel is only two blocks south of Interstate 10 and across the street from
Memorial Mall. The conference rate is $139. To book a room, use the Hotel Link on this
page or the Registration page, or call 281-644-2400. A block of rooms will be held under
“SCBWI”. The conference rate is available until April 4, 2014. You can park at the Westin
parking garage for $7.00 a day or park free across the street in the Memorial City Mall
parking lots. There is a covered walkway from the mall if needed.
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=1309103658&key=3D0BD Mexican Dinner, Social, DJ, Costumes, FUN FUN FUN
Our theme is
PAINT
THE
TOWN
THIS MEANS RED IS THE COLOR FOR THE EVENING
Immediately following the conference, there will be a social/ Mexican dinner at the
Westin Hotel. The menu will be chips, salsa, fajitas and all the trimmings. Free nonalcoholic drinks and dessert are included. There will be beef, chicken, and vegetarian
fajitas available. The cost of dinner and non-alcoholic beverages is $25. Alcoholic
beverages can be purchased separately that evening. There is limited seating that will be
given to the first 100 participants who register for the dinner. We are Celebrating with a
DJ, dancing, and great prizes for costumes celebrating the start of our chapter twenty-five
years ago. If you want to dress up, think of anything and everything RED. It can be your
clothes, an accessory, or a character like Little Red Riding Hood.
Questions?
If you have questions, please email:
Vicki Sansum, Houston Regional Advisor
[email protected]
Millie Martin, ARA and Conference Chair
[email protected]
Tayyba Kanwal, Registration
[email protected]
Diandra Mae, Illustrator Coordinator
[email protected]
Mary E. Riser, Manuscripts
[email protected]
10 Registration Form – Houston SCBWI Conference 2014
Name: _____________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________________
Please specify if you are an:
Author: _____
Illustrator: ______
Please notify us if you will be bringing a decorated BOX for the Silent Auction
Author/Illustrator: ______
YES______ NO________
Registration Fees:
Early Bird National SCBWI Member (postmarked by February 4th) $145
$______________
Early Bird Non-member (postmarked by February 4th)
$170
$______________
National SCBWI Member (postmarked after February 4th)
$170
$______________
Non-members (postmarked after February 4th)
$195
$______________
Speaker Manuscript Critiques - $35 per 12 minute session – Limit 1:
$______________
Please number in the accordance of preference – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, choice
Stephen Barr ____
John Cusick ____
Jocelyn Davies____
Julie Ham ____
.
Kendra Levin ____
Gary Schmidt ____
Stephen Fraser ____
Portfolio Critiques - $35 per 15 minute session – Limit 1:
$______________
Jim Hoover ____
Houston Faculty Manuscript Critiques - $20 per 12 minute session
Non fiction:
Ana Maria Rodriguez ____
Middle grade/Young adult:
Sherry Garland ___
Picture book:
Kathy Duval ___
$______________
Joy Preble ___
PB and MG: Kim Morrison ___
Workshop with Gary Schmidt Sunday April 27 at 9:00 AM-12:00 PM.
SCBWI member $45.00 Nonmember $60.00 Workshop only $75.00
$_____________
Workshop with Jim Hoover Sunday April 27 at 9:00 AM-12:00 PM.
SCBWI member $40.00 Nonmember $50.00 Workshop only $60.00
$_____________
Mexican Dinner and Party at Westin- $25 (immediately following conference):
$______________
Grand Total: $ _____________
Please mail registration form & check (payable to Houston SCBWI) to:
Tayyba Kanwal, 1812 Staffordshire Crescent, Houston, TX 77030
Manuscripts must be postmarked by Mar 21. After this date, no manuscripts can be accepted and no refunds can be
given. Instructions for submitting manuscripts are in the Conference Information packet.
Cancellations for the conference on or before April 20 th will be subject to a $25 cancellation fee.
Cancellations for the conference after April 20th will not be refunded.
11