Happy May everyone!
Hope everyone is doing well this Spring and making good use of all the creative energy in the air.
SCBWI profiles
If you haven’t already, be sure to update your profiles with all of your publications and portfolio samples. An agent from the US emailed me yesterday expressing how impressed she was by the talent in our region. Agents, editors and art directors do look at those pages when they are looking for new ideas/artists. Don’t waste this opportunity to present your work to the world.
News
Europolitan Conference Roundup
The Europolitan Conference last weekend in Brussels was a resounding success. The atmosphere was excited, yet tranquil as we gathered in a lovely château and listened to agents, editors and art directors talk about publishing and partnerships. At 15 members, the Germany/Austria region had the most members there coming from as far away as Vienna. One of the highlights for me was getting to know members who before the conference had only been names on a page or on Facebook.
Another highlight was that our very own Ana Martin-Larranaga won this year’s Portfolio Showcase Competition. That’s two years in a row a Germany/Austria member has won the Portfolio Showcase Competition, which is a huge testament to the amount of talent our region has.
Europolitan Mentor Program
At the conference, a new mentor program for all SCBWI members living in Continental Europe was announced.
This program will pair qualified, inspirational mentors with aspiring authors and illustrators, who write in English, to help bring them closer to publication, or to publication at a higher level. Each mentor will select one mentee from all applicants.
This six-month online one-on-one program provides mentees the opportunity to work personally with and learn from a successful professional with teaching experience and a proven track record in children’s literature.
The application period starts tomorrow, May 20th and closes June 30th. The actual mentorship will start September 2017. If you are interested in applying or finding out more about the mentor program, please visit the website at: https://europolitan.scbwi.org/events/europolitan-mentorship-program-2017/
Europolitan Post-Conference Webinars
Two post-conference webinars are available to members whether you attended the conference or not.
Query Letter 101 with Catherine Coe, freelance editor and author on Thursday June 1, 2017 at 21:00 pm
Want your query letter to stand out in the crowd? This webinar will show you how! Catherine will talk you through ideal content, length and the all-important dos and don'ts. She'll give you tips on making your query letter shine, how to distil information into punchy sentences, and how to make an agent/editor desperate to read your manuscript. She's also offering post-webinar critiques for anyone who'd like tailored feedback and suggestions on their own query letter for an additional 25€.
Registration is now open.
Sub to Pub with Robin Stevens, author of the internationally best-selling Murder Most Unladylike series on Thursday June 22, 2017 at 21:00 pm.
You've finally got an agent for your book. You've made it! But what happens now? What does the final jump to published writer REALLY look like, and what should you expect when you're expecting your debut? Robin Stevens (of duo Batnon and Robin) demystifies the process, explains how to manage your expectations and gives you some tips on how to be an author in today's (often confusing) children's books market.
Registration will open Thursday June 1 at 20:00 Brussels time.
For more information on these events and to register, check out the Europolitan Region website: https://europolitan.scbwi.org/event-europolitan-conference-2017/webinars/
Summer BBQ
Dates for our annual BBQ are now being gathered in an online poll. Please take the time to go vote so we can plan which day works for the most people. To vote go to: http://doodle.com/poll/vdr9gbduaheze55f
Summer Conference in Los Angeles July 7 – 10, 2017
Registration is still open for the largest SCBWI conference of the year. Early Bird registration ends June 19th for those of you still trying to decide. The line up is absolutely spectacular with keynotes being given by Kwame Alexander and Ruta Sepetys to name just two of the big name authors going to be there.
For more information or to register please go to the conference homepage at: https://www.scbwi.org/events/46th-annual-summer-conference-in-los-angeles-la17/
Correction
In the April newsletter, the date of the Picture Book Dummy workshop with Sanne was incorrect. The correct date is July 15, 2017. Sorry for any confusion. If you are interested in attending, please email Sanne at germanyaustria-ic@scbwi.org
Upcoming Events
The Stuttgart group will meet on Saturday May 27th in the children’s section (2nd floor) of the library at 10.30 am. The morning will be spent working on our creative projects and discussing each others' work before having lunch together. Members sometimes return to the library to work after lunch too. If interested, please email Catherine Friess at: cjfriess@gmx.com.
The next Hamburg group meeting is planned for Saturday, June 10th at 11am, meeting again outside of the central library across the street from the main train station. Please email Catherine Masek at: catherine.l.masek@gmail.com
All the best and keep creating your work. The world needs it.
Patti and Sanne