2024 Middle of the Map Virtual Conference Schedule
All times are Central Time
Friday, November 1, 2024
6:00 pm-9:00 pm Optional critiques via zoom!
Saturday, November 2, 2024
8:00-8:15 am Welcome
8:15-9:15 am Panel: Digging Deeper: Shedding Light on Hidden Histories
Authors discuss their experiences researching and writing lesser-known historical narratives from a variety of underrepresented communities, and the importance of representation in children's literature.
9:30-11:45 am Goal Setting Workshop with Francine Puckly
(with 15 minute break)
In this two-hour, hands-on workshop, writers and illustrators have the opportunity to turn their long-term creative hopes into concrete five-year goals. Participants define five-year visions, which are turned into annual goals. Annual plans give way to quarterly, monthly and weekly tasks. Participants will leave the workshop with plans that incorporate all aspects of their projects and goals.
11:45 am-12:30 pm Social Room/Lunch
12:30-1:30 pm Agent Creator Panel with Saba Sulaiman of Talcott Notch Literary and clients
Q&A where we will delve into the dynamics of the agent/author relationship.
1:45-2:45 pm (concurrent sessions)
The secret of a winning portfolio with Illustrator Mentor Rahele Jomepour Bell
In this exclusive workshop, Rahele will unveil the crucial elements for crafting a winning portfolio that will impress both publishers and agents.
OR
Traditional vs. Self-Publishing with Mentor Chelsea Tornetto
As the self-publishing ecosystem grows, it’s clear that there’s more than one way to publish a book! Yet, there still seems to be an unspoken divide between traditional and self-publishing authors. In this session, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of traditional and self-publishing, what we can learn from each other, and why it’s so important to remember that we’re all in this together!paths require different strengths and skills…and I think each could learn from the other!
3:00-5:15 pm HOOK! PLOT! PITCH! Emphasis on the PITCH! With Kaz Windness
(with a 15 minute break)
Perfect your book pitch and learn from an author-illustrator currently receiving 7 book deals a year. In this workshop, Kaz will demystify the process of crafting a great book hook and developing a pitch package. Writing a fabulous logline will help you focus and improve your storytelling to sell your book concepts to agents and publishers. You'll craft some elevator pitches of your own and then we’ll workshop as a group. This session is especially valuable to writers or illustrators who write or want to write. Please come with a book idea to workshop!