Announcing 5th Annual Book Passage Children's Writers & Illustrators Conference

Online, March 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Located just 15 minutes across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, this conference brings together some of the best writers and illustrators of children's books and young adult literature in the country. The conference is appropriate for writers and illustrators at all levels-those both seasoned and those just starting their careers.

The Conference will cover all aspects of writing and illustrating for children-from developing ideas to honing skills to finding a publisher. Students will work closely with other writers and illustrators, as well as with agents, editors, and publishers. The conference is designed to meet the differing needs of those who create for different age groups. Students will choose an area of emphasis for the morning sessions, such as writing for picture books, early readers, young adult books or illustration, and then work with a teacher in a workshop setting. In the afternoon, students choose from panels of common interest, such as working with editors, working with agents, marketing and promotion. There will be many opportunities for faculty and students to talk, laugh, and exchange ideas in classes, lunches, and evening events.

This year's Conference boasts an outstanding faculty of writers, illustrators, agents, and publishing professionals including Chronicle Books publisher Christine Carswell, president & publisher of Random House Children's Books Chip Gibson, author of Anya's War Andrea Alban, author of The Clock Without a Face and the Brixton Brothers series Mac Barnett, the "Author Enablers" Sam Barry and Kathi Kamen Goldmark, award-winning authors Thacher Hurd and Jennifer Holm, Bram Stoker Award-nominated YA author Linda Watanabe McFerrin, McSweeeney's editor and art director Brian McMullen, editor and author of Me, Frida Amy Novesky, author-illustrator Kathryn Otoshi, agents Laurie McLean (Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency), Laura Rennert (Andrea Brown Literary Agency), Danielle Svetcov (Levine-Greenberg Literary Agency)and many more!

Each Conference day is structured to provide an intensive writing and/ or illustrating experience. In the mornings and afternoons there are panels & workshops, and special presentations in the evenings.

Mornings: Students select an area of interest, such as writing for picture books, middle readers, young adult books, or illustration. Morning sessions are spent with a single teacher or team of teachers on that subject.

Afternoons: Students attend panels and seminars on topics such as:
• Collaboration between Writers & Illustrators
• Round Table Critique Group
• Writing & Illustration for Magazines
• Working with an Editor
• Finding an Agent
• Getting Your Book Published
• Promotion, Publicity & Marketing

Evenings: Each evening features events and activities with faculty members. The opening evening includes dinner.

The cost of the four-day Conference is $475. Optional 30-minute private consultations are available for $95. For complete details, a full schedule, faculty list, accommodations, or to register, please visit the Conference homepage on the Web at www. bookpassage.com/childrens-writers-illustrators-conference. You may also contact Conference Coordinator, Kathryn Petrocelli, by phone at (415) 927-0960, ext. 239, or email [email protected].

Authors say:

"I'm not sure I would have ever been published if I hadn't attended conferences like this one. It's one of the few opportunities that allow you to pick the brains of writers who are actually making a living in this profession." - Gennifer Choldenko, author of Al Capone Does My Shirts

"Intimate, intensive and informal, the Children's Book Conference at Book Passage is the kind of conference I like to be on faculty of." - Amy Novesky, author of Me, Frida

"The authors bond through lively discus¬sion of the writing life. I head back to my studio more inspired to write." - Andrea Alban, author of Anya's War