My Takeaways from the SCBWI Handsprings Conference

• The pre-conference commenced with a Meet and Greet. The authors in Santa Fe were warm and welcoming to this California outlier.

• LOVE Santa Fe. We were there for El Dia de los Muertos. These people know how to put on a festival!

• Author Susan Wider advised us to focus on our best manuscript and SHOP IT EVERYWHERE.

• Check our Publisher’s Marketplace, PW Children’s Announcements and PW Children’s Bookshelf to see what is selling and which agents are selling it!

• What makes your writing distinctively you?? How can you make your manuscript stand out from the crowd?

• Author Diane Stanley reminded us to “not underestimate children”.

• Author/Agent Sandra Proudman said to get five manuscripts in perfect form. THEN try to find your agent.

• Shout out to Sandra Proudman who critiqued ORVIE FINDS HIS PAW POWER! three times. You are amazing! I hope we connect more in the future. I love your agenting style.

• James E Ransome, illustrator, said the purpose of revising is to make it originally your own. Think about how you can make the story more dramatic.

• Lesa Cline-Ransome gave me hope when she said it took her seven years to land her first publishing deal. Write about stories which matter to you. She had some memorable quotes:

• “Fear is a Powerful Motivator.” Lesa Cline-Ransome

• There is beauty in the truth telling”. Byron Stevenson

• “ The way to right wrong is to turn the light of truth upon them.” Ida B Wells

• Santa Fe “blessed” us with one heck of a snowstorm as we left, but luckily we left before the feet of snow descended.

• I left the conference motivated to schedule time everyday where writing is a priority.

• GO FORTH AND WRITE!