SCBWI-WI Spring Luncheon 2009

     All the rain we had here in southeastern Wisconsin would have made today the perfect day to curl up with a good book. Instead, however, I had the great pleasure of previewing books about to be released, talking about books, mingling with some of the state’s best authors, seeing old friends, and making new ones at the SCBWI-WI Spring Luncheon. The annual event brings Wisconsin authors and illustrators together to share lunch and hear from a professional in the publishing world.

Spring Luncheon 2009

     Our guest speaker was Kendra Levin, editor at Viking Children’s Books, which is an imprint of Penguin. Kendra’s shown left, and I’m on the right.

Kendra Levin and Silvia Acevedo     She spoke on a slew of issues, including how the economy is affecting acquisitions, which I found particularly interesting. Kendra assures us that publishers are still acquiring books (after all, that is what they do), although they’re being pickier and taking fewer risks. As such, she encourages authors to aim for specificity in their work: in hook, plot, target audience, and, later, the agent or publisher to which you submit.

     Good talk and very encouraging.

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