Whispering Pines

 

SCBWI New England

WHISPERING PINES Writers’ Retreat

March 25-27, 2011

 

 

 This retreat, limited to 28 full time participants, is an opportunity                    
to work intimately with professionals in an idyllic setting.  
 
                                   
 
Weekend registration includes accommodations and meals. You will
have the opportunity to work with others who are committed to
quality children’s literature in small groups and will also benefit
from a thirty minute one-on-one critique with your mentor. You will
also enjoy all of our mentors’ presentations (Saturday and Sunday)
and intimate after dinner Q&A sessions, including a “first pages
activity.” The setting allows for quiet meditation, networking,
or attention to your individual project—you design your own retreat!
 
Saturday only participants will enjoy a terrific presentation from Newbery Honor winning author, Cynthia Lord, on revising a novel. Also enjoy presentations from editors, Cheryl Klein and TBD. Afterwards, visit with other professionals over a relaxing lunch that boasts an outstanding menu. Although one-on-one critiques are not included for day only participants, group critiques take place all afternoon.
 
Sunday only participants will enjoy presentations from our author/illustrator, Jennifer Thermes and Ammi-Joan Paquette, agent at Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Enjoy the company and professionalism of other participants over a delicious lunch.
 
There will be a book sale each day for your browsing pleasure. Sorry! No credit cards accepted.
 
For more information, contact Lynda at Lyndamullalyhunt@yahoo.com
 

 

 

Our 2011 Mentors!!!
 

 

 
Cynthia Lord's debut novel, RULES (Scholastic, 2006), has received numerous awards, including a Newbery Honor and the Schneider Family Book Award. A former elementary and middle-school teacher, Cynthia even spent a year teaching in a one-room schoolhouse on a Maine island, which is the setting for her second novel, TOUCH BLUE (Scholastic, 2010). She is also the author of two picture books with Scholastic, HOT ROD HAMSTER and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAMSTER (both illustrated by Derek Anderson). Cindy lives with her family in Brunswick, Maine.  
 
Jennifer Thermes is a children’s book author and illustrator. Her second book, Sam Bennett’s New Shoes (Carolrhoda), was named a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book. She also creates illustrated maps for book and magazine clients, and has done endpaper maps for books such as The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt, and Revolution is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine. Recent projects include illustrations for a middle-grade chapter book written by Valerie Hobbs, to be released by Henry Holt BYR in 2011. Jennifer lives in a very old farmhouse in Connecticut with her family, two cats, one dog, and countless mice. Visit her at
www.jenniferthermes.com.
 
 
Cheryl Klein is the senior editor at Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic. She edited Marcelo in the Real World, by Francisco X. Stork, winner of the Schneider Family Medal; The Snow Day by Komako Sakai, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce, winner of the inaugural William C. Morris Award for a YA debut novel; and Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi, translated by Cathy Hirano, winner of the Mildred L. Batchelder Award for translation, among many other novels and picture books. Please visit her editorial website at www.cherylklein.com
 
 
 
 Ammi-Joan Paquette joined the Erin Murphy Literary Agency as an associate agent in early 2009. Recent sales include The Monstore, by Tara Lazar (Aladdin, 2012), The Orphan Prince trilogy, by Jennifer Nielsen (Scholastic, 2012), and Shattered Souls, by Mary Lindsey (Philomel, 2011). Joan represents all forms of children’s and young adult literature. She is particularly drawn to a strong lyrical voice, tight plotting, and complex characters. She would love a great food story. Joan is also the author of The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies (Tanglewood, 2009) and the forthcoming mid-grade novel Luchi, Undaunted ( Walker, 2012).

 

 

 

 

 Registration Information:

 

NOTE: In addition to this webpage, Whispering Pines Registration info will go out in the November edition of the NE-SCBWI Newletter. Registrations will not be accepted prior to the release of the newsletter. An exact date will be provided in Novemeber. Thanks!

 

 Weekend Participant Info:

 

The cost for a weekend slot is $520. The cost includes double-occupancy accomodations, meals     from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, a 30-minute one-on-one critique with your mentor, participation in all workshops/presentations by mentors, peer group critiques, first pages activities and Q&A sessions with mentors on Friday and Saturday nights, and an all around fantastic time!

           

To reserve your place for the weekend retreat, a deposit of $150 and your application are due by     December 31, 2010.

The balance of $370 and your manuscript are due by February 5, 2011.

 

**Click on "Reservations" button above for printable Registration Form

 

Check-in at Whispering Pines is between 2:00 and 5:00 on Friday.

Manuscript submissions can be whole picture book manuscripts or the first three chapters and an     additional chapter of a longer work with a limit of 25 pages. Again, these are due by February  5, 2011

 

 

Day Event Enrollment Info:

 

The Saturday event fee is $110.

The Sunday event fee is $90. 

Saturday and Sunday--day only--participation is $180.

Tuition is due on the receipt of your application. The due date is 

      December 31, 2010.                                                     

 **Click on "Reservations" button above for printable Registration Form

 

 

 For more information, contact Lynda at Lyndamullalyhunt@yahoo.com