Mar'ce Merrell » Writing samples http://marcemerrell.com Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:42:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 New York. SCBWI. http://marcemerrell.com/blog/new-york-scbwi/ http://marcemerrell.com/blog/new-york-scbwi/#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:09:17 +0000 Mar'ce http://marcemerrell.com/?p=279 nywebsiteThe Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is a truly wonderful association for professional development, inspiration, and networking opportunities with writers, editors and agents who can make a difference in your career. Certainly it has made all the difference in mine. This is where I first believed that if I worked hard enough, I could get a YA book published by a major US publisher. I also met a writer who led me to a NY agent who is absolutely fabulous. (She represents Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games!)]]> nywebsiteThe Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a truly wonderful association for professional development, inspiration, and networking opportunities with writers, editors and agents who can make a difference in your career. Certainly it has made all the difference in mine. This is where I first believed that if I worked hard enough, I could get a YA book published by a major US publisher. I also met a writer who led me to a NY agent who is absolutely fabulous. (She represents Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games!)

This is a friendly group of people who believe that The Mitten expands as more people ask to crawl inside to get warm. For the most part it seems that writers who create for an audience of children and young adults demonstrate the kindness and hope that steers them in their writing process. It is understood that while all themes can be explored in children’s literature, that the author keep her eyes on hope is essential. It’s part of what separates the writers for youth and the writers for adult world; the distance between hope and cynicism.

This year we had a large Alberta contingent and a strong Canadian one. Debby Waldman and Joan Marie Galat repped the Edmonton area. Jan Markley from Calgary showed up. Several authors from Ontario, including the famous Marsha Skrypuch.

If you’re a writer who is looking for a way to move to the next level of publishing or confidence, I’d recommend first, a membership and, as a goal, joining us at next year’s winter conference. (I’ve been once to the summer conference in LA and it was terrific! Alas, the timing doesn’t usually work out for me- vacation time!)

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