News

The Pacific Northwest Children’s Book Conference for writers and illustrators, sponsored by Portland State’s Haystack Summer Program in the Arts, will be held on the campus of Reed College July 10–14, 2006. Registration for the conference begins March 15, 2006.

Now in its seventh year, the Children’s Book Conference presents an exciting week of lectures, panels, small-group, faculty-led workshops and critique sessions. Linda Zuckerman, director of the conference, has brought together another stellar group of instructors, editors, authors and illustrators. Special guest Steve Geck, executive editor at Greenwillow Books, one of publishing’s most prestigious and successful small imprints, will be giving several insightful talks throughout the week about the current publishing scene.

“The entire faculty is available throughout the day for conversations and the exchange of ideas. Last year many students commented that the chance to make these connections in an informal setting was one of the best things about the conference,” said Elizabeth Snyder, director of the Haystack Program.

Conference participants will explore topics such as plot, picture book structure and development, fiction techniques to enliven nonfiction, writing for the educational market, poetry, writing young adult fiction and dealing with writer’s block. Several concurrent sessions will be offered including workshops for those relatively new to the field and others with more experience. Illustrators will have the opportunity to work on developing characterization, setting, composition and to visually interpret a brief text provided by the conference writers. This year’s distinguished faculty includes Susan Blackaby, Marla Frazee, David Gifaldi, Kirby Larson, Nancy Osa, Ann Whitford Paul, Susan Goldman Rubin, Elsa Warnick and Linda Zuckerman, director.

Housing and meals will be available on campus to allow more opportunities for networking and ongoing discussion with faculty and fellow students. Tuition ranges from $600–$1230 for the week depending upon residency and credit options. Individual manuscript and portfolio reviews are available for an additional fee and University credit is available through Portland State. Enrollment is limited to 60 spots.

For more information, to request a brochure or to register contact the Portland State University Haystack Summer Program in the Arts at 503-725-4186 or e-mail Elizabeth Snyder at snydere@pdx.edu. For complete conference information please visit www.haystack.pdx.edu/children.

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For Immediate Release (#06-038)

Source: Elizabeth Snyder (503-725-4186)
PSU Extended Studies