I attended the Writing Biographies for Children breakout session at the 2013 SCBWI Summer Conference.
I loved their joy in their subject matter. I came away wanting to write a biography. Two days after the conference I woke up with a full blown idea for a Non Fiction picture book. How They Wrote It. I Googled the title and the idea because it was so clear to me that I couldn't believe anyone hadn't written it before. I've been researching and writing since last Tuesday and I have a first draft. That's a wonderful feeling.
I missed Michelle Markel's Sparkling Non Fiction Picture Books (Link is to her post about the event.) Golden Kite winner Jen Chase Ferris' Primary Sources! Out to Find The and How to Use them.
I also missed Andrea Davis Pinkney's workshops. Andrea is both an editor at Scholastic and an author. Here's the link to her breakout session, From Idea to Acquisition: Turning Your Brainstorm Into Books from the SCBWI Conference blog. I couldn't fined a report of her session - The Art and Craft of Non Fiction.
Just for fun, here is the GoodReads list Best Non Fiction Picture Books. Perhaps you would like t add to it.
Write on.
Thanks, Susan, that's a lot of info. in a short blog post! There are so many possibilities here!
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Penny.
DeleteWow Susan, thanks so much for posting this information. You have inspired me to start writing the non-fiction book that has been lurking around in my mind for two years now.
ReplyDeleteNicole Weaver
Award-winning Author
http://nicole-weaver.com
Excellent, Nicole. The research is crazy fun. I now have four versions of How The Wrote it. Two are full of foot notes. You have to document everything in a non fiction book. It's term papers all over again.
DeleteI'd like to find out more about these. It's such an wonderful topic. You've definitely stimulated my interest in this area. Thanks Sue!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris and than you so much for your comments at group tonight.
DeleteSue, Thanks for all this information! Research can be fun. Good luck with your new projects!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindi
DeleteI am going to need it.
How exciting to have a new passion.Your enthusiasm is infectious and the links are most helpful. Good luck with the new project and please keep us updated on its progress.
ReplyDeleteI will. Thank you for commenting, Annie. I just got the first round edits on my adult book (which is partially set in London in 1969) and I have to buckle down to that. But I am itching to get back to How They Wrote research.
DeleteI, too, love non-fiction! While it's a challenge to be spot-on in research while making the pages sing, it's one I love taking on. You had some terrific exposure at the conference, and I'd love to read the finished product! Best of luck, Sue!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy. I have to make some more changes and then I would be honored if you would look at it.
DeleteI have 5 nonfiction picture books completed but no publisher has come through yet. What do you suggest?
ReplyDeleteI am too new at the non fiction to suggest anything. Have you tried the educational market? I am pretty sure the SCBWI publishers list has that information.
ReplyDeleteMy writing friend, Alice B. McGinty, has almost a 2nd career writing children's biographies. She becomes so involved with her subjects. It is very interesting to hear her talk about them. SO far, she has down Charles Darwin and Ghandi. WOW! ;) Like all children's writing, you can't dumb it down for them but you have to write so they understand. NOT EASY! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI know. I still want to do a picture book bio of Louisa May Alcott.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on the Childhood of Famous American series which is still being published and I feel I owe something back to that market.