Kids’ Books “Stars”: Cleveland Writers, Illustrators, Photographers Event, Sept 5-6, 2008

July 16, 2008 - PRLog -- This is an update of the release originally issued on July 07, 2008.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—ONE OF THE BEST WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS' CONFERENCES
"I bet I could write, illustrate, or shoot photos for a kids’ book.” Has this thought ever crossed your mind? Or are you a published author, illustrator, or photographer that needs a boost?  If so, register now for a local event that publishing industry insiders call one of the best of its type—the Northern Ohio Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (NOH SCBWI) 6th annual conference. The theme? “The Sky’s the Limit—Take Your Writing and Illustrating to New Heights.”

NOH SCBWI DONATES OVER 1,000 BOOKS TO CLEVELAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 5 YEARS
As in the past 5 conferences, at the event, a Cleveland school will receive a hefty donation of children’s books from local authors and illustrators. Regarding the books Fuller K-8 School received last year, principal Rita Smith-Rogers, said, “They really expanded our library. Reading them gave children many [new] experiences.”  

HEADLINERS: NEW YORK CITY AGENT, HARPERCOLLINS, SLEEPING BEAR PRESS
Conference participants will meet literary agent and visual artist representative Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency (NYC); editor Kristin Daly of HarperCollins Publishers (NYC); and editor Amy Lennex of award-winning picture book publisher, Sleeping Bear Press (MI).

NETWORKING & WORKSHOPS WITH AWARD-WINNING OHIO AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS
Conference workshop facilitator Tim Bowers has illustrated over 20 books and launched the Shoebox Greetings® card line. Writer and illustrator Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton has sold over 40,000 copies of her first of 31 books—Why Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On. Dandi Daley Mackall (A Girl Named Dan) has written over 400 books for infants to teens. Among Dawn Fitzgerald’s many honors is an American Library Association Booklist Top Ten Youth Biographies award for Vinnie and Abraham. M. LaVora Perry’s Taneesha Never Disparaging—a preteen novel set in a city based on East Cleveland—is praised by reviewers including one from Reading Today, an International Reading Association magazine. Also facilitating are historical novelist and Institute of Children’s Literature instructor Lynda Durrant (My Last Skirt); biographer Brandon Marie Miller (George Washington for Kids); and playwright Maureen Brady Johnson (Middle Mania!).

WORKSHOP TOPICS
Workshop titles include “Finding Your Voice,” “What your Tear Sheet Says About You,” “Plot in Picture Books,” “Query Letters, Book Proposals, Contracts,” and “Promote It! Keep Your Book in Print.”

CONFERENCE PERKS
“I can send work to publishers that don’t accept unsolicited materials.” -Deborah Jackson, Illustrator, Aurora

“I get support and writing tips, meet editors, and learn about the publishing biz.”-Ann Lee, Writer, Cleveland

For added fees, participants can obtain professional manuscript or portfolio critiques and receive a continuing education unit (CEU). Illustrators and photographers can showcase work or attend half-day at a reduced-price.

REGISTRATION
Registration opens July 5 for SCBWI members and July 21 for non-members. Total cost ranges from $55- $150. To pay an SCBWI member discounted fee, buy an SCBWI annual membership online at SCBWI.org (PH: 1-323-782-1010). Then register for the Northern Ohio conference at NOHSCBWI.org. For more information email OhioSCBWIconference @ yahoo.com

DATE, TIME, LOCATION
Friday September 5, 6-10pm (Dinner); Saturday  September 6, 7:45-5:30pm (Light Breakfast, Lunch); Cleveland Airport Sheraton, 5300 Riverside Dr., Cleve., OH 44135; PH: 216-267-1500

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ABOUT THE NORTHERN OHIO SOCIETY OF CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS (NOH SCBWI):

The NOH SCBWI is a regional chapter of SCBWI. The SCBWI was formed in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles based writers for children. It is the only international organization to offer a variety of services to people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children’s literature. The SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. There are more than 19,000 members worldwide, making it the world's largest children's writing organization . (Excerpted from "About SCBWI" at http://www.scbwi.org/about.htm.)

To join the NOH SCBWI (http://www.NOHSCBWI.org ), you must first join the SCBWI. NOH SCBWI membership is automatic for SCBWI members residing in northern Ohio. Join the SCBWI at http://www.SCBWI.org or by phone to 1-323-782-1010.