December 2008 Archives

The Class of 2k9 debut authors have launched their official website, www.classof2k9.com, following in the footsteps of the legendary Classes of 2k7 and 2k8. These authors, whose first middle-grade or YA novels will be published during the 2009 calendar year, have banded together to coordinate promotional efforts to booksellers, librarians, and teachers through a joint website, blog, brochure, and other elements of a marketing campaign. By working together, pooling their resources and expertise, they will be able to draw more attention to their books than any one of them could do alone.

The Class of 2k10 will be organizing in 2009. If anyone has a first novel scheduled for a 2010 release, and might want to join the upcoming Class, let me know and I'll forward your information on to the appropriate committee. Thanks!

Sylvan Dell Publishing Editor Donna German has asked us to put out the word that she is temporarily closing submissions until the first of February, 2009. Submission guidelines are available at http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/about.htm with frequent updates to what Donna is currently looking for.

Our wonderful 2009 NE SCBWI Whispering Pines Retreat being held March 27-29 this year, has a limited number of openings for Saturday-only attendees.

If you've always wanted to experience the magic of this very special retreat but couldn't commit either the time or the money, this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the incredible surroundings, delicious food and presentations by our mentors, award-winning author, Ellen Wittlinger and Scholastic Press 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.

Openings will fill quickly, so please contact Lynda Mullaly Hunt today at glkkhunt@aol.com or go to http://lyndamullalyhunt.com/index_files/Page554.htm

Welcome to the new NESCBWI website, version 4.0, updated and redesigned to be more informative and easier to use. More tweaks are forthcoming but the basics have all fallen into place.

Thanks to everyone who provided input and suggestions on how the New England SCBWI website could be improved, and especially to those who are testing the new MyNESCBWI Social Networking Site, which should have its official grand opening announcement very soon.