Point of View with Asst. Editor Catherine Laudone of Simon & Schuster
Clarity and Joy come with every SCBWI Spring Luncheon. This year, though, the organizers pitched those benefits in the event title. That’s a big promise, and I think the organizers did a great job delivering both.
The Spring Luncheon of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators-Wisconsin is an annual half-day conference that always seems to come at the right time, when I’m starting to get a bit of the winter blahs and am happy to connect with other writers and illustrators. This year’s was held in Sturgeon Bay, which is still wintery, but features a beautiful bay.
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Assistant Editor Catherine Laudone of Simon & Schuster spoke about the pros and cons of the various forms of points of view in writing. You remember POV from middle school, right? First person uses “I.” Second person uses “you.” And then there’s third person with its options (limited, omniscient, etc.). Laudone spoke about how different POVs offer varying levels of emotional connection and descriptive opportunities. POV is important, and it was helpful to dive into the intricacies of the many types of narrative voice.
The event also marked a transition for SCBWI-Wisconsin. Fearless leader Miranda Paul is stepping down after three years as co-Regional Advisor. She and Andrea Skyberg have done wonders highlighting our work to literary and educational leaders around the world. Southeast WI Area Rep Rochelle Groskruetz, who’s organized great events for years, steps in.
As usual, some of my favorite moments were catching up with fellow writers and illustrators, seasoned and newbies. If you’re aspiring to write or illustrate a book someday, come to this inspiring event! It’s great to hang around with creative people.
Oh Catherine Laudone, one of the mystery ladies, in the walled city of Simon & Schuster.
I’m your wish list. I’ve got a picture book about a thumb and a pinkie. I’ve got at mythical creature who lives in a karst cave. I’ve got a pair of Chinese American kids, one adopted and one left behind, who tour China and learn about the past from the bus guru, Mr. Li. I’ve got a middle grade novel, all New Age, about a sister and brother who move between a dream world and the village, and struggle to save their mother from sinking in the Sour Seas. I’ve got another too, about a smart kid with a wanderlust dad and a company -driven mom who finds out about the world with the help of an English Imagination and the African girl-next-door. I’ve got another one too, about a rich boy, a beautiful nanny, a wicked (maybe) Count and a museum of fairy tale high in a mountain hamlet (starring the Wolf). I’ve even got a story about the real Santa!
I’m published too – by great publishers. But I took time off (family, family) and how things have changed. And now I know what I don’t have. What I don’t have is an agent. I’m not on Twitter. I’m not on Facebook.
So how do I get past those walls!?
Ingrid, join a writing organization like SCBWI and go to their conferences. You’ll meet industry pros and often get to pitch to them even if they work at places normally closed off to un-agented submissions. Good luck!