Writing well involves community. A fabulous opportunity awaits you in just two-and-a-half weeks. The 2014 Minnesota Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators will hold their annual conference.
The first perk of the conference will be the wisdom you’ll gain; the second, the relationships you’ll develop.
If you haven’t signed up, it’s not too late. We can’t wait to see you there!
Are you a picture book author or author/illustrator who would like to wow an agent or editor by improving the rhythm, pacing, and editing of your manuscript?
You’re in luck! Minnesota illustrator, Elise Parsley, is presenting a workshop just for you:
Picture Book, Dummy Book, How to Hook (an agent)!
Whether you are an illustrator or artistically challenged, like me, this workshop will be beneficial for you. Elise will show you the characteristics and usefulness of a picture book dummy and the basics of a PB query letter. The experience may also help you discern whether your material is truly suitable for and marketable in the picture book genre.
Bring a copy of your picture book manuscript, pen, scissors, and be prepared to make some edits!
About Elise: She studied drawing and creative writing at Minnesota State University in Moorhead, MN. She has been actively researching and creating picture books and dummies since graduating in 2011. Five pieces of Elise’s spot art were featured in the March/April 2013 issue of the SCBWI Bulletin. She will share invaluable feedback she’s received from editors and agents on her way to publication.
Picture Book, Dummy Book, How to Hook (an agent)! is a MN SCBWI-sponsored event.
Elise looks forward to seeing you Saturday, September 21, 1 – 5 p.m. at the Maplewood Ramsey County Library, Community Meeting Room, 3025 Southlawn Drive, Maplewood, MN, 55109.
SCBWI Members: $25, Non-members $35.
Today as I prepare for another day of revising and editing, I’m filled with gratitude for my critique groups. They continually save the day by noticing foibles in my work. At our metro-wide MN Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators meet-up on Tuesday night, one member noticed that I said something nice about an angle worm.
“I hate to be so picky, but earthworms are an invasive species taking over our entire ecosystem. I’d definitely cut these two sentences that say they are good for the environment.” (I’m paraphrasing. He expressed more passion and eloquence.)
Who knew? My dad always told me angle worms were the gardener’s friend, because they aerated the soil. Thanks to my eco-minded friend — POOF — no earthworm protestors will picket my future book signings. (This is an extremely hopeful post.)
Another writer friend observed that my main character lacked empathy concerning another character’s speech impediment. She surmised that her son, who struggles with his speech, would find this offensive. I envisioned big tears splatting on my book pages from sad children with deflating self-esteems. Thanks to my compassionate, motherly friend — POOF — no tears or hurt feelings. (I hope.)
Another friend suggested that some of the fruits and vegetables harvested in my garden scenes might not be in season at the same time and another advised that the process of deadheading is more for petunias than cucumbers. POOF — no angry or annoyed gardeners…
These writers’ recommendations lead me to make small changes that make a world of difference. Because of them, my words won’t cause unsuspecting children to cause a catastrophic earthworm invasion — or to languish at gardening or confidence. Considering the awesome responsibility of writing for children, there’s nothing more valuable than candid critique friends — especially when they’re smart.
This meet-up photo from August 2012 shows how our group looks before we break into smaller working groups. Participation has increased. Soon we’ll outgrow the Barnes and Noble coffee shop in Edina. Click here for more information: MN SCBWI meet-up. Nonmembers are welcome to come once to discern whether to join SCBWI.
Linda Pratt of Wernick & Pratt Agency
I hugged the computer when I received the official email message that Linda Pratt, agent of Wernick & Pratt Agency, would review my children’s book manuscript at the 2012 MN SCBWI Conference. Her name had risen to the top of my Agents-I-Think-I-Could-Clique-With List even before she made the list of conference speakers. Lists like mine should probably give agents the willies. We unpublished writers keep files on agents — everything we can find on-line and in publications. Who do they represent? What books do they like? What movies? What do they find funny/inspiring/annoying? TP over or under — soft or strong? (Just in case they come to our house to sign the contract.)
Lo and behold, I found the most comprehensive information about Linda on their Wernick & Pratt Agency Q & A with Linda Pratt web page. Linda’s a woman of my own heart. She loves
LUCY, CHOCOLAT, and 
Anne Lamott’s BIRD BY BIRD. 
She represents fabulous illustrators and authors, like Denise Brunkus and Augusta Scattergood. And, Linda, too, thinks Mr. Darcy of PRIDE & PREJUDICE is — um — not bad.
When we met for the critique, the petite powerhouse impressed me with her warmth. She inquired about a memoir project I’d mentioned during David Small‘s Q & A session and commiserated about my family’s trials. Seems Linda and I had some family skeletons in common. Then, when she advised how to develop readers’ empathy, I thought “Linda Pratt knows about empathy.”
During an effective critique, the writer is told what he/she should hear, not necessarily what he/she wants to hear. Linda gave me an effective critique. She said, “When I first began reading, I initially thought it was a young chapter book before I noticed the genre designation…” [This observation would be confirmed by Penguin/Dial Books editor, Heather Alexander, a week later at the Iowa SCBWI Conference (upcoming blog entry).]
The manuscript I’d submitted for review had too many characters, lots of dialog, and even a subplot. Not a picture book, as I’d designated. Linda corrected me with encouragement. I’d read about writers who didn’t thoroughly understand children’s book genres on Linda’s Q & A page, but I didn’t recognize myself. She states clearly: “…if it’s a novel for all ages, or it could be a middle grade or YA, or it’s a picture book for 5-8 year olds, these are signals that you’re not clear on the market for your book, and the work itself is likely ambiguous, as well.…”
Sure, I was disappointed at first that she didn’t jump up and down, gushing, “This is the best picture book since Where the Wild Things Are.” And, I did have that bad dream about another writer stealing my main character and my thunder while I revised.
The good news? During her conference presentation, Linda assured us fledgling writers not to give up. But, revise, revise, revise, before we submit, submit, submit. Linda initially rejected Augusta Scattergood’s Glory Be. Augusta revised it, an editor revised it again, and –badda bing, badda boom!
My manuscript review experience? Humbling?
Yes.
Humiliating?
No.
I’d jumped off the diving board prematurely, but without direction I could still be flailing in the wrong end of the pool.
Thanks, Linda! You’ll be hearing from me again — but not until I revise, revise, and revise. Then, when I think it’s perfect, I’ll revise some more.
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