Here are a few glimpses into our conference: “Leaps of Imagination: Fact, Fiction, & Fantasy.”  We had a marvelous group of speakers and attendees in a lovely setting.

Our keynote speaker, author Margaret Peterson Haddix

Our Editor / Agent panel, including Michelle Corpora, Assistant Editor at Greenwillow; Michelle Poploff, V.P. and Editorial Director of Delacorte Press; Stephen Fraser, agent at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, and Louise May, V.P. /Editorial Director of Lee & Low Books.

Kelley Cunningham, Art Director at Highlights High Five Magazine, and Karen Nelson, freelance Art Director, give feedback to illustrators at the “First Look” session.

Literary Agent, Stephen Fraser, speaks with two conference attendees.

Would you like to buy a regional T-shirt, featuring Susan Detwiler’s artwork?

As promised to attendees of the session Wendie Old and I presented at Sunday’s MD/DE/WV regional conference breakout session on blogging and social media, I am posting my handout Leap into Blogging so that you can click directly on the links to visit blogs and websites named.  We hope you find it useful, whether you attended or simply would like to know what we said, if you couldn’t attend.

Harold Underdown sends out a news brief occasionally to let people know what’s new on his very informative website.  Here’s the link to his “Who’s Moving Where” page for the latest news on editors: http://www.underdown.org/chchange.htm

Our July conference, “Leaps of Imagination: Fact, Fiction, & Fantasy,” is only one week away.  If you are registered, remember that we’re offering “First Page” feedback from editors and agents on Sunday afternoon.  Read on for more details…

“If the first page doesn’t grab me, I stop reading.”  How many times have you heard an agent or editor say this at a conference? And how does your first page measure up? Would you like a chance to find out? Bring the first 24 lines – NOT sentences! – of your favorite work-in-progress, double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman. Please include age group and genre on top, but no names or titles. We’ll collect entries on Saturday and select as many as we can for the Sunday panel of esteemed agents, editors – and maybe even a surprise guest! WARNING: Not for the faint-hearted. Our panelists will try to be kind as well as constructive… but there are no guarantees!

Our 2-day SCBWI conference, “Leaps of Imagination: Fact, Fiction, & Fantasy,” is just two weeks away (July 17 & 18, 2010), but there’s still time to register.  Scroll down on this blog to read full details and find a downloadable registration form.  We are excited about our great line-up of speakers and our new location at The Bishop Claggett Retreat Center.  I think you’ll love the modern facility in the midst of Maryland’s rolling countryside.

The planning committee and I hope to see you there!

It seems many people are waiting until the last minute to submit requests for critiques.  This is a final nudge to do so now, as the deadline is Saturday, June 26th.

For manuscript critiques: (1) register for the conference and include an extra $50 (per critique) in your payment, (2) email up to 15 double-spaced pages of one manuscript, including a cover page stating intended age group, genre, and a brief summary/synopsis, to Naomi Milliner at naomiwm@verizon.net , (3) mail a printed copy to: Naomi Milliner, Box 253, Olney, MD 20832, postmarked by Saturday, June 26, 2010.

For art portfolio critiques: Include the $45 fee with your registration. Send Susan Detwiler <susandetwiler@comcast.net> an email to receive your critique time. Do NOT send original artwork in the mail.

Prior to the conference, you will be assigned a 15-minute time slot to meet with your reviewer.

We are very pleased to announce the two winners of this year’s Jack Reid Scholarship:

author Diana Van Dyke for her YA manuscript, Spy in the Mirror

and

illustrator Evan Jensen for his illustrations posted below.

Both winners will receive free registration to our July 17 & 18, 2010 SCBWI Conference, “Leaps of Imagination: Fact, Fiction, & Fantasy.”   Two scholarships are awarded annually in honor and memory of longtime regional member and volunteer, Jack Reid.  Congratulations to our winners and a big “Thank You” to our selection committee!

Tailspinning by Evan Jensen

Sparky by Evan Jensen

New Marketing Entries Gleaned from recent issues of Children’s Writer.

Jenny Bent started The Bent Agency in 2009 and is now joined by Susan Hawk, who is looking for writers of Middle Grade and YA novels.  Send her literary novels with strong character development, especially if they are fantastical, history-based mysteries for boys.  But she’s pretty much open to anything.  She was raised in Bethesda, MD and has worked as marketer for the Penguin Group.  Check out the website for submissions information.  www.thebentagency.com.  But do not send her picture books or textbooks.

If you have a background in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Pacific Press Publishing Association’s magazine, Primary Treasure, is looking for articles relevant to children in grades 1 to 4 who attend Sabbath School.  Stories must be true and must relate to how a child learns about her relationship to the Creator.  www.primarytreasure.com (More information about this magazine may be found on page 198 of the Magazine Markets for Children’s Writers 2010.)

Cedar Fort is another religion affiliated press—this time the Church of Later Day Saints (Mormon)—but they do publish stories for the general, trade market and are looking for authors to write middle-grade or YA novels.  They also have an interest in non-fiction, but do want the stories to be uplifting.  Their website is www.cedarfort.com and they are listed on page 156 in Book Markets for Children’s Writers 2010.

Thank you, Sarah!

1. The deadline for the Jack Reid Scholarship submissions is Friday, June 11, 2010.  We’ve received a number of writers’ applications, but no illustrators’ applications thus far, and we’d love to give 2 scholarships—one to a writer and one to an illustrator!
2. A block of rooms has been reserved at Hilton Garden Inn of Frederick, 7226 Corporate Court, Frederick, MD 21703.  Phone is 240-566-1500. Mention SCBWI to get the special rate of $109.00 per night or go to this link to reserve online. Book by June 18^th to receive reduced rate.
3. Illustrators, we’ve been working hard to make this a valuable conference for you!  For the first time we’re offering an “Illustrator’s First Look,” a free opportunity for professional feedback on your work. Send 3 jpeg images at 72 dpi, each 10″ maximum on a side, to susandetwiler@comcast.net with First Look in subject line by June 26, 2010.
4. The Manuscript Critique and Art Portfolio Review deadline is June 26, 2010.
5. Conference registration deadline is July 7, 2010.  Be sure to get your spot at our July 17, & 18, 2010 conference.

Scroll down to previous blog posts for complete conference details.

Dear Regional Members,

We are co-sponsoring a Kidlit Drinks Night with the Mid-Atlantic region to be held Friday, June 25, 2010  from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at R.F.D. (Regional Food and Drink) Washington, D.C., 810 7th St. NW.  It’s within walking distance of the Convention Center, where the ALA is being held.  So, if you’re attending ALA, please plan on joining us, too!  The event is FREE and we’ll be having free munchies, along with a cash bar.  We do need you to RSVP, so we’ll have an idea of numbers.

Please email SCBWIparty@yahoo.com to let Tami Lewis Brown and Sara Lewis Holmes know you are coming.

See http://www.lovethebeer.com/rfd-directions.html for directions.  It’s also accessible from 8th street.

Hope to see you there!

Edie Hemingway