YPG Special Offer: FREE Intensive Workshop at 21st Century Children’s Nonfiction Conference
The 21st Century Children’s Nonfiction Conference will be held June 12-14, 2015 at Manhattan College in New York City. This is an opportunity for publishing staff to learn from seasoned publishers as well as educators, designers, and digital developers about the newest developments and opportunities in children’s publishing. The conference includes a diverse range of activities including intensives, workshops, panels, open table conversations, Welcome Barbecue, Saturday Night Dinner, breakfasts, lunches, and an Educator Literacy Program.
Children’s nonfiction has experienced a surge in popularity. Publishers Weekly reported that juvenile nonfiction sales rose 16 percent in 2014. The Common Core has also boosted attention to nonfiction books. These standards advocate that students should be better prepared for the informational texts they will encounter in college and careers. The Common Core advises that elementary school students read a mix of 50 percent literature and 50 percent informational text. By high school, the mix should be 70 percent informational text. These developments offer opportunities for writers, illustrators, and publishers.
Some of the conference workshops include: “Making It to the Shelf: Getting on Booklists, in Book Reviews, and into Stores” – Presented by Betsy Bird and Amie Wright (NY Public Library) and Cynthia Weill (Bank Street College Children’s Book Committee); “Art and Photos in Children’s Nonfiction” – Presented by Shelby Alinsky and Jay Sumner (National Geographic Kids) and Stephen Tomecek (Science Plus, Inc.); “Teaching Science through Nonfiction Trade Books” – Presented by Dr. Christine Royce (Shippensburg University Teacher Education Department) ; “Trade Books for Different Age Groups and Markets” – Presented by Samantha Schutz and Marisa Polansky (Scholastic); “Marketing Cycles and Book Awards” – Presented by Jason Wells (Abrams). Full program details are available at www.21CNFC.com.
YPG members are being offered a free 3-hour Intensive Workshop (a $95 value) when they register for the conference. After you register, write to Sally Isaacs (sisaacs@starconsultinginc.com), Conference Co-Chair, with the name of the intensive you choose (There are 5 options.) You will be enrolled in the intensive for free.
