Anne Trimble also attended the Mid Year Conference:

Dang—Anni basically said it all! The Illustrators Intensive at the SCBWI Winter Conference was, indeed, extremely intense—but extremely informative and inspirational at sessions with some great illustrators and industry experts. Sessions included copyrighting and archiving your work (whatever the media) to a panel on marketing picture books. I especially was inspired by the illustrator presentations—how long they’d worked, how much time each project took. And their wonderful illustrations!

I was thrilled at the opportunity to present my portfolio to art directors and editors in the industry’s main publishing houses. I now wish I’d counted exactly how many postcards I’d put out to see how many had been taken at the review. Live and learn! Now it’s just waiting to hear if anyone took my postcards…and if my illustration style fits into their “corral” of illustrators.

Though the closed portfolio review was a great opportunity, I would like to have had a chance to get some feedback on my portfolio from other professionals at the conference–maybe smaller critique groups, similar to the writer’s critiques. A couple other illustrators I spoke to echoed my thoughts. Being totally new to this whole process, I don’t know what has been done previously at conferences, or what works with illustration versus writing. Tomie DiPaolo gave his opinion on how to set up a great portfolio, so I need to make a few changes to mine (too late for the review 8-)).

And I definitely agree with Anni – the first day of the main conference was VERY general, and I felt more focused toward writers (though I enjoyed the author-presenters very much). I wished that, out of the eight breakout sessions in the main conference, there had been at least a couple art directors, rather than just editors/publishers. I will note this in my evaluation of the conference. I know that illustrators are definitely in the minority at the conference (didn’t get the breakdown), but there should have been at least an even representation in the breakouts. I did feel a bit lost at lunch when I found myself at a table of writers, who were all mostly schmoozing among each other about writing. Our joint conversations had nothing to do with kid lit. I just gotta get out more (loner that I am 8-)) 

I was fortunate enough to connect with Pat Easton on Saturday, and she invited me to “the dinner” that evening. (Anni–I really enjoyed the dinner with you and Pat, et. al, though my husband, Curt, and I were at the other end of the table and we didn’t get to chat. We had a great time getting to know Marcy and writers Cindy Cotten and Alma Fullerton).

The Sunday morning sessions were great. I especially enjoyed the panel discussing “The Path of the Picture Book”. Author, editor, marketing director, VP of publicity (all from Scholastic), and an independent bookstore owner followed the path from the inception of a picture book (“Dizzy” by Jonathan Winter) to its place on the shelves of a bookstore. Great conversation!

And I got a book signed by one of my favorite illustrators, David Wiesner—with a personal illustration 8-).

Overall, I tremendously enjoyed the conference, got a WHOLE lot of great information. The main jist of what I came away with is this:

·         Smaller publishing houses are the most willing to draw in new talent.

·         SCBWI gets you some “Ins” where the masses aren’t allowed.

·         All publishers/editors want YOUR BEST stuff (writing or illustration). Quality was stressed in several of the sessions.

As a first-time attendee and an illustrator just sticking my toes into the waters of the children’s book business, I took away so much great information. I learned a whole new set of vocabulary, and learned how the publishing process works—and that I have a lot of work to do to break into the children’s illustration market.

On the way back from the conference, my husband and I stopped at the Brandywine Museum to see Jerry Pinkney’s great exhibit (he was a presenter for the Intensive), and revisit all the great NC Wyeth and Howard Pyle illustrations. So inspiring! I highly recommend this wonderful gallery in Chad’s Ford, PA, for anyone looking for inspiration or a quiet retreat (all the Wyeth’s, family, and Brandywine Valley artists are represented)—there’s also a wonderful inspirational garden/outdoor walk along the Brandywine River.

if you would like to see more of Anne Artwork visit: www.AnneTrimble.com