SCBWI-FLORIDA REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Sailing to Publication
January 18-20, 2008

at the Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel

Writer's Intensive: Friday, Jan. 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Work on your craft by attending the Intensive taught by authors Joyce Sweeney, Alexandra Flinn and Molli O'Neill, assistant editor at Bowen Press, a new imprint at HarperCollins. The intensive will emphasize craft, with hands-on writing exercises and critiques. Attendance is limited to 25 people. The cost of the Intensive is $125. For more information contact Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld at 305-382-2677 or LindaBernfeld@hotmail.com.

Illustrator's Intensive: The January 18, 2008, Illustrator's Intensive in Miami is sure to provide answers for almost everything you ever wanted to know about illustrating and will finally have the chance to ask. Daniel Moreton, executive art director for Cartwheel and Licensed Books for Scholastic Inc., is joined by David Diaz, Caldecott Award Winner, and Janeen Mason, author/illustrator and member of the Florida Arts Council.  In this one day special session for Illustrators, you'll get the inside track on what makes your work stand apart when an art director is shopping for talent.  You'll discover how to develop characters, story boards, book dummies, and final art that sizzles.  We'll discuss how to cultivate and maintain your own creative vision, and how to improve your artistic resume with Artist Opportunities. The homework is required. Limited space available, so don't wait to register. The fee is $125 for the day. For more information contact Pascale Mackey, email:pascale@mackeywebdesign.com, phone 305-466-0287. Use this link: http://floridaillustrators.com for assignment details and to read more about this exciting event.

BOOK SALES: Speakers, Workshop Leaders, Critiquers, and SCBWI members registered for the conference may sell their books through our on-site book seller, Books & Books. Contact Jonathan Rosen at Donsh18a@aol.com by December 15, 2007, with the name of your book and the ISBN number to be added to the list. Let Jonathan know if you plan to participate in the Friday evening book signing. Those with self-published books can have Books & Books sell their books by agreeing to a temporary consignment contract. The Book Store will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

FIRST-PAGE CRITIQUES: Bring the First Page of your novel or picture book, double-spaced, 12-point type, 250 words or less, one page only. Write the title and genre at the top of the page, but do not put your name on it. Panelists will select a few submissions to read aloud and critique. Leave your First-Pages at the registration desk before 9 a.m., Saturday, January 19.  There is no charge for this informal critique. Submissions will be recycled afterwards.

HOTEL: Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel. To make your reservation, you can either call the hotel directly at 305-871-3800 or dial 1-800-WYNDHAM.  You may also go to wyndhamhotelmia.com to make your reservation. There is a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel. It comes every 15 minutes during the day and every half hour at night.  Please see attached directions for the hotel.

LISTSERV: To join, contact Claire Gatrell Stevens at cgstephens@cfl.rr.com.

REGATTA  BALL: Don't forget your dancing shoes for Saturday night's dinner ball.  Come in a nautical themed costume. The best costume wins a prize.

MEALS: Full conference registration includes the following meals and snacks:

Friday Night Reception: light hors d'oeuvres, cash bar.

Saturday: Buffet breakfast in the dining room. Hotel guests will receive a coupon upon check-in. Coffee and tea will be available. A box lunch.  Dinner is provided and there will be a cash bar.

Sunday: Coffee and tea only. 

Saturday Only Attendees: Session includes lunch. If you wish to attend the Saturday night dinner, you may purchase a ticket for $40.00.  See registration form.

NEW MEMBER COORDINATOR: Sue LaNeve, sooze@laneve.com.

MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUES: Please send two copies of your manuscript (up to 10 pages) to 20121 Cutler Court, Miami, FL 33189.  Follow standard submission guidelines or see "From Keyboard to Printed Page: Facts You Need to Know" at www.scbwi.org. Manuscripts must be received by December 15, 2007. Note: Although a picture book may have fewer than ten pages, each different manuscript counts as a separate submission. DO NOT MAIL VIA A SERVICE THAT REQUIRES A SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY.

PAID CRITIQUES: You will be notified in advance by e-mail of the time and person providing your critique. Panel includes: Molly O'Neill, Nadia Cornier, Alexandra Cooper, Adrian Foglin, Joyce Sweeney, Lisa McCourt, Frank Remkiewicz, David Diaz, Alexandra Flinn and more.  We do NOT honor requests for specific critiquers. 

ARTWORK/PORTFOLIO CRITIQUES: Do not send your work in advance. Bring your art to the conference. Send in your payment for the critique with your conference registration form no later than December 15, 2007.

SCBWI  FL COMMEMORATIVE CONFERENCE PINS:  Plan to add our Miami 2008 pin to your collection. It is rumored that Caldecott Award Winner David Diaz is working to create new art just for our event.  Each pin is numbered and you might be wearing the winning pin when the number is drawn at the Saturday night dinner. One lucky person will win a scholarship to one of our two conferences (you and the pin must be present to win). Proceeds from the sale of pins are used to fund this scholarship.

PORTFOLIO/ART EXHIBIT: Illustrators, you'll want to take advantage of the three feet of table space provided for you to exhibit your portfolio during the conference.  Be sure to have plenty of handouts and any display props you may need (such as a table top easel). Remember, however, original art is not permitted as SCBWI can't be responsible for any loss or damage.  

BOOK BASKET: Bring a new or gently used children's book to put in our book basket. The books will be donated to an organization that will get them into the hands of needy children.

RAFFLE: Raffle tickets will be sold for a variety of prizes, including handmade dolls by Kimberly Lynn Thompson. Proceeds will be donated to the Amber Brown Fund.

QUESTIONS? Contact Conference Chairperson Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld at (305) 382-2677 or lrbjsb@bellsouth.net.

REMINDER: Since we cannot control the temperature in the conference rooms, you may want to bring a sweater or a jacket.

SCBWI FL NEWSLETTER, THE SAND SCOOP: Vivian Fernandez, editor, vfernandez2@cfl.rr.com. We are looking for a volunteer to take over the SAND SCOOP.

WEBSITE: www.scbwiflorida.com, Cheryl Nathan, Webmaster, cheryl@cherylnathan.com.

IMPORTANT DATES:

December 15, 2007:  Manuscripts for critiques due. 

December 20, 2007:  Last day for Early Registration.

December 16, 2007:  Last day to contact Jonathan Rosen if you wish to sell books.

December 30, 2007:  Last day to contact Pascale Mackey,  pascale@mackeywebdesign.com   if you wish to exhibit your portfolio.

December 31, 2007:  Last date to reserve hotel room for special SCBWI conference room rate.

January 18, 2008:  Writer's Intensive Registration, 8 to 9 a.m.

Conference Registration, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

January 19, 2008:  Registration for those who did not register on Friday, 7-8:30 a.m.

Drop off First-Page Critiques by 9 a.m.  Illustrators drop off portfolios in the main conference room for art show between 7 and 8 a.m. Conference starts at 8:30 a.m.

January 18-20, 2008:  Book Store open.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2007

4:30-5:00 PM      Meet Your SCBWI Florida team

5:00-5:45 PM      First Books Panel: Donna Gephart, Judith Mammay and Greg Neri         

5:45 PM       Go to the buses for trip to Books & Books

7:00 PM       Guest Speaker TBA

7:30-9:00 PM    Dinner on your own. Enjoy dining at Books & Books or on famous Miracle Mile.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2008

7:00-8:30 AM -- Registration: Drop off First-Page Critiques before 9:00 AM

8:00 AM-4:30 PM -- Art Exhibit: artists must pick up portfolios by 4:45 PM                     

8:30-8:45 AM -- Regional Advisor Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld and Assistant Regional Advisor Vivian Fernandez: Welcome and Announcements

8:45-9:30 AM -- Lee Bennett Hopkins: Writing People

9:30-10:00 AM -- Molly O’Neill and Alexandra Cooper: Editorial Secrets

10:00-10:15 AM -- Break

10:15-10:45 AM -- Adrian Foglin: What It's Really Like: Making A Living As A Children's Book Author

10:45-11:15 AM -- Daniel Moreton: Beyond the Picture Book: Novelty Books and the Mass Market

11:15 AM-12:00 PM -- First-Page Critiques      

12:00-1:00 PM -- Lunch.  Present your ticket to pick up your box lunch.

1:00-1:30 PM -- Nancy Werlin: Ten Things I Know About Revisions

1:30-2:00 PM -- Nadia Cornier: The Nos that Make the Yesses Worth Saying

2:00-2:15 PM -- Break

2:15-2:45 PM -- Cheryl Zach: Plotting With or Without Outlines

2:45-3:15 PM -- David Diaz: Courting the Muse

3:15-3:30 PM -- Break

3:30-4:15 PM -- Sid Fleishman: Writing Fiction: Cunning Tricks and Dark Secrets

4:30-6:30 PM -- Critiques

7:30-11:00 PM -- Regatta Ball

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2008

7:00-8:45 AM -- Critique Group Leaders’ Meeting

9:00-10:30 AM -- Workshop 1 (choose one)

___A.  Lee Bennett Hopkins: The Whole Truth: A Dynamic Discussion/Q & A Session

___B.  Alexandra Cooper: Crafting and Pitching Your Manuscript

___C.  David Diaz: It's All Connected

___D. Adrian Foglin: Writing Realistic Fiction for Middle Grade and Young Adult Readers. 

10:30-10:45 AM      Break

10:45 AM -12:15 PM -- Workshop 2 (choose one)

___E.   Nancy Werlin: Using Tension Artfully in Your Novel

___F.   Daniel Moreton: Beyond the Picture Book: Novelty Books and the Mass Market Part II (Hands On)

___G.   Nadia Cornier: Wearing Multiple Hats, Self-Promotion for Authors

___H.   Sid Fleishman : Laughter Between Book Covers

____ I: Molly O’Neill: Tourist or Traveler? Writing as Exploration

12:15-1 PM -- Lunch on your own

1-2:30 PM -- Workshops                 

____ J: Elaine Landau: Biography: Is it the Bridge Between Fiction and Non-Fiction?

_____K: Debbie Fischer and Jody Feldman: Marketing the Class of YK28

_____L: Cheryl Zach: Plotting With or Without Outlines

_____M: Donna Gephart:  Free Money:  Finding and Winning Grants to Propel Your Career to the Next Level

2:30 PM  Main Meeting Room for Wrap-Up and Door Prizes

Registration form
Critique Submission Form
Faculty Biographies
Driving Directions