Midsouth (Tennessee/Kentucky)

Friday Intensives

12:00–2:00 p.m. C.J. Redwine—The Art of Deep Characterization - $55.00

Memorable stories are stories whose characters resonate with the reader. But how do you create a cast of unique, vivid characters that linger with readers long after the story is done? New York Times best selling author C.J. Redwine teaches her process for deep characterization using your characters’ primary fears. Watch your characters come to life!
12:00–2:00 p.m. Lori Degman—What’s So Funny?! - $55.00

When asked what types of picture book manuscripts they’d love to see, editors often put “humorous” on their lists – yet many authors shy away from writing humor. In this intensive, we will use mentor texts to examine what it is that makes picture books funny (e.g., exaggeration, wordplay, slapstick, twists on the familiar . . .). We’ll discuss methods for writing humorous stories that will appeal to both children and adults. Attendees will complete exercises to apply what they’ve learned to a WIP(s) that could use some punching up.
2:30–4:30 p.m. Adib Khorram—Unpacking the Edit Letter - $55.00

Edit letters are scary. But once you're done lying on the floor crying, how do you take those insightful comments and questions and turn them into a better book? Participants will discuss strategies for making edits happen; discuss common problems in the editorial process; look at real examples of edit letters in the YA and Picture Book space; and come away energized to tackle their next edits.
2:30–4:30 p.m. Sasha Illingworth—Illustrating a Middle Grade Cover – $55.00

Admit it, we’ve all judged a book by its cover and now it’s time for you to create a dynamic book cover of your own! We’ll go behind the scenes and see what goes into making a successful book cover that gets the book and your artwork noticed. We will cover storytelling, composition, color palette and much more. Associate Creative Director Sasha Illingworth will work with full participants from thumbnails to final art during this intensive, culminating in a final review. Illustrator coordinator Mary Uhles will contact these participants with instructions after registration.
- Full Participation - $55.00
  
  Full participants will create sketches and a final piece for review during the intensive. Illustrator coordinator Mary Uhles will contact these participants with instructions after registration Limit 12.
- Observe Only - $25.00
  
  Observe-only Participants will not participate in creating sketches and a piece but may participate during the final critique. Limit 20.

PAL Autograph Party Opportunity

Saturday Optional Box Lunch – choose one IF you want to order a box lunch

Pimento Cheese and Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato on Wheatberry - $29.00
Roast Beef and Blue Cheese, Arugula, Tomato On a Hoagie - $29.00
Vegetarian & Gluten Free Option of Roasted Seasonal Vegetables Marinated in a Balsamic Vinaigrette on a Gluten Free Bun - $29.00

Saturday, Breakout Session 1 – you must select one option

A. Susan Eaddy and Mary Uhles—Writing and Illustrating 101

What type of story have I written? Do I need an illustrator? Do I need an agent? What is the difference between a query letter and a cover letter, a synopsis and a partial? How do I make my portfolio shine? In this basic overview of the children’s writing and illustrating world, from board books to YA, author Susan Eaddy and illustrator Mary Uhles will answer these questions and explore the dos and don’ts along the path to publication.
B. PAL Mentor Panel

Authors of the Midsouth Mentorship Program discuss writing community—how it shifts and changes throughout your career, and how it is useful at EVERY stage in the journey.
C. Leslie Zampetti: Middle Grade and Young Adult 101

What makes a book middle grade vs. young adult? Voice, themes, and narrative structure all play a part in how stories for these age groups are categorized. In this session, Leslie will address the differences between both categories, their audiences, and address the gap of "upper middle grade"/"young YA."
D. Sasha Illingworth: How To Become Your Art Directors Best Friend

Have you ever wondered what makes a great collaboration? Sure, you have the talent, but there's way more to it than just that! Associate Creative Director, Sasha Illingworth shares tips on how to establish great working relationships with designers and art directors so they want to work with you again and again.

Saturday, Breakout Session 2 – you must select one option

A. Mary Cummings—Is it Working?

In this session, you'll learn ways to step back and objectively see your manuscript from different vantage points: an overall view, split into major sections, and finally, from the up-close examination of things such as word choice, sentences, and paragraphs. Bring a copy of a polished draft of a picture book or the opening and closing few pages of a novel or chapter book for an exercise. You may conclude in the end that you want to slightly tweak or significantly revise to get from "is it working?" to "I've nailed this!"
B. Leslie Zampetti—Standing Out in a Crowded Market

Leslie will address current trends in the middle grade and young adult markets, discuss how to make your story stand out, and show how to use curriculum to add impact to your submissions.
C. Brent Taylor—The Author/Agent Relationship

Agent Brent Taylor will discuss the author-agent relationship—what it looks like, tips for creating and maintaining a successful and rewarding partnership, and expectations' management.
D. Jim McCarthy—Dealing With ‘Almost’: How to Handle Kind Rejections, When to Revise, and What to Look At as You Plan Your Next Move?

The one thing that every single writer deals with universally is also, unfortunately, the hardest. Everyone will be rejected. The strength of your career will rest on how you handle rejection and how you grow from it. We will discuss how agents reject, how to respond to rejection personally and professionally, when to take advantage of doors left open, and how to go back to the same well without exhausting your welcome. Everyone's in the same boat, so let's discuss how to handle it.

Saturday, First Pages – you must select one option

A. Picture Book

This session is with agent Mary Cummings. Please see description and rules in the online brochure on the Schedule page.
B. Middle Grade

This session is with agent Jim McCarthy. Please see description and rules in the online brochure on the Schedule page.
C. Young Adult

This session is with agent Brent Taylor. Please see description and rules in the online brochure on the Schedule page.

Saturday, Breakout Session 3 – you must select one option

A. Lori Degman—Writing in Rhyme is Not a Crime—Unless You Butcher it!

Time and again, editors say, “Don’t write in rhyme!” – not because rhyming picture books don’t sell (they do), but because it’s difficult to write them well. Despite these warnings, authors continue to write and submit rhyming picture book manuscripts – so, why not help them do it successfully? This session will address the rules of writing in rhyme and common errors found in rhyming picture book manuscripts, which may lead to rejections. Attendees will learn strategies for writing and editing a winning story with perfect rhyme and meter. These strategies can also be applied to stories written in prose.
B. Adib Khorram—Dismantling Toxic Masculinity Through YA Literature

YA Literature offers great examples to tackle toxic masculinity head-on with a generation of readers looking for how to be better and do better. Participants will look at examples of how authors across different YA genres have used their craft to examine, explain, and dismantle toxic masculinity in their work.
C. C.J. Redwine—Managing Anxiety and the Creative Life

For many creatives, anxiety can become a damaging partner in the creative process. New York Times best selling author C.J. Redwine draws on research and studies done by qualified therapists to teach you 13 easy-to-use anxiety management techniques that work for the creative life. Come anxious, leave calm and equipped!
D. Dow Phumiruk—Not an Imposter—It’s Time to Call Yourself an Artist!

We've all said this at one time or another in our careers: "I will never be good enough" or "I'll never learn to draw like that artist." Why do we always feel like imposters when it comes to creating art or stories? Dow Phumiruk will discuss pitfalls of self-sabotage and ways to stay out of the hole of self-doubt. She'll share creative success stories and optimism to inspire creators to keep learning and growing.

Once Upon a Time Gala Dinner (included with tuition) – you must select one option

Grilled Pork Chops (gluten free)

With Peach Mostarda & Feta Cheese Roasted Red Potatoes Bacon-Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Salad Rolls & Butter Dessert Ice Water Iced Tea Coffee
Sauteed Southern Breaded Chicken

With Lemon-Basil Cream Sauce Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Broccolini Salad Rolls & Butter Dessert Ice Water Iced Tea Coffee
Mushroom Ravioli (Vegetarian)

With Salad Rolls & Butter Dessert Ice Water Iced Tea Coffee

Illustration Portfolio Showcase

Juried Illustration Portfolio Showcase - $25.00

Check if you wish to participate in the juried portfolio showcase during the Autograph party on Saturday.

Sunday, Breakout Session 4 – you must select one option

A. Writer Craft Session, TBD

Novel workshop session
B. Mary Cummings—The Next Big Steps: Reaching Out to Agents

Whether you write novels, chapter books or picture books, securing an agent will open doors to publication that you can't open on your own. In this session we'll focus on the following, plus have time for Q & A: 1) How to know when you’re ready to query 2) Researching potential agents 3) Developing your query and submission list 4) Phone calls with potential agents 5) Revising based on agent comments
C. Lori Degman—You’ve Sold Your First Manuscript…Now What?

When Lori sold her first picture book manuscript, she thought things would magically fall into place and her book would sell like hot cakes (why do hot cakes sell so well?). Anyway, that’s not exactly what happened. In this session, Lori will share what she’s learned (sometimes the hard way); things like: working with editors and agents, swag, book launches, school visits, websites, future sales, royalties, and reviews – to name a few. She’ll also share the things her writer and illustrator friends have learned when they first published!
D. Sasha Illingworth—Beyond the Picture Book

No one loves a picture book more than us, but there is a whole WORLD of opportunity in the publishing universe you may be missing. Associate Creative Director, Sasha Illingworth, will discuss the art of novel covers, interiors, graphic novels, maps, hand-lettering and more, sharing tips on how to retool your portfolio to attract even more attention.

Sunday, Breakout Session 5 – you must select one option

A. Jim McCarthy—Eight Ways to Hook Your Reader ASAP

What makes an agent's interest perk up? How do you capture a reader as quickly as possible? The first pages of a book are the most important to get right, and this session will discuss eight common techniques for hooking your readers as soon as possible using examples from published works. If attendees feel particularly brave, they're welcome to submit their own first page for group discussion on what they're doing right and what might still need work. Works considered will be middle grade and young adult fiction.
B. Brent Taylor—Agent Tips for Navigating the Querying Process

Agent Brent Taylor will discuss query letters and the querying process. He will show examples of successful queries, dissect the elements of an effective query, and discuss best practices of the querying process.
C. Writer Craft Session, TBD

Novel workshop session
D. Dow Phumiruk—When There’s an Offer in You Inbox

YESSS!!! You have an offer. Celebrate! Throw a party! But what's next? Let's talk about the course of a project, from offer to completed book. Dow Phumiruk will talk about what it's like to work on a book alongside your agent and the publishing team using her experience as a basis. Spoiler alert: she wouldn't recommend buying that vacation home quite yet!

Critique Scholarship Opportunity

Whether or not I purchase a critique today, I would like to be considered for Saba Sulaiman’s Marginalized Writer’s Critique Scholarship.

Writers chosen who have already purchased a critique with Saba will be reimbursed.

Paid Critiques (limited to SCBWI Members)

Manuscript Critique, Written-Only: Critiquer Chosen for You - $55.00

Same style critique as the Choose Your Critiquer above, but the Conference Committee assigns faculty to critique your work. There is a fee of $55 for this type of critique. For formatting and submission guidelines, see the Manuscript Critiques and Submissions page.
PB Dummy Critique, Written Only: Critiquer Chosen For You - $55.00

Same style critique as the Choose Your Critiquer above, but the Conference Committee assigns faculty to critique your work. There is a fee of $55 for this type of critique. For formatting and submission guidelines, see the Manuscript Critiques and Submissions page.
Portfolio Critique, Written Only: Critiquer Chosen For You - $55.00

Portfolio critiques are WRITTEN-ONLY in 2022; portfolios must be submitted in advance as PDFs by January 5th with the file name of FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME_PORTFOLIO_REVIEW_2022. See Illustrator Opportunities page for more details about how to submit your portfolio for critique.

Free Optional Peer Group Critiques – if you want to participate, choose one of the following groups

Picture Book Peer Group Critique

Writers will exchange copies of the first five pages of their manuscript via email. Critiques will be exchanged in person at the conference. Groups will be around five people each.
Middle Grade Peer Group Critique

Writers will exchange copies of the first five pages of their manuscript via email. Critiques will be exchanged in person at the conference. Groups will be around five people each.
Young Adult Peer Group Critique

Writers will exchange copies of the first five pages of their manuscript via email. Critiques will be exchanged in person at the conference. Groups will be around five people each.
Graphic Novel Peer Group Critique

Writers will exchange copies of the first five pages of their manuscript via email. Critiques will be exchanged in person at the conference. Groups will be around five people each
Illustration Peer Group Critique

Illustrators should bring their portfolios.

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2022 SCBWI Midsouth Conference

Bookings

Are you a member of SCBWI?

Event Registration

General Information Required Fields*

Ticket Information

Event Extras

Policies: Read and check all three boxes below

Friday Intensives

PAL Autograph Party Opportunity

Saturday Optional Box Lunch – choose one IF you want to order a box lunch

Saturday, Breakout Session 1 – you must select one option

Saturday, Breakout Session 2 – you must select one option

Saturday, First Pages – you must select one option

Saturday, Breakout Session 3 – you must select one option

Once Upon a Time Gala Dinner (included with tuition) – you must select one option

Illustration Portfolio Showcase

Sunday, Breakout Session 4 – you must select one option

Sunday, Breakout Session 5 – you must select one option

Critique Scholarship Opportunity

Paid Critiques (limited to SCBWI Members)

Free Optional Peer Group Critiques – if you want to participate, choose one of the following groups

Volunteering

Payment Information

Event Extras

Midsouth (Tennessee/Kentucky)

2022 SCBWI Midsouth Conference

Bookings

Member Login

Are you a member of SCBWI?

Event Registration

General Information Required Fields*

Ticket Information

Event Extras

Policies: Read and check all three boxes below

Friday Intensives

PAL Autograph Party Opportunity

Saturday Optional Box Lunch – choose one IF you want to order a box lunch

Saturday, Breakout Session 1 – you must select one option

Saturday, Breakout Session 2 – you must select one option

Saturday, First Pages – you must select one option

Saturday, Breakout Session 3 – you must select one option

Once Upon a Time Gala Dinner (included with tuition) – you must select one option

Illustration Portfolio Showcase

Sunday, Breakout Session 4 – you must select one option

Sunday, Breakout Session 5 – you must select one option

Critique Scholarship Opportunity

Paid Critiques (limited to SCBWI Members)

Free Optional Peer Group Critiques – if you want to participate, choose one of the following groups

Volunteering

Payment Information

Event Extras