Launch Pad magazine publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and artwork by children ages 6-12. The magazine is an open access resource, and we do not charge parents, teachers, or children any sort of publication or submission fees. The first two issues are now published. We are still looking for submissions for our upcoming ocean and summer fun (hiking, camping, summer sports, vacations, etc.) issues. Please feel free to share this resource with any of your students or other aspiring young authors or artists!
Contact: Paul Kelsey, Editor and Publisher
editor@launchpadmag.com
www.launchpadmag.com
Launch Pad Blog: http://launchpadmag.blogspot.com
Starting April 16, 2008 and going through July 15, 2008, Cheerios invites previously unpublished adult authors to submit their children’s book manuscripts in the second Cheerios® Spoonfuls of Stories® Children’s Book Contest. The book should be suitable for children who are 4 to 8 years old. Cheerios will provide cash prizes to up to three winners, and the top winner will have their book evaluated by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for a potential book deal. A book deal is not guaranteed. For a complete list of rules and to submit an entry online, go to www.SpoonfulsofStoriesContest.com.
Last year, Cheerios received close to 1,000 entries in the Children’s Book Contest, and Shellie Braeuner, an SCBWI member from Nashville, Tenn., was named the grand prize winner. In addition to her $5,000 prize from Cheerios, Braeuner received a book deal from Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Her winning story, The Great Dog Wash, is being published and will be printed and available in Cheerios boxes in the spring of 2009. The book also will be available in hardcover on bookshelves in the summer of 2009. Two first prize winners, Alison Anderson of Cumberland, Wisc., and Kate Heilman, an SCBWI member from Chicago, each received $1,000 from Cheerios.
]]> Contest Information:WHAT: Cheerios® Spoonfuls of Stories® Children’s Book Contest
The book should be suitable for children who are 4 to 8 years old. Authors must be 18 years or older to enter. To obtain a complete list of rules and to submit your original, unpublished entry online, go to spoonfulsofstoriescontest.com.
WHEN: Deadline for story submission is July 15, 2008. Winners will be announced in January 2009.
JUDGING: Entries will be judged using the following criteria:
1. Age Appropriate
- Is the topic/subject matter appropriate for children ages 4 to 8?
- Are the words and the tone appropriate for young children?
2. Emotional Connection
- Does the story provide an emotional connection with the reader? i.e. Does it provide a lesson for kids? Does it bring a tear to your eye?
Does it offer high giggle-ability?
- Are the characters and storyline engaging / appealing?
3. Writing Quality
- Is the book well-written overall?
4. Uniqueness
- Is the storyline / plot distinctive or extraordinary?
- Does it re-tell a known story or historical event in a new or different way?
5. Read Aloud Potential
- Is this a book you can easily read aloud with children?
- Is it a book that could be enjoyed again and again?
Initial judging will be conducted by the nonprofit First Book, an award-winning literacy organization. The top 15-ranked children’s book manuscripts will be judged by a panel of publishing and children’s book authors/experts, who will select a winner and two finalists.
PRIZES:The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and will have their story reviewed by a publisher for a potential book deal. Two other finalists will receive cash prizes of $1,000 each.
The Children’s Book Contest is part of the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories® program to get high quality books into kids’ hands. Over the past six years, Cheerios has donated more than $2.5 million to First Book (www.firstbook.org), and has given away more than 30 million books to children inside boxes of Cheerios cereal. For more information, see www.spoonfulsofstories.com.
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Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, MultiGrain Cheerios, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, Berry Burst Cheerios, Yogurt Burst Cheerios, Fruity Cheerios and Spoonfuls of Stories are trademarks of General Mills.
]]>Join the Writers of Lower Fairfield on Saturday, June 7, 2008, from 3 – 5 p.m. as we welcome authors Nora Raleigh Baskin, Elise Broach, and Sarah Darer Littman. The three children’s book authors will discuss agents, publishing, and writing in general. Multi-published writer, Jody Novins, will moderate the panel
A book signing will follow the presentation.
This event is free and open to members and nonmembers. It will be held at the Harry Bennett Branch of the Ferguson Library in Stamford, CT.
115 Vine Road
Stamford, CT
Phone: (203) 351-8291
To RSVP or learn more, email Stacy at smb8479@aol.com or Laura at ldtcorrie@optonline.net or visit our blog at http://lowerfairfieldwriters.blogspot.com.
RSVP isn’t required, but would be helpful to those planning the event.
]]>The exhibit features the work of children’s-book creators Mary Jane Begin, Christopher and Anika Denise, Jill Lamere, and Marlo Garnsworthy.
• A school vacation bookmaking workshop for children led by Peggy Gossage of the George Hail Library: Thursday, 21 Feb, 10:30-12:00.
• Artists’ reception, book signings and readings on Friday, 22 Feb, 6:00-8:00; children especially invited.
• Additional readings and special gallery hours on Saturday, 23 Feb, 11:00-2:00; Tuesday, 26 Feb, and Thursday, 28 Feb, 4;00-6:00; and Saturday, 1 Mar, 11:00-2:00.
Congratulations, Lita!!!
One Thousand Tracings is Lita’s first picture book as author and illustrator. Her newest book, D is for Dinosaur, has just been released this month. For more information go to LitaJudge.com.
]]>We consult children and parents throughout the creation, writing and illustration of the books to make sure our fiction series are the best they can be.On the one hand, that's called "market research," and it's an aspect of most businesses that book publishing usually skips.]]> Earlier this week the New York Times even published an article on how book publishers work differently from companies in other media, quoting Eric Simonoff of the Janklow & Nesbit agency about how people in other media industries react when he explains publishing to them:2HEADS is different from any other imprint that currently exists because we believe that children should play a key role in shaping the series fiction that they really want to read. So we involve the readers and their parents in lots of different ways throughout the development and writing of our stories to ensure that every 2HEADS series really hits the mark with children.
they’re stunned because it’s so unpredictable, because the profit margins are so small, the cycles are so incredibly long, and because of the almost total lack of market research.All those oddities tie together, of course. Because there's so little profit in book publishing, there's little money to spend on market research, which makes sales unpredictable, which produces little profit, and so on.
Most books are therefore steered by the instincts, market savvy, and/or inspiration of an author or editor. And the more "literary" a book is, the more the author's artistry is supposed to shape it. That's where the "on the other hand" comes in. We've come to distrust works of art created by committee for the pleasure of the market. Often we don't even treat them as works of art. Not that there's anything wrong with that—but there's a reason "starving artist" is a cliché.
Now it's important to note how 2Heads is putting its market-driven approach to work in a very particular area of publishing: mass-market, middle-grade paperback series fiction. Those books rarely claim to be art to begin with. For years they've been conceived by editors in response to market demand ("Why don't we have a horror series on our list?"). For decades they've been written by syndicates and ghost writers.
I think it's telling that, according to British media watchers, 2Heads is advertising to parents in What's on TV and TV Choice, and to kids on the Cartoon Network website. Its marketers know that their target audience is watching TV and online videos.
It will also be interesting to find out (just how I don't know) if the names and addresses 2Heads is collecting through its "Register for Research" page will be used only to produce the books, or also to sell them. Is this market research also a form of viral marketing, and how do we draw the line?
]]>Exhibition Open: May 4, 2007 - May 27, 2007.
Opening Reception: Friday May 4th, 2007 from 5:00-7:00 PM, public invited.
Lita Judge and Beth Krommes are New England SCBWI members.
]]> (May 4 May 27, 2007/ 30 Grove St. Peterborough, NH) The Sharon Arts Center Gallery presents The Power of Pictures: Celebrating New Hampshire Illustrators, May 4, 2007 - May 27, 2007. There will be an opening reception with the artists Friday May 4th, from 5:00-7:00 PM, public invited. The galleries are open until 9PM for First Friday.The exhibit features original artwork from regional artists Kim Cunningham, Lita Judge, Marty Kelly, Beth Krommes, and Erick Ingraham. The authors/illustrators represent a diverse array of media including watercolor, oil, woodcut/engraving, scratchboards, linoleum block-cuts and more!
A historical perspective will be highlighted through selections from Keene State College Children’s Literature Festival Gallery (including Eric Carle, Tommi DePaola and other notable New England illustrators) and original illustrations from Elizabeth Orton Jones provided by the Mason Public Library.
Learn about the creative process through drafts, sketches, panel progressions and finished originals by a sampling of New Hampshire’s best-loved illustrators.
The gallery will be transformed into an especially welcoming space that encourages families to spend time together enjoying the power of pictures. Children may read the featured stories at child-sized tables, or snuggle on a wing chair while a loved one reads to them.
30 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458
603.924.7676
A percentage of all sales will go to the Mass Audubon Society.
Hours: Nature Center: Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, and Monday holidays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Trails: Open Tuesday through Sunday, and Monday holidays, dawn to dusk.
Directions:
From Boston: Take the Mass. Turnpike (Rt I-90) west to exit 16 (West Newton/Wellesley). Follow Rt 16 west for 7 miles to South Natick Center. The sanctuary is 1.8 miles ahead on the left. From the east: Take Rt 9 west to Rt 16 in Wellesley. Follow Rt 16 west for about 5 miles; the sanctuary is on the left.
From the west: Take Rt I-495 to Rt 9. Follow Rt 9 east to Rt 27 in Natick. Follow Rt 27 south for 4 miles to Sherborn. Turn left onto Rt 16 east and follow for 1.6 miles; the sanctuary is on the right.
From the north and south: Take Rt I-95 to Rt 16 (exit 22). Follow Rt 16 west for 7 miles; the sanctuary is on the left.
The Class of 2k8 is a group of first-time middle grade and young adult fiction authors with debut novels to be published in 2008. This class will mostly follow the model of the successful and original Class of 2k7, and is sanctioned by that group.
The Class of 2k8 will be involved in a cross-publisher marketing campaign geared to put their books on the radar screen of booksellers, librarians, teachers and readers.
]]> To join:If you're interested in joining or in finding out more about the group, send an email request to [authors at Classof2k8 dot com]. On Sunday, April 15, They will start sending out the application forms along with a preliminary set of expectations.
]]>Our own NESCBWI member, Jeannie Brett, has illustrated titles such as L is for Lobster, A Maine Alphabet Book, One if by Land, A Massachusetts Number Book, M is for Mayflower, and P is for Passport.
Marty Kelley is the author of picture books The Rules, Winter Woes, and Summer Stinks has a talent for understanding children and their problems and deals with them humorously. His workshops share a lot and keep you laughing from start to finish.
Michael Daley is a Vermont author whose newly published Shanghaied to the Moon will delight upper elementary and secondary students and young writers. Michael will illustrate step by step from idea to finish the process of getting your book published. Michael will be accompanied by author Jessie Haas.
]]> Registration:Directions to Rindge Memorial School
The Children's Literature Conference takes place at Rindge Memorial School, Rindge, NH. Rindge Memorial School is located on School Street off Route 119 in Rindge, NH. At the junction of Route 119 and 202 at Fogg's Corner, take Route 119 East for 2.4 miles until you reach School Street. Memorial School is on the left on School Street.
Conference Time
April 14, 2007 -- from 8:15 AM - Continental Breakfast, 8:45 AM - Keynote Speaker, 2:30 PM - Conference ends
Notes:
Books by the presenters will be available for sale. We cannot accept purchase orders. Registrations are not refundable. Questions or to Register please call Marion Austin, Coordinator - 603-242-6267 or John Stone, Principal - 603-899-3363
I will be teaching a workshop called Releasing The Writer Within: Storytelling Through Journaling starting April 14th. Class is held in Warren, RI, about 20 minutes south of Providence, RI. This is a class geared for the beginner, advanced, and everyone in between. The foundation of the class will be unblocking writer's block and taping into the stories that are within the pages of our journals. Journalers and non-journalers alike are welcome!
If you are interested this three-week workshop, please contact Hannah off list: hrgoodman @ cox . net
]]>Bookstore sales fell 2.9% in 2006, to $16.12 billion, according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The figures reflect the poor holiday sales reported by many booksellers, with December sales tumbling 8.8%, to $1.99 billion. For the entire retail segment, sales rose 6% in the year.
In other words, Americans are still buying things. We're just not buying so many books, at least through the bookstores that the Census Bureau tracks.
For the year ending in early Feb 2007, Barnes & Noble's superstore revenue was up slightly, but sales at the existing superstores didn't grow (in fact, they shrunk by a hair). Sales at B. Dalton outlets fell 29%. B&N.com revenue, which was a little less than 10% of the superstore revenue, also fell a little on a "comparable-store" basis.
At Borders, the news was worse. Total revenue rose by less than 1% for the year, the company had a net loss for the year. Superstore sales were up only 1.5%, with comparable-store sales off 2.2%. Among Borders's responses will be:
* shrinking the Waldenbooks group by almost half;
* selling many of the firm's overseas operations, if possible;
* starting a retail program through Borders.com rather than directing those sales through Amazon;
* publishing more exclusive titles, as Barnes & Noble does;
* probably selling more technology in its stores (audiobooks, ebooks, and their readers); and
* "carefully trimming" the inventory in its superstores. New chairman George Jones told PW, "We have too much inventory in our stores."
That last step might be the biggest threat to emerging authors and illustrators. The rise and spread of the superstores has meant wider exposure for new books than in the past. If Borders and perhaps B&N cut back inventory to the titles most likely to succeed, the losers will be books from unknown creators or those without stellar sales records.
These trends may be part of a long-term leveling off or even shrinking of the US book industry. The Steamboats Are Ruining Everything blog offers a graphic glimpse of the problem, also based on US Census data. Even though the population and economy continue to expand, total book sales have not risen as fast, and in fact have gone down in the last two years.
What's happening? The American public is obviously continuing to take in stories and information. But people are spending more time online or on their computers and less with a printed book. The Census Bureau's methods might not be picking up where those readers are headed. But our job might depend on hunting them down.
]]>* Rachel Griffiths, previously Assistant Editor, is now an Editor at Scholastic Press.
* Emily Clement joins the imprint as an Editorial Assistant from Blue Apple Books.
]]>The program features presentations about book publishing with editors and publishers, including Kara LaReau (editor for Scholastic Books), R. James Stahl (publisher of the Merlyn’s Pen Series), and Jennifer Taber (publicist at Houghton Mifflin). They will hear from guest authors including Natalie Babbitt, Patricia Reilly Giff, Janet Taylor Lisle, Patricia McCormick, Sarah Lamstein, and Melissa Stewart. Instructors for the strands will include Tonya Bolden, Kelly Easton, Beatrice Gormley, Joyce Hansen, Mark Peter Hughes, Donna Jackson, Peter Johnson, and Liza Ketchum. I'm pleased to see the number of familiar NE-SCBWI names in this list!
]]> Enrollees may elect to earn three graduate or undergraduate credits for their participation. There is also an audit option for people who would like to hear the morning keynotes and guest authors’ presentations but not attend the writing strands.For those who register before April 1, the cost of this program is $800. That will include tuition for the strand, a continental breakfast and lunch each day, books, materials, and a Saturday outing. All participants will receive a detailed critique of the work they do during the Institute. There will also be a follow-up session in December. Participants earning academic credit will pay an additional $100 processing fee. Auditors will pay $450.
To download and print out the application, and for updates on additional presenters and instructor/mentors, go to the ASTAL web site: www.ric.edu/astal
For questions or more information, contact Dr. Jean E. Brown at 401-441-3441.
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