Reminder: RSVP for Kadir Nelson

Just a reminder that if you plan on going to Kadir Nelson's talk at the August Wilson Center with the WPaSCBWI group on February 20, you'll need to RSVP Rose or Nora by January 30.

Rose: RoseGauss@comcast.net
Nora: illustrations@nora-thompson.com

We need to know ahead of time so we can purchase group-rate tickets. If you don't know that you will be able to make it to the event by January 30, you can still purchase a ticket on your own through the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust after this date. Tickets on your own will cost $10.

Also a reminder that we will be meeting at the Panera Bread at the Waterfront that morning at 11:00 for lunch and to discuss Mr. Nelson's work before carpooling to the event. If you would like to meet us for lunch but can't make it to the event itself, please feel free to join us anyway; no RSVP necessary.

Please see the previous blog post for more detailed information.

Kadir Nelson at the August Wilson Center

The Carnegie Library’s yearly Black, White & Read All Over series this year includes double Caldecott Honor recipient Kadir Nelson speaking at the August Wilson Center at 2 pm on Sunday, February 20.

On the morning of the 20th, and prior to Nelson’s presentation, the illustrators group from WPaSCBWI will be meeting for lunch and to discuss Mr. Nelson’s children’s books. Please bring any and all Kadir Nelson books in your possession, including those borrowed from your local library.

Discussion can include:

• his illustration styles
• page compositions
• color choices and palettes
• lighting
• details added that weren't part of the text
• perspectives (camera angles)
• the "why's" for all of the above
• and what makes his books worthy of the Caldecott Honor

The group will meet for lunch at the Panera Bread at the Waterfront at 11 am and carpool to the August Wilson Center that afternoon. Tickets are $10, but rates are discounted if a group of five people or more attend and we order tickets online in advance. Please RSVP by January 30 and let us know if you plan to attend.

RSVP:
Rose Gauss: RoseGauss@comcast.net
Nora Thompson: illustrations@nora-thompson.com

Black, White & Read All Over

Sunday, February 20, 2011

2:00 pm
August Wilson Center
980 Liberty Avenue, Downtown

Rachel Abrams from HarperCollins

Rachel talked about what publishers want from their authors in reference to social media. They need authors and illustrators who are media savvy, who are already online with a presence and followers so a book's marketing and promotion can hit the ground running.

Cool.

Panel session

Writers Kitty Lagorio, Carla Mooney, Sally Alexander and Regional Advisor, Pat Easton.

Friday night at the Radisson

Well, the 2010 WPaSCBWI pre-conference writer's critique is in the books! These guys are good. It's such a great asset to have another set of ears listen to your story, but to be able to have people with loads of experience and intriguing ideas listen just ices the cake.

Thanks to the moderators: Pat Easton, Marcy Canterna, Kate Dopirak, Dick Easton, and Carla Mooney.

(Sorry if I missed anyone; I couldn't find at least one of the groups, and I'm debating if it even existed!)

#WPaSCBWI 2010 Conference

One week from today—save the date.

The Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators will be hosting their annual conference at the Greentree Radisson in Pittsburgh next weekend, and I'll be speaking about social networking.

First, the info:

Practical Solutions for Tough Times

Friday, November 12

Pre-Conference Event

(You must also attend the conference)

7pm–10pm

Reception and cash bar followed by informal round-table critiquing.

Bring a 5-page manuscript to read aloud.

Saturday, November 13

Conference

8am–5:30pm

Faculty include:

• Emma Dryden Dryden Books
• Rachel Abrams HarperCollin's Children's Books
• Deborah Vetter Cicada and Cricket magazines
• Quinlan Lee agent, Adams Literary

Second, the details:

I'll be leading two workshops titled Social Networking—I Don't Wanna! The first one (session B-2) from 11:30-12:15 will be geared toward a general audience, mostly writers. The second one (session C-4) is scheduled for 3:15-4:00 and will be geared toward illustrators, but I will also accommodate anyone who may have missed the first session.

I have the presentation set up to answer attendee-specific questions including:

1. Why do I have to social network?
2. Where do I start?
3. What do I say?
4. When am I supposed to do this?
5. How do I get it right?

I'll also include tips on how to use social media creatively along with listings of online tools and sites to get you started. I'll be posting to this blog throughout the conference (technology permitting) with info and tips from the speakers. I'll also be tweeting images on twitter, with the search hashtag: #WPaSCBWI.

Once I get the presentation finished, I will upload it here:
http://www.nora-thompson.com/wpascbwi.html