2008 Whispering Pines Retreat
Whispering Pines Writers’ Retreat
A Working Weekend for the Serious Writer
February 29-March 2, 2008
This retreat, limited to 20 full time participants, is an opportunityto 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 Mark Peter Hughes and editor, Emily Mitchell. Afterwards, visit with other professionals over a relaxing lunch that boasts an outstanding menu. Although one-on-one critiques are not included, group critiques take place all afternoon.
Sunday only participants will enjoy presentations from our illustrator, Ilene Richard, and editor, Kaylan Adair. Enjoy the company and professionalism of other participants over a delicious lunch.
There will be a book sale each day for your browsing pleasure. Sorry! No credit cards accepted.
Mentors:
Author:
Award winning author Mark Peter Hughes lives in Massachusetts with his wife, three young children, and a wild mountain cockapoo. Mark was born in Liverpool, England and grew up in Barrington, Rhode Island. A former member of an alternative rock band, Mark was once kicked out of eighth grade music class for throwing a spitball. His novel Lemonade Mouth is a Top 10 Booksense Pick and has been nominated as a 2008 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. His first novel, I am the Wallpaper , was selected as one of the New York Public Library’s Best Books for the Teen Age 2006, a Booksense Summer Pick and a finalist in the Delacorte Press Young Adult Novel Competition.
Illustrator::
Ilene Richard received her B.F.A. in Illustration, Graphic Design, and Jewelry Design, from the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth. She attended The Museum School in Boston, and the DeCodova Museum School for continuing education classes in illustration. Since concentrating on children's publishing Ilene has had the privilege of working with and been published by; Random House, Grosset & Dunlap, Leapfrog, Sesame Street Magazine, Scott Foresman, Kar-Ben, Harcourt, the Wright Group and Brown Publishing. Ilene lives in Andover, Massachusetts with her husband, Larry, and her two dogs, Bessie and Gracie. Her son, Corey, and her daughter, Jodi, are both away at college.
Editors:
Kaylan Adair is an associate editor at Candlewick Press. She works with such authors and illustrators as Mark London Williams, Valeri Gorbachev, Lisa Moser, Adam Rapp, and Ron Koertge. While her interests run the gamut from picture books to young adult, she is particularly keen to add more middle grade and young adult titles to her list. Kaylan is looking for strong, original voices and compelling, engrossing stories.
Emily Mitchell has been an editor at Charlesbridge Publishing since 2001. Prior to that, she was the subsidiary rights manager at Sheldon Fogelman Agency in New York. Her books include the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor book A Mother’s Journey by Sandra Markle and Alan Marks, Aggie and Ben by Lori Ries and Frank W. Dormer, and Princess Justina Albertina by Ellen Dee Davidson and Michael Chesworth. A graduate of Harvard College and Syracuse University’s Graduate School of Education, she lives in Bedford, Massachusetts, with her husband, two kids, and aged beagle. Emily also writes book reviews in haiku on her blog, www.emilyreads.com.
For a complete brochure and registration form, please contact Lynda Mullaly Hunt, registrar at GLKKHunt@aol.com
"The Bookstore," excerpt from "Gigi and the Birthday Ring" by Giselle Fernandez.