Picture Book Summit Expedition Journal
2017 We’ll give you a great line; you name the book!
Answers at end of journal
1. He remembered where his bedroom window was, when there was a moon.
2. My mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia.
3. I wish you more we than me.
4. Today was a difficult day. Tomorrow will be better.
5. Cows moo and give milk but they don’t hop!
6. The pig with the umbrella was waiting for the rain.
7. You never know who you might bump into…even on the stairs.
8. Reading never wears me out.
9. UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
10. I am a city child. I live at The Plaza.
11. A pandemonium of parrots begins to take flight.
12. I think that what I'm trying to say is that I love you.
13. Bugs bug bugs.
14. She could cure a headache, with oil and water and a hairpin.
15. Wednesdays, there were beds to make, silver to shine, and bread to bake. Our 2017 Superstar Speakers
Tomie dePaola
From his Irish-Italian roots to his Opening Keynote adventures in musical theatre, his time as a Benedictine monk and his work as a Tapping the Truth: fine artist and teacher, legendary author/ illustrator Tomie dePaola has always Tomie dePaola on drawn from life experience. But how Writing What You Know does a character inspired by your own (and the tap shoes he still owns) grandmother become so universal? Find out as Emma Walton Hamilton interviews one of our industry's most esteemed, beloved, and prolific talents.
Carole Boston Weatherford
New York Times bestselling author Carole Boston Weatherford, an award-winning poet Mid-day Keynote and a master of picture book nonfiction, discusses how she selects subject and Decisions, Decisions: premise, determines point of view and verb tense, develops voice, and mashes up the Picturing a Book genres of poetry, biography, historical fiction, and informational books.
Adam Rex
E.B. White once wrote, “Humor can be dissected, as a frog can, but the thing dies in Closing Keynote the process and the innards are discouraging to any but the pure scientific mind.” Humor is Dissecting the Frog: difficult to nail down and everyone has a We’re Going to Try to different style, yet New York Times bestselling and award winning author, Adam Rex will Analyze Humor, God Help Us. attempt the impossible––teaching authors how to be funny. Laughing is the #1 thing young readers want from their stories, so don't miss this presentation! Expedition Prep! The Picture Book Summit Superstar Bios
Make sure you’re prepped for the journey to get the most of out of it. Surf the links here, and make sure to visit your local independent bookstore or library and read the books the Picture Book Summit 2017 superstar speakers have created!
Tomie dePaola Tomie dePaola has been writing and illustrating books for children for over 50 years. His 260+ books have sold 25 million copies worldwide, including Strega Nona, 26 Fairmount Avenue, The Art Lesson, and Christmas Remembered. Tomie and his work have been recognized with the Smithson Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his "singular attainment in children's literature," and the Regina Medal from the Catholic Library Association. The American Library Association has honored him with a Caldecott Honor Book, a Newbery Honor Book, and the 2011 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his "substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children."
Carole Boston Weatherford Books by New York Times best-selling author Carole Boston Weatherford have received three Caldecott Honor Medals, multiple Coretta Scott King awards and honors, two NAACP Image Awards, the Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor, Flora Steiglitz Straus Award, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, Arnold Adoff Poetry Award and Honors, Charlotte Zolotow Award, Jefferson Cup, and Carter G. Woodson Award. Her 50-plus titles include Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom; Freedom in Congo Square; Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement; Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America, and Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane, The Legendary Miss Lena Horne, In Your Hands, Dorothea Lange: How the Photographer Found the Faces of the Depression; and Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library. Recipient of the North Carolina Award for literature, Carole teaches at Fayetteville State University.
Adam Rex wrote and/or illustrated all the books you like including the New York Times bestselling Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, the New York Times bestselling School’s First Day of School, and also a number of titles about which the New York Times has been strangely coy. His first novel, The True Meaning of Smekday, was adapted into the DreamWorks feature film, Home. Having your book get turned into a movie is like that section in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz where the woodsman systematically chops off all his body parts one by one and replaces them with tin. But in a good way? Like maybe with the heart still intact? This isn’t one of Adam Rex’s better metaphors. Picture Book Summit Presents Award winning author/illustrator Tomie dePaola
Tapping the Truth: Tomie dePaola on Writing What You Know (and the tap shoes he still owns!)
What I learned from Superstar Speaker Tomie dePaola: Tomie Fun Facts
What secret talent do you have that no one would ever suspect?
I do a “mean” impression of Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, Tammy Grimes, and Marlene Dietrich singing Christmas carols.
You can only eat one food the rest of your life. What is it?
Popcorn (NOT air popped)
What book took you the longest to write (including figure out/ revisions)?
26 Fairmont Avenue What superpower would you most want?
I’d make sure ALL children had enough to eat, a safe place to live, loving parents and adults to watch over them, and lots and lots of books to look at and read. Tomie Takeaways
Working in the Connecticut What’s the weirdest job shade-grown tobacco fields the summer of 1948 when I was about you’ve ever had? to turn 14. The pay was 45 cents an hour!
When’s the last time you laughed so hard you cried It’s a secret. I can’t tell you! (& what made you laugh)? Picture Book Summit Presents Award winning author Carole Boston Weatherford
Decisions, Decisions: Picturing a Book
What I learned from Superstar Speaker Carole Boston Weatherford: Linda Sue Fun Facts Carole Fun Facts
What secret talent do you have that no one would ever suspect?
Sewing.
You can only eat one food the rest of your life. What is it?
Dark chocolate brownies
What book took you the longest to write (including figure out/revisions)?
Remember the Bridge: Poems of a People (20 years!)
What superpower would you most want?
Flying. Carole’s Clues to Creativity
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Blood donor recruiter. Picture Book Summit Presents Award winning author/illustrator Adam Rex
Dissecting the Frog: Analyzing Humor, God Help Us
What I learned from Superstar Speaker Adam Rex: LindaAdam Sue Fun Fun Facts Facts
What secret talent do you have that no one would ever suspect?
I have literally no talents that do not fit neatly inside the wheelhouse of what you’d suspect from me. Can I make good coffee? It’s all right. And think of a Simpsons quote for every occasion? Yes indeedly-doodley. Can I play the theremin? But not well because I never practice? Everyone can play bad theremin—it’s like a kazoo.
You can only eat one food the rest of your life. What is it?
Who’s enforcing that? Was this a What superpower would poorly-worded monkey’s paw kind you most want? of situation? Or like King Midas but with croissants? The Fantastic Four’s What book took you the longest to Invisible Woman has a power write (including figure out/revisions)? set that allows her to make herself or anything else invisible, as well as create force fields. Moonday. To look at it you probably I’ve never come to a final decision on the old Flight or Invisibility? wouldn’t expect it took so long, but question, but now that I’m a father I would very much like to make I’m embarrassed to admit it started force fields that can protect others from harm. So I’ll take the as a dream, and I tried to write Invisible Woman’s powers, please. something that made me feel the same way the dream did, and that My facility with Marvel comics references is ineffable feeling took about eight yet another talent that should surprise no one. years to make effable. Awesomeness from Adam
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Father.
Who’s the last person who made you laugh so hard you cried?
My son. Our 2017 Workshops
Julie Hedlund | Let Them Read Layered Picture Books
Cakes have layers and so should picture books. If you've ever gotten feedback that your story is "slight" or "shallow", Julie's recipe for creating a picture book with depth and arcs is exactly what you need. You'll be writing richly layered stories before you know it!
Co-Founder
Steve Swinburne | STEAM*power: Bringing Nonfiction to Life
Through humor and storytelling, veteran nonfiction author, Steve Swinburne, fresh from travels with sea turtles, wolves, manatees, and sloths, will take writers into the heart of narrative nonfiction storytelling. Learn to use “story” to create quality, informational books that hook young readers on topics of science, technology, engineering, art, and math as well as people and history.
Steve is the author of over 30 children’s books. His extensive travels to faraway lands such as Africa, Borneo and Bangladesh and treks through Yellowstone and swimming with manatees have all influenced his book projects. Steve’s book, Sea Turtle Scientist (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) was published in 2014 Guest Speaker and his most recent title is Safe in a Storm (Scholastic), about animals finding cozy places to stay safe and warm. Steve visits nearly a hundred schools a year across the United States as well as many international schools. His books have been recognized by award committees at the National Council of Teachers of English and the Society of School Librarians International.
Laura Backes | Purpose Without Preaching
Are you talking down to your audience and not even realizing it? Children are clever and they know when they're getting a morality lecture. Didactic picture books will get your story rejected in a snap. Learn to master picture books with purpose, so children––and editors––will embrace your story.
Co-Founder
Brenda Bowen | The Agent's Perspective: Pitching and Selling Picture Books
Can you convey your book’s unique qualities to an agent? And after you're published, how will your book get the attention it deserves? Brenda Bowen guides you through the author/agent relationship and the process of selling and marketing your purposeful picture book.
Brenda represents authors and illustrators who are national and international bestsellers, as well as winners of Newbery and Caldecott awards. Before becoming a literary agent in the summer of 2009, Brenda held a variety of positions during her 25-plus years in children’s publishing. She has been editorial director of Henry Holt & Books for Young Readers, Scholastic Press, Disney/Hyperion, and Simon & Schuster Children’s Guest Speaker Publishing.
*STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The Picture Book Summit Team
Founders Support Team
Laura Backes is the publisher of Children's Book Insider, The Children's Writing Monthly, and co-owner of Writing Blueprints (along with her husband Jon Bard, below). Laura is a former agent and editor; she’s edited and critiqued thousands of picture book manuscripts. Among her credits are Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate to Read (Random House); articles for Writer’s Digest, The Writer and Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market; and technical editor Kelli Panique of Writing Children's Books for Dummies (Wiley). Customer Service Manager
Jon Bard is the co-owner (and half of the husband and wife team) of Children’s Book Insider, The Children’s Writing Monthly, and Writing Blueprints. Before he teamed up with Laura, Jon owned a public relations company in New York, with numerous high-profile clients in the toy, game, and book industries. Jon is the creator of the Easy Author Marketing program. He can be heard twice a week as his alter ego, disk jockey Brother JB, on KRFC FM. Kristin Ammerman Project Manager
Katie Davis is Director of the Institute of Children’s Literature, where over 405,203 people have learned to write since 1969. Katie’s an award-winning writer/illustrator whose published work includes kidlit genres from picture books, to middle grade, to young adult. Her first picture book, Who Hops? turns 20 next year, and Kindergarten Rocks! has been a perennial favorite since 2005. Her books have sold over 755,000 copies and her two guides for writers, How To Promote Your Children’s Book and How to Write a Aaron Brown Children’s Book both debuted at #1 on Amazon. Producer
Emma Walton Hamilton is a best-selling children’s book author, editor, and writing coach. With her mother, actress/author Julie Andrews, Emma has co-authored over thirty children’s books, eight of which have been on the NY Times Bestseller list, including The Very Fairy Princess series. She is Director of the Children’s Lit Fellows program at Stony Brook University.
Julie Hedlund is an award-winning picture book author, 21st century publishing expert and founder of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge. Since 2012, 12 x 12 has encouraged thousands of picture book writers to get their stories out of their heads and onto the page. Julie is a frequent speaker at writing retreats and conferences. Her picture book credits include My Love For You is the Sun and A Troop is a Group of Monkeys. Workshop Notes
Julie Hedlund | Let Them Read Layered Picture Books
Having now attended both last year's Summit and today's amazing Summit, I do believe I am a PB Summiteer for life! –Angie May Hawkins, previous attendee Workshop Notes
Steve Swinburne | STEAM*power: Bringing Nonfiction to Life
For an experienced writer, sometimes it is hard to know which workshops, classes, and conferences will provide enough fresh, resonating craft content to be considered worthwhile. Picture Book Summit's content was so comprehensive, that it provided the perfect notes to refer to over and over again as I revise. In addition, it was incredibly valuable to get an inside look at how top authors approach the writing world and view our picture book form day in and day out. - Carrie Charley Brown, previous attendee
*STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. Workshop Notes
Laura Backes | Purpose Without Preaching
Hi, it’s my first year. It’s amazing! I love [Picture Book Summit] because I didn't have to pay for an airline ticket anywhere! –Ren Braueri, previous attendee Workshop Notes
Brenda Bowen | The Agent's Perspective: Pitching and Selling Picture Books
… as a returner from last year, I especially appreciated that … everything was new, fresh information, and managed to build on last year––without last year's summit being a prerequisite at all for newbies. - Elizabeth Metz, previous attendee Important Dates
Event Date
Early Bird Registration ($247) June 15 - Aug 25
Free Mini-Summit Aug 22
Regular Pricing ($347) Aug 26 - Sept 29
Bonus PJ Party for Registrants Oct 1
Picture Book Summit 2017 Oct 7
Replays Expire Jan 31, 2018
Picture Book Summit 2018 Oct 6, 2018
“I watched the PB Summit and I made some adjustments to my query letter after listening to Emma Walton Hamilton’s tips and advice. A few weeks later I sent out my queries. Jodell Sadler at Jill Corcoran responded and asked for a phone call. We hit it off and I have signed with the Jill Corcoran Literary Agency!!!!!!!!!” – Russ Willms, previous attendee 2017 Benefit Partners
Lincoln Elementary School (LES) is a Pre-K through grade 5 school in New Britain, Connecticut where 725 students are educated each day. The student population is a multicultural environment where all learn from each other's unique cultures and traditions. The Consolidated School District of New Britain that houses Lincoln Elementary School has been flat funded for the last 7 years which has dramatically impacted staffing and school materials. As a result of this continual financial struggle, LES students are in need of current reading material and improved classroom libraries. The student body consists of over 72% free and reduced lunch students resulting in households that are not able to provide quality reading materials for their children which only strengthens the schools need to provide quality reading materials. Lincoln is full of excited anticipation for our new relationship with Picture Book Summit! We look forward to being a part of their annual writing conference.
Harrison Elementary School is a Title 1 school in rural Cottage Grove, Oregon. Over 65% of its students on free and reduced lunch. Five years ago, a new librarian was hired. She evaluated the books and realized that 39% of the books were considered "aged books", including almost 200 that published before 1970 (some as old as the 1920's)! Many of the books were scientifically incorrect or culturally inappropriate. In addition, they were so outdated and worn that most children preferred not to go to the library or select any book to take home. With a desire to instill a love for books, the new librarian spent a year clearing out all the books from all the schools in her district. The situation was much improved, but the kids (and educators) have been clamoring for new books for years. The community passed a hard-fought bond to build a new school to replace the current, dilapidated facility, but funds are understandably tight. There will be few books on the library shelves. But, thanks to the Summiteers and their ticket purchasing power, Picture Book Summit will be donating funds for Harrison to purchase new books for their school in the fall of 2018!
Over $12,000 has been donated by Picture Book Summit to benefit these charities:
2016: Reading Partners mobilizes communities to provide students with the proven, individualized reading support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade. Reading Partners know that reading is the foundation for all future learning, and the ability to read transforms lives and empowers children and communities to reach their full potential. Research shows that students who read at grade level by fourth grade have a greater opportunity to succeed in school and in life. That’s why they partner with under-resourced schools and engage volunteer reading partners to work one-on-one with students who struggle with reading. You can learn more here: ReadingPartners.org
2015: We Need Diverse Books is a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people. Putting more books featuring diverse characters into the hands of all children is their mission, and their vision is a world in which all children can see themselves in the pages of a book. You can learn more here: weneeddiversebooks.org Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world. - Voltaire, not a previous attendee Note to self…
Picture Book Summit delivered a unique blend of high-caliber insight– technical, practical and motivational, accessible from anywhere. – Rebecca Randall, previous attendee Word Search
Answers at end of journal
ADAM CAROLE INSPIRATION SUMMITEER AGENT EDITOR PAPERBACK TOMIE BESTSELLER AGENT HARDCOVER WRITERS PICTURE BOOK SUMMIT RAVE REVIEWS ENDPAPERS ILLUSTRATOR BOOKTRAILER MANUSCRIPT DEDICATION PJ PARTY DANCE BREAK PERSPIRATION REVISION STARRED REVIEW CREATIVITY CALDECOTT BOOKSTORE
Ideas!
The Picture Book Summit was amazing! The level of professional guidance and sincerity shown exceeded my expectations. Top-Notch in EVERY WAY! –Linda Swingle, previous attendee Where in the world are you and Dash?
1. Print out the following page. 2. Take Dash with you. 3. Take a selfie with Dash wherever you are. 4. Post to any social media with our #PBSummit hashtag.
You’ll be one of the stars at Picture Book Summit this year when we share your pictures! #PBSummit I took in more information yesterday than I would have at a large conference. I know exactly how to proceed! Endless gratitude! –Laura Navone, previous attendee
Doodles! Look The Picture Book Summit Who’s Coming! Featured Agents
Hen&ink founder, Erzsi Deàk, brings her nearly 30 years of experience on the international stage, connecting individuals and companies with those around the globe who can make things happen – no matter where you find yourself. She is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives. With her growing list of prize-winning writers & illustrators, and new voices from around the world, Erzsi Deàk meets often with publishers in the US and UK and aggressively markets domestic and foreign rights, attending the Bologna, London, and Frankfurt rights fairs. Erzsi is also a writer. Her picture book, Pumpkin Time!, is illustrated by Doug Cushman and published by Sourcebooks; it is a Scholastic Clubs book. Erzsi’s book, Period Pieces: Stories for Girls, a Bank Street pick, will be published anew with MAB Media as Between You and Me: Tales and Truth About Your First Period. Starting the French chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) in 1995, Erzsi eventually ran the international arm of the SCBWI for nearly ten years, developing and mentoring writers, illustrators and publishing programs in 28 countries. She founded and organized the SCBWI Bologna Conference and was awarded the SCBWI Member of the Year in 1999 and 2008. In 2009, she began working with La Martinière Groupe in France, acquiring approximately 40 titles a year for their Le Seuil and La Martinière Jeunesse imprints. Erzsi edits the SCBWI BULLETIN international page, ‘Here, There & Everywhere.’
Susan Hawk (Upstart Crow Literary) has worked in children’s books for over twenty-five years, and her clients include Alison Oliver, illustrator of the bestselling Baby Lit board books and the forthcoming picture book Moon; Ruth Spiro, author of the Baby Loves Science board book series; Marcie Colleen, author of the Super Happy Party Bears chapter book series and the forthcoming picture books Love, Triangle and The Adventure of the Penguinaut; Lisa Tyre, whose debut middle-grade novel, Last in a Long Line of Rebels, was a BEA Buzz Book title; Sarah Lariviere, whose middle- grade novel The Bad Kid is an 2017 Edgar Award Nominee; and Rachael Allen, author of the YA novels 17 First Kisses and The Revenge Playbook. She joined Upstart Crow Literary after seven years at the Bent Agency. Before agenting, Susan worked in the Children’s Marketing departments of Penguin Books for Young Readers, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers and North-South Books, where she managed campaigns for many books and authors including Eric Carle, Mary E Pearson, Richard Peck and Joan Bauer. She’s also been a children’s librarian and bookseller, and spent some time in Dutton Editorial, acquiring select picture book and YA projects for that list.
Rubin Pfeffer founded Rubin Pfeffer Content in 2014 as a natural extension of his 40-year career in the publishing industry. Starting as a designer at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich directly out of college, Rubin has traversed the seas of the children’s book-industry. In his 30 years at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Rubin served in a multitude of positions including art director, editor-in-chief, and president. In 2001, Rubin transitioned from Harcourt to become Pearson’s chief creative officer. Wishing to return to trade publishing, Pfeffer transitioned to Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, working as a vice president and publisher in 2003. After a number of years at Simon & Schuster, sensing a changing tide in the industry, Rubin became an independent agent at East/West Literary Agency in 2009. Rubin has found his passion in working closely with authors and illustrators, in strengthening and nurturing their work, and in helping writers and illustrators demonstrate their potential to publishers.
Kelly Sonnack is a Senior Literary Agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She represents works for all age ranges and a wide assortment of genres. Some of the novels Kelly has represented include SCBWI Sue Alexander winner and NYT bestselling Sharon Cameron’s newest YA, The Forgetting (Scholastic), David Elliott’s novel-in-verse Bull which received 7 starred-reviews (HMH/Houghton), and Gordon McAlpine’s middle grade series The Misadventures of Edgar and Allan Poe, with illustrations by Sam Zuppardi (Penguin/Viking). Picture books she’s sold include Mustache Baby written by Bridget Heos and illustrated by Joy Ang (HMH/Clarion), Ashlyn Anstee’s Are We There Yeti? (S&S), and Alastair Heim’s No Tooting at Tea (HMH/Clarion). She also represents graphic novels including James Burks’ graphic novel series BIRD AND SQUIRREL (Scholastic/Graphix) and Mike Lawrence’s STAR SCOUTS (Macmillan/First Second). She has a strong list of illustrator clients including Joy Ang, Kimberly Gee, Simone Shin, and Kim Smith. Kelly teaches, and is on the Advisory Board for UC San Diego’s certificate in Writing and Illustrating for Children and is the founder of the City Heights Young Writers Workshop. Agent Q&A
Don’t miss our questions and their answers at Picture Book Summit! Look The Picture Book Summit Who’s Coming! Featured Editors
Rob Broder – Publisher, Ripple Grove Press
Rob Broder is the president and founder of picture book publisher Ripple Grove Press, a family-owned children’s picture book publishing company. Rob & his wife Amanda started Ripple Grove Press because they have a passion for well-told and beautifully illustrated stories for children. Recently released titles include Graduation Day by Piotr Parda and Mr. Tanner written by Brian Chapin and illustrated by Brian Landgo, and Monday Is Wash Day written by MaryAnn Sundby and illustrated by Tessa Blackham; Monday is Wash Day received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.
Mary Lee Donovan – Editorial Director, Candlewick Press
Mary Lee Donovan is editorial director at Candlewick Press where she is celebrating her 25th anniversary. She started her publishing career at Houghton Mifflin in the Children’s Trade Division in 1984, while also hand-selling books at The Children’s Book Shop in Brookline Village and working toward her MA in Children’s Literature at Simmons College, Boston. Mary Lee is the editor of the 2008 Newbery Medal winner, Good Masters, Sweet Ladies: Voices from a Medieval Village and the 2013 Newbery Honoree, Splendors and Glooms, both by Laura Amy Schlitz; the 2014 Caldecott Honor picture book, Journey by Aaron Becker; the Judy Moody and Stink series by Megan McDonald; The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton, as well as books by Doreen Rappaport, Rosemary Wells, Scott Nash, Carol Diggory Shields, George O’Connor, Annette Simon, Catharine O’Neill, and many others.
Grace Maccarone - Executive Editor at Holiday House
Grace Maccarone works on picture books and I Like to Read® Books for new readers. She has worked with many award-winning authors and illustrators such as Betsy Lewin, Ted Lewin, Emily Arnold McCully, Tedd Arnold, Ruby Bridges, Eric Velasquez, R. Gregory Christie, Walter Wick, and Marc Simont, as well as on best-selling series such as I Spy, Fly Guy, and Clifford the Big Red Dog. She has also written more than sixty picture books and books for beginning readers.
Melissa Manlove – Senior Editor, Chronicle Books
Melissa Manlove is a Senior Editor at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. She has been with Chronicle for 12 years. Her acquisitions tend to be all ages in nonfiction; ages 0-8 for fiction. When acquiring, she looks for fresh takes on familiar topics as well as the new and unusual. An effective approach and strong, graceful writing are important to her. She has 17 years of children’s bookselling experience. Editor Q&A
Don’t miss our questions and their answers at Picture Book Summit! More from the PBS Founders: 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge (Julie) Children’s Book Insider (Jon and Laura) Institute of Children's Literature / Institute For Writers (Katie) Just Write Children's Books (Emma)
Links in this Expedition Journal (in order of mention) tomie.com candlewick.com cbweatherford.com holidayhouse.com AdamRex.com chroniclebooks.com WriteForKids.org InstituteForWriters.com EmmaWaltonHamilton.com JulieHedlund.com henandink.com upstartcrowliterary.com rpcontent.com andreabrownlit.com ripplegrovepress.com
Resources!
It was a perfectly organized event without a minute wasted! Thank you for the opportunity to learn from such talented individuals! - Stephanie Fitzpatrick, previous attendee The Picture Book Summit 2017 Schedule*
10:00 am - 10:15 am ET Meet and Greet. Informal tech check, roll call and team hellos! 10:15 - 11:10 am ET Tomie dePaola, interviewed by Emma Walton Hamilton 11:10 - 11:30 ET Pre-recorded Editor Panel (1 of 2)
10 minute break
11:40 - 12:25 pm ET Julie Hedlund | Let Them Read Layered Picture Books 10 minute break
12:35 pm - 1:20 pm ET Steve Swinburne | STEAM*power: Bringing Nonfiction to Life 1:20 pm - 1:40 pm ET Pre-recorded Editor Panel (2 of 2)
20 minute break (MIDPOINT - aka LUNCH!) 2:00 - 2:55 pm ET Carole Boston Weatherford 2:55 - 3:15 pm ET Pre-recorded Agent Panel (1 of 2)
5 minute break
3:20 - 4:05 pm ET Laura Backes | Purpose Without Preaching 10 minute break
4:15 - 5:00 pm ET Brenda Bowen | The Agent's Perspective: Pitching and Selling Picture Books 5:00 - 5:20 pm ET Pre-recorded Agent Panel (2 of 2)
10 minute break 5:30 - 6:25 pm ET Adam Rex
6:25 pm - 6:30 pm ET Wrap-up 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm ET Chat and hang out with the PB Summit Team!
I could fill this whole page with kudos and compliments. Presenters and panels were brilliant. I've taken lots of writing classes and attended dozens of webinars … but I learned a ton of stuff that I will be able to apply to my writing immediately. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!" - Vivian Kirkfield, previous attendee
*Subject to change. But we’ll try not to! 2016 Superstar Speakers Emeriti
You can get lifetime access to all the previous presentations by clicking HERE.
MATT DE LA PEÑA Darius & the Clouds: Finding the Music in Your Story-Telling Voice 2016 SUPERSTAR SPEAKER Whose stories do we choose to tell and why? And from what angle? Who owns the poetry in our stories and how do we get the voice right? The success or failure of a picture book often comes down to the microscopic decisions we make on the language level. It's not enough to simply get the story right. We must get the music right, too.
In this 45-minute keynote address from Picture Book Summit 2016, Matt de la Peña takes us on the journey of Last Stop on Market Street. From first flat draft to the award-winning final book, Matt shares the choices he made to bring music to the story.
Enjoy this fascinating inside look at the 2016 Newbery Award Winner, Last Stop on Market Street.
JANE YOLEN How to Publish Hundreds of Picture Books: Notes on Being Prolific 2016 SUPERSTAR SPEAKER Hear legend Jane Yolen, the Hans Christian Anderson of America, talk about what it really takes to be a successful picture book author, how she published hundreds of books, and most importantly, how you can too.
In this 45-minute keynote presentation from Picture Book Summit 2016, Emma Walton Hamilton interviews legendary picture book author Jane Yolen. Jane shares everything from her daily routine to working on multiple manuscripts at the same time to how to handle rejection. (And, yes, even Jane Yolen gets rejection letters!)
PAUL O. ZELINSKY 2016 SUPERSTAR SPEAKER Behind the Scenes with an Author-Illustrator Award winning author and illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky takes you on a guided tour of his creative and critical process, analyzing and spelling out the many considerations that need to be met in a successful picture book, and how he tries to meet them.
In this 45-minute keynote presentation from Picture Book Summit 2016, Paul shares his history in picture books and delves into the nitty gritty of putting words into pictures through different styles and mediums. This video includes a live demonstration of Paul illustrating Toys Meet Snow. 2015 Superstar Speakers Emeriti
You can get lifetime access to all the previous presentations by clicking HERE.
PETER BROWN An Interview with Author/Illustrator Peter Brown 2015 SUPERSTAR SPEAKER In this interview from Picture Book Summit 2015, Peter Brown shares how he got started as a picture book author and illustrator and how you can create picture books people want to read in today's market.
Get a glimpse behind-the-scenes of Peter's Brooklyn art studio and see the different techniques he employs as both an author and illustrator to bring picture books to life.
ANDREA DAVIS PINKNEY Nonfiction with a Twist! 2015 SUPERSTAR SPEAKER Nonfiction doesn't have to mean non-fun! Award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney has spent her career creating engaging nonfiction for kids and now she's sharing her secrets with you.
In this 45-minute presentation from Picture Book Summit 2015, Andrea shares where she gets her ideas and how she takes them from history lesson to engaging stories for young readers through word choice and creative point of views.
You'll never look at nonfiction the same way again after Andrea shares her writing process and reads some of her best work.
MAC BARNETT Let Us Make Picture Books! 2015 SUPERSTAR SPEAKER Award-winning author Mac Barnett defines the tools and constructs needed to make a great picture including suspenseful page turns, intriguing layouts, the type of engagement you want with your reader, and the relationship between text and image.
In this 45-minute presentation from Picture Book Summit 2015, Mac shares his personal picture book manifesto and how you can apply certain constructs to your story to bring it to life for the reader.
Come for the great insight and stay to hear Mac read some of his favorite picture books! FAQs
WHAT IS PICTURE BOOK SUMMIT?
Picture Book Summit is a one day live event for picture book writers including interviews, workshops and agent & editor panels. The entire event takes place online on Saturday, October 7, 2017.
It’s a full day workshop for picture book writers and illustrators at all levels.
HOW DO I ATTEND?
From the comfort of your own home! You log in, sit back, and enjoy. The event is broadcast online using technology accessible from most computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones with video streaming capabilities. Don’t worry! When we get closer to the event day, we will have a practice run with our attendees, so you can test out our web room.
HOW WILL THE EVENT BE PRESENTED?
Picture Book Summit is an all-day broadcast in webinar format. You log in, sit back and enjoy each session one after the other. Almost the entire day is live, so you have the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered.
WHAT IF I CAN'T MAKE ALL OR PART OF THE EVENT?
The entire Picture Book Summit event is recorded and available for playback within a few days. All registrants will have access to the recordings.
Here are the other FAQs that are answered on our site.
HOW DO I SIGN UP? (Oh, for that you can click right here!) CLICK HERE!
“Yes! I … have good news to share since I attended the Picture Book Summit: I got three publishing contracts and I signed with an agent!! This year my three titles are releasing. Thank you, PBS Team!!!” -Rosie Pova, previous attendee How Many Lines Did You Know?
(Answers)
1. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
2. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
3. I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
4. Lily's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
5. Who Hops? by Katie Davis
6. Waiting by Kevin Henkes
7. The Very Fairy Princess by Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Andrews
8. Olivia by Ian Falconer
9. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
10. Eloise by Kay Thompson
11. A Troop is a Group of Monkeys by Julie Hedlund
12. XO, OX: A Love Story by Adam Rex
13. Yaks Yak by Linda Sue Park
14. Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
15. Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford Answers to the Word Search
ADAM CAROLE INSPIRATION SUMMITEER AGENT EDITOR PAPERBACK TOMIE BESTSELLER AGENT HARDCOVER WRITERS PICTURE BOOK SUMMIT RAVE REVIEWS ENDPAPERS ILLUSTRATOR BOOKTRAILER MANUSCRIPT DEDICATION PJ PARTY DANCE BREAK PERSPIRATION REVISION STARRED REVIEW CREATIVITY CALDECOTT BOOKSTORE
Find out more about Picture Book Summit:
Site: PictureBookSummit.com
FB: facebook.com/picturebooksummit
Tw i t t e r : @picturebksummit email: [email protected]