New Years Resolution ConferenceJanuary 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
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.
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!
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?
