Wisconsin

Wisconsin

  • SCBWI-Wisconsin is once again offering mentorships to writers and illustrators in several categories. There are two parts to our application—please see below for more info. RULES:  1. You must be a current member of SCBWI who has attended at least one of our member events in the past year.*   2. You're only able to apply for one categrory of mentorship. The only exception is if you qualify to submit to the Diversity Mentorship with Pat Schmatz, and if that's the case, you're able to apply to one of the other MG/YA mentorships. However, if you're selected as the winner for the Diversity Mentorship, you will not be eligible for any of the other mentorships.   3. You must be pre-published in the category that you're applying to. Self published authors/illustrators are considered pre-published.   4. You must follow the requirements and format instructions to be considered. Double and triple check your files and emails before you submit.    *This rule does not apply to the mentorship with Pat Schmatz   PROCESS: PART 1 - Fill out this online application form and click "submit" PART 2 - Email in the requested documents (follow the guidelines for the category of the mentorship you're applying for) to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org Deadline: November 20, 2017   PICTURE BOOK Jamie A. Swenson received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University in 2009. Her first picture book, BOOM BOOM BOOM, was published by FSG in 2013 after MANY years of close calls, near misses, and "we love it, buts..." Jamie credits SCBWI with helping her learn most of the ropes of writing before she entered Hamline's MFAC program. Like many writers, she can point to numerous times when she was mentored and helped along the way by those with more experience. She is happy to return the favor to another writer who is ready to take the next step with his/her writing - and have fun doing it. This mentorship is intended for a writer who does not yet have a picture book under contract, but has shown a commitment to learning the craft.  Titles by Jamie A. Swenson: WINDFALL BALL (LERNER fall 2018), MEET WOOF & QUACK (HMH fall 2017), WOOF & QUACK IN WINTER (HMH fall 2017), IF YOU WERE A DOG (Macmillan/FSG 2014), BIG RIG (Disney-Hyperion 2014) / Audio (Live Oak Media June 2016), BOOM BOOM BOOM! (Macmillan/FSG 2013)   To apply for the Picture Book Mentorship with Jamie Swenson, please submit the following to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org:  Step 1) Fill out this online application form and click "submit" Step 2) EMAIL the following documents to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org (Subject Line: MENTORSHIP_SWENSON):  A. Two (2) correctly formatted picture book manuscripts (File Name: YourName_Title_MENTORSHIP_SWENSON) B. An artist's statement (File Name: YourName_ArtistStatement_MENTORSHIP_SWENSON) C. A short explanation of what you would like to accomplish during the mentorship (File Name: YourName_Explanation_MENTORSHIP_SWENSON)   MIDDLE GRADE Jane Kelley grew up by a woods in Mequon, Wisconsin, a perfect place for her imagination to roam. After graduating from Northwestern University, she performed street theater throughout the Midwest. She moved to Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, and was inspired by their daughter, to write for kids. In 2010, she published her first middle grade novel, Nature Girl. She was the 2013 Thurber House Children’s Writer in Residence. She has written many more middle grade novels, including The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya, honored by the CCBC as a best book in 2014. Her newest work is the chapter book series, The Escapades of Clint McCool. Jane says, "The community of people who love children’s books has always been welcoming. I’m excited to continue that tradition. I’ve written many different types of middle-grade novels, so I know that each novel requires its own journey. I believe in unique voices and the power of story to do good in the world. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience to help fulfill your vision." For more information, visit Jane’s website – janekelleybooks.com To apply for the MidGrade Mentorship with Jane Kelley, please submit the following to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org:  Step 1) Fill out this online application form and click "submit" Step 2) EMAIL the following documents to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org (Subject Line: MENTORSHIP_KELLEY):  A. A properly formatted MG manuscript excerpt of no more than 10 pages or 1,200 words (File Name: YourName_Title_MENTORSHIP_KELLEY) B. An artist's statement (File Name: YourName_ArtistStatement_MENTORSHIP_KELLEY) C. A short explanation of what you would like to accomplish during the mentorship (File Name: YourName_Explanation_MENTORSHIP_KELLEY)   MID GRADE/YOUNG ADULT/ DIVERSITY Pat Schmatz is the author of the YA novels LIZARD RADIO (Candlewick), BLUEFISH (Candlewick), and MOUSETRAPS (Carolrhoda). Pat grew up in rural Wisconsin and has lived in Michigan, California, and Minnesota. In addition to writing, she’s interested in language study (ASL, Italian, Japanese and Spanish), drawing/cartooning, travel and anything outdoors. Her next book is a middle-grade novel, THE KEY TO EVERY THING, coming from Candlewick in the the spring of 2018. This would be a one-year mentorship with a focus on craft to an unpublished MG or YA writer. Pat is open to working with anyone from a brand new beginner to someone who has been around for a while. Pat is much more interested in their motivation than current writing skills. She would like to work with someone who is *hungry* to write.  From the mentee, Pat would ask for a commitment of focused work over the year period with dedication to the process. The mentee needs to be motivated and fully willing to develop craft, with no promises or guarantees on what they'll get at the end. Although Pat is happy to suggest/advise on submissions, etc, this is NOT a promise of connections of access to agents or editors.  Pat will critique manuscripts, suggest reading materials and writing exercises, offer advice on professional decisions and query letters, and basically be available in whatever ways she can. Although Pat is living in MN now, she still considers herself part of SCBWI-WI. Pat is occasionally in WI (near Stevens Point) and could possibly arrange an occasional in-person meeting. While all unpublished members of SCBWI-WI (or those who agree to become a member at the time the mentorship begins) who are from a diverse background are welcome to apply, Pat intends to take into consideration intersectionality and whether the applicant faces multiple structural barriers to publication.   To apply for the MidGrade/Young Adult/Divesity Book Mentorship with Pat Schmatz, please submit the following to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org:  Step 1) Fill out this online application form and click "submit" Step 2) EMAIL the following documents to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org (Subject Line: MENTORSHIP_SCHMATZ): A. Artist statement of personal style/vision, including why they want to write for children or teens, and where they are/goals for their career (File Name: YourName_ArtistStatement_MENTORSHIP_SCHMATZ) B. A properly formatted MG/YA manuscript excerpt of no more than 10 pages or 1,200 words (File Name: YourName_Title_MENTORSHIP_SCHMATZ) C. Short statement of how the writer is from a diverse background (which may include (but is not limited to) LGBTQIAP+, Native/First Nations, people of color, gender diversity, immigration status, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities) (File Name: YourName_Statement_MENTORSHIP_SCHMATZ)   SELF PUBLISHING (PB/Illustration) During Jeanne Styczinski’s 30 year career as a kindergarten teacher, Jeanne read thousands of children’s picture books and wrote/illustrated many stories in her classrooms.  She could see the important role that children’s picture books played in students’ literacy development and how early connection with pictures books helped students develop a love for reading. In 2013, Jeanne felt an urgency to pursue a life-long dream, to write and illustrate picture books for children beyond her classroom. She has created a small publishing company, JeanneKay Publishing (jeannekaypublishing.com), a website (mrsjeanne.com), promotes writing and illustrating by presenting to elementary schools/libraries and has self-published three picture books, two that have won a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award (2014 Mama, How Does The Wind Start To Blow? and 2015 Papa Why Does The Sun Shine?). Her third book, Who Will Be My Friend? will be released Fall of 2017. Jeanne's offering a 6 month mentorship to someone who is interested in self-publishing a picture book. Be ready to not only explore your manuscript, but to research and learn information on how to get your book published. She'll offer guidance and feedback in the following areas: explore picture books: book size, word count, types, parts), goals (refine, how to achieve), manuscript (refine/critique, edit), illustrations (dummy page, explore possibilities, graphic designer), publishing (book print ready, price, IBSN#, Copyright, how to find a printer), and marketing (website, Amazon, school visits, book stores). To apply for the Self-Publishing Picture Book Mentorship with Jeanne Styczinski, please submit the following to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org:  Step 1) Fill out this online application form and click "submit" Step 2) EMAIL the following documents to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org (Subject Line: MENTORSHIP_STYCZINSKI):  A. One (1) correctly formatted picture book manuscript (File Name: YourName_Title_MENTORSHIP_STYCZINSKI) B. A short explanation of what you would like to accomplish during the mentorship (File Name: YourName_Explanation_MENTORSHIP_STYCZINSKI) C. A link to an online portfolio or 3-5 attached jpeg images (File Name: YourName_Image#_MENTORSHIP_STYCZINSKI)   SELF PUBLISHING (MG/YA) Silvia Acevedo is a journalist turned novelist. In her 20 years in news, she’s interviewed presidential candidates, covered national and international stories, and given breaking news reports for CNN and local television and radio stations around the country. She also occasionally guest hosts a television morning talk show for the Milwaukee NBC affiliate. All those years of reporting objective fact enticed her to delve into her imagination in her off time, and so Ms. Acevedo brought fiction -- particularly mythology -- back into her life. When she did, the gods of old pestered her to write about them. The result is The God Awful Series of Books, beginning with God Awful Loser and followed by God Awful Thief. Silvia is busy writing the third and final book in the series. Silvia will assist one writer through his or her self-publishing journey. This includes manuscript critique, answering questions about the many variations of publishing, and sharing her knowledge of marketing and promotions. The mentorship will span a six month period, approximately January – June 2018. Applicants should be writers who’ve been serious about writing for at least a year and have a completed and polished MG or YA manuscript. To apply for the MidGrade/YA Self Publsihing Mentorship with Silvia Acevedo, please submit the following to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org:  Step 1) Fill out this online application form and click "submit" Step 2) EMAIL the following documents to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org (Subject Line: MENTORSHIP_ACEVEDO):  A. A properly formatted MG manuscript excerpt of no more than 10 pages or 1,200 words (File Name: YourName_Title_MENTORSHIP_ACEVEDO) B. A short explanation of what you would like to accomplish during the mentorship (File Name: YourName_Explanation_MENTORSHIP_ACEVEDO)   ILLUSTRATION Deb Gross has enjoyed working in children's publishing for the past 14 years, and has worked with a wide range of educational publishers and agents. She works digitally and in pencil, pen & ink, watercolor, and colored pencil. She's been a member of SCBWI for 19 years and is the former Illustrator Coordinator for the Wisconsin chapter, a position she held for 7 years. Deb will be offering an illustration mentorship to someone wishing to pursue illustration for print or trade books. More info available at http://debgrossink.com/Bio.html.     To apply for the Illustration Mentorship with Deb Gross, please submit the following to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org:  Step 1) Fill out this online application form and click "submit" Step 2) EMAIL the following documents to wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org (Subject Line: MENTORSHIP_GROSS):  A. A short explanation of what you would like to accomplish during the mentorship (File Name: YourName_Explanation_MENTORSHIP_GROSS) B. A link to an online portfolio or 3-5 attached jpeg images (File Name: YourName_Image#_MENTORSHIP_GROSS)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
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