Another Austin SCBWI conference has come and gone and the inspiration and motivation are burning through my veins! As the ARA for the Austin SCBWI chapter, I saw the results of many months of hard work pay off and that in itself is one of the greatest rewards. Seeing the sheer joy on attendees’ faces and the positive comments about how this year’s conference “Something for Everyone,” delivered what it promised.
None of this would’ve been possible if it hadn’t been for the extraordinary vision of RA Debbie Gonzales and wanting to develop a conference that provided programming for every level of author and illustrator no matter where they were in their career: newbie, pre-published or published. And she exceeded all expectations with the help of many volunteers including the wonderful folks at St. Edward’s University. Heartfelt thanks to Sister Donna Jurick, Dr. Ramsey Fowler, PhD and Rebecca Rodriguez who make it possible to hold our conference on their breathtaking campus.
Hats off to our Austin SCBWI Conference committee Mark G. Mitchell (Illustrator Chair), Erik Kuntz (Illustrator and Web Developer), Meredith Davis, Shelli Cornelison (Critique Coordinator), Samantha Clark, Sheryl Witschorke and the amazing ladies from the Girllustrators; Shelley Ann Jackson, Marsha Riti, Patrice Barton, Amy Farrier, Lalena Fisher and Emma Virjan who were on hand to host the illustrators and make their conference experience a success!
A HUGE thanks to all the Austin SCBWI conference drivers, technology support team and faculty who shadowed, introduced and made sure our out-of-town guests had everything they needed to ensure there were no bumpy seas during their visit in Austin. It truly takes a village when you have 12 out of town editors, agents and authors flying in from around the country.
A special thank you to the many Austin SCBWI members who contributed to our silent auction. It’s because of you and your generosity that our community continues to grow and blossom. We’re lucky to have you!
Before I get to the wonderful recap of blog posts being shared around the kid-lit community, I want to acknowledge our wonderful award winners. Shelli Cornellison is the recipient of the Meredith Davis Volunteer of the Year award, Jeff Crosby is the winner of the portfolio contest and Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith are our Ambassadors for the Austin Kid-Lit Community. There are no two people more generous and giving of their time and talent as this dynamic duo. They are the reason we have a village of talent in Austin.
One final thank you to the wonderful esteemed out-of-town faculty that endured travel delays and missed flights and traffic gridlock to be at our conference. Your presentations on craft, experience and marketing led people to cheers and tears with your inspiring messages.
And more personally thank you to editors Bonnie Bader Penguin Young Readers Group (Grosset and Dunlap and Price Stern Sloan) and Diane Muldrow Random House/Golden Books and publicist Kirsten Cappy, Curious City for my wonderful critiques!
Thank you Austin SCBWI community you rock!!
video slideshow of Austin SCBWI 2012 Conference
BLOG POST RECAPS:
New York Times & Publishers Weekly bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith’s “Event Report: Austin SCBWI Regional Conference” can be found by clicking here. Note: Cyn’s latest novel Diabolical (book 4 in the TANTALIZE series) is now available in stores now!
And Greg Leitich Smith’s report “Austin SCBWI Regional Conference” by clicking here. Note: Greg’s next novel Chronal Engine is available on March 20th, 2012 by Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Award winning author and faculty member Lisa Yee blogged about her adventure with us here. She also read an excerpt on Friday evening at the conference from her novel Warp Speed (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011).
Author Nikki Loftin shares pictures and insight here. Her debut novel The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy is available on Aug 21, 2012 by Razorbill Penguin Group (USA).
Author Bethany Hegedus blogs over at the Writing Barn “Something for Everyone at Austin SCBWI Conference” here.
Author/Illustrator Salima Alikhan highlights Donna Jo Napoli’s presentation on her post “Austin Regional Conference 2012 (Why Donna Jo Napoli is Amazing)” here.
Author Samantha Clark highlights the advice that spoke to her here. There truly is much to be gained by attending SCBWI conferences and Sam says that so eloquently in her post.
Illustrator Christopher S. Jennings recaps some of the illustrator advice given out at the conference here.
SUCCESS STORY
And here’s one success story by author Lori Ann Stephens and how she found her agent Jill Corcoran from Herman Literary Agency at our Austin SCBWI Conference! Click here. Congratulations, Lori Ann and Jill!!
See y’all at our next Austin SCBWI event with author Varsha Bajaj on March 10, 2012 at BookPeople!
Keep writing and drawing!