Sheila Jarkins

New Years Resolution Conference

January 9, 2010 / Syracuse New York

I am so glad I went to this conference!  It wasn't overwhelming 

as some large conferences can be.  The presentations were also 

timely.  Even though the weather was freezing and snowy, the 

five of us---Karen McDonald, Jennifer Burrows, 

Stephanie Stussman, Roxane Chadwick and I---got there safely 

(thank you Karen for driving).

Karen, me, Jennifer

Stephanie and Roxane with our illustrator's mailing

There were three presentations before the four breakout 

sessions.  First, Carla McClafferty, the author of many 

non-fiction books, including Something Out of Nothing: 

Marie Curie and Radium and In Defiance of Hitler: 

The Secret Mission of Varian Fry, shared her process 

and research methods.  Even though I don't write 

non-fiction, the process is similar to fiction pieces with

factual information.  I am constantly researching facts 

about animals and settings that I need in my fiction work.

I also search for photos for references.  Carla was very 

personable and thorough in her step by step approaches.

Carla signing during lunch.

Bob Dacey and Debra Bandelin, a husband and wife illustration

team, presented next.  They have received numerous awards for 

their children book illustrations. They passed around original 

work to handle and see up close.  I love layered texture and 

color, so this was a treat.  In the printing process much is lost 

from the original painting.  This couple was open and honest 

about the "agony" of being driven to create.  They wondered 

why they were illustrators.  Meeting deadlines was bad for their 

health:  junk food diets, no sleep, no socializing, edgy moods. 

The comedy dynamics was fun to watch.

Illustrators, Bob and Debra can finally relax!

I was thrilled that Randi Rivers, editor from Charlesbridge,

was speaking at this conference and the primary reason

I attended.  I had been researching Charlesbridge and

had heard positive things about them.  Charlesbridge Publishing 

published Yum! Yuck! written by Linda Sue Park, whom I 

know through RACWI.  I had already sent one manuscript, 

A Brunch of Grumps, which I had addressed to the

"submissions editor." But, I prefer to address submissions to an 

editor I have met.  Conferences are a great way to meet editors

and match your work to a particular editor. When I know an 

editor's personality, editorial skills, genre work, preferences, 

and quirks, I can send more confidently. 

Ms. Rivers spoke about how to get the most out of one's 

submissions.  I was familiar with a lot of the suggestions, 

but learned a lot about submitting a synopsis for longer works, 

which I have not needed to do yet.

After the three presentations, I chose the breakout session 

"First Pages" to attend.  It was lead by Ms. Rivers who actually 

read the first pages rather than the authors.  I thought that she 

was amazing!  After each reading she analyzed and assessed

strengths, gave reasons why she might continue reading 

beyond the first page and offered suggestions.  I felt connected 

to her after that!  I valued what she said and admired her skill.  

I would love to work with her because of her intuitiveness and 

insightfulness.  Within a few days after the conference,  I was so

pumped that I did a final edit of Lizzie and Isadora 

(three chapter early reader), had a final critique, and made a few 

more intuitive changes.  And off it went!  Addressed to 

Randi Rivers, editor.   I felt this manuscript was right for her and

Charlesbridge.  It was a good match.  That felt good.  A submission 

to a real person!  And a submission to the right house.  Doesn't 

mean it'll get published.  But, I did my research.

The night of the day I sent my manuscript, a butterfly was flying 

around my studio.  A butterfly!  In my house! In the dead of winter!

In New York State!  I'm not one to believe in "signs," but it was 

unusual.  Being the bug lover that I am, I made a syrup mixture 

and put it on a leaf of a flowering plant.  Then I gently placed the 

butterfly on the leaf.  The next day it was nowhere to be found.

How long does a butterfly live anyway?