In December 2008, Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Imago Foundation for the Arts are presenting an exhibit called "WORDS + PICTURES: Rhode Island Celebrates Childrens’ Books" at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital.
Participating writers and artists include: Mary Jane Begin, Christoper Denise, Anika Denise, Marlo Garnsworthy, Jill LaMere, Ellen Blomgren, and Mara Berkley.
The Children's Book Caucus of PEN New England has just announced the entry guidelines for its annual Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award.
Entrants must be residents of New England who have not been published in book form and are not under contract with a book publisher. (See the guidelines for more detail on what “unpublished” means.) Each person can submit only one entry, whether in picture books, novels, poetry, or nonfiction.
All submissions must be postmarked by Monday, February 2, 2009.
January 30st - February 1st, 2009
Full conference information including schedule, faculty, and registration is now available at the main SCBWI website: http://scbwi.org/events/ny_09/conf_ny_09.htm.
All active SCBWI Members should look for the conference brochure in the mail. The main sequence of the conference will take place on January 31st and February 1st with an optional day of Writers' or Illustrators' Intensives available to a limited number of conference-goers on January 30th.
Whispering Pines, being held March 27-29, 2009, is a writers' retreat for the serious writer. This retreat, limited to 24 full time participants, is an opportunity to work intimately with professionals in an idyllic setting.
Weekend registration includes accommodations and meals. You will have the opportunity to work with others who are committed to quality children's literature in small groups and will also benefit from a thirty minute one-on-one critique with your mentor. You will also enjoy all of our mentors’ presentations (Saturday and Sunday) and intimate after dinner Q&A sessions, including a “first pages activity.” The setting allows for quiet meditation, networking, or attention to your individual project—you design your own retreat!
Saturday only participants will enjoy presentations from author, Ellen Wittlinger and senior editor, Jennifer Rees. Afterwards, visit with other professionals over a relaxing lunch that boasts an outstanding menu. Although one-on-one critiques are not included, genre-based peer group critiques take place all afternoon.
Sunday only participants will enjoy presentations from our author/illustrator, Maryann Cocca-Leffler, and editor, Sarah Shumway. Enjoy the company and professionalism of other participants over a delicious lunch.
The Nevada region of SCBWI has been offering a mentor program for the past couple years, matching pre-published or lightly-published members with more established children's book creators. The program is open to "mentees" from other regions, including ours, who are willing and able to travel to Nevada for in-person meetings with their mentors.
December 1, 2008 is the postmark deadline for applications, and the 2009 mentors are: Esther Hershenhorn, Yuyi Morales, Laurent Linn, Ellen Hopkins, Lynda Sandoval, Terri Farley, and Susan Hart Lindquist.
Details are available on the Nevada SCBWI website, www.nevadascbwi.org