They did it. You can, too! Seven local authors and illustrators share their successes. Carole DAGGCarole’s debut novel is THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS.“Great Grandma Helga was somewhat of a scandal,” Carole said.Carole’s Great Grandmother and Great Aunt Clara had always planned to write their own story of walking from Mill Creek, WA to NY,... Continue Reading →
Holly Black on Creating a Working Magic System #scbwiwwa
Holly Black is author of terrific books like The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Modern Faerie Tale Series, and the new WHITE CAT and RED GLOVE, and she taught us ways to create working magic systems in our books. She talked about "night logic" systems, which create the illusion that there's a working system of magic underneath... Continue Reading →
Lifetime Achievement Award: Peggy King Anderson #scbwiwwa
For the first time, the Western Washington chapter of the SCBWI presented a lifetime achievement award to a member who's made a huge difference in the writing lives of our community--and huge is an understatement. Former regional adviser Sara Easterly presented the award to the wonderful Peggy King Anderson, who has taught a huge number... Continue Reading →
DAN SANTAT DESTROYS OUR CONFERENCE MORNING WITH LOVE! #SCBWIWWA
Dan's keynote: GETTING TO POINT BAfter many technical difficulties caused by Oliver the AV guy (just kidding, Oliver!!!!) Dan showed us a quick music video montage of his work. And then we all started crying. Because Dan is a giant ball of heart, talent, goodness and inspiration.Since most of us have a goal, a Point... Continue Reading →
Emily Jenkins’ Keynote Address: It’s Not Good Enough #SCBWIWWA
Reported by Angelina HansenAuthor Emily Jenkins shared about revising and more during the Saturday afternoon keynote address. Here's some highlights:Children’s books should be “small treats” that can be taken frequently without ill effectsPicture books articulate the connection to parents and caregivers. The child learns to accept things, know why parents are right. Obedience. Respect. Safety.... Continue Reading →
Brent Hartinger: How Far Is Too Far? #scbwiwwa
Reported by Chadwick Gillenwater Brent Hartinger gave a talk titled "HOW FAR IS TOO FAR? The Limits of Teen Lit." He started with a brief history of the YA genre: 1950s: everything’s “peachy” 1960s: new funding for school libraries and The Outsiders published 1970s: Judy Blume 1980s: school funding cuts = publishing disaster 1990s: edgier,... Continue Reading →
Victoria Jamieson: Dummies for Dummies #scbwiwwa
Reported by Dana Sullivan Standing room only. Take that Tina Wexler. Victoria Jamieson just finished art for a book coming out in a year and a half. Used to be a book designer at Green Willow. Great way to learn how to make books and see how other artists submit their dummies. What is a... Continue Reading →
Jesse Watson: Writing at the Drawing Board #scbwiwwa
Reported by Dana Sullivan Jesse Watson is fed spiritually and artistically in part by refereeing family ninja fights, school visits and surfing. After seeing his dad making no money in art he went into the lucrative business of art framing. But having to frame so much bad art forced him to go ahead and do... Continue Reading →
Deborah Wiles Keynote #scbwiwwa
Reported by Allyson Valentine Schrier: In her opening remarks at the SCBWI WWA Book to the Future Conference, Deborah Wiles shared with her listeners that story comes from three places: What you know, What you feel and What you can imagine. Deborah, who is never without a notebook to record everything from grocery lists to... Continue Reading →