PiBoIdMo is ON!!

Okay my writer friends - Picture Book Idea Month is almost here! The ever-creative Tara Lazar has planned another awesome PiBoIdMo. Her blog is chock-full of interview with agents, editors, prizes, ideas and even critiques! Run, don't walk, to Tara's blog and sign up. One picture book idea, every day, for the month of November. But don't panic - Tara's daily blogs will keep those creative juices flowing. Join me in the fun!

Do You Have Character? Does Your Book?

So you have the perfect picture book character and can't wait to get started on the manuscript. Or maybe you already started writing. Is your character lovable? Memorable? Does she have flaws that make her relatable to kids? Are we getting an inside peek to who the character really is? And how does this move the story along? Character-driven picture books fly off the shelves (think Fancy Nancy), and yet writing them can be as complex as the characters themselves. Highlights is here to help with a special weekend workshop "It's All About the Character". Join Lindsay Barrett George and Kim Griswell for a fall weekend in the poconos, as you learn the importance of page turns, moving the character forward and catching an editor's eye. Find out how to make the reader love your character as much as you do.

Looking for an agent? What a website will tell you...

Harold Underdown, editor of the Purple Crayon Website and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, understands the dilemma in searching for the right agent. In his blog post, Harold gives a great overview on what to look for when perusing agency websites. Harold narrows it down:

Impressions
Qualifications
Clients
Terms
Conclusions

His case study of Adams Literary Agency, a well-respected children's literary agency, gives the reader insight to carry forward when reviewing other websites.

Hurry, hurry, hurry to a New Jersey SCBWI event!

Many of my writer friends have been to the NJ SCBWI events. For those of you who are interested, but not quite sure which event is best for you, Kathy Temean gives a wonderful overview. Kathy is the regional advisor for the NJSCBWI chapter. She and Laurie Wallmark work dilligently to provide members with a slew of interesting workshops, first page sessions, intensives and the annual conference. They provide wonderful access to top-notch editors, agents and art directors. You simply can't get this opportunity elsewhere. So, what is best for you? The networking dinners? First page sessions (which led to the publication of my book)? The writer's intensives? Check out Kathy's blog for a description of the events. Just a warning though...it's hard to choose just one!

Would you like to see your picture book in a million Cheerios boxes?

Did you enter the Cheerios New Author writing contest? 2011 was the fifth year that Cheerios/Simon & Schuster held a writing contest for previously unpublished picture book writers. The winning prize was $5,000 cash and a book published by Simon & Schuster!

My friend, Tara Lazar (The Monstore, Alladin/Simon & Schuster, 2013) interviewed winner Laurie Isop. Laurie won the Cheerios New Author contest in 2009 and her book debuted this July in a million Cheerios boxes. Wow - talk about an introduction!

Laurie explains the process and talks about her idea for How Do You Hug a Porcupine? A great premise, and the idea was born while chatting around the dinner table.

Check out Tara's interview with Laurie and you'll be inspired to enter the next Cheerios New Author contest too! Good luck!

Does Your Book Title Pop?

If you are like most writers, your head is full of book titles. Titles may seem to be the easy part, and the title is often the impetutus for writing the book. But does your book title stand out? Jan Fields, Institute of Children's Literature, has an interestesting article on the art of book titles. Jan has broken it down into several categories:


* Titles Are Not Labels

* Titles Should Be True-ish

* Titles Need Memorable 'Oomph"

* Bait And Switch With Care



Check out the article in Institute of Children's Literature, and use your title to tempt the buyers.

NJ SCBWI Conference and Industry Report

As always, the June NJ SCBWI conference was FANTASTIC! Kathy Temean, Laurie Wallmark and the gang do a terrific job. The days are full of interesting workshops, a great line-up of editors/agents, brainstorming, the chance to catch up with old friends, and meet new ones. Each year, David Carumba presents an industry report. This year, Kathy Temean has graciously provided an overview of David's report on her blog.

A quick look at the questions asked of 30 editors and agents:

* what are editors buying?
* the current trend? new trends?
* the impact and crossover appeal of YA?
* how does the bankruptcy of Borders affect the market?

Check out Kathy's blog for the details.

Happy July!