Introduction | Speakers | Faculty | Book Sales | Registration | Directions | Critique Guidelines | Gallery
Paula Morrow Executive Editor, Ladybug and Babybug; Editor, Cricket
Books
“Good Versus Great” – We all dream of penning great literature, the kind that
wins awards and lives forever. Many manuscripts, however, are more workmanlike than
wondrous. Paula examines the qualities that lift a manuscript above the ordinary.
Emerson Blake Editor in Chief, Milkweed Editions
“Can Children's Literature Save the World?” – Children’s literature is about more
than just entertainment. It also helps promote tolerance, judgment, and critical-thinking
skill, all of which healthy societies need.
Joy Neaves Editor, Front Street, Inc.
“Forging Identity: The Art of the Young Adult Novel” – Joy will address various aspects
of writing that are specific and essential to the young adult novel, and the editorial
process at Front Street, how they identify authors and the process through which they
work with us.
Valerie Valentine New Submissions Editor, Llewellyn Publications
“Show, Don’t Tell: Writing Catchy Prose to Catch an Editor’s Eye” – Find out
ways to brighten up your prose’s basic elements: setting, dialogue, characterization,
plot, mood, and point of view. Hear about some of the pros and cons of working with
a small, independent press when publishing your work, from an emerging YA/MG publisher.
Loraine Joyner Art Director, Peachtree Publishers
“Once Upon a Picture: The Illustrator as Storyteller” – How elements within illustrations,
though never mentioned in the text, enrich and build upon the author's foundation.
Judy Zylstra Editor in Chief, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
“What's a Child to Do in a World Like This?” – This presentation will explore the
kinds of subject matter suitable for children’s books and will offer specific suggestions
for writing age-appropriate books for children on difficult topics.