Letters and Lines - SCBWI Rocky Mountain

Illustration copyright Karen Limb Windness, 2008
Letters and Lines
Fall Conference for Children’s Writers and Illustrators
Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21, 2008
at the Qwest Learning and Conference Center,
Lakewood, Colorado
Presented by
the Rocky Mountain Chapter of
the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

Contents
Schedule of Events.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Lunch Menu Descriptions................................ 3
Expanded Schedule with Session Descriptions
Saturday Sessions.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Sunday Sessions. ..................................... 6
Featured Speakers .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Special Instructions for Optional Sessions .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Registration Fees....................................... 11
The Vickie Ferguson Children’s Writer Scholarship........ 11
Hotel Options.......................................... 12
Directions to Qwest Learning and Conference Center .. . . 12
Information Form .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Registration Form.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rocky Mountain Chapter website: www.rmcsbwi.org
For more information contact:
Denise Vega, Co-Regional Advisor, denise@rmcscbwi.org
Christine Liu Perkins, Co-Regional Advisor, chris.rmcscbwi@gmail.com
Todd Tuell, Assistant Regional Advisor, ttuell@yahoo.com
Thank you to Karen Limb Windness for the cover art. ‐ http://mudpuppystudios.com
Thank you to Gayle Croissant-Madden for the brochure design. ‐ http://www.cardigras.com

Schedule of Events
Day 1, Saturday, September 20, 2008
7:45 – 8:30 General Registration, Check-in for Author and
Illustrator Book Sales, Book Sales, Continental
breakfast
8:00 – 8:45 Pre-Conference Session (choose one)
• Children’s Publishing 101 – Denise Vega
• The ABC’S of Illustrating for the Children’s
Book Market – Bobbi Collier-Morales
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome
9:15 – 10:00 Keynote: Risk, Luck, and Other 4-Letter Words –
Bruce Hale
10:00 – 10:15 Break, Refreshments
10:15 – 11:15 (choose one)
• The Pitch – Selling Your Manuscript in a
Sentence – John Rudolph
• “Voice” Lessons: Making Your Story Speak for
Itself – Melissa Manlove
• So You Want to be a Botanical Artist? –
Carolyn Crawford
11:15 – 11:25 Break
11:25 – 12:25 (choose one)
• To Market, to Market, to Buy . . . WHAT?? –
Barry Goldblatt
• Make Your Story Unputdownable –
Bruce Hale
• Web Marketing and Your Future –
Cherish Flieder
12:30 – 1:45 Lunch, Networking, Book Sales
2:00 – 3:15 (choose one) – note this is a longer session
• First Pages with Joy Neaves
• First Pages with Barry Goldblatt
• Authors’ Professional Roundtable: Marketing
Yourself and Your Books
• Portfolio Review of Artists Represented by
Portfolio Solutions – Bernadette Szost
3:15 – 3:45 Break, Refreshments, Book Sales, Autographing,
Public Viewing of Portfolios
3:45 – 4:45 (choose one)
• Agents & Editors Corner – Barry Goldblatt,
Melissa Manlove, Joy Neaves, John Rudolph,
Bernadette Szost
• Illustrating for Independent Publishers –
Cherish Flieder
4:45– 5:00 Announcements, Door Prizes, Evaluations,
Farewell
Please note that schedule details are subject to change.
See Page 4 and 5 for session descriptions.
Day 2, Sunday, September 21, 2008
7:45 – 8:30 General Registration, Continental Breakfast
8:45 – 9:00 Welcome
9:00 – 9:50 (choose one)
• Online Critique Groups: A Busy Writer’s Best
Friend – Cheryl Reifsnyder
• First Pages with Melissa Manlove
• The Artist-Agent Relationship –
Bernadette Szost
9:50 –10:00 Break, refreshments
10:00 – 10:50 (choose one)
• Exploring Theme – Joy Neaves
• Git R Done – Lauren Myracle
• Digital Color – “Help! The Printer is Speaking
Geek!” – Danlyn Iantorno
10:50 – 11:00 Break
11:00 – 11:50 (choose one)
• LM + BG = BFF with Lauren Myracle and
Barry Goldblatt
• Becoming an Authorpreneur – Bruce Hale
• Illustration Critique Session with
John Rudolph, Senior Editor/ Putnam
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 1:15 Door prizes, Evaluations, Farewell
Please note that schedule details are subject to change.
See Page 6 for session descriptions.
Lunch Menu Descriptions
Following are full description of the lunch choices.
Saturday Lunch choices:
• Chicken Breasts, Artichokes & Rice – chicken breasts
baked with sautéed artichoke hearts and mushrooms in
sherry-rosemary sauce
• Stir-Fried Vegetables with Brown Rice (Vegan)–
broccoli, carrots, cabbage, mushrooms and baby carrots
stir-fried with vegetable broth and garlic
Sunday Lunch choices:
• Turkey Club Wraps -- roasted turkey with bacon, lettuce,
and tomato with honey Dijon dressing in a flavored
tortilla
• Tuscan Burrito (Vegan) – tomato tortilla filled with
turmeric rice, hummus, roasted peppers, eggplant, and
red onions
Please indicate your preference on the registration
form on the last page.
Page 3

Expanded Saturday Schedule with Descriptions
8:00 – 8:45 Pre-Conference Session
o Children’s Publishing 101– Denise Vega
How do I get started in children’s publishing? What’s the “slush
pile”? What’s the difference between a chapter book and a book
with chapters? Join RMC-SCBWI Co-RA and author Denise Vega in a
short informational tour. She’ll cover some of the terminology of the
industry, the types and levels of children’s books, submission etiquette
and the process of submitting, manuscript formatting, and anything
else she can squeeze in! Come with questions and an empty hand for
handouts. Recommended for those new to children’s publishing but all
are welcome.
o The ABC’S of Illustrating for the Children’s Book Market –
Bobbi Collier-Morales
For attendees that are beginning their illustration career in the
children’s market, this session will cover the basics. We’ll talk about
different areas of illustration for children, what makes a strong portfolio
presentation, the basics of creating a story board, terminology,
finished art, basic business needs, and pertinent industry information.
9:15 – 10:00
o Risk, Luck, and Other 4-Letter Words – Bruce Hale
It’s hard to leap a 20-foot chasm in two 10-foot jumps – take it from
someone who’s tried. In a humorous, inspiring presentation, bestselling
author Bruce Hale reflects on hard-earned lessons of the writing life, and
how taking a chance – in writing and in life – will help your work reach
the next level of success.
10:15 – 11:15
o The Pitch – Selling Your Manuscript in a Sentence –
John Rudolph
With editors’ submission piles reaching monumental heights, it’s more
important than ever to be able to explain your project clearly and succinctly.
Through exercises and discussion, we’ll explore techniques for
nailing down a good, brief description of your manuscript that will get
readers (and editors) excited about your work.
o “Voice” Lessons: Making Your Story Speak for Itself –
Melissa Manlove
There are few elements as powerfully attractive to editors as strong
voice. Voice can convey mood, place, and personality, and is the most
subtle way of showing-not-telling. This workshop will expand attendees’
awareness of voice and give them practice in making the small choices
that can make a big difference.
o So You Want to be a Botanical Artist? – Carolyn Crawford
What do you need to know to do botanical illustration? This presentation
will focus on the various kinds of botanical illustration, such as
popular book illustration, flower painting for gallery exposure, or purely
scientific illustration, such as descriptions of species new to science for
botanical journals or floristic treatments for regional floras. Carolyn will
“walk you through” what you need to know for each. She will also discuss
the various media commonly used in botanical art and show you
some visual examples of contemporary artists using each.
11:25 – 12:25
o To Market, to Market, to Buy . . . WHAT?? – Barry Goldblatt
A snapshot of the current children’s publishing market, what’s working,
what isn’t, and what to expect down the line.
o Make Your Story Unputdownable – Bruce Hale
What makes a story riveting? In a word: Suspense. Every story, from
the simplest picture book to the darkest detective fiction, relies on
suspense to drive the plot. But how do you build suspense? This session
shows you how to construct a character worthy of concern, set
the hook, ratchet up the tension – and above all, keep your readers
reading.
o Web Marketing and Your Future – Cherish Flieder
It’s undeniable that there is a growing connection between the internet
and your ability to market yourself as a writer or illustrator. Learn
how you can holistically and strategically use resources on the web to
promote, sell and connect with your target audience, while streamlining
the building of your “brand” in style!
2:00 – 3:15
o First Pages with Joy Neaves, Editor/ Front Street
Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall as an editor reads that crucial
first page of your manuscript? In this session, you will see and hear
an editor’s initial reaction to actual first pages submitted by conference
attendees. See “Special Instructions for Optional Sessions” for
details on how to submit your first page.
o First Pages with Barry Goldblatt, Agent/ Barry Goldblatt
Literary
You want the straight scoop on your manuscript’s first pages? In these
assessments, Barry promises his fair but straightforward, no sugarcoated
response to actual first pages submitted by conference attendees.
Please, no picture books or non-fiction for this First Pages session.
See “Special Instructions for Optional Sessions” for details on how to
submit your first page.
o Authors’ Professional Roundtable: Marketing Yourself and
Your Books
Come share your tips, tricks, and questions for getting the word out
about yourself and your books. Are you using YouTube? MySpace? Virtual
book tours? Blogs? What have been your successful strategies for
getting school and library visits? Unsuccessful strategies? Please come
prepared to discuss what has and has not worked for you as you try to
get yourself and your book noticed in a crowded marketplace, as well
as questions you have about things you’d like to try. Recommended
for published authors but all are welcome; moderated by author and
Co-Regional Advisor Denise Vega.
Page 4

Expanded Saturday Schedule with Descriptions
o Portfolio Review of Artists Represented by Portfolio
Solutions – Bernadette Szost
This session will be a general discussion on the suitability of art styles
for various markets, including trade, trade mass market, educational,
toy manufacturers, etc. Bernadette will provide hard copy printed
samples from each artist represented by Portfolio Solutions, LLC, for
distribution and discussion among each class participant. She will then
open the session to a group discussion/critique of each artist’s work. If
there is enough time, she will ask participants to give their opinions of
the market type for each artist’s style and their reasoning behind their
choices.
NOTE: Bernadette will also be offering a limited number of private critique
appointments during the conference. See “Special Instructions
for Optional Sessions” for details on how to register for a one-on-one
portfolio critique.
3:15 – 3:45
o Break, Refreshments, Book Sales, Autographing, Public
Viewing of Portfolios
Take a break, buy a book, have some refreshments, and enjoy the
fabulous art by our illustrators. Also, authors and illustrators will be
available to autograph books purchased at the book table.
3:45 – 4:45
o Agents & Editors Corner with Barry Goldblatt, Melissa
Manlove, Joy Neaves, John Rudolph, and Bernadette Szost
(moderated)
The editors and agents will briefly describe their houses or agencies
and their acquisition process. They will then answer questions about
what catches their eye and what makes them groan in a manuscript or
illustration.
o Illustrating for Independent Publishers – Cherish Flieder
It takes courage to meet the challenges of illustrating for the everrising
number of independent publishers, not to mention a lot of hard
work and common sense. Cherish will teach you how to negotiate win/
win agreements, interview prospective clients, assemble a team of
professionals, create a realistic production schedule and launch a book
with a marketing plan in mind.
Page 5

Expanded Sunday Schedule with Descriptions
9:00 – 9:50
o Online Critique Groups: A Busy Writer’s Best Friend –
Cheryl Reifsnyder
As a writer, one of the best things you can do for your craft is to join a
critique group—but finding the right group can seem impossible. How
do you hook up with other writers when you (a) have a young child
at home, (b) live off the beaten path, or (c) are so incredibly scheduled
that you can’t meet during the hours most people consider normal?
Come find out why an online critique group might be a perfect fit for
your busy life. You’ll learn about the different types of online groups,
how to find online critique groups, how to tell if a group is a good fit
for you, how to start your own online group, and how to handle submissions
and critiques in an online format.
o First Pages with Melissa Manlove, Assistant Editor/
Chronicle Books
Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall as an editor reads that crucial
first page of your manuscript? In this session, you will see and hear
an editor’s initial reaction to actual first pages submitted by conference
attendees. See “Special Instructions for Optional Sessions” for
details on how to submit your first page.
o The Artist-Agent Relationship – Bernadette Szost
In this session we will discuss the following topics: How to find an
agent, how to present yourself and your portfolio to an agent, what to
expect from an agent, what your agent expects from you, overview of
an Artist/Agent contract, and markets (if time permits).
10:00 - 10:50
o Exploring Theme – Joy Neaves
Theme is what gets your characters up in the morning. Theme is what
keeps your story from sinking. Your characters have their voice. Your
story has its voice. Theme is the writer’s voice, your voice, the voice of
your caring, your story’s soul. Theme is the answer to: Why?
11:00 - 11:50
o LM + BG = BFF with Lauren Myracle and
Barry Goldblatt
A conversation between bestselling author Lauren Myracle and her
agent Barry Goldblatt about working together, crafting and career, and
learning to say no.
o Becoming an Authorpreneur – Bruce Hale
So you wrote a book? Now comes the real work – promoting it and
building a career. With publishers doing less and less promotion, it’s
not enough for you just to be an author. You’ve got to become an
authorpreneur – a tech-savvy author who connects with readers and
takes full responsibility for success. This session will get you started.
o Illustration Critique Session with John Rudolph,
Senior Editor/ Putnam
This group-format session will feature anonymous illustrations
reviewed on large screen. Up to four images per illustrator will be
reviewed. Each submission will be evaluated for:
• Marketability
• Effectiveness for age group and book type
• Overall strength and weakness
• Suggestions for improvement
• Possible publisher recommendation for style
Additional illustrations will be critiqued as time permits. Join fellow
illustrators and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to learn
from a publishing leader.
See “Special Instructions for Optional Sessions” for details on how to
submit your illustrations by August 29.
o Git R Done – Lauren Myracle
Many insanely talented folks write a book and get it published. Just
as many insanely talented folks don’t—probably more. What’s up with
that? Come chat with Lauren as she shares far too many personal
stories of rejection, humiliation, and what finally made her writing
career take off. Oh, and she’ll talk about other writers, too. She’s happy
to overshare about their experiences, too.
o Digital Color – “Help! The Printer is Speaking Geek!” –
Danlyn Iantorno
Ever wonder why the printed piece doesn’t resemble your art? Learn
how to maintain consistency and get the best results possible.
Covered topics include:
• Software programs and when to use them.
• Resolution and how to select the right one.
• File extensions demystified.
• Color formats and why you need to choose the right one.
• File transfer techniques.
Page 6

Featured Speakers
Illustration has been a passion in Bobbi Collier-Morales’ life since she was a child.
Her career started 28 years ago, and has grown and expanded as the skills, equipment
and industry has changed. She’s illustrated for the trade book, mass market,
religious and educational markets. In the last three years, she’s added licensing
and designing to her resume. “I’ve been doing this long enough that I’ve seen our
industry change drastically since I started. Learning the ropes takes effort and a good
network of others who are professionals to help navigate the publishing maze. I’ve
learned from some of the best, had some hard lessons and have been given a hand
up by many generous people. I want to return that favor to illustrators who are new
to the market.” Learn more at www.robertacolliermorales.com.
Botanical artist Carolyn Crawford of Louisville has had one-person shows at
botanical gardens in St. Louis, San Francisco, and Denver. She was awarded the
Grenfell Silver Medal from London’s Royal Horticultural Society in 1988. Her various
passions include field botany with a focus on the Milkweed Family (Apocynaceae
s. l.); entertaining, especially for Halloween; and her two cats and her family.
Cherish Flieder has been illustrating and designing non-stop for the last ten
years. She has worked with numerous small and independent publishers, helping
them to develop award-winning books. This led her to develop strategic marketing
strategies for print and web materials. Much of Cherish’s marketing expertise
stems from working on projects for Tehama (Clint Eastwood), Arnold Palmer and
IZOD G golf fashion lines. She graduated summa cum laude with two BFA degrees
from Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design and Colorado Christian University.
Cherish and her illustrator husband, Benjamin Hummel, work together out of their
studio in Golden, Colorado. She has two websites: www.cherishedsolutions.com
and www.somethingtocherish.com.
Barry Goldblatt opened his literary agency in September 2000, after an 11-year
career in the rights and contracts departments at various publishing houses,
including Dutton Children’s Books, Dial Books for Young Readers, The Putnam &
Grosset Group, and Orchard Books. Information about his agency can be found
at www.bgliterary.com.
Edgar-nominated author Bruce Hale has written or illustrated more than 20
seriously funny books for children, including the popular Chet Gecko Mysteries
series and the comics-novel hybrid, Underwhere. An actor and Fulbright Scholar
in Storytelling, Bruce is in demand as a speaker, having presented at conferences,
universities, and schools across North America – from the Maui Writers Conference
to the Surrey International Writers Conference in British Columbia. His acting
resume includes regional commercials, theater, and an independent film, The
Ride. Check out his newsletter of writing tips at www.brucetalks.com.
Page 7

Featured Speakers
Danlyn Iantorno is the owner of Painted Olive Studios and has been a fulltime
artist for over 25 years. An extensive background in publishing, licensed
products, graphics and illustration provides her professional expertise. She
is an Illustrator Coordinator for SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators), active member of CAI (Colorado Alliance of Illustrators), NAPP
(National Assoc. of Photoshop Professionals) and a featured illustrator for
SGAI (Specialty Graphic Imaging Assoc.). Her work is shown in galleries and
has been published nationally. To view Danlyn’s work, please visit
www.Danlyn.info
Melissa Manlove is Assistant Editor at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. She
has been with Chronicle for four years. She acquires picture books, chapter
books, middle grade and YA, and is passionate about all genres and topics in
children’s books, with the exception of religious themes. When acquiring, she
looks for fresh takes on familiar topics as well as the new and unusual. More
important than topic, however, is an effective approach and strong, graceful
writing. She is a member of the SCBWI and has 10 years of children’s bookselling
experience.
Lauren Myracle has written squillions of books for tweens and teens,
including the best-selling Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen series and the bestselling
Internet Girls series. (And not to worry, the Internet Girls are not a porn
circle. That’s just the goofy name the New York Times came up with when
the series hit the NYT Best-Seller list.) She also co-wrote the novel How to Be
Bad with coolio YA authors Sarah Mlynowski and E. Lockhart. Readers have
described her work as “totally ah-may-sing” and “so funny I almost peed my
pants.” Her favorite comment, however, was when a fan wrote in, “I can’t
believe these books were written by a—cough, cough—grown-up.” You can
find out more about Lauren at laurenmyracle.com.
Joy Neaves, Editor/Front Street, began working at Front Street in 1999 as
assistant to the publisher soon after graduating from the University of North
Carolina at Asheville with a degree in literature and language. Since becoming
a Front Street editor, she has worked with novelists Andrea Cheng, Zu
Vincent, Shenaaz Nanji, Emily Smith Pearce, Lindsay Lee Johnson, and Adam
Osterweil; the poet Charlotte Pomerantz; and the illustrators Craig Smith,
David Udovic, Candice Hartsough McDonald, Nicole Wong, and Rob Shepperson.
She has overseen the publication of several foreign authors, including
Australian writers Judith Clarke (Printz Honor winner) and Steven Herrick
and the Swedish writer Per Nilsson.
Page 8

Featured Speakers
Cheryl Reifsnyder writes in Boulder, CO, where she lives with one sweetheart,
two energetic boys, two bouncy dogs, and a small mammal menagerie.
She merges a background in science with a love for writing to work as
a medical writer, a commissioned science writer for Highlights for Children,
and a contracted work-for-hire writer working on a 12-book series of science
books for the educational market. She is a two time winner of the Paul
Gillette Writing Contest, Children’s Category, and her articles, crafts, and short
stories have appeared in Highlights for Children, Cricket, and Spider Magazine—probably
due to the excellent feedback provided by three wonderful
critique groups, one of which is online. She keeps a blog at http://cherylreifsnyder.blogspot.com/
and her website is www.cherylreifsnyder.com.
John Rudolph is a Senior Editor at G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of the Penguin
Young Readers Group. He edits picture books, middle-grade and young
adult novels, and a small number of nonfiction titles. Among the authors
and illustrators he’s been lucky enough to work with are Pete Seeger, Tomie
dePaola, Richard Michelson, Nathaniel Philbrick, Padma Venkatraman, Jack
Higgins, Brenda Woods, Pete Hautman, R. Gregory Christie, Steve Schindler,
Mary Azarian, and Wendy Anderson Halperin.
Born in Cheltenham, England, Bernadette Szost came from an accounting
background. She started working for PGI, a well established Connecticut
agency 1986. In 1999, Portfolio Solutions, LLC was formed with the support,
guidance and help of the former agent as she readied herself for retirement.
When not behind her desk at the agency, you can find her either on horseback,
spending time with her own dogs or volunteering for German Shepherd
rescue. She lives in Dutchess County, New York with her ever supportive
and adored husband of 28 years, four horses, four dogs and three cats.
For more information, see www.portfoliosolutionsllc.com.
Denise Vega wrote five novels for young people before her sixth novel—
Click Here (To Find Out How I Survived Seventh Grade)—was accepted for
publication in 2003. Click Here went on to become a bestselling title for the
Scholastic Book Fairs/Clubs, won the Colorado Book Award for Young Adult
Literature, and was a 2008 Louisiana Reader’s Choice Nominee. Her latest
young adult novel is Fact of Life #31 and she has three other books (toddler
through novel) scheduled for publication in 2008 and 2009. Denise is a
Co-Regional Advisor of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI and lives in
Denver with her family. Find out more at www.denisevega.com.
Page 9

Special Instructions
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTIONAL SESSIONS
FIRST PAGES Critiques with Joy Neaves or Barry Goldblatt
(Saturday) or Melissa Manlove (Sunday)
Bring ONE COPY of your first page (no cover sheets). At the
check-in/registration table, we will have containers marked
with the names of the Editors and Agent who will review First
Pages. We encourage you to study the brochure information
and interviews on our website about each editor and agent so
you can find the best match for your page. Please choose only
ONE container to drop your first page in to enable as many
writers as possible to receive feedback. This is one of the rare
times you’ll be allowed to submit anything other than proper
manuscript formatting. For First Pages, use one-inch margins
all around, double-spaced, 12-point Times. Center your title at
the top, drop down two spaces, and start your text. In the upper
right corner note whether it’s a picture book, middle grade or
YA novel, or non-fiction. Your name is optional. The editor or
agent will draw randomly from the pile and s/he or a moderator
will read your submission out loud after which the editor or
agent will provide feedback.
NOTE: Agent Barry Goldblatt is fair but blunt, so keep that in
mind as you decide who is best to receive your First Page. He
also requests no picture books and no non-fiction.
PORTFOLIO ONE-ON-ONE CRITIQUES with
Bernadette Szost
A limited number of 30-minute private critique sessions are
available to conference registrants. Illustrators are welcome
to bring their portfolio as it is for a discussion, but they should
choose their four strongest pieces to get an in-depth critique
on first. During your time together, Bernadette will discuss your
works, strengths, and areas you wish to pursue. These one-onone
sessions are offered at $30 each. Check the box on your
registration form to request and pay for a critique session. If
you do not receive a spot, we will refund your critique fee.
Questions? Contact Bobbi Collier-Morales at:
robertacm@comcast.net.
PREPARING ILLUSTRATION SUBMISSIONS
for Illustration Critique Session with editor John Rudolph
(Sunday)
In an effort to provide all attendees with an editor critique, a
group format session will be utilized with Power Point images.
Each attendee may submit up to four illustrations with two
guaranteed a critique. Each slide will be anonymous and critiqued
on-screen. All session attendees may submit files. Please
e-mail the following:
• Four illustrations (at least two will be critiqued)
• JPG files, 200 dpi, RGB
• Place your art on a WHITE background, 400 pixels x 400 pixels
• Provide age category: Baby, Toddler, Pre-School, K-3, 4-6,
Tween, Teen
• Provide publishing category: Picture Book, Chapter Book,
Graphic Novel, Magazine, Educational
• E-mail to AskMe@Danlyn.info
• DEADLINE August 29, 2008
CRITIQUE CLINIQUE
Critique Clinique is a unique opportunity to have your writing
professionally critiqued, so start preparing your manuscripts.
All qualified manuscripts will receive a written critique and a
one-on-one appointment with their critiquers at the conference.
Unlike writing contests, the Manuscript Critique provides
each entrant a valuable and constructive critique from either an
author, an agent or an editor.
Go to our website www.rmcscbwi.org for full details on
submitting for one-on-one critiques.
MEMBER BOOK SALE
If you are a member of SCBWI, have a children’s book you’ve authored
or illustrated, and will be attending the Fall Conference
on September 20-21, 2008, you may have your book(s) included
in the Member Book Sale.
Check our website www.rmcscbwi.org for instructions.
Page 10

Registration Fees
Saturday and Sunday Registration (2 days)
SCBWI member postmarked by 8/10/08 - $199
postmarked after 8/10/08 - $225
Non-SCBWI member postmarked by 8/10/08 - $225
postmarked after 8/10/08 - $250
Saturday ONLY Registration
SCBWI member postmarked by 8/10/08 - $125
postmarked after 8/10/08 - $150
Non-SCBWI member postmarked by 8/10/08 - $150
postmarked after 8/10/08 - $175
Sunday ONLY Registration
SCBWI member postmarked by 8/10/08 - $99
postmarked after 8/10/08 - $125
Non-SCBWI member postmarked by 8/10/08 - $125
postmarked after 8/10/08 - $150
Private portfolio critique session
with Bernadette Szost - $30
Vickie Ferguson Memorial Scholoraship
The Vickie Ferguson Memorial Children’s Writer
Scholarship honors the memory of Vickie Ferguson,
long-time member of RMC-SCBWI. The memorial will
be offering one or more full or partial scholarships to
the Fall Conference. You must be a member of SCBWI
(full or associate), Rocky Mountain Chapter, to be
eligible.
Vickie was devoted to her writing and this scholarship
seeks to support those writers who are committed
to their craft and are actively writing.
To apply, please write a short essay, 250 words or less,
about why you write for young readers. Let us know
what your current projects are and your goals for
your writing.
Do NOT include your name or contact information
on your essay. Staple a SEPARATE cover page to
your essay with your name, address, phone number,
e-mail address, and SCBWI membership status (full
or associate). We will number each essay so judging
can occur anonymously. Please send your essay and
separate cover sheet to be received by SATURDAY,
JULY 19 to:
Vickie Ferguson Memorial Scholarship
Anna-Maria Crum
7752 E. Arizona Dr.
Denver, CO 80231
Deadline: Entries must be received by SATURDAY,
JULY 19. The winner(s) will be notified prior to the
conference and conference fees paid for by RMC-
SCBWI using scholarship funds. If you’ve already
paid for the conference, your registration fee will be
reimbursed. The scholarship will also cover the cost
of a critique if you registered for one.
DONATIONS. If you wish to donate, there are two
ways to do so:
1. Send your donation
(NOT your essay) to:
Vickie Ferguson Memorial Fund
c/o Caroline Stutson
7288 S. Sundown Cir
Littleton, CO 80120
2. Visit a local Wells Fargo Bank. Ask a banker to look
up the Fund by name and make a donation directly.
Please note that because the fund is not classified
as a charity, your donation cannot be considered
a charitable donation for tax purposes. Check with
your accountant to see if it qualifies for any other
deduction.
Thank you for keeping Vickie’s memory alive and
for supporting writers of children’s literature.
Page 11

Hotel Options
Qwest Learning and Conference Center (QLCC)
3898 South Teller Street, Lakewood
Contact: Conference Center Hotel Front Desk at
(720) 962-4000. RMC-SCBWI has reserved a block of rooms
at $99.00 per night; mention you’re with our conference.
Best Western Denver Southwest
3440 South Vance Street, Lakewood
(303) 989-5500, about 1 mile from QLCC. Rate per night:
$79.99, 10% off for AAA or AARP members.
Super 8 Motel Lakewood/Denver
7240 West Jefferson Avenue, Lakewood
(303) 989-4600, less than 1 mile from QLCC. Rate per
night: $69.00; pets allowed.
Residence Inn by Marriott Denver Southwest/Lakewood
7050 West Hampden Avenue, Lakewood
(303) 985-7676, about .5 mile from QLCC. Rate per night:
$99.00.
La Quinta Inn and Suites
Denver Southwest/Lakewood
7190 West Hampden Avenue, Lakewood,
(303) 969-9700, about .5 mile from QLCC. Rate per night:
$75.00 for two persons with two double beds or $80.00
for two persons with 1 king bed.
Holiday Inn Denver
7390 West Hampden Avenue, Lakewood
(303) 980-9200, about .5 mile from QLCC. Rate per night:
$89.99.
Comfort Suites Southwest
7260 West Jefferson Avenue, Lakewood
(303) 988-8600, less than 1 mile from QLCC.
Rate per night: $109.00 for 1 king bed (for single, double,
or triple occupancy) includes living room area with pullout
sofa; $119.00 for 2 queen beds (for single, double, or
triple occupancy) includes living room area with pull-out
sofa. 10% off for AAA or AARP members.
The rates may have changed and may not include taxes, service charges, fees, extra person
charges, or other incidentals. Please check with each hotel for details.
Directions to the Conference
The conference will be held at:
Qwest Learning and Conference Center (QLCC)
3898 South Teller
Lakewood, CO 80235
(720) 692-4000
For driving directions, see:
http://www.qwestlearningandconferencecenter.com/
directions.htm
For driving directions in a PDF version:
http://www.qwestlearningandconferencecenter.com/pix/
pdf/Driving_to_QLCC.pdf
After driving into the QLCC parking lot, continue on to
available parking spaces on the right or around the back
of the building.
Enter the building through the doors by a blue sign
labeled, “Qwest Education and Development, Lakewood
Campus.” In the lobby will be our conference registration
tables.
(Note: After you go through registration and receive a security
badge, you will be able to enter and exit from other
doors around the building.)
Page 12

SCBWI INFORMATION FORM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS:
To help us in assigning our meeting rooms for adequate
space, please check the boxes for which breakout sessions
you tentatively plan to attend. You will not be held to your
choices. Full descriptions of sessions are on pages 4-6.
SATURDAY Breakout Sessions
8:00 - 8:45 (Choose one)
o Children’s Publishing 101 – Denise Vega
o ABC’s of Illustrating – Bobbi Collier-Morales
10:15 - 11:15 (Choose one)
o The Pitch – John Rudolph
o “Voice” Lessons – Melissa Manlove
o Botanical Artist? – Carolyn Crawford
11:25 - 12:25 (Choose one)
o To Market – Barry Goldblatt
o Story Unputdownable – Bruce Hale
o Web Marketing – Cherish Flieder
2:00 - 3:15 (Choose one)
o First Pages – Joy Neaves
o First Pages – Barry Goldblatt
o Authors’ Professional Roundtable
o Portfolio Review – Bernadette Szost
m Yes, I’m also requesting a one-on-one critique
appointment with Bernadette for $30 extra
m No, I’m not requesting a one-on-one critique
appointment
3:45 - 4:45 (Choose one)
o Agents and Editors Corner
o Illustrating for Independent Publishers –
Cherish Flieder
SUNDAY Breakout Sessions
9:00 - 9:50 (Choose one)
o Online Critique Groups – Cheryl Reifsnyder
o First Pages – Melissa Manlove
o Artist-Agent Relationship – Bernadette Szost
10:00 - 10:50 (Choose one)
o Exploring Theme – Joy Neaves
o Git R Done – Lauren Myracle
o Digital Color – Danlyn Iantorno
11:00 - 11:50 (Choose one)
o LM +BG = BFF with Lauren & Barry
o Authorpreneur – Bruce Hale
o Illustration Critique Session – John Rudolph
m Yes, I will send illustrations for critique before
August 29
m No, I won’t be sending illustrations for critique
SATURDAY DINNER GROUPS (Optional)
Do you want to get to know a speaker or your fellow
conference attendees better? We are coordinating smallgroup
dinners at various nearby restaurants with Saturday
faculty members, following the sessions on Saturday
evening. The cost of the dinner is not included in the
conference registration fees and is the responsibility of
each participant. More details are available online at www.
rmcscbwi.org.
I would like to join the small group going to dinner with
the following speaker (please rank in order of preference):
____ Barry Goldblatt
____ Bruce Hale
____ Melissa Manlove
____ Joy Neaves
____ John Rudolph
____ Bernadette Szost
____ Denise Vega
____ Danlyn Iantorno
____ Bobbi Collier-Morales
____ any group (group may or may not include a
speaker; you mainly want dinner companions)
____ if the groups ranked above are full, I prefer no
dinner group assignment
Please fill out this form and send it in with your registration.
Thank you!
Page 13

SCBWI REGISTRATION FORM — Fall Conference, September 20-21, 2008
Name ____________________________________________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________________ State _________________Zip___________________
E-mail address ____________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone ( ______ ) __________________________
I am an: o Author o Illustrator o Author/Illustrator o ______________________ (please specify)
I am a: o Full SCBWI member o Associate SCBWI member o not yet an SCBWI member
Saturday and Sunday Registration (2 days)
$______ SCBWI member postmarked o by 8/10/08 $199 o after 8/10/08 $225
$______ Non-SCBWI member postmarked o by 8/10/08 $225 o after 8/10/08 $250
Saturday ONLY Registration
$______ SCBWI member postmarked o by 8/10/08 $125 o after 8/10/08 $150
$______ Non-SCBWI member postmarked o by 8/10/08 $150 o after 8/10/08 $175
Sunday ONLY Registration
$______ SCBWI member postmarked o by 8/10/08 $99 o after 8/10/08 $125
$______ Non-SCBWI member postmarked o by 8/10/08 $125 o after 8/10/08 $150
$______ Private portfolio critique session with Bernadette Szost $30
o either Saturday or Sunday o Saturday only o Sunday only
$______ TOTAL ENCLOSED
Lunch Choice
Saturday lunch choice: o Chicken w/Artichokes o Stir-Fried Vegetables (Vegan)
Sunday lunch choice: o Turkey Club Wrap o Tuscan Burritos (Vegan)
o I’d like confirmation of my registration via e-mail and included my e-mail address above.
o I’ve enclosed a self-addressed, stamped postcard for registration confirmation.
Mail your registration and check written out to RMC-SCBWI to:
Peggy Vicaro
RMC-SCBWI Registrar
P.O. Box 579
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
Page 14
Registration questions?
Contact Peggy Vicaro at:
registrar@rmcscbwi.org
or by phone at:
719-520-1899 (day) or 719-633-1865 (evenings).