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Kite Tales

Tag Archives: picture books

Demystifying ALA Annual: How I Got There as a Picture Book Author

02 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Author's Perspective, Industry Conferences

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Abrams, American Library Association, authors, Beach Lane Books, chapter book, conferences, Graphic Novels, illustrators, Kate Messner, Katherine Roy, kidlit, librarians, MG, Nell Cross Beckerman, picture book author, picture books, publishers, SCBWI events, Scholastic Press, YA

by Nell Cross Beckerman

Pro tip #1: Use your badge lanyard as an easy way to tell people about your books! I printed these on cardstock and taped them on.

What is ALA? Who gets to go to ALA? How can I go to ALA? Will my publisher pay for me to go to ALA? What is it like going to ALA? WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH ALA??

Perhaps these questions have been floating in your head for years, easy to ignore or not contemplate for too long. That’s what it’s been like for me. But this year, as the American Library Association (ALA) held its annual conference in San Diego last month, it was impossible for me to ignore the giddy updates and photos flooding my socials with friends who were SO EXCITED TO BE AT ALA!!!! Because I was there, too.

As a traditionally published picture book author who debuted in 2020, I’m happy to share my recap of how I got to go to the conference, along with some insider tips to help demystify attending ALA Annual.

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SoCal Represents at OC Children’s Book Festival 

04 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Community Corner, SoCal, Tri-Regional News

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Amin Sharif, author-illustrator, authors, Bronwen Butter Newcott, Heather Buchta, illustrators, middle grade, Nazli Tahvili, OC Children's Book Festival, picture books, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, Shiho Pate, Susi Schaefer, Susie Yi, Tootie Nienow, YA

by Beverly Plass, RA SoCal SCBWI

Heather Buchta (left), Bronwen Butter Newcott, Susie Yi and Susi Schaefer sell their books at the OC Children’s Book Festival.

Thousands of book-loving families flocked to the OC Children’s Book Festival at Orange Coast College on October 1. The event featured hundreds of booths as well as several on-stage presentations. SoCal SCBWI hosted a booth with its published authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators.

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SCBWI CenCal Writers’ Day Winners 2023!

20 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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Alexis O'Neill Volunteer of the Year Award, Elizabeth Kuelbs, Leanne Pankuch, middle grade, Paulina Hill, picture books, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, young adult

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

The SCBWI Central-Coastal Region held its in-person Writers’ Day on Saturday, September 9, at the Camarillo Public Library. After an inspiring day of speakers and camaraderie, a few honors were presented, with the winners receiving free entry to next year’s Writers’ Day.

Congratulations to all the participants in the writing contest, including the winners:

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Navigating Your First Picture Book Writing Journey, Part 2

03 Wednesday May 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Author's Perspective, Editor's Perspective, Tips and Tools

≈ 1 Comment

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Cara J. Stevens, editing, picture books, writing, writing tips

by Cara J. Stevens

Part 2: 7 Self-editing checkpoints to take your manuscript from first draft to ready for submission

**Note: This is the second in a two-part series. To read part one, click here.**

My first post covered storytelling basics to get you to a solid first draft. Once your manuscript is complete, however, it’s far from finished!

Here are seven checkpoints to guide you once you’re ready to edit.

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Navigating Your First Picture Book Writing Journey

26 Wednesday Apr 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Author's Perspective, Editor's Perspective, Tips and Tools

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Cara J. Stevens, editing, first draft, picture books, writing, writing tips

by Cara J. Stevens

Part 1: From idea to first draft

The first time I submitted a manuscript, it was rejected within 24 hours. “This story is more instructional than engaging,” the editor said, and went on to suggest that it would make a great article. I was dismayed and confused. I thought I had written a story that hit all the notes of a good picture book. I wondered where I had gone wrong.

I reached out to a colleague who used to be a children’s book agent. “Your main character has no agency,” he pointed out. “If your main character has a problem and someone else solves it, then he’s not really your main character.” My mind was sufficiently blown. As soon as he said it, I saw it so clearly! After a lifetime of reading and exploring picture books, how could I have missed that?

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Interactive Books: The Dance Between Mechanics and Story

19 Wednesday Apr 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Author's Perspective, Illustrator's Perspective, Tips and Tools

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

author-illustrator, flip tabs, illustrating, interactive, Jackie Huang, Picky Panda, picture books, SCBWI community, writing

by Jackie Huang

Whether it’s a novelty book or a picture book, an interactive element (e.g., flip tabs, spinners, sliders, touch/feel textures, etc.) can give your book an extra level of engagement. But how do you decide if your book should have interactive elements?

Coming from a paper engineering background (i.e., I make pop-up cards), I really wanted to include some kind of interactive element in my first book. When you decide to include something interactive, there’s a special kind of dance that happens. 

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The Sue Alexander Grant Is Open for Submissions!

12 Wednesday Apr 2023

Posted by losangelesscbwi in Author's Perspective, Contests & Grants, SAG, Writers' Retreat

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Christine Van Zandt, Milkweed for Monarchs, picture books, SCBWI members, Sue Alexander, writing contests

by Christine Van Zandt

The 2023 Sue Alexander Grant contest opens tomorrow, April 13, offering one SCBWI-L.A. writer a guaranteed spot and free tuition to the Working Writers Retreat (to be held at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, September 29 to October 1, 2023). This will be the first time this popular event has been held in person since 2019!

We asked last year’s Sue Alexander Grant recipient, Christine Van Zandt, to talk about her winning manuscript:

Christine Van Zandt, 2022 Sue Alexander Grant recipient, with western monarch.

The idea for Butterfly Dreams began in May 2020, when my daughter and I bought our first milkweed plant unaware that a mother monarch had sent us home with a surprise—actually 26 surprises! Soon, our plant was covered in adorable caterpillars. We excitedly watched them grow … until something came along one night and ate every last one.

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An Interview with Karen Jameson, Picture Book Author

01 Wednesday Feb 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Author's Perspective, Central Coast

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

A Llama is not an Alpaca, authors, Karen Jameson, Moon Babies, picture books, rhyming, Time to Shine, Where the Wee Ones Go, Woodland Dreams

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

After publishing a couple of picture books, Karen Jameson retired from teaching and became a full-time author. Karen Jameson’s books include Moon Babies, illustrated by Amy Hevron (Putnam, 2019); Woodland Dreams, illustrated by Marc Boutavant (Chronicle, 2020); and Farm Lullaby, illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan. Woodland Dreams is a Keystone to Reading List Award winner and is included on Bank Street’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year List 2021.

Two more books came out last year: Where the Wee Ones Go: A Bedtime Wish for Endangered Animals, illustrated by Zosienka (Chronicle, April 2022), and Time to Shine: Celebrating the World’s Iridescent Animals, illustrated by Dave Murray (Groundwood, May 2022). Karen has books coming out in 2023 and 2024.

It’s been two years since Kite Tales interviewed her. It’s time to check in!

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Interview with Author-Illustrator Benson Shum

11 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Author's Perspective, Illustrator's Perspective

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Anzu the Great Listener, authors, Benson Shum, illustrator tips, illustrators, picture books, writing tips

Benson Shum is a Southern California author-illustrator of more than five children’s books. His latest, Anzu the Great Listener, came out January 10. It is the sequel to Anzu the Great Kaiju (2021) and a Kids’ Indie Next pick for January/February 2023.

Kite Tales: Welcome to Kite Tales, congratulations on Anzu the Great Listener! What was the original inspiration for Anzu?

Benson Shum: Thank you so much! I always loved the world of Kaijus, the idea that these monsters tower over cities and are larger than life. But I wanted to know more. What was going through their heads? Did they all want to be destructive? What if they’d rather talk to their city rather than destroy it?

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Finding Theme: The North Star for You and Your Story

19 Wednesday Oct 2022

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools

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authors, Danielle Davis, Mags DeRoma, picture book author, picture books, SCBWI members, school visits, theme, To Make, writing tips

by Danielle Davis

The North Star has always been a beacon for travelers, all over the Northern Hemisphere. A barely drifting constant. A guide. 

I believe theme functions as that same kind of beacon for every story—and storyteller.  

I’m not a mariner by any stretch, and sea sickness prevents me from even wanting to be one, but here goes: 

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Founded in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children's writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a non-profit, 501 (c)3 organization. There are currently more than 22,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regional chapters writing and illustrating in all genres for young readers, making it the largest children's writing organization in the world.

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