We are excited to offer you several opportunities:

  • Q&A after each presentation – attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions after every presentation (via Zoom). These meetings are a rare chance to ask informal questions of someone heavily engaged in the children’s book world.
  • Optional private 1-on-1 meetings with speakers (separate registration required; sign-up available after you register)  In addition to the Q&A with each speaker, all registered attendees can also pay an extra $30 fee to have a private 1-on-1 virtual meeting (phone or Zoom) with selected speakers.  The private meetings are informal 20-minute “get to know you” meetings where writers can convey information about their project and ask questions. They are NOT manuscript review sessions, and the speakers are under no obligation to follow up with you after your meeting. The cost of each meeting is $30 and is non-refundable. The supply of meetings for each speaker is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up is available after you register for the conference. Please do not sign up for more than 3 meetings. Participating speakers are:
    • Brian Allain (The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer) – learn more about Brian here
    • Bunmi Ishola (Penguin Random House) – learn more about Bunmi here – sold out
    • Dorena Williamson (author) – learn more about Dorena here
    • Emily Assell (author) – learn more about Emily here
    • Glenys Nellist (author) – learn more about Glenys here
    • Jennifer Grant (author) – learn more about Jennifer here
    • Jennifer Schaber (Progressive Christian Children’s Ministry Resources Project) – learn more about Jennifer here
    • Karen Neumair (literary agent) – learn more about Karen here – sold out
    • Kathleen Long Bostrom (author) – learn more about Kathleen here
    • Linda Howard (Tyndale House) – learn more about Linda here – sold out
    • Maila Kim (Intervarsity Press) – learn more about Maila here – sold out
    • Michele McAvoy (Little Press Publishing) – learn more about Michele here
    • Nicole Tadgell (Illustrator) – learn more about Nicole here
    • Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (author) – learn more about Olugbemisola here
    • Roger Hutchison (author) – learn more about Roger here
    • Sharon Elliott (literary agent) – learn more about Sharon here
    • Stephanie Carter (Teleion Books) – learn more about Stephanie here
    • Xochitl Dixon (author) – learn more about Xochitl here
  • Elevator pitch critique with an editor or agent – in these optional one-hour sessions you and a group of up to 5 other attendees will have the opportunity to deliver a short introduction and elevator pitch, and receive feedback from an editor or agent. The editor/agent has no obligation to follow up with you after the sessions. Separate $25 registration fee required; sign-up available after you register for the conference. Attendees can sign up for only one critique session. Participating editors/agents:
    • Bunmi Ishola (Penguin Random House) – learn more about Bunmi here
    • Karen Neumair (literary agent) – learn more about Karen here
    • Linda Howard (Tyndale House) – learn more about Linda here
    • Sharon Elliott (literary agent) – learn more about Sharon here
  • Elevator pitch practice session – practice delivering your 50-word elevator pitch, and get feedback from attendees and Brian Allain. Free; No sign-up required.
  • Optional children’s book manuscript critique service – learn more here.
  • Submit Your Pitch! – during the conference, or within two months afterword, submit your book proposal or pitch to the conference’s editor speakers (by email)
  • Networking Lunch Breaks – an unmoderated, informal time for you to chat with other conference attendees
  • What Do You Need As A Writer? – this informal conversation is an opportunity for you to share and discuss the most important kinds of support you need as a writer
  • Book readings – get to know several writers, hear them read from one of their books, and ask questions
  • Speaker panels
    • Panel 1: Celebrating diversity in children’s books
    • Panel 2: Editors discuss children’s book needs
  • Open mic – attendees will have the opportunity to present a short excerpt of their writing to other conference attendees.  Each speaker will have 5 minutes, including their introduction and reading. Don’t miss this important, but optional, opportunity to gain experience reading your work, and to support your fellow writers! Each speaker will be limited to 5 minutes. Sign-up will be available after you register for the conference – first-come, first-served. (via Zoom)
  • How to Heal Our Divides book introduction – this new book lifts up and builds awareness of organizations that are taking real action to heal serious divides – particularly racial and political divides. The book is not an attempt at glossing them over or “making happy” but instead highlights tangible efforts that are actually decreasing divides in practical ways.

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