HELLO!

Welcome to Chapter Ten of The Happy Book. In this chapter, I'll be discussing the myriad kids' book events, with a particular focus on conferences and festivals. Attending events is one of the secret keys that can help unlock your career in the children's book industry.

I'll talk to you about attending conferences as a delegate and how to make the most of them. We'll look at how conferences run, how you should prepare, manuscript and portfolio assessments and how to navigate them. I'll also cover the ins and outs of presenting or speaking at conferences and festivals. Towards the end of the podcast, I'll take you through a list of suggested events that could really put the beat in your kids' book journey.

Fire up your device, cram in those earbuds and enjoy this foray into the magical world of kids' book creation. If you have any questions or comments, you can say hello at [email protected].

I'm Tania McCartney and I'm an author, illustrator and editor of children's books. I've always wanted to live inside a book, and now I practically do. Welcome to The Happy Book.

SHOW NOTES

00:35 Introduction

01:36 Champagne!

02:14 Mingling at conferences

03:00 Researching your conference

03:27 Planning to meet others at a conference

04:13 Preparing collateral-business cards and postcards

05:09 How conferences work/are scheduled

10:54 Leave your manuscript and portfolio in your room

11:55 Preparing a pitch

12:40 The difference between a pitch and a strapline

13:49 Tips on creating a pitch

15:26 Three-minute pitch sessions

16:11 The strapline

18:37 Showing an illustration portfolio

19:20 You as a conference delegate

21:17 Mingling with colleagues and publishers

22:42 Stalking publishers

24:53 Support your colleagues

25:12 Share your knowledge, contacts and experience openly

25:58 Take regular breaks

27:49 A second glass of champagne

27:56 Tips for dealing with... publishers

29:02 Publishing is a business

31:20 Introducing yourself to publishers

33:01 Publishers are like wild animals

34:07 Manuscript assessments

42:39 Affording conferences

44:51 Festivals

45:19 Conferences and festivals as presenter

49:03 What will you present on?

50:51 My top tips for presenting

1:02:25 Panels

1:03:39 Be imperfect

1:04:52 Other events

105:57 Festival and Conference Listing-please find below; international listeners, I have included a handful-you can google your local listings

1:06:05 A cup of Earl Grey tea with milk

1:06:29 Series Two

1:07:00 Be in touch

1:07:15 The End

Music: Ukulele Whistle by Scott Holmes

PODCAST LINKS

How to be a Successful Writing Festival or Conference Delegate

Presenting Brilliant Sessions at Writers Festivals and Schools

Ask Tania: Coping with publisher critiques at conferences and festivals

Ask Tania: How do I make the most out of festivals and conferences?

CBCA Conferences