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.

August’s list of four conferences show that SCBWI is not the only organization that hosts great conferences for children’s writers. The British Isles are also included for our English readers.

14th Annual Flathead River Writers Conference • October 12-17, 2004 -  Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, northwest Montana - a few miles west of Glacier National Park. Focus: Autobiography/memoir, Children's, Fiction, Humor, Marketing, Mystery, Nature/Environmental, Nonfiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Science fiction/fantasy, and Screenwriting. Read what Karen Buck, Spokane, had to say about this conference: “The mix of people, all with different perspectives on writing, selling, promoting, etc. was wonderful - trouble is I wanted to go to all the workshops - do it again!” Activities: Consultation with faculty, lectures, readings, social events, workshops Fees: $180 ($150 early bird) for weekend conference, includes continental breakfast & lunch. Lodging available at conference site or nearby. $460 for combined 3-day workshops & weekend conference. Further Details: e-mail Jake How  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   Faculty: Go to their website to read about the faculty (too numerous to list here) and other information. http://writing.shawguides.com/FlatheadRiverWritersConference/

SCBWI ArkansasFall Retreat For Writers of Children’s Literature.September 24-26, 2004 - Yellville, near the Buffalo River. This Eighth Annual Retreat guides you through a series of revisions on your picture book. Explore new territory and bring your picture book to the next level by working hand-in-hand with published poet and picture book author Ann Whitford Paul, and other professional writers. Accommodation: The Buffalo Point Lodge Bed and Breakfast, located south of Yellville, near the Buffalo River, continues its fine tradition of great food and welcoming hostess. Visit their website for a schedule of events and a registration form. http://members.aol.com/ddpattison/scbwi/fall.html  E-mail Darcy Pattison This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for further help. Fees & Registration: SCBWI members $240.00 - Includes accommodations, 6 meals, and seminars.

SCBWI AZ "Welcome to Our House: A Day With Guest Editors" November 6, 2004 - Chaparral Suites Resort, 5001 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85250
Featuring: Cheryl Klein, Associate Editor at Arthur Levine Books - Samantha Schutz, Assistant Editor at Aladdin Paperbacks and Simon Pulse - Rebecca Waugh, Editor at Dial Books for Young Readers. Manuscript critiques, morning refreshments and lunch will be included. Registration will open on September 1st. Fees and further information will be posted by that date. (A few rooms will be held at the conference rate of $99.00, including breakfast. Rooms are suite style; perfect for sharing.) Visit their website www.scbwi-az.org or contact Michelle Parker-Rock at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or 480 342-7045, for more information.

In the British Isles: SCBWI BI Professional Series: Editing Masterclass - 23 September 2004  7-9pm –31 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London SE24 9JX  (020 7274 6242) Speaker: Marie Campbell of the Transatlantic Literary Agency. She was Kenneth Oppel's editor at HarperCollins, Canada, and taught editing in college. Published SCWBI members can share tips about honing that first draft into a page turner! Fees & Registration: E-mail Jennie Walters, Professional Series Coordinator, for this and other details. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it (020 7274 6242) and visit their website http://www.wordpool.co.uk/scbwi/events.htm for directions to the Masterclass.

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.