Join us for an exciting day with inspiring presentations, a first look panel discussion, a promo card contest, an optional oral portfolio critique (extra charge), and a bring-your-own-lunch schmooze. This event made possible by a generous Illustrator Grant from SCBWI.

Our featured speakers include:

Rotem Moscovich, the brilliant editor/art director with DIsney/Hyperion
Ashley Wolff, the talented author/illustrator of Miss Bindergarten and Stella and Roy fame
Mary Kole, the wonderful Andrea Brown Literary Agent based in New York

Member: $75
$85 after Thursday April 19, 2012
Non-Member: $85
          $90 after Thursday, April 19. 2012

• Promo Postcard Contest

-Open to all at no extra charge
-Postcard samples must be mailed to our SCBWI CA North/Central office at the following address:
     SCBWI CA North/Central, Postcard Contest, P.O. Box 487, Placerville, CA 95667.
-We must have them in hand by May 1.
-Postcards may be any standard postcard size, black and white or color.
-Entries will be displayed at the conference.
-The winner will be announced at the conference. Winner receives first choice of terrific raffle prizes.

• First Look Panel Discussion (with kindness)

-Send a jpeg file of the image you would like critiqued to krismcleod@sbcglobal.net
-Images due May 1
-Our panelists will discuss the pros and cons of each image and how it could be improved.

• Portfolio Dispjay

-Bring your portfolio and promo materials to the registration on conference day.
-We will provide display instructions.

• Nurturing Portfolio Critiques

-We have a limited number of in-person critiques available with our speakers.
-Participants may sign up for only one in-person critique.
-Critiques are an additional $35.

• Help for Picture Book Authors, Too!

 -An intimate conference specifically for picture book questions
-Ashley Wolff will speak about working as an author  and illustrator, as well as the differences in working with editors and art directors.
-Mary  Kole, from Andrea Brown Literary, will discuss the current picture book market and what she looks for in both text and illustration.
-Rotem Moscovich from Disney/Hyperion, will tell us what she looks for in text and illustration, and the ability to submit to her normally-closed house.
-Lastly, writers will learn more about the illustrating process enabling them to become better writers.

Illustrators' Day Schedule (remember to bring your own lunch)

10:00 am - 10:20 am:  Faculty Introductions & Announcements               

10:20 am - 11:20 am:  Published Illustrators (panelists TBD) 

11:20 am - 11:30 am:  Break 

11:30 am - 12:30 pm:  Gestalt, or 1+1=More: Words and Pictures in Picturebooks
Rotem Moscovich, Disney/Hyperion
We’ll take apart the elements of a picturebook, including pacing, page turns, and structure. Looking at examples together, we’ll discuss how the two main components—illustrations and text—work together to create more than a whole.

12:30 pm  – 1:30 pm:  Lunch Schmooze (BYO Lunch) & Portfolio viewing for attendees           

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm:  Creating in Words and Pictures: How to Craft Successful Picture Books
Mary Kole with Andrea Brown Literary
A talk for picture book writers and illustrators that focuses on hook, story, character, voice, thinking like an illustrator for writers, thinking like a writer for illustrators, and how to write picture books that prevail in this challenging market.

2:30 pm - 3:15 pm:  Author, editor, illustrator. art director:--a book has many parents
Ashley Wolff, author/illustrator
The only names on the jacket are the author and illustrator, but It takes a (small) village to make a book.I'll look back at memorable collaborations over a 30 year career.

3:15 pm - 3:30 pm:  Break 

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm:  First Look Panel 
Mary Kole, Rotem Moscovich, Ashley Wolff, Mira Reisberg
(Send a jpeg file of the image you would like critiqued to krismcleod@sbcglobal.net.
Images due May 1)

4:45 pm - 5:00 pm:  Closing Remarks       

Our Faculty

Mary Kole:  Mary came to literature from a writer's perspective and started reading at Andrea Brown Literary Agency to see what it was like "on the other side of the desk." She quickly found her passion there and, after a year of working behind the scenes, officially joined the agency in August 2009. In her quest to learn all sides of publishing, she has also worked at Chronicle Books and earned her MFA in creative writing at the University of San Francisco. At this time, Mary is currently considering exceptional picture books from authors, illustrators, and author/illustrators. In middle grade and YA, her favorite genres are character-driven fantasy, paranormal, dystopian, thriller, horror, adventure, humor, contemporary/realistic, romance and mystery. For all projects, she prefers upmarket premises with literary spark and commercial appeal. Mary also represents food books, food memoirs, cookbooks, and adult literary fiction. She blogs at http://www.kidlit.com, which has been named one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writer's Digest Magazine for two years running.          

Rotem Moscovich:  "In my role at Disney*Hyperion, I primarily edit picture books and middle grade novels, both fiction and nonfiction. I love funny picture books with clever characters, as well as ones that are deceptively simple (the “why didn’t I think of that?”), and connect with middle grade novels that have transporting writing, imaginative plots, and characters with agency. I received my masters from Simmons College, Center for the Study of Children’s Literature and sew bags in my “free” time."

Ashley Wolff:  Ashley Wolff declared herself an artist at the age of five, while growing up in the small college town of Middlebury, Vermont.

She received a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design in 1979. After migrating west, her first job in California was as staff artist at the Pacific Sun Newspaper in Mill Valley.

Ashley has been a self employed artist for 30 years, alternating between large murals and small picture books. She has written and/or illustrated more than 60 books. Her books have received numerous state and national awards and she has work in many museums and galleries. Every summer, Ashley teaches Picture Book Media at Hollins University’s Certificate in Children’s Illustration Program. She divides her time between San Francisco and Vermont.