Picture Book Summit, Page 2

•   Children’s author, editor and educator Emma Walton Hamilton will lead Submissions Savvy. Emma will demystify the process of research, drafting that all important query letter, and hitting the send button.
•   Children’s Book Insider publisher and longtime editor Laura Backes will teach Creating Memorable Picture Book Characters. Laura will show how to craft characters with spirit, personality, and aspirations that young children will identify with and find immensely entertaining.
•   Picture book author and 12 X 12 Picture Book Challenge founder Julie Hedlund will present Verse Curse. Julie will reveal the top crimes of rhyme and how to avoid habits that make your verse worse. Plus “must-have” tips and resources on rhyming.
•   Picture book author/illustrator Katie Davis will lead The Positive Power of Procrastination. Katie will teach five keys to getting your picture book written, the difference between active and passive procrastination, and how you can benefit from knowing your “why.”Picture Book Summit attendees will also enjoy exclusive agent and editor interviews and learn about breaking opportunities in the picture book field.“If folks loved the first Picture Book Summit – and they sure did – just wait until they see what we have up our sleeves for 2016,” said Jon Bard, Children’s Book Insider’s managing editor and emcee for the virtual event. “Superstar authors, top-flight educators, elite agents and editors and some cool surprises. That writers can attend from the comfort of their own homes, with no travel, hotels or time away from family and writing, makes it even more remarkable.”Picture Book Summit will take place October 1st from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm Eastern Time (7:30 am – 5:30 pm Pacific). The interactive event (question and answer opportunities will take place throughout the day) will be accessible from any computer, tablet or smart device. A full recording will be available to attendees after the event.Full details, including instant registration, are available at http://picturebooksummit.com ###Picture Book Summit is a collaboration between longtime industry mainstays Children’s Book Insider, Just Write for Kids, 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge and the Institute of Children’s Literature. This is the second year for the online conference.Reading Partners is a national nonprofit that trains community volunteers to provide effective one-on-one tutoring to students struggling with reading. Starting with a single classroom, the program has expanded to serve over 10,000 students in 13 regions across the nation. Last year, 90% of Reading Partners students increased their rate of literacy learning and 72% ended the year reading closer to grade-level proficiency. Learn more at http://www.readingpartners.org.