New Valentine Printables 2017

I finally created the valentines for you all for this year. I made one for those of you who are more in favor of the day, and one card for those of you who could do without but acquiesce for the sake of someone who DOES care. I hope you enjoy!

If these aren't to your liking or don't suit your needs, I have valentines from past years available under the printables tab above. OR CLICK HERE

Click on the image below and print on 8.5x11 cardstock, cut in half on dotted line and then fold and fill out the interior. Enjoy!!!

(for personal or classroom use only. not for resale or repurpose.)

Read more »

Writing for Charity

The Writing for Charity conference is like non-other. At this conference, all of the proceeds go directly to a charitable cause or organization. Each year, we try to choose a cause that helps promote literacy in some way. Literacy is the gateway to knowledge and to a better life and so many in this world do not have the means or resources to get through that gate.

All of the authors and presenters have donated their time and resources to present at this conference at a great inconvenience to themselves because they believe in the good the proceeds from this conference can do. It's a win win for you and for those in need. So read on and at least make a donation, even if you do not wish to register. Let's make the world a better place together.

Here's an official description of the conference...

WRITING FOR CHARITY is a day-long conference and workshop for writers of picture book, middle grade, or young adult manuscripts. Founded by New York Times best-selling author and Newbery Honor recipient Shannon Hale, the conference is coordinated by professional authors in Utah who want to give back to their community and their world.

The conference includes a day's worth of writing and publishing industry instruction, live manuscript critiques by published authors,a silent auction of everything from signed books to lunches with your favorite writers from Utah; and the knowledge that your dollars are going to get books into the hands of needy kids

ELEVENTH ANNUAL WRITING FOR CHARITY CONFERENCE

March 11, 2017

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

VENUE: Utah Valley University Classroom Building

815 College Dr. Orem, UT 84058

www.writingforcharity.org

Read more »

Conferences and Workshops

My biggest piece of advice to anyone wishing to further their work in the children's book industry, writing or illustrating, is to attend conferences and workshops on their craft. There are a few upcoming conferences and workshops in the Utah/Idaho area that I think are very beneficial to anyone from any area.  Here is the information...

“Book Covers Catch the Art Directors Eye”2017 SCBWI Utah Southern Idaho Illustrator’s Conference 

Saturday February 18^th, 2017 

at the Sons of the Utah Pioneers Building in Salt Lake City

Detailed Schedule can be found here: https://drawingsunshine.wordpress.com/2016/12/15/book-covers-catch-the-art-directors-eye/

Registration: https://utahsouthidaho.scbwi.org/events/book-covers-catch-the-art-directors-eye-2017-scbwi-utah-southern-idaho-illustrators-conference/

ELEVENTH ANNUAL WRITING FOR CHARITY CONFERENCE

March 11, 2017

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

VENUE: Utah Valley University Classroom Building

815 College Dr. Orem, UT 84058

REGISTER HERE!

WRITING FOR CHARITY is a day-long conference and workshop for writers of picture book, middle grade, or young adult manuscripts. Founded by New York Times best-selling author and Newbery Honor recipient Shannon Hale, the conference is coordinated by professional authors in Utah who want to give back to their community and their world.

The conference includes a day's worth of writing and publishing industry instruction, live manuscript critiques by published authors,a silent auction of everything from signed books to lunches with your favorite writers from Utah; and the knowledge that your dollars are going to get books into the hands of needy kids.

9th Annual Idaho Conference on Youth and Children’s Literature and Writing Friday and Saturday April 21 and 22, 2017 at the Boise State University, Student Union in Boise, Idaho

Registration is here: https://utahsouthidaho.scbwi.org/events/2017conference/

And speaker information, schedule, and critique sign-up details are here: http://www.idcclw.com

AND FINALLY MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE ONE...

WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING FOR YOUNG READERS

June 12-16, 2017

I can't even describe how wonderful this intensive, instructive, impressive conference is. Go to www.wifyr.com to find out more about it. It's essentially 5 days of the best instruction for the best price by the best people you'll ever get. In addition, it's access to editors, agents and resources you'll have a hard time finding elsewhere. All the editors in NYC ask, "What's in the water in Utah?" Well I'll tell you what...THIS CONFERENCE!!!

Read more »