SCBWI-OC 2012 Spring Writers' Retreat

                                             AT

                  The South Coast Winery Resort & Spa    

 

THE RETREAT IS SOLD OUT - TO BE PLACED ON THE

WAIT LIST PLEASE EMAIL REGIONAL ADVISOR,

FRANCESCA RUSACKAS AT; ZFRANCESCA@AOL.COM

 

12th Annual Spring Writers' Retreat

 

You are invited to join us for our twelfth annual Spring Writers’ Retreat on May 4th through May 6th, 2012. Picture yourself strolling along a serene path through a tranquil vineyard surrounded by lush gardens and waterfalls. Our retreat location is tucked in the heart of Temecula's Wine Country: The South Coast Winery Resort & Spa. It is the ultimate getaway and the perfect setting to create memorable characters and winning plots. Don’t miss your chance to connect with editors and published authors at this one of a kind private retreat. Give your career and your future the attention it deserves!

 

May 4 - May 6, 2012

at The South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

34843 Rancho California Rd. Temecula, CA 92591

(1-866-994-6379 to book a Villa with the Resort)

Join our award-winning faculty for exciting hands-on workshops, manuscript critiques, skill-building activities, giveaways and games. Our speakers include:
EDITORS
Katie Carella	Editor, Scholastic Press
Grace Kendall	Assistant Editor,   Blue Sky Press - Scholastic
Maria Modugno	Vice President and Editorial Director, HarperCollins  Early Childhood Group
Nicole Rakozy	Senior Acquisitions Editor, Lucent Books and  Greenhaven Press
Retreat Extras Include:
Friday Night VIP Reception - no host bar
Roundtable Editor Critiques: Bring your manuscripts!
First Pages: Send your first page for the editors to critique! Written Manuscript Critiques by an Editor Editor’s Pick : Each editor will pick the most promising manuscript from their batch of critiques and the author will have the opportunity to chat with the editor about their work
Saturday Night Character Workshop
Coffee with an Editor
Blockbuster Author Workshops
Engaging writing exercises and much more

Tell me about the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa:

Prepare to experience luxury uncorked. In the heart of Temecula's Wine Country, conveniently located about an hour's drive from San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles, you'll discover a unique resort and working winery. Join us to work on creating memorable characters and winning plots all against a scenic backdrop of rolling hills, vineyards and hot air balloons. Picture peaceful walks along a serene path through a tranquil vineyard during your conference breaks or lounging in comfy chairs on the stone terrace surrounded by lush spring flowers. In the conference room you will be seated comfortably at a table with plenty of room to spread out and take notes. Each morning you will be greeted with a delightful continental breakfast. The South Coast Winery was recognized as "Best Winery in California" with presentation of the distinguished Golden Bear Award.

Attend as a Day Tripper (no accommodations) All retreat opportunities will be available to Day Trippers, including; roundtable critiques with an editor, first pages, manuscript critiques, manuscript contest, lunch or dessert with an editor, Friday Night VIP Reception and Saturday Night Character Workshop. Some extra opportunities may require an additional fee.

• Full Conference - no accommodations - Day Tripper Fee: $195

Saturday and Sunday a continental breakfast will be provided in the meeting room, along with afternoon treats. To savor the atmosphere of the Temecula wine country, you are free to make your own lunch plans with your fellow attendees.

Conference and Villa for Two Nights: Our block of Villas have Sold Out but you may book a Villa directly with the South Coast Winery Resort and Spa at a special discounted rate. Call Claudia Perez in Sales at 951-491-8507 tell her that you are coming to the SCBWI Writer’s Retreat and she will help you to book your Villa at a discounted rate. You will still need to register with us to come to the retreat as a Day Tripper. Click the Register Now button below to continue registration.  

Other places to stay;

Embassy Suites 29345  Rancho California Rd., Temecula, CA 92591 951-676-5656

Ramada Inn 8980 Old Town Front Street, Temecula, CA 92590 951-676-8770

Hampton Inn & Suites 28190 Jefferson Ave., Temecula, CA 92590, 951-506-2331

Best Western 27706 Jefferson Ave., Temecula, CA, 92590 951-676-7378

Schedule:

Friday	VIP Reception	6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday	Registration	8:30 am – 9:00 am
Saturday	Program Evening Character Workshop	9:00 am – 5:30 pm             7:45 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday	Program	9:00 am - 12:00 pm

 

Event Opportunities

VIP Reception: Join our editors for the Friday Night VIP Reception (no host bar), in the Vineyard Estate Room. All attendees (including Day Trippers) who have registered for the VIP Reception will have the opportunity to sit down with two of our editors. During each of the two pre-assigned 15-minute “getting to know you” sessions, you will be seated at a table with three fellow authors and a guest editor. You must pre-register for the reception. Fee for the VIP Reception is $15.95 per person. If you are staying overnight with a Villa guest, your one guest may join you for the reception part of the event only for $15.95. 

Our yummy menu will include a delicious Grilled Antipasto Display; Proscuitto and Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese with Basil and Balsamic Vinegar, Grilled Japanese Eggplant, Zucchini, Summer Squash, Marinated Artichokes, Kalamata Olives and Fresh Guacamole with Tri-colored Tortilla Chips and Fresh Salsa. There will be a no-host bar as well for drinks, bottled water and sodas.  You will have a pre-assigned time to sit with two different editors. Your scheduled times will be given at the door. This is a great time to relax in a beautiful setting to get to know our editors and to connect with our other guests as well.

Roundtable Editor Critiques:

Each attendee will have the opportunity to share their first 500 words of their manuscript in a small group setting, led by an editor during a morning or an afternoon critique session. You do not need a manuscript to attend the Roundtable Critique. You are welcome to listen and to share your feedback.

Text Only: No dummy books, CDs, DVDs, or other media of any kind will be accepted. This is a unique opportunity for writers to present their work, and get feedback from peers and decision-making professionals in the field.

Participants will be pre-assigned to an editor’s table. Sorry we are unable to accommodate requests for specific editors.

Please note: Simply print out 9 copies of the first 500 words of your manuscript and bring these copies with you to the retreat. Your manuscript should be double spaced with a 12-point font size. 

Author Workshops:

Three author led workshops targeting age range; picture book, middle grade and young adult, will be led by our faculty. You are invited to sign up at the event for the genre that most interests you. We have a wonderful lineup for Saturday’s workshop. Each guest author will speak to the group, then lead us in exciting writing exercises that will show how to apply their tips and advice to our own manuscripts.

Special Opportunity - Coffee with the Editors:

Several attendees from a random drawing will share either a morning or afternoon coffee break with an editor.

First Pages:

Does your first page work? Will it get an editor's attention? Will your opening line make you stand out from the rest? Send a copy of the first page of your manuscript for our Editor Panel. Prepare your first page as you would for a critique submission. First Pages will be chosen at random, read aloud and critiqued by our editors. Your first page should be double spaced with a 12-point font size. Please write the genre of your submission at the top of the manuscript – PB, MG, YA. 

Saturday Evening Workshop: Creating An Unforgettable Character: The Classic Hero's Journey

What would The Hunger Games be without Katniss Everdeen? Why is Greg Heffley readers' favorite wimpy kid? Without Max would readers care where the Wild Things are? Great books start with great characters.  Villa guests and Day Trippers are invited to join us on Saturday evening for a fun character workshop. Beginning with six-word descriptions pulled from a hat, each participant will come up with a brand new character. Our editors will ask questions and give guidance as we explore how to "flesh" out a character, add depth and bring him or her (it?) to life. 7:45pm to 9:00pm in the Vineyard Estates Room.

Manuscript Critiques and Contest (Attendees Only):

One manuscript for a critique and one manuscript for the contest may be sent. They can be different manuscripts. Limited to ten pages (double spaced) and a one-page, single spaced synopsis for MG & YA. For picture books send the full picture book. Manuscripts must be postmarked no later than March 30^th, 2012. Critique spots are limited and are on a first come first served basis. The critique fee is: $45. You may pre-register to save your critique spot, but mail your manuscripts in for the critique and contest by March 30^th. 

• Please write "Critique or Contest" at the top of each manuscript
• Send the first ten pages of your manuscripts (1 set for the critique and 1 set for the contest)
• Please write the genre of your submission at the top of the manuscripts – PB, MG, YA
• Include your name, address, email address and phone number
• Both manuscripts must be double spaced, 12 point font size

Editor's Critique Pick:

Each editor will pick the most promising manuscript from the group that they have critiqued. The author will then have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the editor for coffee on the beautiful stone terrace to further discuss their work. Author will be notified at the retreat.

Secure Your Spot: 

The openings for the retreat are limited and they fill quickly, so secure your spot soon.You may register on-line for the event and pay by check, credit card or Paypal and then you can send your manuscripts in by mail, but no later than March 30^th, 2012. If you are paying by check we must receive your check within four days of registering.

Mailing Address for: manuscripts, first pages and checks (if paying by check)

SCBWI – Francesca Rusackas, 

4195 Chino Hills Pkwy. #381, 

Chino Hills, CA 91709

No refunds for program changes. Send written cancellation by 3/31/2012 to zfrancesca@aol.com. Accommodation fees are non-refundable. A service charge of $25 will be applicable for returned checks or cancellation fee. No conference refunds after April 10, 2012. Space is LIMITED. No conference or critique refunds are given if you have signed up for a critique.