Katie Bartlett, Children's Author

Rutger’s University Council on Children’s Literature (RUCCL)  is holding their annual writing conference on October 16th, 2010.  The exact title is “One-On-One Plus” because each attendee is partnered up with an “exclusive” mentor.  I haven’t heard of any other conference with such a low attendee to mentor ratio.  One to one is hard to beat!  Then (and here’s the Plus part), you break out into round table discussions of five on five.  Five attendees with five mentors.  Great ratio, great opportunity to really get to know professionals in the business.  I’m nervous already.  

The Climb

If you didn’t get an opportunity to apply to the program this year, set up an alarm on the calendar for next June.  That’s when the applications typically are due.  You have to be selected to attend, when helps keeps the numbers down (love that ratio!).  It’s certainly worth a try!  

I’ve heard strong feedback about the conference, including tales of star-struck writers waltzing out of the facility with contract in hand.  I can only dream.  Check back by end-October.  I’m sure I’ll have a recap of the event and let you know if it lived up to its reputation.   Hopefully I’ll be waltzing myself.  

Drop me a line if you are attending.  The more familiar faces, the better!

It takes awhile for something that’s never been before to be born.  Especially when that something is as impalpable as a discussion group.  The people have to find you (Hello, here I am!  Come join me!).  The people have to have the same objectives that you do.  The people have to find the time and make a committment (gasp!).  Or, more appropriately, the people who find you have to be committed.  Committed to writing.  Not an easy task. 

But after a year, yes – a year, the Westfield Critique Group seems to be taking form.  I was told one of the strongest writing groups in Women Who Write took a year to come together.  For one whole year, the gal who started it sat alone in the library, reserving a spot, waiting for the group to come.  And eventually they did. 

I essentially did the same thing.  I decided on a schedule, time, and location, and waited (at home) for the emails of interest to arrive.  It took awhile but it seems to be worth the wait.  We’ve had quite a few writers come and go.  But the writers who shuffle in now by 9:30am after a 45 minute commute on a Saturday are prepared to work.  I am so grateful.

We are still open to new members, so if you find this post, contact me asap.  I’m not sure how much longer we will have space…well – that may not be true but it sure sounds good after so long.  We meet every other Saturday at 9:30am at the Westfield Memorial Library.  If you see as at one of the round tables, be sure to stop in and say hello.  And if you’re brave enough, stay awhile and join us.

I went to a great seminar recently sponsored by Women Who Write, Inc. in New Jersey.  It was an afternoon panel discussion for authors, Q&A style, that covered finding an agent / editor / publisher, preparing your ms for submission, and marketing your published work.  The audience had seven published authors from all mediums available to answer any and all questions.  What an incredible body of information. 

I’ll try to share everything I learned, but it may take a couple of posts.  On this post, I’d like to share some of the classes and opportunities I learned about.  I’ve spoken about the SCBWI and the New School, but here are some others worthy of checking out:

Rutgers University Counsel on Children’s Literature (RUCCL) One on One Plus Conference.  This year it will be held on October 16, 2010.  Applications will be due sometime in July.  Check out the website for details which should be coming this month.  A great opportunity to have a one on one mentoring session with a professional PLUS you get to submit to all participating professionals.  This is the KEY.  Skip that slush pile, y’all.  Hop to the top!

The Gotham Writer’s Workshop in NYC ( http://www.writingclasses.com).  Holds classes both in NYC and ONLINE.  This is also key – you don’t need to be here to take advantage of what they have to offer.  I’ve heard great feedback on their classes.  Often times writers will take the same class season after season – and they find all the other writers in the class do as well.  Before you know it, you have another great network of writers to support you.  Another defacto critique group, if you will…

Peter Murphy (http://murphywriting.com) holds a series of writing seminars and retreats here in the New Jersey area and “across the pond”.  I am told by several writers who attended one of his retreats, he changed their lives.  

Media Bistro (www.mediabistro.com) is an online resource for media professionals.  They offer writing courses for all types of mediums across the country and online.  If you can’t find the seminar you are looking for in your home state, simply sign up online.  What’s great about their offerings is that it includes items other than “just” writing.  For example, writing a proposal, starting a website, blogging, editing, getting over writer’s block, etc.  As you know, writing the book is not the only step to getting published.  These other offerings can fill in.