The first speaker of the day was Emily Arnold McCully.  Her talk was titled THE SKY IS FALLING…ISN’T IT?
If you haven’t guessed, Emily’s lecture was all about the ever changing publishing industry.  Have we missed the Golden Age of Children’s books?  The last REALLY BIG CHANGE  to hit publishing was the development of the printing press. Back then the big question was–should books change from handwritten skins, created by monks to books that were mass printed on paper?  The monks were so sure that the authenticity of books needed to be kept by using handwriting on skins, that they wrote a treatise and had it printed up on the printing press so everyone could read it.  *grin*  Yeah, we’ll figure out the whole electronic book thing eventually too.

This was a young Emily…already bitten by the writing bug.

And here is an illustration from her Caldecott Award Winner MIRETTE ON THE HIGH WIRE.  Emily’s talk was a reminder that each writer will have their own “Golden Age” if they stick with it.  The ups and downs are just part of the ride.

Our next amazing speaker was Ellen Wittlinger talking about HOW DOES A 60-YEAR-OLD WRITE NOVELS FOR TEENAGERS?  She laughed when telling us about how shocked and appalled teens can be during school visits when they realize she looks like a grandmother. She usually responds by telling them that an older person is just a teenager with no fashion sense or technological skill!

Her advice–when you writer for teenagers, you must be in touch with your inner adolescent.

Here was her list of tried and true research methods:
*Drive a car full of teenagers around and then just shut up and listen.
*Hang out at the local food court in the mall.
*Visit comic book stores, book and music stores, sporting events etc…where teens hang out.
*Go to the DMV and watch the interaction between teens and parents waiting on line to get their license.
*Listen to their radio stations.
*Rent High School Musical and become a GLEEK!!!!
*Watch Buffy, Freaks & Geeks, and My So Called Life.
*Read YA.

Then…

*Go back in time to your own adolescents because while the details change, the emotions don’t.

Some other pearls of wisdom that Ellen passed along…

“Teenagers begin to know that there are depths to their being, but they don’t know what’s down there. YA writers can help to guide them, but only if they know what is in their own ‘basements’.”

“Words carry connotations…understand the full weight of words.”

“Good dialogue will allow you to show what is going on behind the words, even if the character isn’t aware of it.”

“When you’re an adult, its a lot harder to read something and have it change your life.  Teens are looking for direction.”

“Once you know someone, your prejudices fall away–you can introduce kids to ‘characters’ they would never have the opportunity to meet in real life.”

“When you write for teens–you can be certain that you are touching their lives.”

I know…*big heart squish*

Next up was Eve Adler, an Associate Editor for Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, talking about the ROAD TO PUBLICATION.
Eve gave us a slide tour of the Henry Holt offices in New York’s famed Flat Iron building and then gave us a little info on How Editors Make Decisions About What to Acquire…

1.  Voice-Editors can’t fix voice so its very important to work on yours.
2.  Quality of Writing
3.  Plot, Structure and Characterization
4.  Personal Taste-With a reminder not to write to trends.

After giving us some inside information on the Henry Holt Acquisitions Process she also gave us a list of ways to Become Your Editor’s Favorite Author…

*Be patient and don’t harass.
*Be eager to revise.
*Obey deadlines.
*Show appreciation-especially to your publicist.
*Do as much self-marketing as you can-authors are an extension of the publicity department LOL!
*Continue to come up with more great ideas.

Time for lunch…but my priority is always to visit Scott in the Merritt Bookstore first.

Due to a scheduling conflict I didn’t get to hear Peter McCarty (But I heard he was AMAZING) so instead I opted to be at the very end of the lunch line and spend some time with him in the lobby chatting and getting my books signed.

Plenty of yummy food left and great friends to share it with.

                                                     

After lunch Dianne Hess, Executive Editor at Scholastic Books treated us to CONNECTIONS FROM THE EDITOR’S CHAIR.  Dianne gave us a wonderfully intimate tour of the Scholastic offices in Soho.  It was extremely interesting to hear and see all the things that motivate her and the rest of the Scholastic team.

Loved the rug in the hallways–it has the Scholastic credo printed on it.

Wrapping up the day was the Panel Discussion.  From left to right…

(PW) Pete Watson-Editor-in-chief of Shenanigan Books
(KS) Kelly Smith-Senior editor with Sterling Publishing
(MW) Mary Watson-Creative Director of Shenanigan Books
(MM) Martha Mihalick-Associate Editor of Greenwillow Books and my AWESOME critique mentor.
(EA) Eve Adler-Associate Editor with Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
(EAM) Emily Arnold McCully-Award winning author/illustrator
(CH) Connie Hsu-Assistant Editor with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
(DH) Dianne Hess-Executive editor of Scholastic Books
(EW) Ellen Wittinger-Former children’s librarian and author of 15 novels for MG and YA readers

And (KKO) Karen Kaufman Orloff was our moderator, asking questions from the audience.  Here are a few of the topics…

KKO-Web sites for unpublished authors?

DH-Great for seeing illustrator’s art.
CH-Always good.
EA-More important if you are published-we are primarily looking at your MS.
MM-Beware, we are going to google you.
KS-Work on your MS if you’re torn for time.  (Now I don’t feel so bad about my late blog post *grin*)

KKO-Can you be successful today if you lack an aptitude for marketing and self-promotion?
EW-It’s not an option anymore.
DH-People have their limitations, but there is an advantage to doing both well.
CH-Why wouldn’t you want to do something?  You can’t complain if you refuse to do anything for yourself.
EA-Don’t sell yourself short.
MM-Write your book first-in the end a really great book will stand out.

Of course we had to end with the love-celebrating Barbara (Bobbie) Wells, our former Reginal Advisor.  ((((((hugs)))))))

And a little author love from Ellen Wittlnger makes my day.  Thanks for stopping by and checking out the conference.  If you’re in the area-mark it on your calendar for next year.  I’d love to see you there.