A trip through the frozen corn fields of Minnesota and Iowa are in my future. On April Fool’s Day, I will journey to the Quad Cities to attend a writer’s conference of epic proportion.
Not only does the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators have a great line-up, but one of the speakers is my very own agent.
Be still my heart!
In any case, I will keep my juvenile lit fans posted about trends and news that I gather from this illustrious event. I will also pass along any and all info on the publishing business as a whole. One of the speakers is presenting on marketing and self-promotion. You can bet I’ll be scribbling notes for that one.
So, I ask, my dear readers, are there any burning questions you would like me to keep my ears open for? I will happily compile a list of questions or concerns and see if I can ferret out the answers over three amazing days with agents, editors, authors and illustrators.
Likewise, any tips on meeting one’s agent face to face would be appreciated. I already have things like eat no lettuce, wipe sweaty palms off before shaking hands and don’t vomit on Agent Awesome, but would be open to any other words of wisdom you’d like to pass along.
Oh yeah, and speaking of agents, I’d love to share the good news. Another one of my rockin’ AQ writer friends has landed an agent to rep her incredible young adult novel. Mindy is amazingly sweet, absolutely hilarious and has more talent than I have dust bunnies. If you’d like to get in on the ground floor of her writing journey, please pop on over to her very new blog: Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire.
Know any other great writers, good news or industry info? Inquiring minds want to know!
Words from the Woods 
Awww.. thanks for the shout out, Cat.
I think my biggest question about the industry right now would be – what are we thinking is going to the next big thing?
I know we can’t expect people to predict trends, but I’ve been hearing that “Where’s the next big MG boy book?” for awhile. Has anyone found it yet? Does anybody think they’ve got it?
Intriguing question. I’ve been attending conferences for years and have heard the same thing. “Give us great MG boy books!”
The industry is hungry, but are we writers keeping up with the demand?
I just looked up the Iowa SCBWI Conference and it looks AMAZING. So affordable, too! I hope you have a blast while you’re there and a safe trip down.
I can’t wait. It promises to be a great time with some really incredible sessions. I’ll definitely give the run-down when it’s over.
Hey Cat, a basic question: Do they see any changes on the horizon in the literary fiction market. I honestly don’t expect it to get any better and could get worse, but it would be interesting to see what they say.
*sharpens pencil and adds question to list*
It will be interesting to see what reaction there is about genres. YA is so hot right now with dystopian and paranormal the mega burners. Makes me wonder what the next trend will be and which types of stories will become so yesterday in the aftermath.
Great question.
I didn’t know about BBC!!! I’ve been wrapped up in knots here and haven’t visited most of the threads in AQ lately! I’m so excited for her!! 🙂
Have fun at the conference and enjoy meeting Awesome Agent – you’re going to have a great time!
She’s awesome, I tell ya! BBC, that is.
I can’t wait to meet Agent Awesome. Should be a great experience.
I’d like to know if the publishing industry is getting more excited about e-books and how they’re embracing the e-book onslaught.
Oooh, great question. Especially for juvenile lit. One speaker last year stated that ebooks were going to be it. Even for picture books. I’m not sure how I feel about that…but then again, the publishing biz isn’t going to ask my opinion on the matter!
I’ll see what news I can nab for you on that front.