5 moments of Inspiration and Advice from #scbwiNY23 - The SCBWI 2023 Winter Conference in New York City

 

"Our creative work helps us process it all, our lives." —Marla Frazee

A picture book should "deliver emotional impact," an "experience that affects reader and child/children." —Allyn Johnston

Re: Memoir, and the importance to "convey to the reader how you're feeling." —Raina Telgemeier

On AI: "I am looking to publish people, not computers." —Arthur A. Levine

"A funny thing about dreams -- when you achieve one, new ones start populating." We need to redefine success not with "lens of achievement, but with lens of connection and personal meaning." —Aisha Saeed

Check out the official SCBWI Conference blog for more takes on the conference!

And remember, you can still register for the virtual conference on Feb 25, 2023 here.

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee

It's a New Podcast: A Conversation with Publisher Allyn Johnston

We're delighted to share with you this one-on-one conversation with Vice-President and Publisher of Beach Lane Books, Allyn Johnston.

Everyone can listen to the trailer here.

Members of SCBWI can listen to the full episode here (sign in first, then click on "Members log in and click here for full podcasts")

In this in-depth, behind-the-scenes chat with Theo Baker, Allyn shares about her journey to becoming a children's book editor and publisher, the questions she asks of her authors and illustrators, and she shares some great stories about how certain books -- and long-term relationships with her Beach Lane Books authors and illustrators --  happened!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

5 Amazing Picture Book Tips From #LA15SCBWI

"If there's no trouble, there's no story." -Mem Fox

Mem Fox wrote this beloved classic!

Editor Allyn Johnston, on what doesn't hook her: "Picture books that don't change, as Mem said, my emotional temperature."

Allyn Johnston was the editor on this Mem Fox authored, Helen Oxenbury illustrated picture book!

"Leave out all the stuff that's boring." -Author and Editor Jane O'Connor

Jane O'Conner wrote this best-selling book that started the fanciest of fancy franchises!

The "Dr. Seuss Test" - can it be read aloud the first time by someone who has never seen it before without tripping? -Paul Fleischman

Paul Fleischman wrote this book of poems that won the Newbery Medal!

On message in picture books: "Don't let it be the tail that wagged the dog." - Paul Fleischman

Paul's latest picture book!

SCBWI Insight - The Latest Benefit of Membership!

SCBWI Insight is a new, monthly report on the children's book field. Members will receive their copies of Insight on the first of every month.

Here's a peek at what's in the inaugural issue,  June 1, 2015:

Cyberspace As A Source For Book Acquisitions
In this article, Lin Oliver, Author and SCBWI Executive Director explores new paths to traditional publication, exploring examples from Twitter, Blogging, YouTube, Facebook and authors' and illustrators' websites.

SCBWI Exclusive with... Allyn Johnston
A profile and Q&A with VP & Publisher Allyn Johnston of Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

On the Shelves
This month Dolly's Books in Park City, Utah, weighs in on what books readers "can't put down" and how the store is open to being contacted directly by local authors and illustrators.

Illustrator Info
4 Questions for ... Jannie Ho
Full-time Illustrator Jannie (who started out as an in-house designer at Nickelodeon, Scholastic and an art director at TIME Magazine for Kids) answers questions aimed to help other working illustrators, including advice about how to break into children's magazines.

Best Advice Ever...
Linda Sue Park shares the best single piece of advice she's ever received.
No surprise, it's brilliant. But then, so is Linda Sue Park!

Draw This!...
BOUNCE was June's word, and the featured images are from Kathryn Ault Noble and Bryan Langdo.

Info Links
A collection of blogs, news articles and other must-see links for authors and illustrators

Monthly Contest
Funny first lines...
A chance to get that first line (of a picture book or novel) noticed!


Wanna read these articles, enter your work for Draw This! (July's prompt is "Adventure") and maybe enter the Funny First Lines contest, too? Members can. We hope you join us! Find out all the details (and other benefits) of SCBWI membership here.

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

Aaron's First Day at BEA (with Me)

Today I ran around BookExpo America in NYC's Javits Center with SCBWI Director of Communications Aaron Hartzler. We started the morning at the Children's Book and Author Breakfast which was hosted by Sarah, Duchess of York and featured authors Cory Doctorow, Mitali Perkins and Richard Peck. (On the way into the the event, a CBS News team interviewed Aaron about what he thought of Sarah being at the event considering the recent headlines surrounding her. The word chutzpah was bandied about.)

After listening to these engaging speakers over half a sesame bagel (they somehow find the worst ones in New York City), Aaron and I took to the floor see who we could see and what books they were excited about. Here's a photo montage of Aaron with a few of the editors and info on titles they're buzzing about. (It's like Disneyland for writers. Editors are Mickey Mouse.)

Editor with Aaron: Tara Weikum of Harper.

She's excited about I AM NUMBER FOUR by Pittacus Lore.

Editor with Aaron: Allyn Johnston of Beach Lane Books.
She's excited about BOSS BABY by Marla Frazee.

Editor with Aaron: Krista Marino of Delcorte.

She's excited about James Dashner's THE SCORCH TRIALS

Editor with Aaron: David Gale of Simon & Schuster.

He's excited about THE SEARCH FOR WONDLA by Tony DiTerlizzi.

More editors buzzing tomorrow!