LA SCBWI Conference?

[Nikki Katz]

Hi everyone!  Is anyone going to the SCBWI conference in Los Angeles this summer?  I thought we could get a group together to chat about the event!  Need a roommate?  Not sure which panels to attend?  Not sure what to wear on Saturday night?!?! 

I'm excited, can you tell?

[Heather Zenzen]

I'm going! Got registered (also doing the YA Voice Intensive class), flight and hotel booked. Don't have a roomie yet, but I'm open to one! My hotel reservation is for Thursday 7/29 through Monday 8/2. I got a flight out Monday night. I have a non-smoking room with double beds.

[Nikki Katz]

Yay! I'm still not sure on my roomie reservations yet, but I'll let you know if I know of anybody or if I need someone. I'm definitely open to one or more roommates to keep the costs down.

Are you doing the critique? Have you gone before?

[Heather Zenzen]

I went last year, and it was awesome! I was at that place where I had just finished my manuscript and was finishing revisions, getting ready to start querying. I DID do the manuscript critique last year, which was mind-blowing. I got Anica Rissi at Simon Pulse. I would highly recommend it. I'm not doing it this year though. I'm working with an agent, so I feel like I'm getting the professional feedback I got from the critique last year already. I am excited about the YA Voice Intensive, though. I'm hoping to finish these stupid revisions (same book I went to SCBWI with last year) so I can start on my new project; that's the book I want to focus on in the voice class.

If anybody reading this needs a roommate: I'm super introverted in person and can sleep through anything. I don't smoke. I own many animals but don't plan on bringing them with me (although some of their fur might hide in my suitcase).

[Roza marie]

How much is it and where can i find the info?

[Heather Zenzen]

scbwi.org, click on International Conferences. It's the summer one in L.A. ... for SCBWI members, it's $475 for early registration, and it's a full four-day conference.

[Roza marie]

Sweet. Thanks . I will look that up and save up to go to that.

Heather Zenzen said:

scbwi.org, click on International Conferences. It's the summer one in L.A. ... for SCBWI members, it's $475 for early registration, and it's a full four-day conference.

[Nikki Katz]

I was there last year too!! I did a critique and I had a friend who did the YA voice and she loved it - thought it was a great track. Congrats on having the agent, I'm still searching.... Sigh, what a process!!

Heather Zenzen said:

I went last year, and it was awesome! I was at that place where I had just finished my manuscript and was finishing revisions, getting ready to start querying. I DID do the manuscript critique last year, which was mind-blowing. I got Anica Rissi at Simon Pulse. I would highly recommend it. I'm not doing it this year though. I'm working with an agent, so I feel like I'm getting the professional feedback I got from the critique last year already. I am excited about the YA Voice Intensive, though. I'm hoping to finish these stupid revisions (same book I went to SCBWI with last year) so I can start on my new project; that's the book I want to focus on in the voice class.

If anybody reading this needs a roommate: I'm super introverted in person and can sleep through anything. I don't smoke. I own many animals but don't plan on bringing them with me (although some of their fur might hide in my suitcase).

[Heather Zenzen]

Well, full disclosure, I don't have the agent YET. I have to successfully complete these revisions, submit the new manuscript, and have him think I made good enough progress to want to keep working with me! It's how he works. I agree to work with him exclusively, he spends time drafting an editorial letter, and I revise based on his notes. I really hope I don't blow it, or I'll be back to square one. And that square, the querying-and-looking-for-an-agent square, well ... it's hard! But at least I'll be going out there again with a stronger manuscript.

[Nikki Katz]

That's still VERY good. I hope it all goes well!!!

Heather Zenzen said:

Well, full disclosure, I don't have the agent YET. I have to successfully complete these revisions, submit the new manuscript, and have him think I made good enough progress to want to keep working with me! It's how he works. I agree to work with him exclusively, he spends time drafting an editorial letter, and I revise based on his notes. I really hope I don't blow it, or I'll be back to square one. And that square, the querying-and-looking-for-an-agent square, well ... it's hard! But at least I'll be going out there again with a stronger manuscript.

[Susan]

I also signed up yesterday and am booked at the hotel. It's my first time to attend the LA Conference, so I'm looking forward to it.

[NKrell]

I'm going and would like to get a roomie. Please let me know so I can start to make my plans.

[Kay]

Hi Nikki! I'm going to the SCBWI conference.

I'm new here, but I found YALitChat thru some online friends' blogs (whom I know thru Nathan Bransford's forums).

Anyway, I think the hotel is pretty expensive so roommates sounds like a good idea. Right now, I'm researching a youth hostel that is only about 10 minutes away from the hotel hosting the SCBWI event. They look pretty good for as inexpensive as they are. I, too, would love to get a group together.

Let me know!

Kay