Thursday, May 24, 2012

Let's Ask - Question # 6

This week's Let's Ask question is for wonderful Julie Hedlund.
First, I wanted to thank Julie for being on today to answer my questions
and also give her a big birthday shout out!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!!!!


Julie Hedlund
See below for bio
My question for Julie:

Why do you think it is so important to attend a writer's conference and at what stage of your writing career should you do so?

     I think writers should attend conferences as soon and as often as they can, budgets permitting. There are writing conferences for every topic and genre under the sun, so writers have a great deal to choose from. My advice is to select the conference or conferences that address issues and topics that are closely aligned with your goals as a writer. Recognize that those goals will change, and adjust your conference attendance accordingly.

     I went to my first SCBWI Regional conference after I'd written my first PB manuscript. Not only did I learn a great deal about the craft of writing, but I started learning about the publishing landscape and how I might think about formulating a career. I learned about the importance of critique groups and set about finding one right away.

     Shortly thereafter, I went to the SCBWI National conference in New York. By then I was ready to learn the ins and outs of publishing, submitting, the difference in roles between agents and editors, etc. Since then, digital publishing has exploded and become a viable option for writers, so I attended a regional conference on digital publishing in Austin last year and then the Tools of Change conference in Bologna this year.
With several submission-ready manuscripts under my belt, I am now actively looking for an agent, so in June I am going to the New Jersey regional SCBWI conference. Being so close to New York, many agents and editors are able to attend, and I am fortunate that I was planning on being on the East Coast at that time anyway.

     I also find conferences, workshops or retreats for specific areas of craft I need to work on. I just got back from a Highlights Foundation workshop on poetry. As a picture book writer (especially one who likes to write in rhyme), I feel it is essential to understand poetic form and to study the lyricism of poetry. I had been intimidated by poetry in the past, even though I loved it, so I felt it was a way for me to stretch myself and improve.

     Now, I had a fairly long and lucrative career before I came to writing, and my husband travels so much for work that we never have to purchase plane tickets. Not all writers are in this situation, and we all have budgets. Nonetheless, all writers can find ways to attend conferences - either in person or online - with planning. Here are some ideas:

  • Decide on your budget for conferences and remember that the cost of a conference (in-person or online) is a tax-deductible business expense if you are actively working toward being published - even if you are not writing full time. Think about carpooling and sharing hotel rooms in order to keep costs down.
  • Now take a look at where you are in your writing career and what you most need to learn. Look for conferences that focus on these topics so you get the most for your money.
  • If you are unable to travel for a conference, look at local and online options. The fabulous crew of WriteOnCon puts on a FREE online conference focused on children's writing in August. It's hard to argue with a price of free, and having attended the past couple of years, I can assure you the quality is every bit as high as a paid conference. Other organizations, such as Writer's Digest, offer webinars on a wide range of topics. You can also join online communities such as the Children's Book Insider (CBI), Children's Book Hub, the Verla Kay Blueboards, and even the 12 x 12 group (when it reopens later this year). Some of these organizations charge a monthly fee, but they are always reasonable and perhaps easier to budget for than a larger one-time fee for the in-person conferences. In other words, there are options for EVERY budget. All you have to do is find ones that work for you.
  • When you do attend in-person conferences, make the most of them. Take advantage of the networking opportunities. Talk to and meet as many people as you can. Take business cards so people have a way to stay in touch with you - even if (perhaps especially if) you are pre-published. Be friendly, be yourself, but also be professional. If you meet agents and editors, don't pitch to them unless they invite you to. If you do have a critique or pitch session, come prepared and be willing to listen and take feedback. Don't take more time than you're given and don't expect an offer on the spot. That rarely happens. The good news is you've had the chance to establish a relationship now and into the future. 

Could you tell us a bit about your time at the Bologna Children's Book Fair and what your favorite experience was?

     I am very child-like when it comes to conferences, in that I still get starstruck when I meet authors I love and admire. The excitement of meeting a "famous" author never gets old. So, getting the chance to meet and talk to Katherine Paterson, one of my all-time favorite writers and a childhood hero, was most definitely the highlight. For CBI members, I wrote an article summarizing what I learned about the state of digital publishing today, and there will be another one coming in the SCBWI Bulletin in July. I'm also working on another article for CBI on what it's like to be an author at a book fair. So stay tuned for those!

Bio: Julie Hedlund is a picture book author, a member of SCBWI, CBI and Children's Book Hub, a monthly contributor to author/illustrator Katie Davis’ Brain Burps About Books podcast, and the founder and host of the 12 x 12 in 2012 picture book writing challenge. Julie’s can be found on her website at http://www.juliehedlund.com/

 

47 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Julie and thanks for all the conference insight - I have yet to attend, but high hopes, and thanks to you more incentive!

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    1. Julie, I would recommend at least putting WriteOnCon on your calendar. It's a great way to start since it's remote and, of course, FREE! :-)

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  2. Jennifer, thanks so much for helping us learn from our fellow authors. And Julie, I agree that research is the key to conferences. I've learned quickly that right now, a conference is not a good use of my time if it doesn't result in an improvement of my craft or the ability to rub elbows with agents/publishers who would be interested in my work. Since I focus on nonfiction, some conferences don't provide the opportunity for either. I recently attended one where a MG/YA agent and editor were featured and there wasn't anything focused on craft that was relevant. I've learned to be choosy. But I am excited about SCBWI in LA, where I get to do an intensive with Melissa Stewart, my idol.

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    1. And I'm excited because I'll be in LA too, so we can meet! And I totally agree that you have to be choosy and pick a conference that will help you meet your goals as a writer.

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    2. That's wonderful Kirsten, hope you a great time in at the LA conference!

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  3. Happy birthday Julie! You share a birthday with one of my favorite authors - Candace Fleming! I hope to celebrate your birthday someday on Happy Birthday Author!

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  4. Happy Birthday Julie. Some conferences don't offer editors/agents or sessions on your craft. It's important to do your homework. I hope to attend the regional SCWBI. Still weighing those plans with some other commitments. Thanks Jennifer.

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    1. Stacy, I totally agree. Or, like last year at RMC-SCBWI, there were no agents that accepted submissions from PB authors-only. That one usually works for me though because it's local and therefore less expensive. I do hope I'll see you there this fall!

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  5. Happy birthday, Julie! Thank you Julie and Jennifer for this look into the power of conferences. I jumped in at the deep end last year -- my first ever writers' conference was SCBWI LA!

    One thing I would say about that experience is that I wish I hadn't been as hung up on not attending the breakout sessions that were designated for published authors, because I found that Emma Walton Hamilton had taught us so much through the Children's Book Hub that the "beginner" breakouts were often too elementary!

    That said, it was a marvelous experience, one I wish I could repeat this year -- especially since there are so many 12x12ers going, but the budget just isn't there.

    I, too, heartily recommend WriteOnCon. "See" you there!

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    1. Beth, I'm glad you shared that advice because I'll perhaps take it myself in LA this year. I am really sorry you won't be there though. Would so love to meet you in person!

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    2. I'm heading to the other coast instead, this year, to the Stony Brook Southampton Children's Literature Conference that Emma Walton Hamilton linked to in a comment below.

      We will meet some day, I'm sure of it!

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  6. And happy birthday from me too! I've learned so much from the SCBWI conferences and workshops, but have not yet made it to a Highlights Foundation workshop. That's the next dream/goal!

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    1. The Highlights Workshop is a special treat for sure. I loved that it was focused almost exclusively on craft. We have enough to worry about with the market/submitting - LOL.

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  7. Happy birthday! Great post. SCBWI conferences I've gone to in Canada have been wonderful. I was writing terrible pictures books until I went to a conference and learned from Kari-Lynn Winters what I was doing wrong. Julie, I think every picture book writer should give poetry a try. I'm going to WriterOnCon this year and hopefully SCBWI LA next year.

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    1. I agree with you about Poetry now, and the Highlights Workshop really helped me "get over myself" with poetry.

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    2. Rena you are so right! After completing your poetry challenge this past April I find that writing poetry now isn't so intimidating. Hope you enjoy WriterOnCon, love to hear about it after!

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  8. Happy BIrthday and thanks for all the great insights into conference attendance. I wish I could get to more than I do! But one of these days.... :)

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    1. I'll have to twist your arm off next year! :-)

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    2. Just don't twist her writing arm off! She needs that one. So do we!

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  9. Happy Birthday Julie - thank you both for the great information!

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    1. You're very welcome Maeve!

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    2. Maeve!!! So glad you stopped by. Hope all is well with you :)

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  10. Happy Birthday to you!!! (Imagine beautiful melodic singing!) Great post. I have only attended one conference and it was great! I haven't been writing that long, so I can't whine that I have only been able to attend one. I am hoping to squeeze some more into my budget soon.
    Thanks Jennifer and Julie!

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    1. Good for you for going early on. There was a woman at Highlights who'd only been writing for a month, and by the time she left, she had a poem that we'd worked through enough that the faculty thought she could submit it to High Five!

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    2. I haven't attended any yet and can't wait to. I'm loving all this advice from Julie & everyone and now know what to look for when I plan my first conference visit.

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  11. I love conferences and wish I could go to more. After I moved to Oregon this year, I discovered my local SCBWI conference was sold out for the year. :( I'm still toying with the idea of coming back to the Colorado conference, to meet up with old friends and have fun. BUT I want to research the faculty better first. Thanks for the great tips Julie! I'll check out WOC 2012.

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    1. Sorry to hear your local was sold out Hannah. Good luck with your Colorado decision!

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    2. Hannah,

      As much as I would love to see you in CO in the fall, I would check out other SCBWI "locals" that are closer to you - WA, CA, etc.

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  12. Happy Birthday Julie. Thanks for all the useful information.
    -Darshana

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  13. Happy Birthday Julie! These are great tips. I've been to a couple of conferences--and those experiences taught me that I really need a goal in mind when I go.
    Thanks!

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    1. Right! I make sure I have one each time now too.

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  14. Wonderful post! I've enjoyed Write On Con since I'm unable to attend writing conferences. Thanks for the tips. Thanks for asking Julie the question, Jennifer!
    ~Tina

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    1. You're welcome! Thanks for sharing about Write On Con, I need to check that out soon!!! So glad you dropped in Tina :)

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  15. Hi All - I just happened on this post and thought I'd mention the Southampton Children's Literature Conference (http://www.southamptonchildrenslit.com) It takes place in July in Southampton, NY - which is part of the "Hamptons" and absolutely gorgeous. It's open to emerging and established writers, and the focus is on the craft rather than publication (although there are plenty of opportunities for networking and learning about marketing, publishing, etc.) We have some fo the best faculty in the world teaching workshops - this year it'll be Peter H. Reynolds, Kate McMullan, Cynthia and Greg Leitich-Smith and Patricia McCormick, and there will be electives and special events led by some of the best movers and shakers in the business... It's a life changer. Admission has just been extended to June 1. Do check it out!

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    1. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity Emma. Thank you for sharing and I'll be sure to pass this on.

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    2. I'll be there, and I'm looking forward to it enormously. So glad Emma happened on your post!

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    3. Yes! Thanks Emma for reminding us of this great conference!

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  16. You have a fabulous blog! I’m an author and illustrator and I made some awards to give fellow bloggers whose sites I enjoy. I want to award you with one of my homemade awards: Best Books Blog Award. There are no pass along requirements. This is just to reward you for all the hard work you do!

    Go to http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/p/awards.html and pick up your award.
    ~Deirdra


    P.S. I would love to interview you and have my readers learn more about you and your books. Send me an email: KnightessHope (at) gmail and I will send over the interview questions

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    1. Wow, thank you Deirdra! I really appreciate your kind words and award. Your illustrations are fantastic! I'm very honored. Also, I would love an interview. I'll send you out an email. Thanks again.

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  17. Still catching up from traveling last week. This is a very practical interview. I have been writing just over a year and have been involved in SCBWI LA 2011, WriteonCon and just this last week a writer's retreat with SCBWI Nevada. All so different and yet so valuable. This last one I was twice in a crit group with agent, Jen Rofe, whose advice was ultra helpful and direct! One of the great things for me is having made truly great friends at these conferences. I was in Nevada because of the people I had met in LA in August. Great advice here from Julie, many thanks.

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    1. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us Joanna.

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    2. Joanna, I'm glad you've had such great conference experiences too. I hope one day to cross paths with you at one!

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  18. I would love to join in on the workshop/conference circuit and know how valuable they are. I hope to hit SWCBI in L.A. one day soon.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Jenny. Here's to hoping we both get there soon! (for me - any one will do)

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  19. Make that SCBWI..Oy(!), where is my brain lately? LOL. Great post, Jen! :)

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