Alice's CWIM Blog

2009-12-02T14:35:00.009-05:00

Jane Yolen is Added to the SCBWI Winter Conference Lineup...

The 11th Annual SCBWI Winter Conference already has a terrific lineup--and it just got a little better. SCBWI announced yesterday that author Jane Yolen has been added to the roster.

Jane, who's been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century, and is the award-wining author of numerous children's books, fantasy, and science fiction, including Owl Moon, The Devil's Arithmetic, and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, will offer the closing keynote address.

I remember seeing Jane speak from a wheelchair at the 2006 SCBWI LA conference after a night in the emergency room. She still knocked our socks off!

There's still time to register for the SCBWI event--click here. Early registration rates apply until January 4th.

If you can't make it, you can follow the conference as it's happening with full SCBWI TEAM BLOG coverage on the Official SCBWI Conference Blog.

And if you'd like some Jane Yolen wisdom you can carry around in your bag, check out her wonderful book Take Joy.

2009-11-19T14:44:00.006-05:00

Queries Wanted for Upcoming Novel & Short Story Writer's Market...

Besides CWIM, there are a few million other exciting things I work on in the WD Community. One of them is editing Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, CWIM's sister publication solely for fiction writers.

I'm currently planning the lineup for the 2011 edition, and I'm looking for queries for articles and interviews for NSSWM. The articles are broken up into these categories:

The Writing Life
Craft & Technique
Getting Published
For Mystery Writers
For Romance Writers
For Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writers

I'm most in need of material for the genre sections, but open to queries for all. I've also go a few spots to fill in our annual "Premier Voices" feature for which we interview debut fiction writers, so if you're a first-time novelist, I'd love to hear from you as well.

If you'd be interested in writing for me, email me at alice.pope@fwmedia.com with your ideas.

2009-11-18T22:08:00.004-05:00

The National Book Award Winner in the YP Lit Category Goes to...

Phillip Hoose, Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

2009-11-18T14:54:00.005-05:00

Should You Be on Facebook? Is Tweeting Really Necessary? Talking Online Presence with Loren Long...

I took Monday and Tuesday off work this week for no other reason than to use up some PTO (that expires at the end of the year). One of my Monday activities way having lunch with illustrator Loren Long and his wife Tracy. (Loren also lives and works here in the Nati.)

During lunch at the cafe at Joseph-Beth Booksellers (because I thought it appropriate and because they have great vegetarian chili), Loren, Tracy and I talked a lot about online presence. Loren has a website but has not ventured much beyond that. Does an author with more than a dozen fabulous books under his belt--who works with publishers like Philomel and Simon & Schuster, who is on the Jon Scieska's Trucktown team--need to be blogging? Be on Facebook? Twitter? It couldn't hurt.

It's no secret that authors/illustrators have a big responsibility in their own promotion. The more you're out there, the more connections you make, the more friends you have, the more conversations you get into, the better. Networking should start before you get published (see Christina Katz's Get Known Before the Book Deal) and keep rolling along once you have a book or two or ten out in the world.

That doesn't mean you have to use every social network avenue available. Twitter is not everyone's cup of tea. And heaven help us if everyone had a blog. But if you've got a blog's worth of things to say that would be interesting/useful/informative/inspiring then go for it. If you enjoy being part of the conversation and can fit it into your schedule, tweet away. But if these things aren't you, if they'd be drudgery, move along. But at least try things out to see what fits--you might really enjoy participating in the conversation. (And sometimes that conversation will be about your work.)

Speaking of work, here are a few of my favorite Loren Long covers. So so beautiful. (And now I'm off to hang up my autographed Otis poster.)

2009-11-13T14:11:00.013-05:00

Some Friday Afternoon Led (stats) for Your Head...

File this under apropos of nothing/just for fun, but I felt the need to share my IT professional brother's latest word research here on my CWIM blog.

My brother and my classic-rock-digging teenage niece were listening to Led Zeppelin in the car, he tells me, and they had their usual discussion about how a rock song can't be a true rock song without the word babe or baby in it, or a reference to a female. "So," says my bro, "I decided to find a way to count the frequency of each word in all Led Zep songs. I included the titles of the song in my search, and used a lyrics list compiled by an obsessed fan who painstakingly documented what Robert Plant actually sung in their songs."

Here are my brother's Led Zeppelin word counts. Should I set him to work on the Judy Blume catalog? On what three occasions does Plant sing "lollipop"? And why isn't Houses of the Holy on my iPod?

Click here for the online word frequency counter my brother used. Might be fun to apply to your WIP!

821 the
695 i
673 ah
632 you
603 oh
548 a
491 my
441 yeah
399 to
384 ooh
360 and
332 baby
313 me
291 it
234 love
231 of
202 know
193 on
193 la
189 your
181 all
177 in
166 that
161 now
155 i'm
148 it's
144 is
138 no
138 hey
129 gonna
128 so
128 do
123 ahh
119 down
111 ya
109 for
108 don't
107 whoa
104 be
103 when
98 time
94 way
93 just
90 got
89 but
88 go
87 come
82 babe
80 well
73 she
73 from
72 with
72 what
72 we
69 one
69 i've
69 good
68 woman
68 hoo
68 been
65 let
65 keep
65 can
64 if
64 have
62 tell
60 see
58 how
57 ain't
56 they
56 take
56 little
55 will
55 light
54 that's
54 her
54 gotta
53 feel
53 day
53 can't
53 back
52 said
52 bring
52 alright
51 wanna
50 away
49 night
49 home
49 get
48 really
46 mama
46 ha
45 woo
44 uh
44 as
43 was
43 never
43 are
42 she's
42 right
42 like
42 give
41 hear
40 talkin'
40 only
40 long
39 need
38 you're
38 yes
38 make
37 this
36 won't
36 want
36 oooh
35 there
35 goin'
35 every
35 'bout
34 more
33 up
33 true
33 girl
33 did
33 could
32 by
31 out
31 lovin'
31 leave
30 hard
30 aw
29 say
29 people
29 man
29 i'll
29 hoh
29 hah
28 thing
28 ho
27 where
27 pole
26 who
26 please
26 gone
26 find
26 at
25 times
25 sweet
25 lonely
25 didn't
24 still
24 sing
24 run
24 own
24 makes
24 jesus
24 heart
23 sure
23 hold
23 had
23 about
23 'cause
22 would
22 them
22 must
22 many
22 ma
22 eyes
22 door
22 days
21 years
21 some
21 not
21 bit
21 again
20 then
20 should
20 here
20 care
19 walk
19 through
19 ow
19 hand
18 wind
18 why
18 us
18 tom
18 sun
18 stop
18 song
18 shake
18 move
18 mine
18 look
18 darlin'
18 darlene
18 'em
17 same
17 push
17 our
17 ohh
17 mm
17 gallows
17 ever
16 wrong
16 try
16 think
16 there's
16 sometimes
16 rock
16 mind
16 hide
16 fine
16 comin'
16 'round
15 whole
15 took
15 ten
15 stay
15 quarter
15 lord
15 livin'
15 inside
15 he
15 hands
15 feelin'
15 does
15 blow
15 believe
15 another
15 always
15 'till
14 turned
14 those
14 soul
14 singin'
14 since
14 show
14 new
14 n
14 has
14 groove
14 found
14 call
14 ballin'
13 we're
13 tryin'
13 too
13 stand
13 side
13 rain
13 old
13 name
13 mornin'
13 matter
13 m
13 lotta
13 lo
13 life
13 join
13 dream
13 cry
13 callin'
13 blue
13 around
13 'bye
12 you'll
12 world
12 wonder
12 what's
12 walkin'
12 their
12 swingin'
12 shook
12 seems
12 ride
12 quit
12 play
12 made
12 left
12 four
12 fire
12 face
12 easy
12 done
12 don'tcha
12 couldn't
12 bad
11 while
11 very
11 told
11 talk
11 roll
11 ramble
11 put
11 pain
11 much
11 meet
11 mean
11 last
11 huh
11 ground
11 friends
11 drop
11 drive
11 ay
10 within
10 watch
10 used
10 two
10 start
10 somebody
10 smile
10 seem
10 road
10 rider
10 pie
10 oughta
10 open
10 mile
10 low
10 lookin'
10 knew
10 into
10 hours
10 honey
10 his
10 gold
10 feels
10 fall
10 dreams
10 custard
9 you've
9 y'know
9 word
9 upon
9 town
9 touch
9 today
9 they're
9 tellin'
9 takes
9 share
9 saw
9 queen
9 nobody's
9 money
9 moan
9 land
9 lady
9 grow
9 glad
9 everybody
9 earth
9 drag
9 die
9 dark
9 child
9 change
9 brown
9 bite
9 before
9 an
8 which
8 thought
8 tears
8 squeeze
8 slidin'
8 silver
8 sad
8 pretty
8 over
8 other
8 nothin'
8 nah
8 may
8 listen
8 lies
8 head
8 hangman
8 gon'
8 fun
8 fly
8 floor
8 fault
8 far
8 dance
8 cryin'
8 brother
8 break
8 boogie
8 better
8 best
8 ask
7 yay
7 workin'
7 work
7 waitin'
7 wait
7 twenty
7 turn
7 treat
7 throw
7 standin'
7 soon
7 someone
7 shakin'
7 seen
7 sea
7 save
7 sail
7 or
7 nobody
7 mountains
7 minute
7 mad
7 lost
7 lose
7 line
7 levee
7 i'd
7 hurt
7 high
7 hi
7 heaven
7 happy
7 goes
7 friend
7 fight
7 dyin'
7 country
7 coolin'
7 cold
7 clear
7 chewin'
7 breakdown
7 black
7 arms
7 along
7 alone
7 aaah
6 without
6 use
6 three
6 than
6 taste
6 summer
6 strong
6 seven
6 set
6 rolls
6 ring
6 poor
6 piece
6 path
6 outta
6 middle
6 maybe
6 load
6 lifetime
6 li
6 late
6 knows
6 kinda
6 hot
6 holdin'
6 help
6 goodbye
6 fill
6 eye
6 end
6 ee
6 de
6 crawl
6 chocolate
6 children
6 brought
6 bed
6 ball
6 anybody
6 am
6 ago
5 worried
5 who's
5 white
5 went
5 ways
5 wanted
5 until
5 turns
5 train
5 though
5 things
5 these
5 tangerine
5 suarez
5 step
5 steal
5 stairway
5 spin
5 sometime
5 somethin'
5 slip
5 sky
5 sit
5 sister
5 second
5 searchin'
5 runs
5 rollin'
5 red
5 pull
5 place
5 ove
5 nn
5 na
5 monkey
5 medication
5 marching
5 lemon
5 leaves
5 lay
5 kind
5 juice
5 insane
5 heartbreaker
5 gun
5 guess
5 grand
5 glow
5 fool
5 flyin'
5 feet
5 fake
5 everything
5 er
5 desire
5 denyin'
5 d'ya
5 choose
5 carry
5 car
5 c'mon
5 bright
5 bridge
5 bell
5 begin
5 beat
5 angels
4 wrath
4 woogie
4 won'tcha
4 whisper
4 whiskers
4 whatcha
4 were
4 walked
4 uhh
4 tree
4 tonight
4 thousand
4 thoughts
4 tear
4 streets
4 street
4 songs
4 snow
4 smilin'
4 sittin'
4 sinkin'
4 shouldn't
4 send
4 seed
4 satisfied
4 sat
4 rolled
4 rockin'
4 rivers
4 rhythm
4 rest
4 remember
4 read
4 reach
4 ramblin'
4 quite
4 pray
4 planned
4 pay
4 pass
4 ohhh
4 nothing
4 next
4 news
4 myself
4 mountain
4 missin'
4 mighty
4 might
4 men
4 lover
4 longer
4 live
4 lights
4 leg
4 keeps
4 instrumental
4 hopes
4 him
4 hee
4 heard
4 happiness
4 hair
4 full
4 fortune
4 foolin'
4 fell
4 falls
4 eyed
4 evil
4 eleven
4 dry
4 dog
4 deep
4 darkness
4 crazy
4 corner
4 confused
4 communication
4 comes
4 city
4 celebration
4 built
4 breaks
4 bow
4 body
4 birds
4 asked
4 any
4 air
4 above
3 yourself
3 yours
3 young
3 worry
3 worked
3 words
3 wonders
3 winds
3 weep
3 water
3 warmth
3 warmed
3 war
3 wants
3 wan'
3 wall
3 walks
3 wah
3 voice
3 tutti
3 tune
3 trees
3 trade
3 total
3 tomorrow
3 tired
3 tides
3 thinkin'
3 takin'
3 sunshine
3 sunlight
3 sugar
3 store
3 stood
3 steady
3 starts
3 started
3 star
3 spend
3 south
3 son
3 someday
3 slow
3 sixteen
3 silent
3 shine
3 seventh
3 savin'
3 roundabout
3 rise
3 rings
3 ridin'
3 reason
3 real
3 promised
3 pick
3 peace
3 once
3 off
3 ocean
3 nowhere
3 now's
3 nightshirt
3 nervous
3 needs
3 nature
3 mr
3 movin'
3 mouth
3 moon
3 mistreated
3 midnight
3 messed
3 merry
3 mercy
3 luck
3 loving
3 loves
3 lot
3 losin'
3 lollipop
3 lives
3 listened
3 laugh
3 lanes
3 knock
3 kiss
3 kindhearted
3 killin'
3 kid
3 howlin'
3 hove
3 heyy
3 heavens
3 heat
3 he's
3 haw
3 havin'
3 hadn't
3 guard
3 growin'
3 groovin'
3 greatest
3 gown
3 gong
3 going
3 gloom
3 garden
3 game
3 fry
3 fruitti
3 fruit
3 free
3 folk
3 flowers
3 flow
3 flame
3 flag
3 first
3 filled
3 feather
3 fallin'
3 fa
3 eat
3 drunk
3 doom
3 dollar
3 doll
3 doin'
3 dogs
3 disgrace
3 devil
3 depths
3 dear
3 dazed
3 darkest
3 dancin'
3 daddy
3 d
3 count
3 cocaine
3 clock
3 chicago
3 catch
3 california
3 buying
3 burnin'
3 blues
3 bluebird
3 bird
3 bill
3 big
3 below
3 barrelhouse
3 baby's
3 ba
3 await
3 atlas
3 anything
3 although
3 ahhh
3 achin'
3 aah
2 you'd
2 yesterday
2 yeahh
2 y
2 wrote
2 wring
2 wouldn't
2 wonderful
2 wome
2 wish
2 winners
2 wings
2 wine
2 wife
2 whooa
2 whistles
2 whispered
2 wheel
2 whatever
2 western
2 wearin'
2 we've
2 wasted
2 walter's
2 version
2 valley
2 underground
2 under
2 truly
2 truckin'
2 truck
2 trouble
2 tried
2 track
2 together
2 thunder
2 thrill
2 threshing
2 thinking
2 they'll
2 thanks
2 thank
2 tea
2 taught
2 tall
2 talks
2 tales
2 tale
2 swore
2 swing
2 sweep
2 surprise
2 sunrise
2 summer's
2 such
2 style
2 studies
2 stranger
2 straight
2 story
2 storm
2 stops
2 sting
2 startin'
2 stars
2 stage
2 springs
2 spirits
2 special
2 sounds
2 smiles
2 slower
2 slipped
2 slice
2 sleep
2 skinned
2 skin
2 sisters
2 sings
2 single
2 simple
2 sign
2 sick
2 showed
2 shoulder
2 shotgun
2 shot
2 shore
2 shoot
2 shinin'
2 shines
2 she'd
2 sharin'
2 shall
2 sent
2 senses
2 seek
2 seeds
2 seconds
2 seaside
2 searched
2 school
2 sayin'
2 s
2 rule
2 rosie
2 rosedale
2 riverside
2 river's
2 river
2 rides
2 return
2 resist
2 remains
2 release
2 refused
2 reflection
2 realize
2 raised
2 raise
2 rainin'
2 racin'
2 race
2 quotient
2 quiet
2 purple
2 proud
2 prayin'
2 power
2 plum
2 plenty
2 playin'
2 plane
2 pines
2 pickup
2 pearls
2 payin'
2 part
2 park
2 pack
2 owls
2 overran
2 outdoor
2 orleans
2 order
2 oo
2 oar
2 nose
2 north
2 noon
2 nice
2 ni
2 nest
2 moves
2 mother
2 moonlight
2 moanin'
2 moaned
2 misty
2 mistreat
2 miles
2 met
2 mess
2 means
2 master
2 makin'
2 maid
2 magic
2 mae
2 lyin'
2 lower
2 loud
2 looks
2 living
2 lips
2 levee's
2 letter
2 let's
2 lemme
2 led
2 leavin'
2 learnin'
2 law
2 laughin'
2 lands
2 laa
2 l
2 knowing
2 knee
2 kissed
2 king
2 kick
2 keen
2 kashmir
2 joy
2 jive
2 jet
2 je
2 jar
2 ice
2 hurts
2 hurry
2 hunter
2 houses
2 hotel
2 horn
2 holy
2 hollerin'
2 hills
2 hidin'
2 hid
2 hesitatin'
2 helps
2 helpin'
2 held
2 heavy
2 hears
2 heah
2 headed
2 harm
2 hare
2 happen
2 haa
2 guy
2 guitars
2 guessin'
2 growing
2 groanin'
2 great
2 gray
2 grace
2 gods
2 goal
2 gets
2 gave
2 fully
2 front
2 friendship
2 force
2 foot
2 flower
2 flames
2 fish
2 finish
2 finest
2 finally
2 fields
2 few
2 felt
2 fellas
2 fears
2 fast
2 fangled
2 fame
2 fair
2 f
2 excuse
2 everytime
2 everybody's
2 evenings
2 evening
2 evenin'
2 enough
2 emotion
2 emmie
2 eastern
2 ear
2 each
2 dying
2 dreamin'
2 drank
2 downtown
2 doubt
2 doors
2 dong
2 doesn't
2 dizzy
2 distance
2 ding
2 din
2 dim
2 dig
2 destination
2 deliver
2 dawn
2 dancing
2 damned
2 da
2 cut
2 cure
2 crying
2 crumble
2 crucify
2 crowds
2 cries
2 course
2 cost
2 cool
2 convincin'
2 concentration
2 comfort
2 clover
2 clouds
2 cloth
2 climb
2 check
2 changed
2 caught
2 castle
2 cares
2 careful
2 cannot
2 came
2 bron
2 bride
2 breathless
2 boy
2 bottom
2 both
2 born
2 book
2 blows
2 blood
2 block
2 blinded
2 between
2 beneath
2 behind
2 beer
2 bay
2 bargained
2 band
2 bags
2 b
2 aww
2 awful
2 aur
2 aside
2 apples
2 anymore
2 alimony
2 after
2 abuse
2 'pon
2 'nuff
2 'ed
2 'eah
2 'cross
1 zeppelin
1 yr
1 youth
1 york
1 yo
1 yet
1 yer
1 yellow
1 yearnin'
1 yazed
1 wuh
1 writ
1 wrappin'
1 wove
1 worth
1 worn
1 working
1 wooo
1 wondering
1 wondered
1 won
1 woe
1 wished
1 wiser
1 wise
1 winter
1 window
1 wind'll
1 win
1 will's
1 wild
1 wide
1 wicked
1 why'd
1 whose
1 whoops
1 whoaa
1 whisperin'
1 whirl
1 whether
1 where's
1 wheels
1 wha
1 wet
1 west
1 weren't
1 wee
1 weaves
1 wearing
1 weak
1 we'll
1 we'd
1 watchin'
1 watched
1 wastin'
1 washed
1 wanton
1 wandering
1 wander
1 walls
1 wall's
1 wake
1 wag
1 vows
1 voices
1 vixen
1 view
1 valhalla
1 upset
1 unwind
1 unsuspecting
1 unkind
1 unfolds
1 unending
1 understand
1 underneath
1 unchallenged
1 umbrella
1 uck
1 u
1 tyrant's
1 type
1 twistin'
1 twist
1 twirl
1 turnin'
1 tryin'a
1 trust
1 troubles
1 trouble's
1 trip
1 trim
1 tremblin'
1 tremble
1 tread
1 travelling
1 traveler
1 transmission
1 trampled
1 traces
1 trace
1 towards
1 toward
1 touched
1 torch
1 top
1 tooth
1 tools
1 tongues
1 tongue
1 toll
1 toast
1 tires
1 tiny
1 timely
1 tiles
1 tight
1 ticket
1 thrown
1 threatened
1 thread
1 thor
1 thirty
1 thirteen
1 they've
1 there'll
1 tha'
1 th
1 texas
1 terrible
1 tender
1 teeth
1 teenage
1 tearing
1 tasted
1 taller
1 tadpole
1 synchronized
1 swords
1 sword
1 swept
1 sweetest
1 sweat
1 swear
1 sway
1 sustain
1 suspension
1 sung
1 sunday
1 summertime
1 suck
1 subsides
1 stuff
1 stu
1 strut
1 stroll
1 strange
1 straits
1 straighter
1 storied
1 stores
1 stopped
1 stop's
1 stone
1 stomp
1 sticks
1 stepped
1 steel
1 steam
1 station
1 state
1 standing
1 stand'a
1 stall
1 st
1 squander
1 springtime
1 spring
1 spreadin'
1 spoon
1 spoken
1 spite
1 spirit
1 spinnin'
1 spent
1 speech
1 speak
1 sparkle
1 spare
1 space
1 sow
1 soul's
1 sorry
1 sore
1 soothes
1 sooner
1 songbird
1 song's
1 something's
1 something
1 somehow
1 soft
1 snowman
1 smug
1 smoked
1 smoke
1 smiled
1 smell
1 small
1 slips
1 slidin
1 slide
1 slicked
1 sleeping
1 slam
1 skies
1 size
1 sir
1 sippin'
1 sinks
1 singing
1 sin
1 sights
1 sight
1 sighed
1 siftin'
1 sic
1 shufflin'
1 showroom
1 shoutin'
1 shout
1 shmooze
1 shiver
1 ships
1 shining
1 shift
1 shields
1 shep
1 shelf
1 she'll
1 shape
1 shangri
1 shambles
1 shady
1 shadows
1 shadowed
1 shackles
1 sh
1 sews
1 sewn
1 seventeen
1 service
1 servants
1 separate
1 sells
1 seldom
1 seemed
1 seein'
1 seat
1 seasons
1 season
1 screw
1 screen
1 score
1 schoolin'
1 schoolgirl
1 scan
1 says
1 saved
1 saurez
1 satan's
1 satan
1 santa
1 sandy
1 sand
1 sails
1 sailin'
1 saddened
1 sa
1 rustin'
1 rusted
1 running
1 runnin'
1 runes
1 ruled
1 ruins
1 ruined
1 ruin
1 royal
1 roy
1 row
1 rover
1 roused
1 roses
1 roots
1 room
1 rolling
1 robert
1 roar
1 roadside
1 roads
1 risin'
1 ringwraiths
1 ringin'
1 rider's
1 rid
1 rich
1 reward
1 revealed
1 respect
1 require
1 repay
1 rented
1 rememberin'
1 remain
1 relate
1 reindeer
1 refrain
1 recognize
1 received
1 recall
1 rebuild
1 ready
1 readiness
1 reached
1 razor
1 ray
1 ran
1 rainbow's
1 railroad's
1 railroad
1 quiver
1 queue
1 question
1 queens
1 q
1 puttin'
1 pushed
1 pure
1 punch
1 pump
1 provision
1 protect
1 promises
1 promise
1 prince
1 price
1 prey
1 prevails
1 pressure
1 preserved
1 preen
1 precedent
1 powerless
1 pose
1 policeman
1 points
1 pointing
1 pockets
1 pocketful
1 plunder
1 plow
1 plot
1 pleasant
1 plays
1 played
1 plate
1 plan
1 pity
1 pits
1 pitiful
1 piper's
1 piper
1 pink
1 pilot
1 pills
1 pieces
1 picture
1 peter
1 permit
1 perfect
1 peeks
1 paths
1 passin'
1 paradise
1 pane
1 palms
1 pair
1 painted
1 pages
1 packin'
1 packed
1 pace
1 ozone
1 oww
1 overrun
1 overlords
1 overdrive
1 outside
1 ours
1 opportunity's
1 ooooh
1 ong
1 ones
1 one's
1 older
1 oil's
1 ocean's
1 obliged
1 oars
1 o
1 notice
1 note
1 nightmares
1 newspaper
1 nerve
1 neighbors
1 needed
1 near
1 natural
1 names
1 mystifyin'
1 mystery
1 mutual
1 musta
1 music
1 murmur
1 mrs
1 movies
1 movie
1 most
1 mortgage
1 mortals
1 morning
1 mordor
1 moonshine
1 montreux
1 month
1 moments
1 moment
1 model
1 mocks
1 moby
1 misusin'
1 missed
1 miss
1 misgiven
1 mirror
1 minutes
1 mine's
1 million
1 midst
1 metal
1 messin'
1 message
1 merle
1 memory
1 melts
1 melted
1 mellow
1 measuring
1 meanings
1 meals
1 matters
1 matchbox
1 mat'
1 master's
1 margaret
1 mare
1 march
1 mak'er
1 madman
1 m'my
1 lying
1 loved
1 louisiana
1 lotsa
1 lore
1 loom
1 looking
1 looked
1 london
1 locked
1 lock
1 lobby
1 list
1 lion
1 linings
1 lines
1 lined
1 limousine
1 lilting
1 likes
1 likely
1 lightness
1 lift
1 lien
1 lied
1 lie
1 legions
1 legged
1 leaving
1 leather
1 learned
1 learn
1 leaf
1 lead
1 lazin'
1 lawdy
1 laughter
1 lair
1 koo
1 konis
1 knowin'
1 knockin'
1 knocked
1 kitchen
1 kissing
1 kings
1 keys
1 key
1 kept
1 keepers
1 keeper's
1 june
1 jumped
1 jump
1 journey
1 jokin'
1 joke
1 john
1 jimmy
1 jeopardize
1 jam
1 its
1 it'll
1 isn't
1 intruder
1 inspiration's
1 inspiration
1 ins'
1 ind
1 increased
1 incomplete
1 inch
1 implore
1 immigrant
1 ight
1 if'n
1 hypnotized
1 hypnotize
1 hurtin'
1 hunter's
1 hundred
1 hummin'
1 however
1 hots
1 horses'
1 horde
1 hope
1 hop
1 hood
1 hoochie
1 honolulu
1 hon'
1 holler
1 hollar
1 hole
1 hoe
1 hittin'
1 hits
1 hitch
1 hit
1 hiss
1 himself
1 hill
1 highway
1 higher
1 hides
1 here's
1 helping
1 hellhound
1 hell
1 heed
1 hedge
1 heaven's
1 heaved
1 health
1 healin'
1 headin'
1 he'd
1 haul
1 hats
1 hate
1 hat
1 harper
1 happened
1 hangin'
1 hang
1 hammer
1 halls
1 habit
1 haaah
1 guys
1 guy's
1 guitar
1 guilt
1 guide
1 guaranteed
1 grows
1 grown
1 groovy
1 grip
1 grieves
1 greyhound
1 grey
1 grew
1 green
1 greasy
1 grass
1 grandson
1 grain
1 grab
1 gotcha
1 gore
1 goods
1 gollum
1 golden
1 god
1 glowing
1 globe
1 glitters
1 glancing
1 gives
1 gimme
1 giggled
1 giant
1 gettin'
1 gentle
1 general
1 geen
1 gauge
1 gates
1 gasoline
1 gas
1 games
1 gabriel
1 ga
1 futile
1 funny
1 frown
1 fright
1 freeway
1 freedom
1 fray
1 frame
1 forth
1 formless
1 forget
1 forever
1 forests
1 footsteps
1 foot's
1 fools
1 fool's
1 follow
1 folks
1 fold
1 foe
1 fluff
1 flown
1 flight
1 flies
1 flick
1 flee
1 fled
1 flat
1 flash
1 flamin'
1 fix
1 fireman
1 firelight
1 fined
1 findin'
1 fifty
1 field's
1 field
1 feeling
1 feelin
1 feathers
1 feasts
1 feast
1 fear
1 father
1 fate
1 faster
1 family
1 fakin'
1 fails
1 fail
1 fadin'
1 factory
1 faces
1 faceless
1 fabled
1 expect
1 exhibition
1 exceed
1 evident
1 everywhere
1 everything's
1 everyplace
1 evermore
1 eternal
1 endure
1 end's
1 empty
1 embraced
1 else
1 elders
1 eh
1 een
1 edition
1 echo
1 ebb
1 ease
1 earthly
1 ears
1 earned
1 eah
1 eagles
1 eagle
1 e
1 dust
1 dungarees
1 dulled
1 dug
1 drums
1 drops
1 droolin'
1 drives
1 drip
1 drinkin'
1 dresses
1 dress
1 dreamless
1 drawer
1 dragon
1 downing
1 downhill
1 doves
1 doubts
1 don'cha
1 doldrums
1 doggone
1 distant
1 disguise
1 disclosin'
1 discernin'
1 dirty
1 different
1 dick
1 diamond
1 devour
1 devotion
1 devil's
1 despite
1 desert
1 describe
1 den
1 delight
1 deed
1 declare
1 decided
1 death
1 dearly
1 deals
1 dead
1 daw
1 daunting
1 daughter
1 date
1 darker
1 dared
1 dances
1 damn
1 d'yer
1 curving
1 curtain
1 cursed
1 cup
1 crystal
1 crunge
1 crept
1 creepin'
1 created
1 craze
1 cracked
1 crack
1 couple
1 coulda
1 cough
1 cook
1 convince
1 constant
1 conscience
1 confounded
1 conditioned
1 con
1 completely
1 companion
1 communicate
1 common
1 commitment
1 command
1 coming
1 collide
1 coldness
1 coin
1 coda
1 clutchin'
1 clothes
1 closet's
1 closed
1 close
1 cloak
1 climbin'
1 clean
1 clay
1 clarify
1 claim
1 circus
1 church
1 choice
1 chill
1 cherries
1 cheerin'
1 cheeks
1 cheatin'
1 chase
1 charm
1 changes
1 chances
1 chance
1 cent
1 caused
1 case
1 carouselambra
1 carne'
1 carnation
1 caress
1 careless
1 canyons
1 candy
1 candle
1 cameron
1 calms
1 calmed
1 calm
1 calcutta
1 cadillac
1 buy
1 butler
1 bustle
1 bursts
1 burns
1 burned
1 burn
1 bumps
1 build
1 brunt
1 brow
1 brook
1 bringin'
1 brighten
1 brick
1 breath
1 brave
1 brand
1 brakeman
1 bower
1 bourbon
1 bound
1 booze
1 boots
1 bonzo's
1 bone
1 boilin'
1 body's
1 boats
1 boat
1 blushin'
1 blowin'
1 bliss
1 blinds
1 blindin'
1 blind
1 bleeker
1 bleedin'
1 bleed
1 blazin'
1 blame
1 bitten
1 bills
1 biding
1 beware
1 betwee
1 betcha
1 bend
1 behavin'
1 begun
1 begins
1 bee
1 become
1 beads
1 battle
1 bathed
1 bash
1 bars
1 barry
1 barely
1 bare
1 bane
1 bands
1 balance
1 bag
1 backdoor
1 backbone
1 ayy
1 awake
1 avalon
1 autumn
1 automatic
1 attainment
1 aryan
1 armor
1 arm
1 argue
1 april
1 apple
1 anyway
1 anytime
1 anyplace
1 anthony
1 answer
1 annie's
1 angel
1 andy
1 ame
1 altogether
1 alri
1 already
1 aloud
1 almost
1 allow
1 alive
1 albion
1 alarmed
1 ake
1 airplane
1 aged
1 age
1 aftermath
1 advice
1 adrift
1 across
1 achilles'
1 aboard
1 'twas
1 'n
1 'fore

2009-11-11T14:39:00.009-05:00

New WOW course: Writing the Young Adult Novel...

Writer's Digest's Writer's Online Workshops (WOW) is launching a brand new 8-week course on Writing the Young Adult Novel based on our terrific book by K.L. Going, Writin g & Selling the YA Novel. Here's some information about what's covered:

The choices you make as an author—choices about character development, setting, conflict, and plot—are going to be driven by the impulses, interests, and issues relating to a YA audience. In this course, we’ll be paying particular attention to how to write with an eye toward a teen audience. Questions we’ll ask ourselves: What kinds of characters are best suited for a YA novel? How can I develop and deepen the conflict of my novel? What are the limitations and possibilities of YA fiction? And, finally, How do I go about publishing and/or marketing a YA book? The various lessons in this book will introduce you to the YA genre and help you apply specific writing strategies to your work in order to turn the kernel of your idea into a publishable and saleable novel.

I've taught a few WOW courses myself and they're a lot of fun. Students get detailed critiques and advice from instructors on their assignment or works in progress as well as getting input from fellow students.

I'll share part of the course lecture. This begins a discussion on techniques for getting to know your character:

Before you pen even a single sentence of your novel, you should know your protagonist (and other main characters) and know him well. Entire books are written on how to well-develop character, and there’s much to consider. Going writes, “consider what truly defines each of your characters. What makes them unique individuals, different from others?”

This advice is excellent. Before you even begin writing your novel, you should write a character bio for each of your main players. Questions to ask: What is your character’s history? Where did she go to school? What is her favorite color? How many family members does she have? What is her biggest fear? What kind of job does she have, if any? What kind of grades does she get in school, and what is her favorite subject? Does she listen to music? Watch TV? Enjoy movies?

You, the writer, should know all of the answers to these questions, even if these answers do not make their way onto your pages. Why? Because the answer to these questions will reveal your character’s fully rounded personality, and it is this personality, the accumulation of all facets of the individual’s life and experiences, that will determine other aspects of your novel, such as how your protagonist responds to particular events before him.

Going’s chapter on character leaves us with a lot to consider, but let’s, for now, focus on four core elements of character: History, Complexity, Appearance, and Plausibility.

This new course on YA writing has two upcoming sessions, starting December 3 and December 31 (just in time for those writing resolutions).

2009-11-06T13:06:00.013-05:00

Tomorrow: National Bookstore Day and Buy a Book, Save the World!...

For the second year in a row, a group of book lovers who've organized on Facebook is gearing up for "Buy a Book, Save the World!," which kicks off tomorrow in conjunction with PW's National Bookstore Day, "a day devoted to celebrating bookselling and the vibrant culture of bookstores."

Here's the message posted on the Buy a Book, Save the World! Facebook page:

Well, it’s that time again--the Buy a Book, Save the World! 2nd Annual International Holiday Bookstore Bookpush! Last year was a brilliant success, with our numbers surging over twenty-five hundred strong, all for the love of reading.

How can you participate? It’s easy. All you have to do is pledge to visit your local bookstore and purchase a book to give as a gift. Remember--try and give preference to independent stores if you can, though we love all our booksellers.

This year, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of kicking off on Black Friday, we’re getting started a little early. Tomorrow begins a Publishers Weekly–sponsored initiative called National Bookstore Day. One hundred and forty independent bookstores from around the nation are participating with raffles, author signings, and discounts to celebrate the occasion. What better time is there to start our International Holiday Bookstore Bookpush? Contact your local Indie and see if they’re participating. (If they're not, encourage them!)

So get out, invite all your friends, spread the word about Buy a Book, Save the World!, and enjoy National Bookstore Day! Happy Shopping!!!

Tomorrow I'll be visiting Joseph-Beth Booksellers here in the Nati (which I do quite often). Jamie Ford, author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,
will be signing at 1PM.

2009-11-03T10:49:00.022-05:00

Featured Blogger:
Jacket Knack's Julie Larios...

Julie Larios maintains Jacket Knack along with co-blogger Carol Brendler (a writer with an MFA from Vermont College) . The pair offer weekly posts focusing on children's books cover art.

Why did you decide to start a blog focusing on cover art? How long have you been blogging?

Actually, Carol approached me and asked me if I'd be interested in starting a blog with her about the cover art of children's books. I'm not quite sure why she asked me—she had probably heard me going on and on about Chip Kidd , a designer of book covers for adults—but I'm so glad she did. In college I originally wanted to be a graphic designer, and I link three or four graphic design websites to my personal blog.

Tell me a little about your background in regards to the children's book world.

My mother read to my sister and brother and me all the way through our elementary school years. That's where an involvement with kids books really begins—being read to as a child. When my own kids were little, I read to them, and I took a job at a bookstore. Eventually, I became the head buyer for a large children's book department in Seattle. Doing that every day—talking with reps about new books, judging all those books by their covers (!) as I ordered them (along with a quick pitch from the rep about author and plot), handing people books and watching their reactions—that got me completely hooked. I've written four books of poetry for children, and I teach on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA-Writing for Children and Young Adults program, which I recommend to all people who are serious about learning how to write for children. I also write poetry for adults, so I straddle the fence and look both ways in terms of my writing interests.

In the world of adult poetry, the community can be a little competitive, a little nuts (some of the craziness I love) and a lot hermetic. Luckily, the world of children's books is filled with generous, full-hearted people who love nothing more than building community, so I get to experience both the mysteriously introverted and the warmly extroverted extremes and everything in between. It's glorious.

Not too long ago, I started my own blog, The Drift Record and it straddles the same fence—not all Kidlitosphere, but not all adult. I go where the drifting takes me.

How often do you post and what kinds of things do you cover in regards to covers?

I post on Jacket Knack every other Monday, alternating with Carol. One of those two posts of mine each month is called “Tapjacketing”—filled with links to websites I've enjoyed over the previous month which I want to share with readers (and Carol sometimes sends me suggestions for sites she's seen, too.) I'm interested in the collaborative nature of book jackets—the behind-the-scenes decisions of art designers, editors, illustrators and marketing people who are all working together (I think) to come up with a cover that readers can't resist, so interviews with people in the business are important.

I'm also interested in patterns—having been a bookseller for a long time, I notice odd patterns and trends—one season it's photos of feet, another season, it's the backs of people's heads, another season, blue is the de rigueur color, then suddenly everything is black with white, or everything is done montage. Very strange. What generates these waves?

I'm curious, so I think of the blog as a little journey of exploration. What I'm looking for is perfection—everything working together to get a book into the hands of the child who will love it.

If you had to choose, could you tell me your top three favorite children's book jackets (and a little on why you love them).

Top three book covers. Oh, gosh—the minute I hear a number, I want to double it. Let's see…

#1) One I'd have to choose is the hardcover edition of M.T. Anderson's novel, T he A stonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volum e 1: The Pox Party illustrated by Gerard DuBois. The need to keep Octavian's identity a secret was an important design factor—and the solution (the mask) is just horrifying. You don't know what you're looking at—is it human? And of course, that question is the central question of the book. Brilliant cover, though the award stickers diminish the impact of the illustration, and the paperback version takes away the dark background (such a mistake—it's the darkness that draws us in).

#2) Carol wrote recently on Jacket Knack about title-less book jackets—and it made me think of the first time I saw the startling full spread cover of Puss in Boots, illustrated by Fred Marcellino. Whoever made the decision to keep all the text off that cover was a genius. The book just begs to be picked up—Puss is all-cat, all-the-way, he shines from within, you see that cover, you want that book.

#3) There's one cover that I think no one else in the world would put on a list—it's from a 1938 "adaptation for children" of the adult novel Lorna Doone, written by Richard Blackmore. But I fell into this book so hard when I was eleven or twelve, it's a miracle I ever climbed back out. The cover design and interior illustrations were done by the great graphic artist Alexander Key, who later turned to writing and produced Escape to Witch Mountain. The only photo of the particular edition of Lorna Doone I love so much, which is a woodcut showing two men on horseback, galloping at each other their swords drawn, the moon shining, oh, such DRAMA!!—is very small: and I'm not sure you can get a sense of its impact. Using black-and-white woodcuts adds immediate drama, it's built in to the technique itself, due to the contrast between negative and positive space.

Once and for all, can you judge a book my its cover?

Well, covers are made to sell books, and when the bottom line is profit, you can't ever quite trust the process. So no, you can't judge a book by its cover alone. But a good designer can get you awfully close to judging well. Good cover art conveys tone, timbre, subtext, audience, mood—a good cover gives the book's readers lots of clues.

2009-10-30T16:21:00.005-05:00

My First Book Picks Are Picked...

I spent the better part of the week working on the agonizing-yet-fun task of choosing debut authors to feature in First Books in the 2011 edition of CWIM. I've e-mailed all of my chosen ones today. To all those debut authors who haven't heard from me, I will be contacting many of you in the coming months as I resurrect Debut Author of the Month here on the blog beginning in January 2010. (Why does this all sounds so Biblical?)

Thanks so much to everyone who contacted me. I was so thrilled to hear from each of you and so happy to read about your successes (and your books). You should all be very proud.

Happy Halloween weekend to everyone. (Don't forget to fall back--and haunt for an extra hour tomorrow night).

2009-10-27T10:14:00.010-05:00

First Books Lowdown: My Unscientific Findings on New-Author-Friendly Publishers...

Every year since I've been blogging, I've put out a call for debut authors for my First Book feature and every year I post about which publishers are publishing the debut authors who contacted me. Here's the scoop for this year (all of which are in random order because I don't like to alphabetize)...

Publishers who are publishing one of the debut books in my pool:

Flux
Carolrhoda
Flashlight Press
Scholastic
Houghton Mifflin
Albert Whitman
Dutton
Blooming Tree
Holiday House
Pelican
HIP Books
Clarion
Bloomsbury
Feiwel & Friends
Candlewick
Raven Tree Press
Delacorte
Capstone

Publishers who are publishing two or more of the debut books in my pool:

HarperCollins
Walker
Putnam
Random House
Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky
Farrar, Strauss & Giroux
Simon & Schuster
Sterling

This year Putnam ties previous two-time winner HarperCollins at five a piece, so they each get a Friendly-to-New-Authors Gold Star!

Only a handful of the debut authors who contacted me said they have agents--I'm sure more do and didn't mention it--and some of those agented writers didn't get their agents until after the first book deal. I heard from plenty of unagented writers.

About half of the authors who contacted me are YA writers, the other half picture books, MG and chapter books, with PBs as the majority.

If you're among the YA authors (or even if you're not) check out Publishers Weekly's report, What Do Teens Want?, a survey of teen über readers. Lots of statistics and charts! (I tweeted a link to this yesterday and was retweeted like crazy.)

Now back to the tough/fun job of deciding who to interview.

2009-10-22T15:30:00.010-05:00

SCBWI TEAM BLOG Reunites for the SCBWI Annual Winter Conference in New York...

I'm very excited to announce that I will once again serve as captain of SCBWI TEAM BLOG as we offer exhaustive coverage of the SCBWI Annual Winter Conference in New York City which takes place January 29th-31st at the Hyatt Grand Central.

Conference info (faculty, schedule) is now up on the SCBWI website, and online registration will open Wednesday, October 28th at 10 a.m. PST. But whether you attend or not, TEAM BLOG will keep you posted on every session and keynote on the Official SCBWI Conference Blog.

Here are the Winter Conference TEAM BLOG bloggers and links to their blogs and Twitter pages. (Look for exclusive pre-conference content on our blogs between now and conference time):

Lee Wind. Click here to visit I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell Do I Read? Click here to follow Lee on Twitter.
Suzanne Young. Click here to visit Suzanne's blog. Click here to follow Suzanne on Twitter.
Jaime Temairik. Click here to visit CocoaStomp. Click here to follow Jaime on Twitter.
Jolie Stekly. Click here to visit Cuppa Jolie. Click here to follow Jolie on Twitter.

2009-10-21T13:28:00.010-05:00

Become a Writer's Digest VIP (and Join Our New WD Community)...

I'm a shopper and I love a bargain, especially if it's for something I wanted to buy anyway (like books and shoes). That's why I think our new Writer's Digest VIP program (which just kicked off yesterday) is a pretty sweet deal--lots of good stuff for not much money.

For $49.95 you get a one-year subscription to both WritersMarket.com (which now includes all the info from CWIM) and Writer’s Digest magazine, plus you also get a free webinar recording (which is usually $99), 10% off WOW courses, and 10% off all WD Shop purchases.

If you do the math, it could normally cost up to $198.80 so you can save $148.85. (The best part about finding a bargain is figuring out how much you save.)

Click here to visit the WD Shop and learn more about becoming a WD VIP.

Here's something else new: We've also just launched the Writer's Digest Community on Ning. Stop by, join, and become my friend. (I only have 79 so far. I want more. One can't have too many friends, too many books, or too many pairs of shoes.)

Visit Writer's Digest Community

2009-10-19T14:30:00.009-05:00

Twitter Tips from my Tweeps...

Last week I was working on an article on Twitter for the SCBWI Bulletin and asked my Twitter followers to answer this question:

@alicepope: I’m writing an article on Twitter (aimed at writers and illustrators). What’s your best Twitter tip (in 140 characters or less, of course)?

In a matter of minutes my question had been retweeted several times and I’d gotten more than a dozen tips (from writers, editors, and other publishing professionals) which you’ll find below. This served as a great demonstration of how one's Twitter community can be useful. I suggest you follow each of the wise tweeps who replied to me—and follow their advice as well.

@HeatherMcCorkle: Twitter tip: Never write anything you don’t want to read on the front page of the newspaper. Could hurt your career later!
@aliciapadron: tweet how you like to be tweeted
@GirlsSentAway: Follow 80/20 rule: 80% professional tweets, 20% to show your personality. Interact.
@EyeOnFlux: Avoid TMI (overly personal information). This begs the question: what DO most people use their Twitter accounts for? Professional? Personal? Should the two mix?
@glecharles: Be relevant, always add value and remember, it’s SOCIAL media, not just an alternative RSS feed.
@loniedwards: Tip: Download an add-on like tweetdeck to help sort. Especially during kidlit chats!
@KateMessner: Just aim to be a friendly, helpful human being online. It’s much better self-promotion than shouting about your book.
@Lynne_Griffin: I found this helpful “RT @EliseBlackwell @thefictiondesk “Be yourself, not your book.”
@RuthSpiro: My tip: Connect w/folks OUTSIDE the writing/publishing world; they don’t encounter authors daily, and think you’re really cool!
@wendy_mc: If you want your funny stuff to be retweeted, shorter tweets are better (leave room for your name)
@BrianKlems: Be honest in what you post, be it personal or promotional. If you wouldn’t read it, don’t post it.
@mitaliperkins: Strive for the same integrity, vision, and authentic voice on Twitter that you pursue in your vocation as a whole.
@WriterRoss: Keep it tight. Omit connecting words. Twitter is a wonderful tool for learning to edit extraneous information.
@vboykis: Don’t overpromote yourself. Reach out to other writers and champion the ones whose writing you love.
@inkyelbows:Twitter tips: Follower count should NOT be your main goal. Support other writers. Make every character count.
@rachelsimon: My best Twitter advice is to act on here as you would in real life. You are essentially “meeting” the same people.
@nialleccles: Re: call for Twitter tips... Do not allow it to distract you from writing or illustrating. Tweet during scheduled breaks.
@marisabirns: Twitter tip: It’s a great place for linking writers to online resource material.
@leewind: Twitter does 3 things well: 1. drive traffic to links. 2. real-time discussions via “#” 3. under 140 trivia/wisdom—like this!
@CynDraws: My tip—Be of service to others and avoid complaining or negativity at all costs. Our art should inspire others and so should our tweets.
@joanna_haugen: Tip: Make sure tweets are relevant, interesting and concise to your audience.
@KarlShoemaker: Twitter = watercooler. Remember Water Cooler Politics Guy? WC Medical History Girl? WC Nosy Questions & Advice Person? Don't be them.

2009-10-19T09:25:00.013-05:00

Readergirlz Teen Read Week Blog Bash...

The Readergirlz are fab hostesses, so don't miss their week-long blog party celebrating YALSA's Teen Read Week.

Starting today on the Readergirlz blog and continuing through October 23rd, the divas will host nine YA authors and end the week with "an online gala celebration where Sylvia Engdahl, a pioneer in young-adult science fiction, will be hosted and honored for her contributions to the literary landscape."

Here's the Readergirlz Teen Read Week lineup. (Events start at 6 PM Pacific/9 PM Eastern each day):

Monday, October 19th: Beyond Imagination
rgz diva Justina Chen Headley (NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL)
Alyson Noël (EVERMORE)
Zoe Marriott (DAUGHTER OF THE FLAMES)

Tuesday, October 20th: Beyond Hardship
rgz diva Lorie Ann Grover (HOLD ME TIGHT)
Elizabeth Scott (LIVING DEAD GIRL)
Lynn Weingarten (WHEREVER NINA LIES)

Wednesday, October 21st: Beyond Daily Life
rgz diva Holly Cupala (TELL ME A SECRET)
Lisa McMann (WAKE)
Cynthia Leitich Smith (ETERNAL)

Thursday, October 22nd: Beyond Our World
rgz diva Melissa Walker (LOVESTRUCK SUMMER)
Cassandra Clare (CITY OF ASHES)
Patrick Ness (THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO)

Friday, October 23rd: Into Our Beyond
rgz diva Dia Calhoun (AVIELLE OF RHIA)
Sylvia Engdahl (ENCHANTRESS FROM THE STARS)

And if you celebrate Teen Read Week, the divas want to hear from you.

Do you love YALSA's Teen Read Week? Post blog or vlog (video blog), then send the link to readergirlz@gmail.com with the subject line set up like this: Your name, TRW Tribute. Tell us about your recent release, or a book you love dearly, and then give a shoutout for Teen Read Week. We'll collect all the contributions and post them at the rgz blog in a 24 hour time span on October 23rd, 2009.

2009-10-15T08:56:00.009-05:00

What's New at scbwi.org? Everything! Here's the Scoop...

If you've visited the website for the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators lately you've noticed that it's gone through a major renovation. I've asked SCBWI Creative Director Aaron Hartzler to give you a tour.

Scbwi.org went through quite an overhaul this year. Tell me about new features members may not be aware of.

Thanks for noticing! I've spent two years now working very closely with Lin Oliver and Steve Mooser to develop the new site, and we're really thrilled with the way it's taking shape.

Best new functions available now:

The "Find A Speaker" page: Educators and librarians can now search for SCBWI members and even see video clips from classroom presentations. PAL members can click on "Speaker Profile" on their member home page to add video and information.
The Illustrator's Gallery: Illustrator members of SCBWI no longer have to pay a separate service or web site to host an online portfolio. Just log in and click on "My Portfolio" to upload images. Once you've uploaded an image, your name will appear in the searchable index of SCBWI illustrators.
"Search Members": Our old "Member roster" search has been given a much-needed 21st-century update. Click on "Search Members" in the upper right-hand corner of any page on the site, and you can find other members by name, email address, location, even book title.
Regional Home Pages: When you log in, click on the “Regional Chapter” icon and you’ll be taken to your Regional Home Page. This is sort of like a Facebook group page where you’ll be connected with all of the other members in your region. You can see the regional events that are upcoming, details for your next regional conference, and read the latest from your Regional Advisor’s news blog. You can quickly browse members in your region and send a message or a friend request. Connecting with other SCBWI members in your area has never been easier.
Member Neworking: We're calling this function "SCBWInc." "INC" stands for "Insider Networking Community." You now have the ability to send messages to other SCBWI members and add them as a friend right at SCBWI.org. Also, click around on your friends’ profiles and see their latest publishing news, pictures and contact information.

When did the SCBWInc feature launch? What’s the advantage of creating a profile and making friends on the SCBWI site as opposed to, say, Facebook or Jacketflap? Any tips for using it?

SCBWInc, our member networking platform, just launched October 13th. Co-founder and Executive Director Lin Oliver was very specific when I was developing this part of the site that she wanted this function to be more than just "social networking." Writing and illustrating can be solitary work. SCBWInc is designed as a place for members who are often isolated in their own studios or hunkered down editing a manuscript to come and surface for a creative recharge. Without leaving your seat at the computer or the drafting table, we wanted to provide a little taste of the community aspect that is often felt at our regional events and annual international conferences in New York and Los Angeles with the click of a mouse.

Being a member of Facebook or other sites is a great way to market your work and get the word out, but there’s nothing like the community sense of the SCBWI. Those letters in our name (and we do spell it out—we don’t pronounce it as a word that sounds like “squeegee”!) have come to be synonymous not only with professional support and advocacy, but also with the true community of artistic peers who rely on one another for encouragement that goes far beyond marketing and visibility.

Are there any more changes in store for scbwi.org?

Yes! Now that the major functions are in place, we’re embarking on a round secondary additions. So stay tuned for more info on:

Blogs/RSS Feeds: Look for news soon on a blog from the SCBWI Illustrator Committee, a legal questions blog, and a tech blog with an emphasis on marketing your work—all with RSS feeds so you can get an instant update.
Redesigned Discussion Board Forum, hosted on our site (that doesn’t require a secondary login!)
The all-new SCBWI Store: A brand new shopping experience for T-shirts, SCBWI Master Class DVDs, and other great merch!
The Online Publication Guide: While members may currently download a PDF copy of the annual “Pub Guide,” all of our Market Surveys and Directories will soon be fully searchable.
The SCBWI Bulletin Archive: Over 30 years of SCBWI Bulletins have been scanned in and are currently being indexed for easy searching and reading online!
More video! We’ve got years and years of conference footage and we’re working on clearing some rights issues to be able to use some of that video on the site!

Oh—one more very important question: Will SCBWI again offer fantastic blog coverage of the upcoming Winter Conference in New York (January 29-31, 2010)?

You better believe it! There’s this really great SCBWI member—Alice Pope? You may know her. (She’s got a killer SCBWI Member Profile here.) Anyway, she’ll be heading up another all-star team of bloggers to bring you hits and highlights from the upcoming 10th Annual International SCBWI Winter Conference in New York. Conference brochures will be in the mail by the end of next week, and we’re aiming to go live with registration online October 28th!

2009-10-14T12:13:00.013-05:00

National Books Award Finalists Named (and I'm back from vacation)...

After six days of vacation in New York, I was not excited about the prospect of weeding through my email inbox. (It was bursting.) After a few hours of wading through, I was rewarded with today's Publishers Lunch featuring the National Book Award finalists. In case you haven't seen the list, here are the 2009 National Books Awards Finalists for the Young People's Literature caegory:

Deborah Heiligman, Char les and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith (Henry Holt)
Phillip Hoose, Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
David Small, Stitches (W. W. Norton & Co.)
Laini Taylor, Lips Touch: Three Times (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic)
Rita Williams-Garcia, Jumped (HarperTeen/HarperCollins)

Special shout out to Laini Taylor, who is a 2010 CWIM contributor along with her husband Jim Di Bartolo, illustrator of Lips Touch. (Check out his amazing cover art below along with the other NBA finalist books.)

2009-10-06T14:49:00.011-05:00

Stylized: A Slightly Obsessive History of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style Is Available Today...

I featured author Mark Garvey as a Blogger of the Week a while back, and I'm happy to report that his new book Stylized: A Slightly Obsessive History of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style is now available. Fans of Strunk & White's guide will find his exhaustively researched history of Elements fascinating (I did!) and his writing style engaging. You can feel his Elements enthusiasm oozing from the text.

Stylized has found a place on my nightstand along with several versions of The Elements of Style. (I like to read about style of some sort before I go to sleep. Could be from E.B. White; could be the latest issue of Vogue.)

Here's Mark on what prompted him to work on the project:

I've had a soft spot in my heart for The Elements of Style since high school. It has always seemed to me that Elements draws together, in concentrated form, the most fundamental and helpful attitudes about writing, and it is one of the books that made me want to be a writer (and editor) in the first place. A few years ago, I noticed that 2009 would mark the book's 50th anniversary, and the time seemed right for a book that considered the history and influence of Strunk and White's little book. I was lucky enough to work with the cooperation and generous help of both the Strunk and White families, and I had the pleasure of interviewing many of my favorite writers for the project.

Stylized includes more biographical detail about William Strunk than has ever been published before, including some wonderful photographs. I was also able to include some of the correspondence between E. B. White and his editors at Macmillan (the original publishers of The Elements of Style), as well as a number of notes from White to readers of Elements. E. B. White may have been the best letter writer of the twentieth century, and I'm thrilled to be able to reproduce some of his letters and notes in my book. In all, I'm excited and honored to able to pay homage in this way to a book that's been such a big influence in my life.

For the rest of my interview with Mark Garvey, click here.

2009-09-30T11:36:00.014-05:00

Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi at Joseph-Beth (or How Long a 5-year-old Can Last at a Bookstore Event)...

Last night Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi's book tour for The Wyrm King, the 3rd book in their Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles series, took them to the Joseph-Beth Booksellers here in the Nati. I thought Holly was terrific when I saw her speak at the SCBWI conference in LA in August so I didn't want to miss the Joe-Beth appearance despite the fact that I didn't have a babysitter for the boy. But he's seen the Spiderwick movie previews and knows the bookstore has macaroni and cheese in the cafe, so he was in. (Note: The last bookstore event I brought him to was Holly Hobbie when he was 3 months old. See From the Editor in the 2006 CWIM.)

As I suspected, the event was crowded. Check out all the people as they wait for Holly and Tony to come in. (You can't see those who are standing in the aisle and between the bookcases in the back. There were lots of people.)

Holly and Tony were really charming, engaging and funny. This was truly one of the most enjoyable book signings I've attended. Their event included talk of cool mythical creatures (with visual aids and instructions to not Google "rat king"), live dragon drawing, impromptu diaper jokes, and prizes (including Tony's drawings). Here's Holly and Tony addressing the crowd of readers.

Here's Holly reading a little from The Wyrm King (enough to get us really interested by not give too much away).

Tony takes it in from the sidelines (and rests his drawing/signing hand).

And here's me with Tony and Holly, interupting them mid-autographing for a picture. (I knew the boy wouldn't have the patience for standing in line and it was getting close to his bed time, so I didn't get a book autographed myself, but they offered to pose with me anyway. Note the cool blown up Wyrm King cover in the background.)

And here's the boy, who fidgeted on my lap for 45 minutes and kept saying "This is not hilarious for me. I'm tired of being here. Is that a dragon?" And he picked his nose like it was his job.

Finally, the boy got to do what he loves to do at the bookstore: play with trains.

He also made it home with a copy of The Spiderwick Chronicles movie and one of Jon Scieszka's Truck Town books.

(And next week when I go see Sara Zarr when her tour stops in the Nati, I'm going by myself. She's in the Nati October 6th and 7th.)

2009-09-28T14:50:00.006-05:00

Read Banned Books! It's Banned Books Week September 26-October 3...

The American Library Association Banned Books Week is going on now. Here's a bit from their blog about this week dedicated to "celebrating the freedom to read":

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.

Click here for an Amazon list of banned books for young readers. (And if you stop by my house this evening you can enjoy a read-aloud of Captain Underpants which will never be banned in my house. Then maybe you can explain to me why people have a problem with a little poo humor.)

2009-09-24T08:13:00.007-05:00

Official Call for Debut Authors for the 2011 CWIM...

Did you all miss me? I sure missed you (and my blog). But now I'm back from my little vacation and a fab WD conference in New York, my deadline-o-rama is almost over, and it's time for me to start thinking about the 2011 CWIM.

And do you know what that means? FIRST BOOKS! I'm looking for debut author and illustrators who'd like to be interviewed for my "First Books" feature in 2011 CWIM.

If you are interested in being featured in First Books, here are the rules and guidelines:

Email me at alice.pope@fwmedia.com, subject line "First Books."
Tell me about your debut book including the title, publisher, genre and approximate publication date.
The book must be available in some form by November (so it can be read before you're interviewed).
A cover image must be available by January 2010 (because I don't want to feature a book without showing the cover).
Please include links to your website or blog if you have one.
No self-published books please.
Tell me something fun/interesting/exciting/unusual/inspiring about you/your book/your path to publication.
E-mails must be received by October 8th.
I'll be in touch with those I've chosen by the October 30th; otherwise you likely will not hear from me--I simply don't have time to contact everyone, although I wish I could. (I may acknowledge receipt of emails, however, depending on how busy I am and/or how much I do or do not feel like doing other work.)
Debut authors not chosen to be featured in First Books could be chosen as Debut Authors of the Month which will be resurrected on this blog starting January 2010!

2009-09-11T13:13:00.011-05:00

Where Have I Been? Where Am I Going?...

My posts have been light recently (in case you hadn't noticed). I've been busy busy busy getting the last set of market books ready for the printer. (Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market, Songwriter's Market, Photographer's Market and Screenwriter's & Playwright's Mar ket will all be in stores in October and November.)

And tomorrow, I'm going on vacation. It's my annual jaunt to Garden City, SC with my in-laws. Which is always interesting. (There will be tweeting.)

I'm cutting out of vacation a day early, however, to head to New York for the Writer's Digest Conference: The Business of Getting Published, which takes place at the Times Square Marriott September 18-20. (There will be tweeting from there as well, of course. Look for #WDC09 tweets.)

If you can't make the event, be sure to visit our Official Writer's Digest Conference Blog. Members of Team WD (including me) will be live-blogging the 3-day event starting Friday night, September 18, offering posts from sessions as they are happening. (I had a blast as part of SCBWI TEAM BLOG during the SCBWI LA Summer Conference. If you haven't visited The Official SCBWI Conference Blog, be sure to check out our terrific conference coverage.)

After all this excitement, I'll be back in the office Tuesday, September 22, and back to my old tricks--blogging daily, tweeting often, and starting work on the 2011 CWIM. (Note to all you debut authors out there: watch my blog for a call for First Books authors and illustrators in early October!)

2009-08-14T13:22:00.008-05:00

Upcoming Writer's Digest Conferences...

While I'm still enjoying an nice buzz from the LA SCBWI conference (visit the conference blog if you haven't already), I thought I'd mention a few upcoming Writer's Digest events that will get me high on publishing once again.

First up is the Writer's Digest Conference: The Business of Getting Published which takes place in New York September 18-20 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. This conference focuses on marketing and promotion, career building, and social networking, and also includes a poetry slam, manuscript critiques, breakfast discussions, a great lineup of speakers (including WD editors), and a smashing location in New York City. (I'll be heading there straight from the beach, so look for the darker pink, well-rested version of me.)

Next up is our latest Writer's Digest Editors' Intensive which takes place October 3-4 at our Writer's Digest HQ here in the Nati and features a day of informational sessions and panels offered by WD editors (including yours truly), an evening mingling event, and a day of manuscript critiques.
I always feel like attending a conference is like playing while you're working hard. You spend a few days taking in endless amounts of useful information, but also enjoying the networking and social aspect of being in a room full of like-minded people. I think it's glorious.

Click here for more information and to register for The Business of Getting Published.
Click here for more information and to register for the Writer's Digest Editors' Intensive.
Those working in the publishing industry may also be interested in Digital Book World taking place in New York January 26-27. Click here for more info and to sign up for email updates.

2009-08-12T13:56:00.014-05:00

My SCBWI Summer Conference Tweets Transcript (#SCBWI09)...

Stealing an idea from Lee Wind (who says in Hollywood, it's referred to as "liberating" an idea), I've collected all the tweets I posted from the time I left the house for the SCBWI Summer Conference until I got home--when I wasn't blogging, I was tweeting. (I may have corrected a few misspellings and boo-boos.) Click here to find all the #SCBWI09 posts and see what everyone at the event was saying.

The last thing I want to do first thing in the morning: clean up cat barf. Guess what I just did?
My (awesome) brother just picked me up for the airport. I know, I'm surprised as you are that I got up this early.
Worst CVG security line ever! Walked straight on to my (exit row) seat when I got to the gate.
A guy in the back of my plane had a seizure. First time I've been on flight where they paged for a doc. Nice delay in CVG. Just left LAX!
Why are LA cabs always uncomfortably hot?
The cabbie has hockey playing curious George hanging from his rear view mirror which makes me like him better. Wish he would get off phone
At faculty dinner sitting with @Ellen Hop kinsYA, @Suzanne_Young, David Diaz and others. The bartenders make fab cosmos.
David Diaz kicked our butts at Hannah Montana Uno #SCBWI09

Ahh. King size hotel bed. Goodnight, tweeps. Lots of tweets and blogging tomorrow! #SCBWI09
#scbwi09 SCBWI TEAM BLOG @PaulaYo o; @leewind; @cuppajolie ; @jeaimetem; @suzanne_young #followfriday
Breakfast with Team Blog in The Breeze. Everyone is playing with devices. We start conference coverage in an hour. #SCBWI09
Just went last in the faculty word parade. My word: blog! #SCBWI09
Sherman Alexie has the room laughing. #SCBWI09
Sherman Alexie can go seamlessly from tragedy to comedy. #SCBWI09
Sherman Alexie has perhaps the best story ever about how books helped him get through childhood. #SCBWI09
Sherman Alexie: "I'm rich but I still have class issues." #SCBWI09
Sherman just dropped a very appropriate F-bomb. #SCBWI09
Sherman: "The book is safe. The book is where I can hide." #SCBWI09
Sherman: "It's easy to hand a book to a kid that's about that kid." The challenge is to engage a kid in a book that isn't. #SCBWI09
It's super cold in the conference ballroom but David Wiesner's beautiful images will warm me up. #SCBWI09
David Wiesner is showing clips from The Shining in relation to his process. Makes sense in person. #SCBWI09
David Wiesner loves him some movies. Now he's discussing 2001: A Space Odyssey. #SCBWI09
But really, is it any surprise movies inspire Wienser? Look at his books if you're not sure. #SCBWI09
Lobby court restaurant is trying to starve me and make me late.
Lin Oliver is telling contest winner jokes. There are some witty peeps here. Oh--door prizes! #SCBWI09
Editor panel going on. I love listening to editors discuss books they're passionate about. #SCBWI09
Ari Lewin from Hyperion: bookstores love series. Stand alone connected stories, even better. # SCBWI09
RT @gregpincus: #scbwi09 Tweetup tonight at 9 in the lobby bar area. Come say "hi" or something longer than 140 characters!
Agent Marietta Zacker is reading the first paragraph from an unpublished novel she says "gives her shivers" every time she reads it #SCBWI09
Marietta Zacker said she recently counted how many manuscripts her agency receives daily. Answer: 10. #SCBWI09
Check out the secret stuff behind the book jacket of Frank Portman's latest novel, Andromeda Klein

Just rode the elevator with a guy who bathed in cologne. I can still smell it. #SCBWI09
Karen Cushman just took the stage. I love her books. #SCBWI09
Someone's phone just rang. Karen Cushman: "Sounds like the ice cream man is here." #SCBWI09
Cushman: Writing is like exercise. I wanted to do it, planned to do it, but never got around to doing it. Until she was in her 50s. #SCBWI09
Karen Cushman quoting a poet: Write what you know. This should leave you with a lot of free time. #SCBWI09
Karen Cushman: I figured I could say 'shitty first drafts' since Sherman said 'f*** you' yesterday. (Big laughs.) #SCBWI09
Karen Cushman: Tell the truth--the emotional truth, the truth of your passion, the truth revealed from your research. #SCBWI09
Karen Cushman: publication isn't the only reason to write. Let go of the outcome. #SCBWI09
Karen Cushman: Like Flannery O'Connor, I write what I can. #SCBWI09
Holly Black is leading an active discussion on critique groups. Blog posts soon. (No wifi in Brentwood room.) #SCBWI09
Holly Black always wears cool shoes. #SCBWI09
Holly Black just had the people in her session write something, swap with a partner, and tell each other what's good about it. #SCBWI09
Ellen Hopkins: "The $8000 advance I got for Crank was not life changing." #SCBWI09
Ellen Hopkins: There were dark phases in my life. I got through them. I worked them into my writing. #SCBWI09
Ellen Hopkins is making me cry. I wish you were all here listening to her story. #SCBWI09
Ellen Hopkin's Crank sold on 75 pages. #SCBWI09
It took 2 1/2 years for Crank to hit the NY Times bestseller list. #SCBWI09
Ellen Hopkins: Learn the rules before you break them. #SCBWI09
Courtney Bongiolatti (S&S); "Literal hell or metaphorical? Because that would be important for the synopsis." #SCBWI09
#SCBWI09 Conference F-Bomb Count--number of keynote speakers who have have dropped the f-bomb so far: 4. (I'll update you as f-bombs happen)
Wendy Loggia (Delacorte) googles writers before she takes them on. So watch what you say in the blogosphere, tweeps. #SCBWI09
Wendy Loggia: Contrary to popular belief, we do not take pleasure in crushing writers' dreams. (She's given a great session). #SCBWI09
Our sundae came with an extra gravy boat of fudge

Holly Black: Fantasy has real stuff to say about our own world and real things to say about us. #SCBWI09
Holly: We have to believe in the fantastical when we read it. World building is one of most difficult things for fantasy writers. #SCBWI09
Holly Black: In many ways fantasy resembles historical fiction. #SCBWI09
Holly Black's crazy theory: fantasy plotting is slightly different than non-fantasy plotting
Holly Black: When I started, I wrote a lot of scenes with elves sitting around drinking coffee and experiencing ennui. #SCBWI09
Doing last minute presentation prep for my breakout session Practical Online Promotion. #SCBWI09
I'm talking about twitter
Just left the Golden Kite Luncheon. Getting ready to blog Marla Frazee's session, How Your Words Inspire Me to Draw Pictures #SCBWI09
Marla Frazee: I [illustrate] one page at a time and I do them in order. Because I'm a Capricorn. #SCBWI09
Elizabeth Law: Egmont's profits go to children's charities. They are technically a not-for-profit publisher. #SCBWI09
Elizabeth Law: Writers need to know what the hook is for their books. Elevator pitches aren't two minutes long. #SCBWI09
Elizabeth Law: She thinks agents are important and advises writers to find one. "I rely on agents to weed things out for me." #SCBWI09
Elizabeth Law: "Winslow the Whale spouted emotions through his blow hole." (Posted because it's just as funny out of context.) #SCBWI09
Elizabeth Law on social networking: Join networks, make comments, make friends, don't be embarrassed to talk about your work. #SCBWI09
Elizabeth Law: "If anyone does introduce me to my future husband, there's a contract for you at Egmont." #SCBWI09
@mbrockenbrough That was one excellent banana.
@chavelaque Thanks! And thank you for contributing. (Everyone be sure to read Cheryl's great piece on revision in the 2010 CWIM.)
I'm having my final breakfast at The Breeze at the Century Plaza. (I recommend the oatmeal.)
On my way to my least favorite airport LAX. (It is no CVG.)
My cab driver's name is Igor. That's kinda cool. I've never met an Igor. (He's a very good driver.)
Just drove past a Live Nudes place right next to Carl's Jr. I'm so not in the Nati.
I'm standing in the line to get to the next place I will stand in line. LAX: you are living up to my expectations.
Number of times 20-something dude in security line said 'dude' in his 5-minute phone call: 13. (I counted.) Dude. His Vegas trip ROCKED!
I'd forgotten all about humidity until it smacked me in the face outside the airport.
Back in the Nati and stuck in LA-style traffic. But someone's here to help.

2009-08-12T09:03:00.012-05:00

SCBWI Summer Conference: Fantastic...

I'm back in the Nati, the humid humid Nati, and still coming down from the from the fantastic SCBWI Summer Conference in LA. If you weren't there I hope you followed the event on our equally fantastic Official SCBWI Conference Blog.

I'd like to thank the super-extra-fantastic members of SCBWI TEAM BLOG--Jamie Temairik, Jolie Stekly, Lee Wind, Paula Yoo, and Suzanne Young--for their hard work and dedication to covering the conference.

Here we are at our first SCBWI TEAM BLOG meeting.

TEAM BLOG's posts, photos and video were terrific (not to mention fast and furious) and I think we offered a good taste of the conference and shared some useful information for those who weren't there as well as for attendees who could only attend one session at a time. (We could attend 6, and a few times we attended 9 or 10.) If you haven't visited the Conference Blog, click here to check it out.

And below are a few more of my photos from the Blue Moon Ball on Saturday night. (I posted some on the conference blog after the event.) There were drink tickets. There were quesadillas. There was dancing. And, of course, there were outfits.

This year they're blue butterflies;
last year they were literary lady bugs.

This conference-goer's cow stopped jumping
over the moon to pose for a picture.

These Royals fans were happy about the party theme.

This conference-goer got wiggy with it and
enjoyed the Mexican food buffet.

Jay Asher is without mermaids but still ready to
disco as he poses with Linda Sue Park.

I'm not sure if she's a superhero or a cheerleader who mistook
her pom-pom for head gear. Either way I like this outfit.

This wizard is concerned about wrinkles.

2009-08-07T15:29:00.005-05:00

Day One of the SCBWI Summer Conference--The Blogsplosion Has Begun...

SCBWI TEAM BLOG has been posting live since the 38th Annual Summer conference kicked off this morning with the amazing Sherman Alexie.

Please be sure to visit the Official SCBWI Blog for reports throughout today and on through the conference close on Monday including keynotes, breakouts, events, parties, and more.

Also be sure to follow SCBWI TEAM BLOG on Twitter:
Jaime Temairik
Jolie Stekly
Lee Wind
Paula Yoo
Suzanne Young
Me

And for a full rundown of Twitterverse conference coverage, search #SCBWI09