Is this your first conference? Are you new to writing and illustrating for kids? If so, you'll want to join me for “Your Career Starts Here,” on Friday at 4 PM for a nuts and bolts beginner-level session that will answer all those burning questions you have: Like should I query agents or editors? How do I query agents and editors? Just what is a query anyway? If I’m writing a picture book, do I have to find an illustrator? What’s an advance? What will I get paid? Do I have to pay the money back if my book doesn’t sell? How do royalties work? Et cetera, et cetera.
I'll talk at you for about thirty minutes, answering as many of those questions as I can, and I'll leave the rest of the time for you to ask questions about all the things I missed. My expectation is that once you leave this session, you'll have a basic kids book business foundation to build on as you attend more the more specialized business and craft panels all weekend. The behind-the-scenes world of children's books can be a strange land, but we'll have you walking and talking like a native in no time!
Alan Gratz is the author of a number of books for young readers, including Samurai Shortstop, The Brooklyn Nine, Prisoner B-3087, and his latest, The League of Seven. Visit him online at www.alangratz.com.