Spring Intensive

So You've Written Your Children's Book! Now What?

June 7, 2008

YWCA Berkeley 2600 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704

9:30 to 4:00

$50(SCBWI members) (Includes coffee and snacks but does NOT include lunch)

$70 (Non-SCBWI Members)(Includes coffee and snacks but does NOT include lunch)

Taught by Jackie Baldwin and Margaret Speaker Yuan Editors, The StorySmiths

Doors open at 9:00 for registration, coffee, & networking The four segments:

9:30 - 10:30

1) Get Ready! Polishing and formatting your manuscript The ground rules for submission. Research the competition: be prepared to defend! Promotional plans Break

10:45 - 11:45

2) Lasso your Champion! Finding a children's book agent, the pros and cons, do you need one? Contract details: can you do it yourself? Finding the right publisher and editor: Zeroing in; how much research is required? List of books that will help. Which is harder to find, an agent or an editor? Multiple submissions: should you or shouldn't you? Self-publishing: is it an option? 11:45 - 1:15 Lunch break (brown bag it or visit one of the many restaurants or cafes in the area)

1:15 - 2:00

3) Grin and Bear It! How much of the below will an agent do for you? Here's what you may be required to do in the submission process. "Elevator" pitches Synopses Query letters Book proposals Break

2:15 - 3:00

4) After the Champagne Party! Once you get a contract, what happens? How does a publishing house function? How long does the publishing process take? What should you expect? What's unreasonable? How do you become a "desirable" client? Following through on your promotional plans. Who pays for it? Can you afford it?

Break

3:15 - 4:00 Closing remarks Questions & Answers Handouts Critiques back plus suggestions for publishers that might be interested in the subject matter Networking Conferences Manuscript Critiques Manuscript critiques with marketing analyses are available in connection with this intensive.
You must be registered for the intensive in order to receive a critique.
Critiques are $50 for the first 10 pages and a 1-page synopsis of a longer work; for picture books, you may submit the complete manuscript (up to 10 pages). Manuscripts should be 12 point type, double-spaced, with your name, title, and page number on the bottom of each page.

The deadline for submission of your manuscript and payment is May 7.

Send the manuscript, the 1-page synopsis, and your check for $50 (made out to SCBWI) to SCBWI C/O Jackie Baldwin P.O. Box 446, Sonoma, CA 95476. Registration Form Name Address City State Zip Email address Phone number Send your check for $50(or $70 for Non-SCBWI Members) made out to SCBWI to SCBWI C/O Jackie Baldwin P.O. Box 446, Sonoma, CA 95476.

$50 for the intensive $50 for the critique (SCBWI Members)

$70 for the intensive $50 for the critique (Non-SCBWI Members)

Total enclosed Questions? Email Margaret at books4women@yahoo.com