SCBWI Conference * NYC * Team Blog

Ah, I miss it already.

All of it: SCBWI, the friends, the city, my team.

Before I get to all my potentially boring personal stuff...if you missed the Official Conference Blog, you can find it HERE!

Let me know if you hung out with us (online) while our fingers flew from the conference floor. Or if you plan to check it out. I really do want to know. (I still remember being glued to Alice's lone coverage last year, attempting to pretend I was at the conference.)

This is truly a Dream Team to work with...

I'm mean, really! Look at how happy we all look at the end of it all. (From left to right: Lee Wind, Suzanne Young, Jaime Temairik, Alice Pope, and me.)

It always seems that when I get home, I think, I didn't take enough pictures. I didn't get one with her. Or him. Or that!

But I did get one with HER!

Yes, that is the funny and warm Libba Bray, otherwise known as the Super Vixen (the way she requested to be referred to when I blogged her keynote...in her wonderful Libba-way)! Now that we are on speaking terms, Libba and I, I will think of her as my newest and shiniest friend. Look at how our hair is in perfect harmony, swooshing in sync. That must mean something, right? Our hair does sprout just above our brains.

And because Libba told me to go and try this fudge, so I did...


I went with my buddy Lee Wind. Why-oh-why didn't I get a photo with HIM. Lee is behind the camera here. He got some joe for Cuppa Jolie. Ahh! I love that guy.

But wait! I'm getting ahead of myself.

REWIND

Jaime and I took a red eye out of Seattle on Wednesday night and arrived to snow falling in NYC(brrr!). Thursday was the day of our 10 Food Truck Tour with a very cool foodie blogger friend. And yes, we ate at 10 food trucks, getting one item per truck, sharing it between the three of us. It took us over two hours. Our fingers were cold, but our tummies were happy.

My favorite...the Belgium waffle with fudge and fresh strawberries. The only way I can describe it: chewy, sugary, fudgy, strawberry yumminess...it stayed on my mind the whole trip. I wish I could have made it back for another and another and another.

Just LOOK at it. I miss you, Waffle!!!!

Friday brought on the Writer's Intensive. It's well named because it is an intense treat. I highly recommend it if you ever attend the winter conference. Here's a photo of my first group. Look how happy everyone looks (hardly intense).


Friday was a fun, happy day that ended at the SCBWI cocktail party.

Here's Jenn Bailey doing the Cuppa pose with me. You can read the blog post of her breakout session HERE.



And then there was the always beautiful Esther Hershenhorn.


Jaime, Lee, and I had a great bloggy chit-chat with her. You can read about it at the wonderful Teaching Authors Blog.

Then it was off to kidlit drink night, but I was missing my party pants that night, so I didn't close down the place with the others. (Note-to-self: remember to pack an extra pair of party pants for the next conference.)

The main reason for being at the conference was for SCBWI Team Blog, and although we all blogged a bit on Friday, the real work started on Saturday. Can I call it work? Well, yeah, it's work, but work I love, so it's fan-flipping-tastic.

But there as some down time. Like the Saturday luncheon. I enjoyed a table with several people from Western Washington. Like Jennifer Mann and Stasia Kehoe.

And SCBWI WWA's fearless leaders Laurie Thompson and Joni Sensel.

The lovely Kim Baker was there, too. (How'd she miss a photo-op? Wait. No. She didn't. There she is. You see? That one, behind her hands...that's Kim.)

Can you tell what a great table we had? Just look the smiles those ladies brought to our faces.

After a full day of conference-going and blogging, it was time for a night out with friends. I celebrated my anniversary with Ann Haywood Leal (our special friendship started at this very conference three years before).

Ann and I take a Cuppa photo.

After dinner and wine, what does a group need next? CUPCAKES AND MORE WINE!

Look at the seriousness taken to find the correct route to get to Sweet Revenge. (A place that pairs cupcakes with wine and beer. That can't be missed!)

That's Jaime with Mr. Sydney Salter. :)


Cupcakes ordered...

YUM!

A happy Jaime!

Then suddenly, it was Sunday. It came and went fast, fast, fast.

The day ended with a wonderful autograph party.

Of course I got my signed copy of The Naughty List by Suzanne Young which just came out YESTERDAY!

That's Suz signing my copy.

Time for a photo with the AMAZING-SWEET-ADORABLE Alice Pope - the wonderful leader of Team Blog.

And then, we had to say GOODBYE!

Are You Folllowing All the Conference Action?

It's been busy! Our fingers flying. Lots and lots of good stuff.

You can find us at the Official Conference Blog.

Plus, the whole team is busy on Twitter:
SCBWI

Alice

Jaime

Jolie

Lee Wind

Suzanne

Leaving On a Jet Plane

It's the last minute scramble.

Print this.

Pack that.

Lose my pants.

Stress I don't have enough shoes. Or pants. Or at least ones I like.

Find missing pants (now more laundry).

Totally space that it's early release for the girlies and get a call from the school.

Hustle to pick them up.

Scramble, scramble, scramble.

But I'm leaving on a jet plane. Tonight. The red eye.

And in the morning, I'll be in NYC.

Looking forward to see some of you there. But if you won't be there, I'll look forward to hearing from you on the Official Conference Blog (leave comments...it'll be fun!).

I'll also be all atwitter--and often. Trying to tweet all the excitement of the conference and then some, including special events, like the VIP party. You can follow me @cuppajolie.

SCBWI TEAM BLOG - Exclusive Interview with Editor Alvina Ling

The conference is just days away. Just days!

If you are still considering attending, here's one more reason: Alvina Ling! She'll be easy to spot. She'll be the one floating on air. (Oh, wait. Libba Bray might be floating on air too. Or soaring.)

Alvina Ling is a senior editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and (as she mentioned on here blogs) is still basking in the glow of of Grace Lin's Newbery Honor. Let's put this in caps...HUGE CONGRATS TO GRACE LIN FOR HER NEWBERY HONOR FOR WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON EDITED BY ALVINA LING.

You can find Aliva's blogs HERE and HERE. You can also follow her on twitter @plantalvina.

I had a chance to throw some questions her direction before all the ALA excitement. Here's what she had to say:

What an exciting year it's been for you and your authors, including Grace Lin's WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON as an Al's Book Club For Kids pick, and the huge success of Peter Brown's THE CURIOUS GARDEN and Justina Chen's NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL. Can you tell us what your looking forward to in 2010?

Oh, well thank you! Each year brings so many new, wonderful, beautiful books. Forgive me, but I’m going to mention a lot of them! This year, I’m excited about two debut YA novels: GUARDIAN OF THE DEAD by Karen Healey, which is dark urban fantasy set in New Zealand and steeped in Maori lore; and SORTA LIKE A ROCK STAR by Matthew Quick, which is about a girl named Amber Appleton who has a tough life, but is the self-proclaimed Princess of Hope. I call the latter novel “Juno meets Stargirl.” Grace Lin has her first early reader LING AND TING about two adorable Chinese American twins; I also edited a super silly, hilarious picture book called SHARK VS TRAIN by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld; Jerry Spinelli’s picture book I CAN BE ANYTHING, illustrated by Jimmy Liao is pubbing in March. Peter Brown’s next picture book is coming out this Fall called CHILDREN MAKE TERRIBLE PETS—he’s using a new art style that’s really great, I really think this is his best book yet; Also in the Fall is Wendy Mass’s next middle grade novel THE CANDYMAKERS, about four kids who compete in a candymaking contest. There’s a really cool urban fantasy by Cate Tiernan called IMMORTAL BELOVED, the first in a trilogy; and also Sean Beaudoin’s third novel is YOU KILLED WESLEY PAYNE, a neo-noir set in a HS where Cliques are battling for power. And last but not least, I’m excited about a beautiful, powerful picture book biography called DAVE THE POTTER: ARTIST, POET, SLAVE by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier.

Is there one request you find yourself asking of your authors (in the editing process) that you could share with the rest of us?

I can’t say there’s one request that comes up across the board, but if I had to pick two things, I would say I’m often asking authors to bring more emotion into the work, and am also keeping an eye on making sure each book is a very satisfying read.

As we approach the upcoming conference, and knowing you have participated in others, as an editor what's your biggest take away from attending?

Conferences are a good reminder for me that all authors had to start somewhere. I truly believe that with hard work, honing your craft, and persistence can lead to success for authors, and I’m happy to help. I love meeting new people, and conferences are a good place to meet them! Authors, other editors, agents—it’s great knowing that we all have a love of children’s books in common.

What's one bit of advice you would give to those attending the conference?

Take advantage of opportunities, but in a respectful way. Don’t be shy! Meet all the people you can, you never know the effect someone may have on your life. Oh, and take notes—all the information can be overwhelming, but if you write it down, you can dissect it later.

If we ordered a Cuppa Alvina Ling, tell us, what would we be getting?

Ha—what a fun question! Let’s see. I think a cuppa me would include a dash of laughter, a sprinkling of hope, some adventure, some tears, some curiosity, and all topped off with a scoop of strawberry ice cream!

The Conference is Coming...The Conference is Coming...

Am I going to see you?

I reallyreallyreally hope so! Please let me know so that we can say hello IN PERSON (perhaps have a cuppa somethin')!

But if you won't be there, the SUPERGREAT news is that SCBWI Team Blog will bring the conference to you. You can be a conference-goer in jammies.

A few more exclusive faculty interviews/features are up.

Don't miss a great chat Lee Wind has with Eddie Gamarra.

Jaime has something special with Peter Sis (yes, him!).

And if you missed it (because it was almost the Christmas), here's my twitterview with Jenn Bailey.

If you don't want to miss a thing, make sure you follow the Official SCBWI Conference Blog (we will be LIVE blogging during the sessions).

And you can find all of us on Twitter, here:

SCBWI

Alice

Jaime

Jolie

Lee Wind

Suzanne

But if you want to register, go HERE.

SCBWI Team Blog Exclusive with Jenn Bailey

Yesterday I had the sweet treat of chatting with the fab Jenn Bailey via Twitter.

Jenn, graphic designer and professional blogger (and so much more), will be presenting three break-out sessions at the upcoming 11th SCBWI Conference in NYC.

We both donned our festive caps, grabbed a cuppa something, and sat down for a long winter's chat.

Here our transcript!

December 22, 2009
2:53 pm JennBailey: @cuppajolie The kettle is on. I've settled on African Rooibos tea. Perfect for this cold Kansas day. My Cuppa will be ready soon. #scbwi

2:59 pm cuppajolie: One more minute! Jingle, jingle! #scbwi

3:00 pm cuppajolie: I show one 1:00. Let's get this party started! #scbwi

3:00 pm cuppajolie: First, thank you for joining me for this exclusive twitterview at such a busy time of year, Jenn. #scbwi

3:00 pm JennBailey: @cuppajolie A red mug AND a Santa Hat! Wonderfully festive. #scbwi

3:01 pm cuppajolie: You inspired me, Jenn! A nice change. #scbwi

3:01 pm cuppajolie: You've got your cuppa African Rooibos and I have my cuppa water (boring, I know). We'll have to have a cocktail together in nyc. #scbwi

3:01 pm JennBailey: @cuppajolie My absolute pleasure! I've got my sons cleaning the house because I'm "busy", so this is great. #scbwi

3:02 pm cuppajolie: I have a handful of questions or topics I'd love to chat with you about? #scbwi

3:02 pm cuppajolie: ...but, if others have their own questions along the way, feel free to send them along and I'll throw them Jenn's way if time permits. #scbwi

3:03 pm cuppajolie: Please use #scbwi. #scbwi

3:03 pm cuppajolie: I've got my holiday music playing and my cuppa at my side. So, shall we get started? #scbwi

3:04 pm JennBailey: Yes, yes! I've Bing singing. We may just get that White Christmas here. #scbwi

3:05 pm cuppajolie: You'll be presenting 3 breakout sessions at the upcoming SCBWI conference in nyc: Viral Marketing/Promotion. #scbwi

3:05 pm cuppajolie: Can you give us the gist of your talk in 140 characters? #scbwi

3:07 pm JennBailey: There are no formulas that cause something to go viral. You have to entertain, educate or inspire your fan base and be ... (doh!) #scbwi

3:08 pm JennBailey: willing to let go of your message and encourage your audience to run with it. Relax, have fun and don't try too hard. #scbwi

3:09 pm cuppajolie: Will your talk be best suited for those already published? #scbwi

3:11 pm JennBailey: It will, but there are always lessons for the pre-published. Writers have to position themselves for book launch. Takes time to ... #scbwi

3:12 pm JennBailey: build that trusting fan base. If you push too hard and are not genuine folks will run screaming "Spam". #scbwi

3:13 pm cuppajolie: So true. Or just be turned off, yes? #scbwi

3:13 pm cuppajolie: I love those three key words you use: entertain, educate, and inspire? #scbwi

3:14 pm JennBailey: Exactly. People want to meet the author not the salesman. #scbwi

3:14 pm cuppajolie: And you mention not trying to hard. Would you say that's one of the biggest mistakes people make? #scbwi

3:17 pm JennBailey: I think it is, but you don't crash a party, stand on a chair and shout "Look at me! I've got something I want you to buy." #scbwi

3:18 pm JennBailey: At least not most of us. You want to listen first. Give a little. Be a friend to get a friend (as I said in LA). #scbwi

3:19 pm cuppajolie: Perhaps it's okay to stand on that chair and shout from the rooftop at the appropriate time(s)? (Just not over and over?) #scbwi

3:20 pm cuppajolie: "Be a friend to get a friend" is a great message, Jenn. #scbwi

3:21 pm JennBailey: Of course. When it's your party and everyone's excited to hear from you, SHOUT your head off. Just make sure people want to listen #scbwi

3:27 pm cuppajolie: Seems not to be liking my last tweet. Perhaps I'll try again with another. #scbwi

3:28 pm cuppajolie: In LA you did a twitter 101 session. Many are still not on twitter. Do you think they should jump on the twitter train? #scbwi

3:30 pm JennBailey: Twitter is one of the most power tools a writer can use for promoting themselves and their work. It's fast, accessible, searchable #scbwi

3:30 pm JennBailey: I call Twitter the great amplifier - but of course you need something to amplify. #scbwi

3:31 pm cuppajolie: Ack! Where is the time going. How 'bout just a one or two more? #scbwi

3:32 pm cuppajolie: What do you say to those that are afraid of twitter (one more social media tool to learn how to function in)? #scbwi

3:32 pm JennBailey: As long as I'm with you the boys will keep cleaning so . . . #scbwi

3:34 pm JennBailey: I'm going to borrow from myself again. Sorry to those who have heard this before. Social Media tools are NOT about technology #scbwi

3:35 pm JennBailey: They are about Anthropology. We want to connect, we've been doing it for eons - carrier pigeon, telegraph, sky writing . . . #scbwi

3:36 pm JennBailey: Twitter and the other tools are just a new way to say "Hi" and get to know people. You learned that when you were 2. There is ... #scbwi

3:36 pm JennBailey: nothing to be frazzled about. Just have fun and remember what your Mom taught you - Play Nice! #scbwi

3:36 pm cuppajolie: I do think that many are afraid of the how-tos of twitter, you know, all the @, RT, #, DM... #scbwi

3:37 pm cuppajolie: Yes. Play nice. Another great message, Jenn. People have certainly gotten themselves into trouble using social media. #scbwi

3:38 pm cuppajolie: If an author could only choose one social networking tool to use, which would you suggest. Where's is a good place to start. #scbwi

3:39 pm JennBailey: It may sound like code but it does make sense. And there are great resources out there from folks like @gregpincus and @inkyelbows #scbwi

3:40 pm JennBailey: That is such a hard question. Writers and Illustrators need a home so I'm all for a website or blog. Even a fan page on facebook #scbwi

3:41 pm JennBailey: But Twitter is like the Barker at the Circus, calling the curious and interested to come over and check things out. You need a ... #scbwi

3:42 pm JennBailey: place to send them too. Guess I'm not answering the question. #scbwi

3:42 pm cuppajolie: Do you think it's important for people to enjoy the tool they are using? ... #scbwi

3:43 pm JennBailey: Oh! Another resource (If I may) @leewind is coming out with a blogging ebook. Great stuff there too. #scbwi

3:43 pm cuppajolie: ...(Maybe this brings us full circle, back to not trying too hard.) #scbwi

3:45 pm JennBailey: Oh! You have to have fun! If you aren't it shines through. Transparency is important. BUT you also have to be where your audience is #scbwi

3:46 pm cuppajolie: And this has been FUN, Jenn. I look forward to having a cuppa something with you in nyc. #scbwi

3:46 pm JennBailey: If most of your fans are on MySpace, get used to MySpace and learn to be, at least, comfortable there. #scbwi

3:47 pm JennBailey: Let's go for a dirty martini, 3 olives. #scbwi

3:48 pm cuppajolie: Thank you so much for your time today. (I hope those boys got loads of clean up done for you.) #scbwi

3:48 pm cuppajolie: I've never had a dirty martini. Will have to try (when we meet up). #scbwi

3:49 pm cuppajolie: I will post transcripts of this chat with @JennBailey on my Cuppa Jolie blog asap. #scbwi

3:50 pm JennBailey: Thank you, Jolie. This was fun and I appreciate the spotlight :) #scbwi

3:51 pm cuppajolie: Earlybird registration is coming up (Jan. 4). If Santa leaves a little $ in your stocking, then you too can see Jenn! #scbwi

3:51 pm cuppajolie: It was my pleasure, Jenn. Looking forward to seeing you in a month (coming right up!). #scbwi

3:53 pm cuppajolie: Check out all the conference details here: http://www.scbwi.org/Conference.aspx?Con=5 The line up is amazing! #scbwi

SCBWI TEAM BLOG EXCLUSIVES!

Don't miss out on all the goodies. You can follow all the Team Blog conference (pre, during, and post) coverage HERE.

Jump over to Lee Wind's for an exclusive interview with Laurent Linn. (Honestly, he's one of the nicest and coolest guys in the business! Oh yeah, and he's an Art Director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Reader.)


And set your schedules for a live twitterview I'll be doing with Jennifer Bailey, Graphic Designer and Professional Blogger, on Tuesday, December 21 at 1:00 pm pac time via Twitter (use #scbwi). Should be fun!

SCBWI Exclusive Conference Interview and Other Great Linksies

Jump over to Alice Pope's CWIM Blog for another conference exclusive with Tina Wexler, literary agent at International Creative Management (ICM).

While you're there, she has super interview with some super fly LA conference attendees. Take a read HERE. You don't want to miss their conference fashions (I'm not sure how I did when I was in LA).

Also, the second place cookie winner from the contest I judged the other night at the SCBWI WWA meeting has posted the recipe. Thanks to Holly Cupala for sharing, and for saying things about me that are as sweet as her delish cookies.

You can also find photos of the cookies which took home the prize for most-creative cookie. Not only were they beautiful, but they were yummy. Thanks for sharing, Lida! Go and look! And, Lida mentioned she'd soon post the recipe.

Now, we must work on that No. 1 cookie recipe winner, Chadwick! 'Cause those whoopie pies made me whoop with joy!

All I Want For Christmas is the 11th Annual SCBWI Conference!

Has your sweetie or the gift-giver in your life asked you what your heart's desire is this holiday season?

Did you tell them it's attending the 11th Annual SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC? Especially since the iconic Jane Yolen (yes, that Jane Yolen!) has been added to the faculty roster and will wrap up, what is sure to be, an amazing conference.

Early registration pricing will be in effect during this holiday-shopping season (perfect!). You can register HERE.

And you can the Official Conference Blog HERE.

Wouldn't this image look great with a big, shiny bow around it?

Let us know if we'll see you there.

2010 SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC: Registration Is Open

Registration for the upcoming SCBWI winter conference is now OPEN!

Go check it out!

And please let me know if I'll see you there.

2010 SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC

If you want all the deets about the upcoming SCBWI winter conference, now's the time to check it out and to start making your plans. The schedule, and all other pertinent info, is posted right HERE for you perusal (a perfect pairing with your morning cuppa!).

Brochures will hit your mailboxes soon, but take note of the registration date above (October 28th at 10 AM PST). I hope you'll put it on your calendar, and set your alarm, so that you can have your fingers positioned above the keyboard to get the registration done in time to not miss a thing! Do it now if you like, I'll wait...

I'm your friend, yes? And I wouldn't steer you wrong. The main conference (Saturday and Sunday) is preceded by a day of intensives that are NOT to be missed. I can tell you, from experience, that the intensive are so worth it BUT the spots get gobbled up. * So, if you plan to be part of the writer or illustrator intensives, then be ready to jump on registration (which will mean I'll see YOU there!).

What's more?

SCBWI Team Blog, that's what! We'll be hard at work, once again, and we can't wait to bring the SCBWI community live blog posts and tweets from the conference floor (plus provide you special insider goodies). *happy cuppa*

Back with great-blogger strength are: Alice Pope, Jaime Temarik, Lee Wind, Suzanne Young, and ME. Go, Team Blog.

Follow their blogs and then follow them on twitter... @alicepope, @jaimetem, @leewind, @suzanne_young, and you can find me at @cuppajolie, so you don't miss a thing.

So, did you check it out already? I hope so, 'cause if not, I'm going to spill some beans. Like the fact that Libby Bray (Libby Freakin' Bray, friends!) is keynoting! You've got to go just for that reason alone! It will be both great and terrible, right? Great if your there, terrible if you miss it. (sorry, couldn't help myself) Who else? My agent, that's who. The super fab Rosemary Stimola. Yay! Plus, so MANY more: much more than you will see on the faculty list, because so many editors, publishers, art directors, etc. are there since we'll be on their turf. That's part of the specialness of a conference in NYC. Love it!

*A note about the intensive: They really are a great opportunity. You may have the same reaction I did two years ago when I attended. Whoa! An extra $175-$225. That's a lot of moola. But when I said those words to my hubby, he said, "Hey, you're going to be there. You should do it. Don't pass up the opportunity." And even though the $dollars$ were a tight, I did. That particular intensive kicked off my journey, no doubt. But I will say, especially for writers, the key is to have a submission-ready piece to share.