5 Great Middle Grade and YA Novel Tips from #LA15SCBWI

Editor Emma Dryden, on why Ellen Hopkins' books are so popular: "These books are dealing with how kids would really feel in these situations. But if it's not on the page, kids are going to think you're lying to them."

Emma Dryden edited this latest YA novel from best-selling author Ellen Hopkins 

On the 'perfect, magical' minority trope: "Your characters deserve to be three-dimensional." -Varian Johnson

Varian wrote this breakout Middle Grade Novel

"I make my novels as short as they can possibly be." -Newbery-Winning Author Paul Fleischman

Paul's middle grade novel has been chosen as a state- and city-wide read across the U.S.A. And it's only 80 pages long!

"Authenticity equals specificity" -Editor Jordan Brown

Among the authors Jordan edits is Anne Ursu

"What we remember from books isn't plot but character." -Meg Wolitzer

Bestselling Adult author Meg Wolitzer's debut YA novel

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!

Lin Oliver & Henry Winkler Among Those to Be Honored by PEN USA

PEN USA, the West Coast center for International PEN, will salute the winners of its 2010 Literary Awards at its 20th Annual Literary Awards Festival next Wednesday, November 17th, at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Among this year's honorees are SCBWI's own Lin Oliver and her writing partner Henry Winkler! Lin and Henry will receive an Award of Merit. PEN will also offer awards for outstanding work by writers in 11 separate genres.

“Henry Winkler and I feel honored that our HANK ZIPZER  books have received the Award of Merit from PEN," says Lin. "The books are essentially about a boy who is different because he has learning challenges, and how he develops the humor, acceptance and resourcefulness to realize his dreams in the world. In this time, when so many kids who are different are being bullied, we’re happy that our books have made a contribution to the literature of acceptance and inclusion--virtues we all need to practice.”

Paul Fleischman will take home the Children's/Young Adult Literature award for his book THE DUNDERHEADS (Candlewick). And none other than Hugh Hefner will receive an Award of Honor & First Amendment Award. (I'm sure he'll bring a date.)

Congratulations to Lin & Henry for this award for their wonderful contribution to children's literature. I wish we could all attend the ceremony!

SCBWI TEAM BLOG Pre-conference Interview: Paul Fleischman

Lee Wind brings us the latest TEAM BLOG Annual Summer Conference faculty interview. Lee talked with award winning author and conference keynote speaker Paul Fleischman. Below is a bit from Lee's interview. Click here to read the full post.

I'm incredibly honored and stoked to interview Paul Fleischman, who will be giving the Monday Aug 2, 2010 Keynote speech, SURVIVING THE NOVEL, at the upcoming SCBWI (Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators) Summer Conference in Los Angeles, CA.

Paul won the Newbery Medal in 1989 for JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES--a book of lyrical poems about insects that he made both musical and a shared reading experience--bringing the magic of reading a picture book with a child to two readers of any age. It's playful and ingenious, and like so much of Paul's work, redefines the box--while still being outside it.

Click here to register for the Summer Conference and where you can be inspired by Paul Fleischman and the many other terrific presenters.