Here is some treasure I’m carrying in my pocket from this year’s SCBWI LA Conference.
Don’t throw anything away. You never know what might be “mineable” material. BRUCE COVILLE, Author
A big mistake is submitting your manuscript too early. TRACEY ADAMS, Agent from Adams Literary
Readers are not trends. They want a story full of heart and soul. LIBBA BRAY, Author of BEAUTY QUEENS (You have to listen to the audiobook. I’m still laughing.)
Know what came before you – classics and current works. STEVEN MALK, Agent Writer’s House & JON SCIESZKA, Author of STINKY CHEESE MAN (And a stack of other books I share with the kids in my class every year)
COWBOY AND OCTOPUS by JON SCIESZKA (I dare you not to giggle for days.)
Start a book on the day something different happens. JUDY BLUME, Author of countless amazing books
Help kids know there is more than one way to look at things. NORTON JUSTER, Author of THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
Be the kid you were when “it” happened. ALAN SILBERBERG, Author of MILO, STICKY NOTES AND BRAIN FREEZE (I dare you not to feel your heart fill with laughter and your eyes with tears when you read MILO.)
History repeats in every human heart. RICHARD PECK, Author of A YEAR DOWN YONDER
The seed of my art was spinning in my soul. LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON, Author of SPEAK
I'm still floating on a cloud of inspiration. Sell the cat if you have to in order to go to SCBWI LA 2012. You'll never regret it.
