June 22, 2008

Highlights Magazine Wish List

Highlights Magazine just published their "wish list" for magazine articles. This list of current needs comes out several times a year. It's a great tool for writers hoping to break into the market. The list is available on their website http://www.highlights.com/ . You can also sign up for an email alert when the next wish list is published. One of my articles is currently under consideration - "Vote A Turkey Into The White House". This article focuses on the annual Presidential tradition of pardoning a turkey each Thanksgiving. Now the public can vote online for the turkey names. If you are hoping to try your hand at magazine writing, check out the wish list for ideas.

June 10, 2008

SCBWI-NJ Conference

I attended the New Jersey SCWI conference this past weekend. The coordinators do a fabulous job. About 20 editors and agents representing top houses/agencies provide manuscript critiques/market information/Q & A. Most of the publishing houses are closed to manuscript submissions, but these conferences allow a writer the opportunity to submit. That's worth the price of admission right there! Any serious children's writer knows it's almost impossible to submit to top houses without an agent. And it's extremely difficult to get an agent without a published book! It's a chicken vs. egg theory. I always feel inspired after attending any of the SCBWI conferences - wherever I am in my writing career. If an aspiring author, it's a great way to learn the market and gain insight. Now I attend with the intention of sopping up the valuable experience of established writers and editors. Check out the link of the NJ chapter and the editors/agents that attended. www.newjerseyscbwi.com