Record-breaking Attendance Marks 2003 Writer's Day
by Claudia Harrington and Edie Pagliasotti
In case you missed it, Writer's Day was thrilling! Nearly 300 people attended the one-day conference at Clairbourn School. Speakers included Melanie Cecka from Viking Children's Books, picture book author Bethany Roberts, nonfiction author Sneed B. Collard III, literary agent Nancy Gallt, middle grade author Carolyn Marsden, and YA author Laurie Halse Anderson.
Melanie Cecka compared reading manuscript submissions to being on a "blind date." Editors never know what will appeal to them. Is the chemistry going to be right? She advised the audience to write what they love, and to create books that need a reason to be. Melanie and author Carolyn Marsden together spoke on a panel on the value of the revision process. They provided excellent handouts on the step-by-step process of the author-editor relationship and what it takes to get a book published.
Picture book author Bethany Roberts discussed why brevity, pacing, and picture possibilities are so essential in writing a picture book. She suggested writing to an invisible illustrator, finding the right words that inspire them, and to always create a picture book dummy.
Sneed B. Collard III gave away thirteen excellent tips on the craft of writing nonfiction. He explained how the craft of writing nonfiction is in no way different from that of writing fiction. The tools are the same in good storytelling.
Nancy Gallt spoke on Permissions in the Professional Forum and addressed the main assembly on what a literary agent can and cannot do for you.
Laurie Halse Anderson closed the program with gusto. She discussed the power of voice, and to write the stories hidden in your heart. She advised everyone to polish their stories with the tool and craft of writing and to submit intelligently and professionally.
Lisze Bechtold was this year's recipient of the Sue Alexander Service and Encouragement Award. Sue Alexander presented the award with the following tribute: "Her generosity of spirit underlies and pervades all that she does. And it is this, above all, that for me, makes presenting the 2003 SASE to Lisze Bechtold an absolute joy."
Winners of the 2003 Writer's Day Contest were named in the following categories:
Young Adult:
First Place: Mount of the Holy Cross by Thomas Oliver
Honorable Mention: Underdog by Twyla S. Littleton
Honorable Mention: Traveling by Fred Borchers
MiddleGrade:
First Place: Nicholas Who? by Patti Brugman
Honorable Mention: Leap Day by Jay Asher
Honorable Mention: The Connection by Sundee Tucker Frazier
Picture Book:
First Place: The Park by Joan Charles
Honorable Mention: Ma's Busy Bath by Heidi P. Boyden
Honorable Mention: The Artist and Annie by Corey Rubbo
Nonfiction Picture Book:
No winners in this category
Nonfiction:
First Place: The Night Olympic Team by Caroline Hatton
(No Honorable Mentions in this category)
Poetry:
First Place: Sink Your Teeth Into Poetry by Jill Corocoran
Honorable Mention (only 1): First Haircut by Lee Wardlaw
All photos were taken by Joan Bransfield Graham, advisory board member.