A Southern Breeze Success Story: Illustrator Laura Freeman

It’s not every day that one region has three Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Awardees, but that’s exactly what happened this year in Southern Breeze! And one of those honor awardees was able to join us in Decatur, Georgia at the Portfolio Show and Book Signing Reception on the eve of our SpringMingle conference. Laura Freeman, illustrator of Hidden Figures, was there to chat a little and sign a lot of books, and I had an opportunity to catch up with this very busy illustrator!

SB: Laura, as the winner of such a prestigious award, you joked that you were an “overnight success” because now people are noticing you and your work. But you’ve been a professional illustrator for a very long time! When did you begin your career and how did you start? 

First of all, thank you so much for inviting me. I was treated like a celebrity, Southern Hospitality at its finest! As to how I began: I spent years carrying my portfolio of editorial illustrations around door to door back in the days when you dropped off your portfolio at the offices of a magazine or newspaper and picked it up the next day. This was pre-internet. Occasionally I’d get an interview with an art director and once in a while I’d even get a job! I ended up working for 10 years as a staff artist at Polo/ Ralph Lauren while doing freelance illustration jobs at night but I didn’t get enough work to quit my day job. Things really began to improve when I changed my focus to children’s books, which was 20 years ago! It didn’t take me that long to get “discovered”, it took me that long for my work to be good enough to be “discovered”! I am very stubborn, persistence is my secret weapon!

SB: So glad you persisted! And how did you get involved with Hidden Figures, the picture book? Hasn’t this book won other awards as well?

 It has! In addition to the Coretta Scott King Honor, The Georgia Center for The Book selected Hidden Figures as one of ten “Children’s Books All Young Georgians Should Read”. Erin Fitzsimmons, the art director at Harper Collins, approached my agent Janet at Storybook Arts Inc. and asked that I do a sample for Hidden Figures. (That’s publishing’s version of an audition.) I was so excited! It was the only movie I had actually gone to the theater to see all year and here they were calling me, of course I did it!

(And this just in! Hidden Figures just received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children. Congratulations, Laura!)

SB: You mentioned that you were busier than ever now! Can you share some of the projects you’re working on? Where will we see your “Illustrated by Laura Freeman” next? 

Yes, I am extremely fortunate to have been offered so many exciting projects! Since Hidden Figures came out Pies From Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott (by Dee Romito, Little Bee Books) came out in November 2018 and Biddy Mason Speaks Up! (by Arisa White and Laura Atkins, Heyday books) came out in February 2019. Follow Chester! A College Football Team Fights Racism and Makes History (by Gloria Respress-Churchwell, Charlesbridge Books) is coming out in September and a biography of the tennis star Althea Gibson called Fleet of Foot Girl (by Megan Reid, HarperCollins) is coming out soon. And … I just finished the art for a biography of Aretha Franklin! It’s called A Voice Named Aretha! (by Katheryn Russel Brown, Bloomsbury Books). It was a blast listening to Aretha’s music the whole time I worked on the book! It’s due out in 2020.

Currently I’m working on a book about the architect who designed the museum of African American History at the Smithsonian. It’s called Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon and is written by Kelly Starling-Lyons and published by Lee & Low books. I still do editorial work too. It’s been a real whirlwind and a dream come true!

SB: Wow, Laura, that's a whole lot of persistence! And you’ve persisted as a member of SCBWI since 1999! So even though you’re very successful, you must believe in SCBWI. How has our community helped you and your career? And what advice do you have for any of our illustrators on their just-getting-started-on-their-overnight-success stories? 

I joined the SCBWI as soon as I became interested in illustrating Children’s Books. It’s been an enormous help as it was my primary resource for researching the field. The SCBWI is also a great way to meet other illustrators and writers in your community. When I moved to Georgia it was how I met other illustrators and writers here.


Thanks so much for sharing your insights and advice, Laura! Look for Hidden Figures wherever books are sold. And you can find out more about Laura Freeman and her art at her website.

We love sharing Southern Breeze success stories, so if your persistence has paid off, let us know!

Lit Story Fest Fun!

TeMika Grooms, far right, and Lit Story Fest fun!

SCBWI Southern Breeze jumped in with both feet at a recent event! We were pleased to be one of the sponsors and we hope Lit Story Fest will become a regular in our community. Here's TeMika Grooms to tell you more:

Lit Story Fest, a literature and storytelling festival, was held the week of September 24th – 29th, 2018 at DeKalb County Libraries. This community focused event was envisioned and created by TeMika Grooms with a mission to Light the Way to Literacy by providing access to books through enlivened spaces and entertainment.

The festival featured local authors' talks, live storytelling for all ages, and visual art exhibits showcasing quilts by the Brown Sugar Stitchers, a Flat Rock Archives historical talk, and children’s book illustrations by Laura Freeman, Kelsi Jackson and TeMika Grooms. Children’s Literary Day at Stonecrest Library also featured interactive miming by the Gateway Mask Theater, live storytelling, an authors' panel on diversity in children’s literature and a teen poetry slam.

R. Gregory Christie, Cheryl Clark, and Kelsi Jackson

A highlight of the event was the Illustrators Showdown featuring R. Gregory Christie and Kelsi Jackson as they battled over a picture book manuscript. SCBWI Critique Group Coordinator, T.K. Read, served as the judge to choose the manuscript with the highest conceptual and illustrative potential. The winning manuscript, Kaysha and Grandma Omi's Golden Crown of Jewels by Cheryl Clark, was announced and read live as the artists created on-the-spot sketches in less than an hour. TeMika Grooms narrated the work and talked about critique groups, art direction, and the inner workings of visual storytelling.

Storytelling, through literature, visual art and spoken words, was brought front and center with the Lit Story Fest programming. Community support for this festival goes toward reading initiatives through 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.


TeMika Grooms is Illustrator Coordinator for SCBWI Southern Breeze. You can find out more about upcoming illustrator events and opportunities in our region at the Southern Breeze website.

EVERYONE A WINNER AT WIK'18: Dear New Writer or Illustrator

Hello again, New Kidlit Writer or Illustrator!

Why Hello, again?

Because I'm guessing you've been here a couple of times, at the blog, or maybe at the the Southern Breeze website, your finger hovering over the "register here" link. Once, twice, maybe three times, and yet, you haven't registered. You're still unsure...

...that  you're a good enough writer or illustrator to attend the conference.

...that you should spend that much money on a dream.

...that you won't fit in, you won't know anyone, you don't belong.

Know how I know what you're feeling? Because I've been exactly where you are now. And what's more, I can promise you that every single writer and/or illustrator at wik'18 started out exactly where you are now.

We all start at the beginning, unsure of our talent or skills, uncertain if we're in the right place, nervous about whether we will make it in this challenging kidlit industry.

But there's a reason why our theme for this conference is "Everyone  A Winner at wik'18." The minute you walk through those conference doors at Spain Park High School, you've taken the first step toward the beginning of your successful kidlit career.

And that makes you a winner in my book!

So come join us today. Your SCBWI tribe can't wait to meet you!


                        REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! CLICK :::HERE:::TO REGISTER!

ANNUAL GALLERY SHOW @ Decatur Arts Festival​

ANNUAL GALLERY SHOW @ Decatur Arts Festival​

http://decaturartsfestival.com/ 

JOIN US at the Decatur Library on Friday May 26th from 7pm - 9pm

for the opening of the SCBWI Southern Breeze Annual Gallery Show featuring our PAL Illustrators!  Show is open to the public during the Decatur Arts Festival and runs through June.

This event made possible in conjunction with the Georgia Center for the Book.

TeMika Grooms

SCBWI Southern Breeze Region
Illustrator Coordinator 

Southern-Breeze-IC@scbwi.org

Southern Breeze Illustrators!

Southern Breeze Illustrators!

As mentioned during this years Illustrator's Day, we will be hosting year-long opportunities to connect with your tribe and get involved with the regional activities.  The Southern Breeze webpage includes all of the regional events:  https://southern-breeze.scbwi.org/events/.  Check out some of the events we have coming up below:

​

ARTIST SKETCH CRAWL @ Decatur Square

Please RSVP

We will meet in the Decatur Square for some leisure time to sketch some of the great features and people in the area.  Open to all illustrators and writers - All levels are welcome!

JOIN US! Sunday, April 23, 2017  1pm - 3pm  

Please contact TeMika at southern-breeze-ic.org for interest

DIGITAL ARTIST TOOLKIT  @ Lenox Mall Microsoft Office Store

https://southern-breeze.scbwi.org/events/digital-artist-toolkit/

Sunday, May 21, 1pm - 4pm

Join Microsoft Surface and SCBWI for a hands-on demonstration of digital artist tools using Microsoft’s own Surface Pro 4! Artists of all levels will be introduced to hardware, applications, and work processes to advance their work to new levels,  learning how to integrate digital tools into the traditional illustration process.All necessary hardware and software provided by the facility.
Space is limited so registration is required.

 
​

ANNUAL GALLERY SHOW @ Decatur Arts Festival​

http://decaturartsfestival.com/ 

JOIN US at the Decatur Library on Friday May 26th from 7pm - 9pm

for the opening of the Southern Breeze Annual Gallery Show featuring our PAL Illustrators!  Show is open to the public during the Decatur Arts Festival and runs through June.

This event made possible in conjunction with the Georgia Center for the Book.

Please contact TeMika at southern-breeze-ic@scbwi.org for interest

2017 Liz Conrad Awardee Jason Bradley Rollins wins Mentorship with Loraine Joyner

2017 Liz Conrad Awardee Jason Bradley Rollins wins Mentorship with Loraine Joyner

Southern Breeze Region Liz Conrad Award is a scholarship awarded annually to one budding illustrator in the children's book field.  It includes tuition to the annual conference and to Illustrators' Day or the Illustrators' Intensive, depending on the conference that year. This year, a mentorship was added to the award.  This scholarship is open to Southern Breeze SCBWI members only and would be an impressive honor to add to one's resume.

Loraine Joyner, Peachtree Publishers Art Director and long-time advocate for our region, judged the submissions.  Applicants were asked to submit representative work and a brief biography and information sharing why they are interested in pursuing a career in the children’s book industry.  After much deliberation over many submissions, Loraine chose Jason Bradley Rollins illustration.

 

Jason’s animated host of characters reflects the real-world antics of animals.  He had this to share:

“….my love for animals pushed me towards the veterinary field and I attended college for my Associate in Science and acquired my registration and license as a veterinary technician. After twenty years of my writing and drawing being on the back burner while wrestling dogs and cats, I am ready for a change. I have recently joined SCBWI in hopes of improving my skills and possibly achieving my dream of sharing my stories and seeing my characters in print.”

We hope he enjoyed this year’s Illustrator’s Day and Springmingle.  We know you will produce great work under the mentorship program.  

Take a look at some of the other submissions:

Southern Breeze has so much talent! Many thanks to everyone who submitted work for the award.  

We look forward to seeing your work next year. 

Breezers In Your Neighborhood - APRIL #SBreeze17

Breezers In Your Neighborhood
April Events

Southern Breeze is kicking up some dust! 

Breezers In Your Neighborhood is a monthly post to list where you can find our authors & illustrators as they are out in the community. Come out and support your local members and invite others to do also!

Alabama:

• 
  

Florida Panhandle:

• 
  

Georgia:

• April 23 1pm – 3pm Artist Sketch Crawl & Lunch in Decatur Square, Decatur, GA

Upcoming May Events...

Alabama:

• SCBWI Tuscaloosa members May meeting.  We would love for anyone to come from Birmingham and surrounding areas.
  We will host Kevin Waltman, author of Quicks, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at my home in Tuscaloosa. Kevin teaches writing and literature in the English department at the University of Alabama. He will speak for 15 minutes about his publishing experience, provide any advice he would like, take a few questions and then sell his books as others mingle. http://kevinwaltman.com/
  Anyone who needs additional information, including an address and directions, can email moniquefields@mac.com or call 205-447-3254. 
  Please let me know if I need to send this announcement to other writers and illustrators.
  
  
  Monique Fields

Florida Panhandle:

• 
  

Georgia

• May 6 Southern Breeze Workshop: So You Want to Write a Book, Gainesville, GA

• May 21 Southern Breeze Illustrators Workshop: Digital Artist Toolkit, Atlanta, GA

• May 26-27 Decatur Art Walk Illustrator Gallery Show, Public Library, Decatur, GA

Mississippi

• Vanessa Fortenberry...   Saturday, May 20, 2017; 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
  Children's Story Time and Book Signing
  Sponsored by the Christian Authors on Tour (CAOT)
  Tougaloo College
  500 W County Line Rd. 
  Tougaloo, MS 39174

~DEADLINE FOR MAY EVENTS IS APRIL 26TH~

:::Leave a Comment:::

Let us know if you plan to attend an event.

What other events do you know of not listed?

Is there another regular post you would like to see?

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Come Soar at #SpringMingle with 1-On-1 Critiques! - #SBreeze17

Come Soar at #SpringMingle with 1-On-1 Critiques!

What Can One-on-One Sessions Do for You?
by Tay Berryhill 

WIK attendees have three golden opportunities to receive feedback from agents: face-to-face critique, written manuscript critique, and one-on-one meetings with an agent. I’ve been fortunate to participate in all three. Each has helped me grow as a writer in different ways; all have advantages.

All written-only critiques are conducted by agents or editors who keenly target craft and marketability issues. Face-to-face critiques offer the same, but with the added benefit of a twelve-minute meeting with the expert who conducted the critique—although that person may not be an agent. One-on-one brings even more to the table—twenty minutes with an experienced agent to discuss anything. Anything. At WIK14, I spent my one-on-one time with literary agent Courtney Miller-Callihan of Greenburg Associates. Prior to our meeting, I submitted elevator pitches and one-paragraph synopses of three works-in-progress for Courtney to read in advance. I also put together a “goodie bag” of queries, first pages, and a full page synopsis of a finished draft, in case time allowed us to expand the discussion.

“...I mentioned a graphic novel I was outlining. Courtney gave me the name of her agent friend who represents graphic novels...”

During our first ten minutes, Courtney addressed the marketability of my WIPs, offering generous feedback on what was appealing and why, as well as potential pitfalls. Her input quickly gave me a clearer picture of which projects merited my attention. I then showed her a first page of the front runner, and she spent the rest of the session suggesting ways to improve it. All good. Before leaving, I mentioned a graphic novel I was outlining. Courtney gave me the name of her agent friend who represents graphic novels. I’m pretty sure that I danced out the door. For writers with a manuscript that needs detailed feedback, the formal manuscript critiques are invaluable. But for those also seeking individualized advice on queries, marketing, rejections, Internet presence, or any other topic an agent can enlighten, one-on-one is an ideal venue. Besides great advice, the meeting gave this tongue-tied writer the chance to relax and “talk shop” in a stress-free exchange with a fellow lover of words. Agents want to help us succeed. Let them. 

ABOUT TAY BERRYHILL:

Tay Berryhill writes young adult novels while also trying her hand at graphic novels and picture book illustrating. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and three dogs.    

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Click  :::HERE::: to log in and register.

~See you in March~

#SpringMingle - Last Day for Early Bird Registration! - #SBreeze17

Last Day for Early Bird Registration

You know how the early bird always get the worm? Well, the early registers get a sweet discount on the conference! And today is the last day to get it!
So what are you waiting for? Click over and register!!!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Click  :::HERE::: to log in and register.

~See you in March~

#SpringMingle - Portfolio Set Up & Viewing - #SBreeze17

Portfolio Set Up & Viewing

Are you an illustrator wondering how to set up your portfolio? Maybe you would like some new tips to incorporate into what you are already doing? What better way than to learn from a pro! Elizabeth O. Dulemba is a former Illustrator Coordinator for Southern Breeze. Check out what she has to say...

Present Your Portfolio Like a Pro

by Elizabeth O. Dulemba 

     "It seems simple once you know how it’s done, but at some point you do have to actually learn how to correctly prepare and show an illustration portfolio. Despite being used for such different purposes as interviews, presentations, or shows, there are some basic rules most professionals follow.

      First, size matters. Most portfolio shows have limitations of about 17” x 22” (closed). Keep to that size or smaller and you’ll be able to travel easily with your portfolio and use it anywhere..."

Continue reading over on Elizabeth's blog:   http://dulemba.com/index-portfolio.html

Registration IS NOW OPEN for SCBWI members! 

Click  :::HERE::: to log in and register.

~See you in March~

#SpringMingle - Liz Conrad Scholarship - #SBreeze17

Illustrators, Enter the Liz Conrad Scholarship

Liz Conrad
May 21, 1954 - August 26, 2009

In honor of our dear friend, Liz Conrad, the Southern Breeze chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustratorsestablished the Liz Conrad Conference Tuition Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to one budding illustrator in the children's book field and includes tuition to the annual conference and to Illustrators' Day or the Illustrators' Intensive, depending on the conference that year. In 2017 the winner will also receive a mentorship with the judge, Loraine Joyner.

This scholarship is open to Southern Breeze SCBWI members only and would be an impressive honor to add to one's resume.

Find more information on how to apply by clicking :::HERE::: 

DEADLINE IS JANUARY 15!

Illustrators' Day registration IS NOW OPEN for SCBWI members! 

Click  :::HERE::: to log in and register.

~See you in March~

#SpringMingle - Dinner & Gala - #SBreeze17

Dinner & Gala

Who said conferences were all work and NOOOOOO fun? Let us set the record straight. That's not true. At conferences you meet new friends and get to have fun seeing old ones. You get to dip your toes into new adventures or plunge deeper into things you thought you already knew.
BUT that's not all that SpringMingle offers. There's a time and a place for you to let your hair down, eat some great food, grab a few drinks, and maybe even sing a karaoke song or two. It is the Dinner & Gala offered for a small extra fee on your registration. This meal is held after the Saturday day-long  part of the conference. So it's a wonderful time to sit back and relax, and enjoy time spent with fellow authors and illustrators.
If you're wanting to join in on the festivities, make sure you check the box for the Gala on Saturday night.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Click  :::HERE::: to log in and register.

~See you in March~

#SpringMingle - Tackling the Tough Topics with Michael Joosten - #SBreeze17

Tackling the Tough Topics with Michael Joosten

Want your illustrating to soar? Then fly to sign up for Springmingle and catch a session with one of our super artsy speakers!

Michael Joosten has been working in children's publishing for a decade, having started his career in the Cross Channel division of Scholastic Books. Now, he’s at Random House Children's Books where he works as an editor on such classic properties as Dr. Seuss, Little Golden Books, The Berenstain Bears, Richard Scarry, and Little Critter.

In addition, Michael also works on original picture books. And so he knows a lot about covers, so you’ll want to hear his Illustrator's Day session, “Lovers of Covers: All You Need to Know About Creating a Memorable Book Cover.”

He’ll also be presenting a Saturday session, “Well This is Awkward: Tackling Tricky Topics in Picture Books.” Having recently acquired picture books about the Gay Pride Flag and the Stonewall Riot, Joosten will discuss how you can tackle tricky topics in your work.

That’s a session you won’t want to miss! So join us in Decatur, March 10th-12th at Springmingle, the only conference in Southern Breeze for 2017!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Click  :::HERE::: to log in and register.

~See you in March~

#SpringMingle - Illustrator's Day - #SBreeze17

Illustrator's Day

SCBWI Illustrators and Writers across the Southern Breeze region will gather in Decatur, Georgia for the love of children’s literature on March 10-12, 2017.  Our region boasts of many talented and awarded illustrators and authors.  Join us for Illustrator’s Day and Spring Mingle weekend to learn new skills and network with art directors, editors and agents. 

In case you haven’t heard, Illustrator’s Day is a day geared towards the craft and professional development of visual storytellers of all levels.  The day always includes valuable interactions through informative sessions, critiques and industry connections.  This year has special opportunities you will not want to miss!

Michael Joosten, Editor for Random House, will present a session titled,Lovers of Covers:  All You Need to Know About Creating a Memorable Book Cover.  Because we do often make our book choices because of their covers, attendees will learn about what publishers, art directors, editors, sellers and buyers are looking for in a stellar cover. 

Jim Hoover, Associate Art Director at Viking Children’s Books, will also challenge us to make magic with pictures and words through the Illustration Project: Visual Story Telling in Two Spreads.  Figure out how to hook your audience and present dynamic visual storytelling in only two spreads.  Who is your audience?  The Art director, editors and agents who will provide valuable feedback during the unveiling at Illustrators Day 2017.  What a way to be seen! For more information on the project please visit: http://southern-breeze.scbwi.org/jim-hoover . A limited number of participants will be accepted. Register Early!

And the icing on the cake is that this year, Loraine Joyner, retired Art Director of Peachtree Publishers, will be judging our annual Liz Conrad Scholarship.  The scholarship opened on December 1^st  and will be awarded to one budding illustrator in the children's book field to attend our Illustrators' Day and Springmingle Annual Conference in Atlanta. Loraine has also graciously decided to offer a free mentorship to the winner! Don’t miss this opportunity.  Details can be found at http://southernbreezewriters.blogspot.com/p/scholarship.html.  Deadline is January 15, 2017.

Many Illustrator Day attendees choose to extend the weekend by joining in on Spring Mingle.  The weekend will feature keynotes, breakout sessions, many critique opportunities to encourage skill development and a Saturday night gala to let your hair down.  (Who said book nerds weren’t cool, right?).  Tell a librarian, a teacher and your friends. We’ll see you soon for the big Spring Mingle in Decatur!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for SCBWI Members! 

Click  :::HERE::: to log in and register.

~See you in March~

2016 #SBreeze Writing & Illustrating Contest Winners...

2016 #SBreeze16
Writing & Illustration
Contest Winners

Illustrated Texts (fiction and nonfiction)

1^st Place Last Pick, by Colleen Bennett

2^nd Place Duck, Duck, Goose, by Sheri Dillard

3^rd Place This is a Book to Read with a Worm, by Jodi Wheeler-Toppen

Middle Grade Novels

1^st Place (tie) Miss Black Gold, by Jessica Vitalis, and Harvey the Bedazzler, by Dana Edwards

2^nd Place Trailer Park Unicorn, by Mark McClintock

3^rd Place Freedom Feet, by Joan Broerman

Young Adult Novels

1^st Place: The Veritas Project, by Catherine Black

2^nd Place: Desert Secrets, by Connie Fleming

3rd Place (tie): Between Never & Always, by Tosha Sumner

The Symbiotes, by Tim Carroll

Illustrations: A Day in the Life of a (Animal)

1^st Place: Honeybees by Narges Jafari

2^nd Place: Garden Kittens by Melissa Schultz-Jones

3rd Place: George the Giraffe by Blythe Russo

Be sure to sign up for our blog's email notifications! We will be announcing next year's contest. Not to mention our monthly Breezers In Your Neighborhood will be starting back and we're getting ready for SpringMingle. So many things and you don't want to miss one post! 
SIGN UP TODAY!  --->

Light Your Imagination at #SBreeze16 WIK with 1-on-1 meetings!

Light Your Imagination at #SBreeze16 WIK
with 1-on-1 meetings! 

What Can One-on-One Sessions Do for You?
by Tay Berryhill 

WIK attendees have three golden opportunities to receive feedback from agents: face-to-face critique, written manuscript critique, and one-on-one meetings with an agent. I’ve been fortunate to participate in all three. Each has helped me grow as a writer in different ways; all have advantages.

All written-only critiques are conducted by agents or editors who keenly target craft and marketability issues. Face-to-face critiques offer the same, but with the added benefit of a twelve-minute meeting with the expert who conducted the critique—although that person may not be an agent. One-on-one brings even more to the table—twenty minutes with an experienced agent to discuss anything. Anything. At WIK14, I spent my one-on-one time with literary agent Courtney Miller-Callihan of Greenburg Associates. Prior to our meeting, I submitted elevator pitches and one-paragraph synopses of three works-in-progress for Courtney to read in advance. I also put together a “goodie bag” of queries, first pages, and a full page synopsis of a finished draft, in case time allowed us to expand the discussion.

“...I mentioned a graphic novel I was outlining. Courtney gave me the name of her agent friend who represents graphic novels...”

During our first ten minutes, Courtney addressed the marketability of my WIPs, offering generous feedback on what was appealing and why, as well as potential pitfalls. Her input quickly gave me a clearer picture of which projects merited my attention. I then showed her a first page of the front runner, and she spent the rest of the session suggesting ways to improve it. All good. Before leaving, I mentioned a graphic novel I was outlining. Courtney gave me the name of her agent friend who represents graphic novels. I’m pretty sure that I danced out the door. For writers with a manuscript that needs detailed feedback, the formal manuscript critiques are invaluable. But for those also seeking individualized advice on queries, marketing, rejections, Internet presence, or any other topic an agent can enlighten, one-on-one is an ideal venue. Besides great advice, the meeting gave this tongue-tied writer the chance to relax and “talk shop” in a stress-free exchange with a fellow lover of words. Agents want to help us succeed. Let them. 

ABOUT TAY BERRYHILL:

Tay Berryhill writes young adult novels while also trying her hand at graphic novels and picture book illustrating. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and three dogs.    

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

 CLICK HERE to be directed to our registration page! 

~See you in October~

Light Your Imagination at #SBreeze16 WIK Get INTENSE!

Light Your Imagination at #SBreeze16 WIK
Get INTENSE! 

This year, WiK16 will host two intensives on Friday, October 7, 2016

Writers’ Intensive with Bruce Coville 
The Light Fantastic
The session will begin with an “annotated storytelling” of the first two chapters of The Monster’s Ring, examining in detail the tricks and techniques being used. Then we’ll examine ten specific tips for writing compelling fantasies. Audience: For editors, librarians, teachers, parents, and children, the hook is what pulls us in, what keeps us reading, and what remains with us after the last page is turned. This intensive will explore the hook of the book from many angles, and you will leave with ideas on how to improve your art.

Illustrators’ Intensive with Don Tate
Drawing on Diversity & Style to Create Authentic Characters 
The call for more diversity in children’s literature is not new. However groups like We Need Diverse Books and The Brown Bookshelf have helped to bring more attention to the issue. How do illustrators answer that call? And how can you create authentic characters of color who are outside of your own experience. It’s more than creating white characters in brown face. In session, we will discuss, investigate, draw and develop multi-dimensional characters that will ring true in today’s world. We’ll also work on developing a marketable style. But what is a marketable style/technique? How do illustrators discover and achieve this in their career? Don will conduct a drawing session that includes drawing like other illustrators and attendees will stretch and reach toward new strengths. He’ll also demystify the process of creating a winning picture book dummy. Planning through thumbnail sketches. Rising and falling action. Driving your reader through your story by the use of dynamic page turns, color, and composition. Audience: Illustrators, all levels.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

 CLICK HERE to be directed to our registration page! 

~See you in October~

Light Your Imagination at #SBreeze16 WIK with Don Tate

Light Your Imagination at #SBreeze16 WIK with Don Tate

Don Tate is an award-winning author, and the illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children, including The Cart That Carried Martin, (Charlesbridge); Hope’s Gift, (Penguin); Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite (Charlesbridge); and Ron’s Big Mission, (Penguin). He is also an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor winner. His recent titles include The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch (Illustrator, Eerdmans, 2015), and Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton (Author and illustrator, Peachtree, 2015). Don is a founding host of the The Brown Bookshelf–a blog dedicated to books for African American young readers; and a member of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his family. 

INTENSIVE

• Drawing on Diversity & Style to Create Authentic Characters The call for more diversity in children’s literature is not new. However groups like We Need Diverse Books and The Brown Bookshelf have helped to bring more attention to the issue.

WORKSHOPS

• My Journey    Overnight success does not always happen overnight. In fact, for Don Tate, overnight success took thirty-plus years to attain. This self-described “Longestcoming up-and-comer” will share his journey from reluctant grade-school reader to published illustrator, and then on to becoming an award-winning children’s book author. In his breakout, Tate will discuss some lessons learned, myths vs. reality, and he will offer practical advice for both aspiring and published authors and illustrators. audience: Illustrators, all levels.
•  For writers and illustrators: Creating Winning Picture Book   Biographies   As an illustrator, words frightened Don Tate. After all, artists create pictures, they don’t write stories. So how did a non-word person go about writing award-winning picture books (one that he did not illustrate)? In his breakout session, Don will reveal all of that, discussing both sides of the bookmaking process. How do creators of picture book biographies find and then zero in on the right information? How can illustrators find their writing voice? And what about research— how do I know what to include and leave out? Don’s breakout will include his process of planning a story from initial inspiration through creating thumbnail sketches and dummy books. audience: Illustrators, all levels. 

 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

 CLICK HERE to be directed to our registration page! 

~See you in October~