My Messy Muse

To Conference or Not to Conference? That is the Question.

In this Episode, Michele McAvoy will discuss the conferences she plans to attend. She will provide suggestions and advice on #kidlit conferences, both traditional, online and free!

Material discussed in this Episode.

Traditional Conferences:

www.scbwi.org

https://www.scbwi.org/regional-chapters-new/

https://kidlitconprovidence2019.com

http://www.kidlit411.com/2013/12/kidlit411-conferences-workshops.html

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org

https://www.bookpassage.com/childrens-book-writers-illustrators-conference

https://www.stonybrook.edu/southampton/mfa/clc/index.html

https://www.ruccl.org

https://www.childlitassn.org

https://wwuclc.com

https://www.andreabrownlit.com/big-sur-writing-workshops.html

https://www.bookpassage.com/childrens-book-writers-illustrators-conference

https://swonlibraries.org/mpage/oki

https://www.thewritersloft.org

Online Conferences:

http://picturebooksummit.com

https://writeoncon.org

https://writingworkshopsdallas.com/online-mg-ya-novel-workshop

Nerdcamps:

https://nerdcampnj.weebly.com

http://nerdcampli.weebly.com

http://nerdcampnorthernnewengland.blogspot.com

http://nerdcampmi.weebly.com

A Comprehensive list of general writer's conferences can be found here:

https://www.kotobee.com/blog/writers-conferences-2019/

Be sure to join the My Messy Muse community on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse

If you are interested in a picture book critique, a strategy session or a school visit with the host Michele McAvoy, please visit her website at www.michelemcavoy.com/workwithme

Follow host Michele McAvoy!

Twitter: @michele_mcavoy

Instagram: @michelemcavoy

Lakita Wilson is the recipient of a 2017 SCBWI "On the Verge Emerging Voices Award" for her middle-grade contemporary fiction manuscript, BOOKS LIKE ME.

Lakita is an MFA student at Vermont College of Fine Arts- Writing for Children and Young Adults. She writes picture books, middle grade and hopes to dabble in Young adult fiction someday. She is a full-time faculty member, teaching in the Teacher Education Department at Prince George's Community College in Maryland.

Lakita currently runs a social media account entitled The SweetPea Girls where she promotes diverse children's books and marginalized writers and illustrators. In May 2018, The SweetPeas Girls were featured in a NewsOne article for its role in literary activism in the African American community.

Lakita was appointed the Published and Listed Member Coordinator for her regions SCBWI chapter.

Learn more about Lakita from her website at www.lakitawilson.com

Follow Lakita on Twitter @lakitawrites

Be sure to join the My Messy Muse community on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse

If you are interested in a picture book critique, a strategy session or a school visit with host Michele McAvoy, please visit her website at www.michelemcavoy.com/workwithme

Follow host Michele McAvoy! Twitter: @michele_mcavoy Instagram: @michelemcavoy

My Messy Muse- Episode 11- #TeacherFeature with 5th Grade Educator Erin Varley

5th Grade Educator (for 12 years!) Erin Varley shares her and her students favorite book activities. Erin is active in the kidlit community and expands upon her book knowledge and authors resources to provide her students with a fun range of activities.

A Printable Take-Away Pamphlet highlighting the activities from this Episode and pictures for guidance can be found in our private My Messy Muse Facebook Community www.facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS DON'T MISS OUT!

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES

1. Top 10 Lists!

2. Get Outside and Chalk Your Favorite Book Characters!

3. Recreate your favorite book cover!

4. March Book Madness! Picture Book Brackets- http://marchbookmadness.weebly.com

5. Novels in Verse that 5th Graders love!

Erin has made many author contacts on Twitter! Twitter is the place where #kidlit folks go to virtually socialize. If you have not already listened to Episode 8- Twitter for Kidlit Talent, you should! In that Episode you will learn tips and tricks for socializing with kidlit on Twitter. There is something for everyone in Episode 8.

Be sure to join the My Messy Muse community on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse

If you are interested in a picture book critique, a strategy session or a school visit with host Michele McAvoy, please visit her website at www.michelemcavoy.com/workwithme

Leslie C. Youngblood is an award-winning middle-grade author with Disney Hyperion. Her debut novel Love Like Sky released November 6, 2018.

In this My Messy Muse interview Leslie tells us about her favorite character to write and the character with whom she most identifies. She talks about her journey to publication and how her Love Like Sky characters tugged at her to be taken out of her adult fiction work and onto the pages of their own book. Thank goodness Leslie listened! Her debut middle-grade novel Love Like Sky has received numerous accolades and for good reason!

Love Like Sky

G-baby and her younger sister, Peaches, are still getting used to their "blended-up" family. They live with Mama and Frank out in the suburbs, and they haven't seen their real daddy much since he married Millicent. G-baby misses her best friend back in Atlanta, and is crushed that her glamorous new stepsister, Tangie, wants nothing to do with her.

G-baby is so preoccupied with earning Tangie's approval that she isn't there for her own little sister when she needs her most. Peaches gets sick-really sick. Suddenly, Mama and Daddy are arguing like they did before the divorce, and even the doctors at the hospital don't know how to help Peaches get better.

It's up to G-baby to put things right. She knows Peaches can be strong again if she can only see that their family's love for her really is like sky.

You can find out more about Leslie C. Youngblood on her website www.lesliecyoungblood.com

Follow her on Twitter: @lescyoungblood

Interested in a picture book critique, strategy session or school visit with My Messy Muse host Michele McAvoy? Find out how to work her at michelemcavoy.com/workwithme

Be sure to subscribe to Michele's newsletter!

Follow Michele on Twitter @michele_mcavoy

Join the My Messy Muse private Facebook community to socialize with kidlit authors and illustrators and take part in exclusive giveaways!

Facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse

Please join us in the My Messy Muse private community on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse

Are you a picture book writer interested in a critique? Michele is currently open for picture book critiques. Please visit her at www.michelemcavoy.com/workwithme.

Are you a teacher, librarian or principal interested in a school visit? For information on school visits, please visit Michele at www.michelemcavoy.com/workwithme

Hannah Carmona Dias is a children's book author. Her debut children's book "Beautiful Wonderful Strong Little Me" released in September 2018 with Eifrig Publishing. Her second picture book entitled "Dazzling Travis" with Cardinal Rule Press is slated for release on April 1, 2019. Hannah discusses her inspiration for her debut children's book and how the question "what are you?" can affect a child. She also talks about juggling work as an owner of a children's theater, writing and being a mom of two little one's. Hannah is excited for her upcoming picture book "Dazzling Travis" with Cardinal Rule Press that celebrates individuality and celebrating one's self.

We celebrate Hannah books particularly on Multicultural Children's Book Day! #readyourworld

To find out more about Hannah and her children's book titles please visit her at www.hannahcarmonadias.com

The host Michele McAvoy would love to hear from you! You can follow her on: Twitter @michele_mcavoy Instagram @michelemcavoy Facebook facebook.com/michelemcavoyauthor www.michelemcavoy.com

In this Episode Michele discusses how to use Twitter to grow your kidlit network and socialize with other kidlit talent and fans. Whether you're just starting out or a veteran in the kidlit industry, you will learn something from this Episode. Twitter is a proverbial playground for kidlit talent, take a listen to learn how to get in the game and play.

Remember to also join the My Messy Muse private Facebook community to interact and mingle with other kidlit fans like you as well as be eligible for exclusive giveaways like autographed books every month! www.facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse

Interested in a picture book critique or school visit? Visit Michele at www.michelemcavoy.com/workwithme

Show Notes:

How to Get Followers When You're First Starting Out:

There are many people in kidlit on Twitter who have lists. These lists are already curated, for example "Children's Book Authors," "Children's Book Publishers," "Agent." Click on these lists, click on the option to the left that says "members" and follow people on those lists.

People with good kidlit lists:

@michele_mcavoy @inkyelbows- Debbie Ridpath Ohi

You can also find genre specific conferences and follow their followers.

Examples: Search for a Nerdcamp Twitter handle near you. NerdcampNJ has 1600 followers- most are kidlit authors and teachers. NerdcampLI- with 1700 followers

SCBWI National twitter handle has over 30,000 followers, so that will be too overwhelming to pick through their followers however, the regional chapters are more manageable.

@NJSCBWI- 450 followers @SCBWICarolinas- 1300 followers

Kidlit Twitter Hashtags:#mgbookchat #ontheporch #mswl #pblitchat #kidlitchat #kidlitart #yalitchat #kidlitwomen #picturebooks #kidlit #mglit

Giveaways!:

Another way to be involved is to support #kidlit giveaways on Twitter.

Look for the hashtag #giveaway and pair with: #kidlit #mg #pb or #ya.

Reviews:

Be a part of the community by leaving positive reviews for kidlit books on Amazon or Goodreads and post your review on Twitter. Be sure to tag the author, illustrator (for picture book) and use kidlit hashtags when posting your review

Twitter Pitches:#pitmad www.pitchwars.org

#dvpit www.dvpit.com

#pbpitch www.pbpitch.com

#kidpit

Compress long URLs to include in Tweets.

www.bitly.com

Interested in a picture book critique or school visit? Visit Michele at www.michelemcavoy.com/workwithme

Kathie Maclsaac Children's Librarian and co-founder of MG Book Village provides ideas for engaging children for Multicultural Children's Book Day, January 25th. Kathie shares with listeners one of her most successful activities she uses to engage her young patrons at the library. The activity is great for teacher and librarians looking for something fun on Multicultural Children's Book Day, a day to bring attention to all of the amazing children's books available that celebrate diversity.

https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com

https://mgbookvillage.org

Activity- Book Passport: Create a small notebook for each student. Students earn badges for completion of tasks. Tasks can include answering questions about particular books or interacting with the librarian/teacher staff. Books can cover different cultures and each badge will reflect that culture. Badges can easily be made by copying illustrations from a book (pb) and using double sided tape/laminating.

Kathie's Diverse Book Recommendations for Passport Activity:

Picture Books and Illustrated Chapter Books

1. When We Were Alone – David Alexander Robertson (illustrated by Julie Flett)

2. Drawn Together – Minh Lê (illustrated by Dan Santat)

3. The Day You Begin – Jacqueline Woodson (illustrated by Rafael López)

4. Dreamers – Yuyi Morales

5. Alma And How She Got Her Name – Juana Martinez-Neal

6. Bee Bim Bop – Linda Sue Park (illustrated by Ho Baek Lee)

7. Meet Yasmin – Saadia Faruqi (illustrated by Hatem Aly)

8. Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen – Debbi Michiko Florence (illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic)

9. Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire – Susan Tan (illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte)

Middle Grade Books

1. Ahimsa – Supriya Kelkar

2. The Night Diary – Veera Hiranandani

3. Front Desk – Kelly Yang

4. Amal Unbound – Aisha Saeed

5. Dactyl Hill Squad – Daniel José Older

6. Tight – Torrey Maldonado

7. Ghost Boys – Jewell Parker Rhodes

8. So Done – Paula Chase

9. Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows – Ryan Calejo

Diverse Picture Book Recommendations

https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diversity-book-lists-for-kids/diversity-books-by-genre/diverse-picture-books/

Diverse Early Chapter Book Recommendationshttps://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diversity-book-lists-for-kids/diversity-books-by-genre/diverse-easy-readers-early-chapter-books/

Diverse Chapter Books and Young Adult Recommendationshttps://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diversity-book-lists-for-kids/diversity-books-by-genre/diverse-chapter-books/

The host Michele McAvoy is an award-winning children's book author. Interested in a School Visit (teachers/librarians), a picture-book critique (writers) or appearing on the My Messy Muse podcast (all of the above) please visit Michele's website at www.michelemcavoy.com/workwithme

Subscribe to Michele's newsletter to receive a FREE print entitled "Someone Special" from her most recent picture book THE GORILLA PICKED ME! with Native Ink Press.

Jackie Yeager is a middle-grade author of the Crimson Five Series; Award-winning Spin the Golden Lightbulb (January 2018) and Flip the Silver Switch (August 2018) with Amberjack Publishing.

Jackie tells us her inspiration for this creative STEM story set in the future about 5 kids who enter an inventive competition with the hopes of winning and ultimately avoid being programmed. Flying scooters, flipping bunkbeds and sparkling air purifiers are just a few of the magical elements that fill the pages of this fun juvenile journey.

Take a listen to hear Jackie's inspiration and her path to finding an agent and getting that book deal! The Crimson Five series is Jackie's debut.

To find out more about Jackie here is her website https://swirlandspark.com

Her books are sold everywhere, including Amazon & B&N.

For exclusive giveaways and content, please join the My Messy Muse community on Facebook (free!) at www.facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse

Interested in a PB critique? Interested in a school visit? Please visit me at michelemcavoy.com/workwithme

Don't miss this interview with Stephanie Hansen, senior agent and owner of Metamorphosis Literary Agency as she answers all of your agent/publishing questions.

Stephanie will open up for queries from December 17, 2018 through December 21, 2019 for My Messy Muse members ONLY. It's free to join the My Messy Muse community. Please visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse/

1. You must be a My Messy Muse member to submit (she will have a members list.)

2. You must put "My Messy Muse Member" in the subject line of your query.

3. submission emails infö@metamorphosisliteraryagency.com

https://www.metamorphosisliteraryagency.com

www.michelemcavoy.com

Michele McAvoy's picture book entitled "Cookie & Milk" is set to release with Cardinal Rule Press in Fall 2019!

An interview with Rob Vlock, a middle grade author with two novels published with Simon & Schuster, Sven Carter & The Trashmouth Effect and Sven Carter & the Android Army. Rob talks about his inspiration for his crazy characters, what drove him to write for children and how writing helped him through the bumps in the road. I hope you enjoy this kidlit podcast.

Visit My Messy Muse on Facebook to join our private community. All kidlit fans welcome!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mymessymuse/

https://robvlock.com