2009 Whispering Pines Writers' Retreat
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.
Mentors:
Author:
Ellen Wittlinger is the author of 14 novels for young adults, including such titles as Sandpiper, Blind Faith, Parrotfish, and her newest book, Love & Lies. Her novel, Hard Love, won a Michael L. Printz Honor Award and a Lambda Literary Award. Many of her novels have been listed on the yearly best books lists of the New York Public Library and the American Library Association. http://www.ellenwittlinger.com
Illustrator:
Author-Illustrator Maryann Cocca-Leffler has been a storyteller since way back. She told her second grade classmates that her father owned the “Coca-Cola” company. (He didn’t.) That teeny, tiny lie was the idea behind her new book, Princess K.I.M. and the Lie That Grew. Maryann has published in most genres including, trade, boardbooks, easy readers, and just recently her first flap-pop-up book called My Dance Recital. Maryann graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art with a BFA in illustration. Since then she has written and/or illustrated over 45 books for children. Maryann lives with her family in New Hampshire. www.maryanncoccaleffler.com
Editors:
Sarah Shumway is Senior Editor at Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. She is most interested in contemporary, humorous young adult and middle grade fiction, and the occasional historical or inspirational fiction. She was most recently an Editor at Dutton Children's Books, where her projects included Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs, Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi, and Lester Fizz: Bubble-Gum Artist by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Thor Wickstrom.
Senior Editor of Scholastic Press, Jennifer Rees, got her start in children’s books as a children’s bookseller at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati. Since then, she’s found great joy in working as an editor at Scholastic Press, where she acquires and edits fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle grade and YA novels. A sampling of the projects she’s edited include Looking for Miza by Craig Hatkoff, Jibberwillies at Night by Rachel Vail and Yumi Heo, Sunny Holiday by Coleen Murtagh Paratore, 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson, Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick, Purge by Sarah Darer Littman, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
FOR REGISTRATION INFO, CONTACT Lynda Mullaly Hunt at glkkhunt@aol.com or go to http://lyndamullalyhunt.com/index_files/Page554.htm
