Caitlin Hicks

Hosted Writers’ Cafe Special Edition whose theme was ‘Family’ at The Arts Building, Gibsons, last night.

We had eight writers: Ross Harry, Heather Conn, Junco Jan, Patricia Hetherington, Sheila Weaver, Wendy Crumpler, Martha Royea and me! Also Gord Halloran spoke about the theme of the evening, ‘Family’ in its broadest sense and how it connects to his work LOTUS IN MOTION.

Loved every single one!

I read a chapter from my novel-in-progress a loosely based on reality story about a 12 year old girl in a military, catholic family of 14 children in Pasadena, California in 1963. The chapter was called ‘Ring of Fire’. The event was presented by The Arts Building. Wendy Crumpler & volunteers put it all together.

So she finished my novel, Timothy on the Bridge, and here are her first comments: (!)

Caitlin, I finished a first read yesterday and frankly, it left me breathless.

Just got a comment from an editor who’s reading my novel, Timothy on the Bridge:

“Hard to put it down, and get into my day (I’m reading early when my head is clear). It’s a terrific read to this point. Thoroughly enjoying the pacing, the paths and threads… “

Workshop this weekend with Michael Katz of Tradewind Publishing. Just a few notes:

1. Main character has to be likeable
2. Main character doesn’t generally die
3. Main character must triumph in some way through their own actions.
4. No explicit sex
5. No swearing
6. Generally, you don’t see the parents in a children’s book. It’s all about the kid. Grandparents are ok, aunts and uncles okay, as long as they’re great characters (can be wicked!)

Seems simple enough, doesn’t it? Here’s Cynthia Dusseault with workshop-goer Sarah Roberts’ soon-to-be-target child we’re writing these books to please:

We learned word counts for the various ages of children’s books, i.e.
1. Picture Book (age 3): very few words
2. Story Book (4 – 7 years old) 850 words (60 max on a page), 32 pages
3. First Reader (grades 2nd – 4th grade) : 4 – 7,000 words
4. Chapter Books (middle grades 3rd – 5th): 9 – 14,000 words
5. Pre-teen novel (11 – 13 year olds) 27,000 words – 40,000 words
6. Novel (14 – 17 year olds): up to 80,000 words

Michael said that picture books don’t work for kids under 3 because they rip them… but there are ‘board books’ for that age group, and they’re ’10 spreads’.

For younger children, the book should not be written in the first person, because little kids don’t have a voice yet.

Generally, the protagonist should be two years older than your target market, esp in pre-teen and teen books.

Here we are, most of us together:

The cover letter. Boy was that an eye-opening few minutes, as we watched and listened as Michael opened up the day’s mail (no real names were spoken, and details were smushed so we wouldn’t know the identity of the writer or the work), but it was, shall we say, excruciating. I read the cover letter I wrote introducing my children’s book idea. This letter prompted Michael to call me and discuss the possiblity of working on something in the near future.

The audience for picture books is Grannies, Aunties, etc. I got the impression that Tradewind Books is really looking for teen books – they’ve got lots of picture books.

He gave us books, urls and organizations to investigate:

Children’s Writer’s & Illustrators Guide (Published by Writer’s Digest)

Society of Children’s Book Writers SCBWI.com (this site has great links)

ccbc.ca Canadian Children’s Book

Gotta go to the opening of Meditation on Lotus: Family at Yoga by the Sea in Roberts Creek. Next: The cover letter and PJ Reece our guest at workshop!

Third Coast International Public Art Society presents Michael Katz in writer’s workshop

March 1, 2012 – For writers: Tips on writing children’s books with Michael Katz, publisher of Tradewind Books (Vancovuer). Katz is an 18-year veteran of children’s book publishing. Recent titles Honeycake, The King has Goat Ears, Abbys Birds and The Year I Was Grounded are among the company’s over 30 publishing awards since 1994. www.tradewindbooks.com

This workshop is for writers. It’s an overall introduction to writing for children and covers the answers to these questions: what makes a good story? What makes a good book? (length (words) format, focus, voice). A review of the categories and age groups of children’s books will also be covered as well as discussion of books written around seasonal and religious events and holidays. A general discussion of getting your book illustrated and what the industry expects when you pitch a children’s book is also a part of the workshop.

Writers with works-in-progress, self-published writers and even those with merely an idea for a book may bring these works to the workshop. The instructor will comment on individual works in the context of the class, so others can learn from examples. It’s also an opportunity for writers to get their work in front this publisher.

Michael Katz, MEd, taught school in London, England for 20 years. He has also taught publishing courses at Langara College, Capilano College and Simon Fraser University.

Dates of workshop: Saturday April 14th (10AM – 3 PM ) & Sunday April 15th (10 – 12 noon). Contact: Caitlin Hicks (604) 886-3634 for more information, or to sign up.

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I hate how fast it all goes.  How Christmas/Spring/birthday is here again so soon.  I open the blinds to let in the light and find myself almost instantly closing them against the dark.

We’re taking part in the Sunshine Coast’s 2nd Art Crawl, this year from October 21st-23rd. In Roberts Creek, you can see the colourful installation of Gord Halloran’s LOTUS IN MOTION in the garden pond. (see www.lotusinmotionproject.blogspot.com)

We’re having ‘an event’ on Friday night from 7 PM to 9 with beverages and a view of Halloran’s other permanent artwork from the two Olympic Winter Games – 2006 in Turin and 2010 in Vancouver. Also featured will be a variety of retrospective work – some representational, painterly and provocative. Come meet the artist.

The Art Crawl offers Crawlers access to 108 participating galleries and art studios, representing over 175 artists along the entire Sunshine Coast Highway from Langdale to Lund.  More info: www.sunshinecoastartcrawl.com