British SCBWI's 2nd Conference for Writers and Illustrators
November 21 to 22, 2009 • West Downs Campus, University of Winchester SO22 4NR
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Conference Programme
Friday, November 20, 2008
Critique Meet ( Optional Fringe Event)
5.30pm
Link Gallery
Coffee and Nibbles
6.00pm
Chapel
Critique
Session begins (ending 8.00pm)
Saturday, November 21, 2008
Portfolio and Manuscript Reviews will be held
between 2pm to 3pm
and 4.30pm to 6.30pm
9am to 9.45am
Link Gallery
Registration, Coffee and Book Sales
9.45am
Chapel
Welcome Remarks
10am to 11am
Chapel
Keynote: Meg Rosoff
Making Writing Magic
An inspirational talk from the award winning novelist, Meg Rosoff.
11am to 11.30am
Link Gallery
Coffee Break, Book Sales
11.30am to 1pm
Break-out Sessions
Rooms to be posted on the day.
a. Cliff McNish
The Five Great StoriesCliff explores the five archetypal stories that endlessly repeat across all age groups and genres. What are they? And why do we never get tired of them? Why is Harry Potter much closer to Titanic than you think? And why are they both cousins to every romantic comedy you've ever loved? In this workshop you will discover not only how to recognise the five great stories, but how to integrate them in your own writing to create much more impressive fiction.
b. Fiona Dunbar
Trilogies: the best things come in threes ... or do they?The best things come in threes ... or do they? That big idea of yours: is it a fat novel, a trilogy, or a series? Having written two successful trilogies, Fiona Dunbar looks back over the challenges associated with the experience, and discusses her do's and don'ts for anyone attempting to write a trilogy of their own.
c. Paula Metcalf
Choosing the right illustration technique for your picture bookIn this workshop we will look at a showcase of my illustrations and talk about how various ways of working (collage/line drawing/painterly) suit different projects. How does the medium you choose for an illustration affects its ‘feel’ – e.g. is a comic story more effectively told through oil paint or graphic line drawing? Is collage the right choice for a story about a tender friendship? Using picture books from my own collection, we will discuss the marriages, successful or otherwise of story and illustration techniques of popular tales. Workshop participants will illustrate scenes with different techniques, to see how their media choices suit the theme/mood of the text. Participants are invited to bring their own drawing materials.
d. Tiffany Leeson
Does your work have brand licensing potential?What is brand licensing? What opportunities does brand licensing present to illustrators? What are art directors looking for in a character when they're considering its brand licensing potential? In this workshop we will take a look at the range of character publishing — from established brands to new licenses, successes and failures, and the relationship we have with our illustrators, discuss the different routes into licensing and take the opportunity to look at each others' portfolios.
e. Julia Churchill
Writing Stand-out FictionFrom 'premise' to 'polish' is your story strong enough to make a big impression? Children's book agent, Julia Churchill will share some principles that underpin a great story well told.
1pm to 2pm
Lunch
2pm to 3.30pm
Afternoon Break-outs
Rooms to be posted on the day.
a. Cliff McNish
The Five Great Stories
Cliff explores the five archetypal stories that endlessly repeat across all age groups and genres. What are they? And why do we never get tired of them? Why is Harry Potter much closer to Titanic than you think? And why are they both cousins to every romantic comedy you've ever loved? In this workshop you will discover not only how to recognise the five great stories, but how to integrate them in your own writing to create much more impressive fiction.
b. Fiona Dunbar
Trilogies: the best things come in threes ... or do they?
The best things come in threes ... or do they? That big idea of yours: is it a fat novel, a trilogy, or a series? Having written two successful trilogies, Fiona Dunbar looks back over the challenges associated with the experience, and discusses her do's and don'ts for anyone attempting to write a trilogy of their own.
c. Paula Metcalf
Developing memorable characters for children's picture books
Looking at our favourite children’s book characters from past and present we will investigate what makes a character appeal to its audience. Sharing my own ongoing experiences (trials and tribulations too!) of learning this very important skill, I’ll show how my characters have changed a lot over the years – from cannibalistic children and bloodthirsty giantesses through to bedungareed baby elephants! I will talk about why I made these modifications to my characters, what/who influenced me to do so, and the impact the changes have had on my career. Workshop participants will create their own characters (animal, human or otherwise) to introduce to the group, to have their appeal gauged!
d. Meg Rosoff
A Writer's Voice. Can you buy one on E-bay?
Meg Rosoff talks about the development of a literary voice after decades of disappointing her family and causing her friends to murmur sadly behind her back.
3.30pm to 5.00pm
INDUSTRY PANEL
Penny Holroyde, literary agent(Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency)
Non Pratt, editor (Catnip)
Denise Johnstone-Burt, publisher and associate director (Walker)
Sarah Malley, senior designer (Egmont)
Kate Burns, deputy publisher of children's books, (Harper Collins)
Judith Escreet, art director, (Frances Lincoln Children's Books)Our panel of industry insiders explains the various decisions, expectations and creative directions that gointo making a chidren's book and reveal how best to work with them at each stage of the process.
From 5pm
Break and Book Sales
6pm to 7.30pm
Open Illustrator Portfolio Exhibition
Open Bar, nibbles and natter
7.30pm to 10pm
Plenary Hall
Dinner
After Dinner Speaker: Philip Ardagh
Being Beardy: An entertaining and inspiring talk by Philip Ardagh
Sunday, November 22, 2008
9.30am to 10am
Link Gallery
Coffee and Book Sales
10am to 12 noon
Break-out Sessions
Rooms to be posted on the day.Pre-booking your preferences on the registration form? Use this guide
a. Fiona Dunbar, Sue Eves, Cliff McNish
Getting Out There ... school visits, author appearances, book signings, promo videos and moreJoin panelists Cliff McNish, Fiona Dunbar and Sue Eves for an informative and entertaining session packed with ideas and tips for connecting with your audience from tinys to teens
b. Alison Baverstock
How to attract the attention of a literary agent or a publisherAlison covers the marketing process from pitch to publication, with an emphasis on approaching agents and editors.
c. Pamela Johnson
Is your novel really finished?You've got to the end of the story, exhausted and satisfied by that long haul you'll run Spellcheck then send it off. The manuscript might look pristine but is the reader drawn in beyond the type? Are those black squiggles setting in motion the ‘film' in the reader's head?
A workshop run by Pamela Johnson to prepare you for the final revision. Please bring writing materials. You should also bring a sample of your WIP, preferably a first chapter.
d. Gillian McClure
Creating a visual narrativering pens, pencils and sketchbooks to this practical workshop led by Gillian McClure. Through discussion and hands on exercises participants will examine the process of illustrating a story looking at rhythm, pace, story progression, alternative points of view and creating a visual narrative that runs counter to the text.
12 noon to 1pm
Plenary Hall
Lunch
1pm to 3pm
Afternoon Break-outs
Rooms to be posted on the day.Pre-booking your preferences on the registration form?
a. John Shelley
Power PortfoliosLearn the secrets of building a better portfolio and showing it effectively. Despite, or perhaps because of, the plethora of artists websites, nothing beats a face to face meeting with an art director or editor. An effective portfolio that best shows off your talents is essential. With over 25 years of experience as an illustrator John Shelley will focus on the golden rules of portfolio layout and offer insights to help strengthen your portfolio book or other media. The workshop will also address focusing on your best work, tightening your presentation skills, and the psychology of meetings and tips on promotion. Following the talk, attendees are invited to submit their portfolios for discussion and critique. Please bring along your portfolio as you would to a client, a picture book dummy if you have one, and promotion materials.
Marketing in Publishing: Why Authors Need to Get Involved TooAlison talks us through the marketing process, with an in-depth look at publication and beyond
Is your novel really finished?You've got to the end of the story, exhausted and satisfied by that long haul you'll run Spellcheck then send it off. The manuscript might look pristine but is the reader drawn in beyond the type? Are those black squiggles setting in motion the ‘film' in the reader's head?
A workshop run by Pamela Johnson to prepare you for the final revision. Please bring writing materials. You should also bring a sample of your WIP, preferably a first chapter.
d. Steve Hartley
Keeping up appearances: How to keep your characters in CharacterYou will leave this entertaining and interactive workshop with a simple behaviour model that divides people into four basic groups, based not only on how they use their voices, gestures, and expressions, but also how they react under pressure. Steve will show you how to highlight differences between characters, make them distinctive, and then ensure that they stay consistent when you plunge them into that earth-shattering crisis. It will also help you understand why some people get right up your nose on occasions! There'll be a Cosmo-style quiz to identify your own behavioural style, a few videos, some very bad impersonations, and a short writing exercise. Ever the optimist, Steve regularly presents a version of this workshop to trainee doctors, to show them how to build rapport with patients.
3pm to 3.30pm
Link Gallery
Coffee and Book Sales (what's left of it)
3.30pm to 4.30pm
Chapel
Magical BeginningsPinning down the magic: Gillian McClure takes us on the artist's journey through two of her picture books.
4.30pm to 4.45
Parting of Ways
Portfolio and Manuscript Reviews
Manuscript critiques and portfolio reviews present a wonderful opportunity to receive one-to-one feedback from a publishing professional. A limited number of 15 minute slots are available and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
For picture book manuscripts please send in full. For longer fiction please send up to 4,000 words only and a 1 page synopsis.
Manuscripts should be typed, double spaced in an easy to read font such as Times New Roman in 12 points. On the first page please include the following information: Your name, Story title, approximate word count of the full manuscript, target age range, your contact details, and your agent's name if you have one. Please number all subsequent pages and display your name and the story title at the top right.
Submission guidelines:
Manuscripts. Submit manuscript along with a separate cheque for £30 SCBWI/SOA members and £35 for non-members, payable to SCBWI with your conference registration form by 30 September. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining a critique slot your cheque will be returned to you. Manuscripts received after 30 September will not be accepted. Please DO NOT send ms by registered/recorded mail!
Portfolios. Submit a separate cheque for £30 SCBWI/SOA members and £35 for non-members, payable to SCBWI with your conference registration form by 6 November. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining a review slot your cheque will be returned to you. Do NOT send your artwork in advance; bring it to your assigned meeting. You will receive your meeting time and name of the professional reviewing your work at Saturday morning registration. Your portfolio should contain no more than 10-12 representational pieces of your best artwork and any dummies or sketchbooks that you may wish to show.
All illustrators are invited to bring their portfolios for display at the conference during the Open Portfolio exhibition.
Guidelines. Though original artwork is acceptable SCBWI-BI cannot be responsible for any damages. Therefore, we would urge you not to include original artwork in your portfolio. Please label all your artwork and your portfolio case. Promotional pieces/business cards are limited to 50 and must fit inside the portfolio. Please, no boxes or fancy three dimensional set ups that extend beyond the portfolio's dimensions