Just finished up two days of a fantastic SCBWI conference. If you’ve never been to one, you should go. If you missed this one, shame on you. There was an exciting mix of experienced authors and illustrators and beginners of all levels. Everyone was there to learn and meet other people who share the same interests. I was so tired and excited Saturday night after such a full day, I didn’t think I would ever settle down to fall asleep. Then bright and early Sunday morning I had a workshop on picture books with Jodell Sadler.
On Saturday I had critiques with Giuseppe Castellano, Jodell Sadler and a peer critique group headed by Jeannie Ransom at 8-9:30 pm that night. I thought these critiques would be high stress, but they were fun and enlightening. It really helps to have respected talent in your field critique your work. I learned so much. I was also able to attend keynote speeches by Giuseppe Castellano, Dan Yaccarino and Jodell Sadler. There was so much more I wanted to learn, but had to use my time wisely. It’s a shame, if you want to write and illustrate, you must miss speakers who are speaking concurrently. My workshop with Jodell Sadler on Sunday was very inspirational for me. She lives and breathes picture books. Since I want to illustrate and write my own picture books someday, her words really made an impression.
This is my third Missouri SCBWI conference. I enjoyed myself so much, I’m thinking of branching out to the big conferences in N.Y. and L.A. or even neighboring states next year. It won’t take much to convince me.
I would like to congratulate Wendy Martin for winning the banner contest for 2014. You can see her wonderful banner here. I would have liked to use her image to illustrate this blog post but didn’t think that was correct.
Please, if anyone has any notes to add to share. Use the comments below. Posting pictures of the events would be nice.
Illustrators for Kids 
It WAS a great conference. My big “ahah!,” was that we should be trotting out ‘ye old analog’ POSTCARDS 2-3 times a year to all the Art Directors at various houses or imprints.
Great! OK, so who knows of a clear resource to research said ADs? I went to the SCWBI resources and their book so far is for agents and houses in general. AND then there are the imprints which often have different addresses! Urgh. Thoughts??
I did a search and found: “The SCBWI Market Survey- Publishers of Books for Young Readers” (starts page 49 in THE BOOK) lists art directors for the houses that are accepting artwork. http://www.ladimer.com/source/List_of_Publishers_Chidren_Ladimer.pdf, seems to also list art directors. “The Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market”, newest version since a book would have to be up-to-date. Hope some of these help.
Thanks! Yes, there they are. I was looking under the wrong directory! Thanks! We still have to do some research to check for match but at least we have a name and address.
I have a lot of notes from the Jodell’s Workshop and session. I just need to organize them a little. I haven’t taken notes so fast and furious since college. I would love to learn what Giuseppe had to say in his workshop, it was a hard decision to miss his. I would love to get together with the illustrators for a sharing session. Also, I would like to know what Giuseppe had to say about others portfolios (if you don’t mind sharing). I was surprised by what he said about mine and his suggested direction is not one I really feel I want to pursue. I need honest input from other illustrators.
It was a great one, wasn’t it? I was torn between attending Giuseppe’s or Jodell’s sessions, too. I went to Giuseppe’s – we need to exchange notes. We are talking about getting together more regularly as a group – I think we should have a get-together
soon, before we forget anything…
Soundbites (I guess that’s what this world is coming to)
Don Yaccarino: “Always think KID” “When work comes your way, just say yes”(figure it out later).
Giuseppe Castellano: “Just Start.” “Writers, just write and write. Illustrators, just draw all the time” “Every Illustrator has thousands of bad drawings in them, just get them out so you can move on”
Jodell Sadler: “Be playful with words and pictures, unfold with care”
I loved every minute.
Glad it was so inspirational for you, Dayne! Can you give a couple of soundbites or quotes that you found particularly helpful?? Did something stand out as new or confirm something you already knew??