Remembrances of SCBWI Europolitan Conference 2017

Top row from left: RA Patti Buff, Libby Prcha, Emily Schoenbeck, Chuck McDaniel, Linda Hofke, IC Sanne Dufft, Ana Martin-Larranaga. Bottom row from left: Catherine Friess, Marcy Pusey, Jehan Jones-Radgowski, Britta Jensen, Lily Grigorova, Laurel Decher, Ibiere Addey. Not pictured: Angela Cerrito and Catherine Masek.

Although the conference was two weeks ago and our memories of it have started to fade, hopefully the inspiration and creative fire that was lit has not.

This was my third Europolitan conference and my fifth SCBWI conference in all. And what amazes me every time is the community and the camaraderie both here and at the larger conferences. I met Jehan even before she moved to Germany at the New York conference 2016 just by sitting at her table during lunch and introducing myself. And attending a Europolitan is like coming home - so many old friends with the delicious possibility of meeting new ones. Or, like in my case this year, finally sharing the same air with my critique partner of six years, Libby Prcha.

SCBWI Germany and Austria had the largest turn-out of all the regions with sixteen members coming from as far away as Vienna. We ranged from illustrators/author illustrators to writers of every age group. Because of this wide range of creative outlets and interests, I thought it would be interesting to ask members to each write a bit on two subjects. The results are below:

1. What was the number one tip/piece of advice you received during the conference?

From Patti:

Kendra's meditation exercise helped me see a new dimension of my character I hadn't discovered before. Now if only the amount of tears I shed while discovering the secret my character holds could be translated into reader's tears when they read the book...

From Catherine F.:

For me the number one writing tip was when Gemma Cooper talked about dialogue tags and how characters can’t laugh, grin or smile at the same time as they talk. I’ve now edited all of my picture book texts to take out the 'he grinned", "she smiled" dialogue tags. It makes sense now I’ve heard Gemma say it but it was interesting how often I found the tags in my stories!

From Angela:

In our middle grade networking group, lead by Elisabeth Norton, Laurel Decher showed us her bullet journal for writing. I was blown away and intimidated --- it was colored coded and beautiful. As she went through it she held up a list and mentioned that she has selected one person to believe about several topics of writing. As soon as she shared it with us, I thought, "That's brilliant! That makes so much sense." I've certainly had that universal experience of trying to gather more information about a certain topic only to go in circles with conflicting advice. It makes sense and saves time to pick someone you trust as a go-to person on that topic. I also appreciate how Kendra Levine challenged us to choose something we want to learn more about the craft of writing and take some time each week learning about it. The worlds "some time each week" felt like an easy first step to get started.

  From Ana:

It was from Robin Stevens whose talk was one of my favourites: Don’t isolate yourself. Share!

From Sanne:

Seeing Chris Mould's work and hearing him talk about sketching all the time - and often being surprised by what happens in the process.

From Jehan:

I learned plenty. One thing that jumps out in my mind is the difference between the US and U.K. (And really all other English speaking) markets. Some of the off limits subjects or even words in the U.S. are acceptable in the rest of the English speaking world. This also affects covers, illustrations, and how the book is marketed.

From Britta:

Only writers really understand what other writers are going through. Your friends who are non-writers are well-meaning and may try to understand, but you need to build partnerships with other writers who can support you and understand the rejection, revision and querying process. Also, fellow writers can help jump-start ideas that may have fallen stale or flat. (I experienced this in the querying workshop I took where several writers and illustrators who were working in various genres were able to help me hone a better query for my YA novel).

  From Ibiera:

There is always someone to reach out to, don’t give up.

Marcy selling her books at the conference bookstore

From Marcy:

There was SO much that I took away from the conference that it's hard to nail it down to one! So I'll try to take a few and make them sound like one ;) I want to continue practicing the exercises that Kendra Levin led us through in her workshop because it engaged me in a really incredible way with my characters, giving me both a new vigor to keep revising and writing, and a new, strange sense of responsibility to my story. This was followed up her workshop on being the hero of our own life story which I want to continue reflecting on as well. Which led to the purchase of her book, "The Hero is You," which I hope to work through. If the book is anything like the workshops, then this is my tip: Get the book and work through the exercises.

From Catherine M.:

Create a mission statement for your creative career, ask yourself why. Why do you create? What are you trying to accomplish? And be a scientist to your own process. Study it, experiment. And find allies. Make friends, fellow creatives, to champion you and for you to champion. Because your voice matters. There is a place for you. Each and every you. -Kendra Levin from her Be The Hero of Your Own Writing Process talk Sunday afternoon

From Laurel:

The number one piece of advice was probably Dina’s remarks about working together in partnership to achieve our dreams together. Something she said and demonstrated the whole conference. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed the author presentations so much. In almost all of the presentations, people spoke truth out of their personal and professional experiences. So when they shared tips and tools and insights for the road ahead, what they said had a completely different resonance.

From Linda:

I've taken courses, attended workshops and webinars, and read everything I can about writing picture books the past three years. I know the "rules", the language, the various approaches, and I feel I've finally found my voice. But I also have a lot of story ideas that are more suitable for middle grade readers but never seem to start those stories. I hoped to find some inspiration or advice at the Europolitan that would encourage me to do so. The breakout session with Kendra Levin's confirmed what I already knew but didn't want to admit: I am just making up excuses and avoiding the situation because it is out of my comfort zone. So how can I feel more comfortable about WRITING a middle grade novel? READ middle grade novels. Lots of them. So I have followed Kendra's advice. I bought middle grade books at the conference. I finished one on the 5-hour train ride home and have already read two others. And yesterday I took the plunge... I mapped out my first MG and even wrote a few lines. (I know, I know...the first draft won't be "it" but it's a start.) The best advice: Go outside your comfort zone. Experiment. Explore. Take chances. And read what you want to write.

RA Dina Von Lowenkraft welcoming everyone to the Eurpolitan 2017

2. What is your best memory from the conference?

From Patti:

Presenting the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award to my friend Angela for her amazing book is of course on the top of the list from all of my conference memories. Knowing how hard it was for Angela to write THE SAFEST LIE and to see it being celebrated is both rewarding and satisfying.

From Catherine F.:

My best memory of the conference is the friendly, supportive atmosphere and the way that everybody generously shared their creative experiences and supported each other. It was brilliant to reconnect with old friends as well as make new ones (especially those from our region) and also to have the opportunity to chat to faculty members in an informal way.

One of my workshop highlights was listening to Chris Mould read The Gruffalo!

From Angela:

Europolitan was amazing. It was great to see old friends and make new ones. The best memory i have of the weekend is of you, Patti! I will never forget how you surprised me with the Crystal Kite introduction. It was a wonderful -emotional- surprise. Thank you!

From Ana:

No visit to Brussels is complete without Smurfs

My best memory is going out for dinner and drinks with everyone. 

From Sanne:

Listening to Susanne Gerway and realizing - once more - what an impact stories can have on a child's life.


From Jehan:

My positive memory is getting to know the ladies from my region better! I am continuously reminded that writers (and illustrators)) are very cool people, MY PEOPLE.

From Britta:

Kendra Levin's workshop and the journey down the "memory elevator" was incredibly transformative. I've begun using her book and when I look back on the conference I feel really charged about my daily writing goals (and making them manageable with a 50 hour work week). Levin's book and workshop helped me to feel connected to my characters and my writing journey overall. It was great to be able to cry about the emotions my characters were feeling without feeling like a complete idiot or spaz.

From Ibiera:

End key note from Angela Cerrito. Also the atmosphere/event just felt like a family reunion with one set goal. It was so overwhelming, which made going home time difficult. Everyone was helpful, encouraging and the conference was wonderfully organised. A big thanks to the team and Dina’s family. Plus thanks for the British Fish and Chips effect!!!!!! (made us feel like Brexit does not mean real exit, and that we are still bonded)

From Marcy:

Marcy's surprise

Again, there are so, so many. SO many. Connecting with "old" friends, making new friends, the sense that this was a family reunion. But I think the sweetest moment is when someone handed me an SCBWI folder with a sweet gift inside, and a note that still floors me. I don't even know who to thank. I was touched and teary-eyed as we were about to begin a session that someone had seen me and cared enough to do this. Still leaves me in awe. And yet, isn't this the spirit of who we are as a community of writers and illustrators? It was and is beautiful.

From Catherine M.:

I found the critique cafe on Monday invaluable. The insights and feedback I got from my fellow writers helped my opening specifically and expanded my perspective on my manuscript in general. But really, the cafe was just a condensed and highlighted version of an overall quality of the conference, and that was the quality of conversations and the creative exchanges between the attendees. There was so much knowledge shared among the participants (everyone, speakers and organizers included), so many stories and tips and thoughts shared so freely and openly. I always felt encouraged and included. The whole conference was a pooling of talent and the exchange of experiences and best practices. People were so open and so inclusive, pulling everyone into shared conversation . It was such a welcoming and motivating event, with such lovely people, opportunities to connect, and feel like a part of a greater, creative endeavor.

From Laurel:  

The Scrawl Crawl was another
way of making connections

My best memory from the conference is the non-stop conversation that happened every time there was a pause in the formal presentations. As Angela said in her amazing talk, this is a tough industry. But everyone I talked to was working on ways to move forward, to overcome challenges, and get past writerly pain to bring some new beauty into the world of children’s books. Inspiring!

From Linda:

It was my first Europolitan and I didn't know many people. That changed quickly. While heading to the first event (the Scrawl Crawl) in the rain I made a new SCBWI friend by sharing my umbrella, and during the Scrawl Crawl I met more people from other SCBWI chapters. We discussed our writing lives, inspiration, works in progress, etc. The "get to know each other activity" also helped. I found others with common writing goals and we chatted as often as possible during breaks. At the Peer Critique session I gained a few new critique partners who offered advice on my most current manuscript. Oh, yes. Networking is wonderful. But the Europolitan goes way beyond that. Since it is such a small group of participants, you really get to know people on a personal level. Every evening a different group of people invited me to join them for dinner. People also hung out at the hotel together or we ventured out to buy Belgian chocolates. We talked about almost anything and had lots of laughs and fun together. I went to the conference knowing few but left with many new friends. So, I guess what I am trying to say is: there isn't one single moment that stands out as special. Instead, it is those collective moments that add up to my best memory: a sense of community. That isn't something you get at every conference.

Post-conference dinner in Brussels with old and new friends. Photo by Melanie Welfing

Thank you everyone for participating in the blog! Stay tuned for more information and a close-up look at the newest Europolitan program; The Europolitan Mentor Program.

The tenth child out of eleven in family that took in hundreds of foster kids, Patti Buff learned early on that if she wanted some peace and quiet she better put her nose in a book. A native Minnesotan, she lives in disgustingly beautiful Germany with her husband and two teenagers. She can be reached at her website, facebook  or twitter.SaveSave

SCBWI NY Conference Report Day 2

The morning of the last day of the conference opened with inspiration announcing awards and grants.

Sarah Baker announced the two Student Illustrator Scholarship winners (http://www.scbwi.org/awards/grants/student-illustrator-scholarship/) were Aura Lewis and Mago Huang.

Aura Lewis

Mago Huang

Cecilia Young presented the awards for the portfolio showcase (http://www.scbwi.org/2017winterportfolioawards/). Honor award winners receive a phone call with an art director and a critique of their portfolios. The Grand Prize winner receives a trip to a New York and a meeting with three art directors. The three honor awards were presented to Victoria Tentler-Krylov, Luke Flowers and Heidi Woodward Sheffield and the Grand Prize winner was Melissa Crowton.

Victoria Tentler-Krylov 

Luke Flowers

Heidi Woodward Sheffield

Melissa Crowton

Jane Yolen spoke about the struggles of midlist authors and their important work. And how changes in publishing such as publishers merging, closing or editors moving present challenges to careers. This motivated her to create the Jane Yolen Midlist Author Grant. The honor award winners were Joan Donaldson and Deborah Trotter. Jane went on to say that the grant was so much more than simply a grant, it was encouragement, a recognition of the quality of the work and belief from all of SCBWI to the authors to keep writing. Then she announced the winner: Jan Peck who was present to receive her award.

Tomie dePaola announced that this would be a final award for his namesake award. (Though SCBWI will honor his legacy with the Narrative-art-award for illustrators each year. https://www.scbwi.org/scbwi-announces-the-narrative-art-award/) He spoke with such affection for all of the illustrators (and illustrations) that he announced this year. And the winners are: Special Mention Lisa Cinelli, Second Runner-Up Rebecca Hirsch, First Runner-Up Stephen Macquignon, First Place Winner Katya Tabakh.

Lisa Cinelli

Rebecca Hirsch

Stephen Macquignon

Katya Tabakh

The Current Landscape of Children’s Books was a topic of a panel moderated by Lin Oliver with Ken Geist (VP & Publisher Orchard Books), Andrew Harwell (Senior Editor HarperCollins), Carrie Howland (Senior Agent, Empire Literary), Eileen Kreit (VP & Publishers Puffin/Penguin Young Readers Group) and Edward Nescarsulmer IV (Agent, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency).

Ken Geist spoke about his focus on picture books for ages 0 – 7 at his publishing house while Eileen Kreit shared that their backlist is her front list. The Young Readers Group at Puffin/Penguin republishes hardcovers into paperback everything from picture books to new adult. Both agents, Edward Necarlsulmer IV and Carrie Howland discussed helping their authors’ careers grow and seeking out new clients. Carrie Howland told us she’s found clients through twitter, blogs and Instagram. Andrew Harwell mentioned the importance of books as a tool for empathy.

My final break out session at this SCBWI conference was with two of my favorite writers Cynthia Leitich Smith (http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.de/p/cyns-books-for-kids.html) and Ellen Hopkins (http://ellenhopkins.com/YoungAdult/). The topics were How to Handle Difficult Subjects with Ellen Hopkins and Writing Within and Across Identity Elements with Cynthia Leitich Smith.

Cynthia spoke first. She emphasized that “All people are made up of Identity elements (gender, race, orientation, religion, region, socio-economic, family composition, body type, physical and mental disabilities, etc.) Some elements people are born with and others are acquired (disability after an accident, socioeconomic changes, traumatic experiences, etc.)” She suggested writers read 100 books by authors writing in their own voices before trying to represent a character from another identity element, 200 if writing about a protagonist.

Ellen discussed her field research. She rode along with vice police officers when researching her book TRICKS. She read a passage of TRICKS and discussed how she manages difficult situations while maintaining honesty in the text. Two things she avoids is placing judgement on the actions of her characters in her books and self-censoring.

The conference closed with a keynote from Sara Pennypacker. She gave her top ten list of advice for creating art for children. My favorite was to leave room for the reader. She doesn’t write what happens exactly, but writes around it. “Take out a sentence or two. Make the kids put A + C together.” 

Angela Cerrito serves as SCBWI’s Assistant International Advisor. Her novel, THE SAFEST LIE (Holiday House) has been named one of The Guardian’s Best Children’s Books of 2015, a Notable Social Studies Book for Young Readers, a Jewish Book Award Finalist, a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Older Readers and SCBWI’s Crystal Kite Award. THE SAFEST LIE is based on her research in Warsaw, Poland, including interviewing Irena Sendler, a mastermind spy and member of the Polish resistance who helped over 2,500 children escape the Warsaw ghetto. This research was made possible with the help of SCBWI’s Kimberly Colen Memorial Grant. Angela’s debut novel, THE END OF THE LINE (Holiday House, 2011) about a boy coming to terms with his role in the death of a friend, received many awards including VOYA’s Top of the Top Shelf. Her one-act play IF THEY COME TONIGHT, based on the life of Irena Sendler, was produced in Texas. She speaks about writing, early literacy and the Warsaw ghetto children rescues at schools, workshops and international festivals.www.angelacerrito.com