Author Margot Finke

WRITER'S RETREATS AND CONFERENCES
by Margot Finke

Where writing skills are honed and the tricks of the trade are revealed.
A place where editors and agents lurk, and lasting friendships can develop.

These three conferences make sure you have “dates” for the months of September and October 2004. If you’ve never gone to a conference, now is the time to dabble your toes. You will meet writers who are as nervous as you – or WORSE! And when the conference is over, you’ll wonder why you took so long to dabble.

TEXAS (North Central-North/East.) Annual SCBWI Conference: The Changing World of Children's Books - Arlington, Texas, at the Hilton Hotel - September 11th 2004. Speakers: Debbie Dadey, co author of Adventures of Baily School Kids series. She will speak on collaboration; Michael Stearns, senior editor, Harcourt Children's Books; Julie Romeis, editor, Bloomsbury; Scott Piehl, art director, Harcourt Children's Books (Calif); and Deborah Wayshak, editor, Candlewick Press. Fees: $95 for members and $105 for nonmembers. Speakers are in the morning sessions. Afternoons offer three breakouts for smaller group discussions with the speaker of your choice. Visit their website www.scbwi-northtx.org for more details about the day’s events, directions etc. For help: Contact Sue Ward This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

SCBWI-Carolinas 12th Annual Conference, Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Research Triangle Park, NC. October 1st & 2nd 2004. Keynote Speaker: Linda Sue Park,2002 Newbery Award Winner, Featured Speaker: James Ransome. Breakout/workshop leaders: Erin Clarke, Editor, Alfred A. Knopf & Crown Books for Young Readers; Casandra Dahl, Self-Published author, historical fiction. Christina Tugeau, Artist Representative. October 1st: Opening program by the Tarheel Tale Tellers and a reception. Manuscript critiques, portfolio displays and reviews. Two sessions:  Nuts & Bolts for Writers, The Business of Illustration. October 2nd: Karen Walker, Linda Sue Park, James Ransome, &  Faye Gibson. Featured Speakers in nine breakout sessions. Fees: If registered by September 1st - $75 for SCBWI members - $85 for non-members. After Sept 1st  $85 for SCBWI members, $95 for nonmembers. Portfolio and manuscript critiques are $35 each. September 1st deadline for manuscript submission. Accommodation: Check website for hotel accommodations, directions, and other details. For help: Contact Earl Davis This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   More information available on their website http://www.geocities.com/scbwi_c/events.html  after July 10th:  
 
SCBWI-MI Fall Conference – “A Journey of Heart, Courage, Knowledge, and a Few Flying Monkeys.” Held near Kalamazoo & Battle Creek, at the Gull Lake Conference Center in Augusta - October 15th – 17th. Speakers Include: Simon and Schuster Editor Elizabeth Law - Heineman Library Editor Barbara Katz - Author and Illustrator of Stellaluna, Janell Cannon - Author and Illustrator of Hogula, Dread Pig of Night, Jean Gralley - Author of The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman, Darcy Pattison, who will present a picture book workshop - Author of Donuthead, Sue Stauffacher. Critique groups, open mike, auction, door prizes & manuscript critiques (for a fee), by guest editors. More information will be posted on their website as it becomes known. http://www.kidsbooklink.org/ For help: Contact Conference Coordinators: Monica Harris This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or Leslie Helakoski. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Margot Finke is an Aussie writer now living in Oregon. She offers an affordable critique service to newcomers. See Website for critique info, plus details about KANGAROO CLUES, her newly published rhyming adventure - the first in her series of rhyming picture books about US and Aussie wildlife. Her monthly “Musings” column can be read in The Purple Crayon, or in the SCBWI “News Worthy” magazine. Margot has also written midgrade Australian outback adventures, fantasy, and a ghost mystery.