SCBWI Carolinas Conference 2022
Happy Writing to you!
Wow, I am just back from my first writer's conference in 7+ years, and it was just what I needed to give myself that boost to get me to finish my revisions and gear up for querying.
Now, there's some story behind my MIA in the children's book world, and that's because I left to be involved in a magazine. I put my creative work in a drawer and dove into the publishing side and sometimes articles and content of Paleo Magazine. I also helped with social media platforms. But I was missing a part of me, a part of my soul!
I found it again at this conference!
The children's book world is filled with writers and authors, both traditionally published and self-published, and all were lovely. All except for the woman who asked me if I was feeling okay and then proceeded to say that I looked sick. Um. Don't do that to someone. That's a confidence killer, and unless she's your mother or sister, best to keep quiet. Even if she's your mother or sister - you might want to rephrase that a bit for kindness.
Remember some advice from Bambi's Mother -
if you can't say something nice,
don't say anything at all.
That's a good line to remember.
Besides the blow to my ego that day, it was wonderful. Writers, agents, and publishers shared their stories and gave excellent advice. If you have been on the fence about going to this event, I wholly advise you to do it! You will find writer friends and great guidance.
SCBWI has never let me down. If you are a children's writer, which includes picture books, middle grade, and young adult, please join this group.
Now for what I learned:
- DO NOT query your book until it is absolutely ready to be read.
- No one knows what they want until they see it - so do not go by what agents say on their sites. Many are not updated. Send your best work to the agent you feel resonates.
- BE RELEVANT - when you are querying, be sure that your comps are relevant to now, not 20 years ago. Try to keep comps within the past 5 years.
- A NO is NOT about you! No's in this business are given for many reasons, and if you have a strong book and great writing - it is not about you. The agent might be too busy or have a similar book coming out, or aren't taking new authors. Keep querying.
- FIRST LINES are super duper-zooper important!
- DO NOT put other books down in your query letter or if you're talking to other people in the bookish world. Bookish people love books - all types.
- Please check out Publisher's Marketplace before you query.
- DO NOT give away your twist in the query.
- DO NOT give away your ending.
- PLAY with language and showcase your writing skills.
- Put your name and contact information on every page.
- Be sure that you have had beta readers read your book before you send it out.
- If you can get a stranger to read your book and stay engaged, send it!
- Editors will always ask for a synopsis, so have one ready.
- TITLES matter! Create a memorable title, not a confusing one.
- If you are good at social media, do it. If not, don't!
- You are not writing a children's book if the adults figure everything out or the adults give the kid the answer.
- You must write from your MC's POV, not your adult POV.
- The first page of your book should be an opening scene filled with drama - not someone in bed or any other boring everyday thing we all do.
- READ! READ! READ! in the genre you are writing.
- Do not be shy at conferences - go up to people and introduce yourself.
- When there is a line of people waiting to talk to the agent or editor, do not keep talking about yourself - introduce yourself, give your one-line pitch, ask that burning question, and then move on.
- WORD COUNTS matter! Know the word counts for your genre.
- Know who you are as a writer, and do not be someone else.
- Get rid of vague words and cliches in your writing.
- Check to see if the voice of your character is consistent throughout the book before you send it out.
- Precision of language, please.
- Editorial letters are scary - especially the first one you get - do not be afraid of your editor. Keep the conversation open.
- OUTLINES help you with plotting and getting the right scenes in the right places.
- SAVE THE CAT WRITES A NOVEL - get it!
- Brand yourself - get your website ready and your social media ready before you query.
- #OWNVOICES is real - but all writers write about stuff they have not experienced, so do your homework and research before you write about a subject you do not have experience with. And check with those who you are writing about, and be sure to be sensitive. If I could only write my voice, I would never be able to write a male character, and yet, I do. And so do many other female writers....so, OWNVOICES is real, and yet, writers have been writing by researching people and experiences since writing began. Do not be afraid. Please be sensitive.
- It's better to write what you know than what you have to go research - but that will limit your creativity, so be creative - allow yourself to go wild, but do your research, too.
- SHOW & TELL - it's not just show.
- Use time wisely in your book.
- Please STOP RHYMING - unless you are a pro.
- The Stanislavski System for acting and building characters might be of use to you.
- Check out STORYTELLER ACADEMY
- Again, DO NOT send your book out until it is ready.
- Most agents will accept a second query of the same book 6 MONTHS later.
- DO NOT go dark in emails - respond to your agent/editors.
- You will be expected to help with publicity and marketing.
- You will not be given a ton of guidance or money for publicity and marketing.
- If you are not going to make a deadline - tell your agent/editor!
- They consider a large platform on social media, 100k+, so do not state you have a large platform if you do not.
- Rarely will a publishing house or agent take your self-published book on unless it is having amazing, crazy sales.
- If you are writing a book in the '70s, '80s, or '90s - know why! The answer should not be because you were a kid then. The setting should mean a great deal in the book or make it contemporary.
- Educational publishers need writers, and it's a good byline for you!
- Get a CRITIQUE group and use them, but be sure they are on your level and writing similar age groups.
- This is a business - remember that.
- Write something new. Do not get stuck querying the same book over and over. Put it aside and write.
- Remember, you are creative, and you can change anything you've written or queried.
- GO FOR IT!
- And last but NOT LEAST - read outside your comfort zone. It's wonderful that those voices that have been ignored for so long are now being found and published....but if we do not read outside what we've been used to reading, we are not helping those voices. So - if your boys read mainly boy characters, buy them a female lead book. If your girls read mainly girl characters, buy them a male lead. If your child reads mostly in their race, or mostly one race because that's all that's been presented - buy them other race leads. Cross read! Cross-follow writers on Instagram! Help each other become more open, more enlightened, more loving beings, and the world gets happier, healthier, and filled with joy!
Until the next time we meet,
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