If you're at #NY15SCBWI, I hope you'll join me (and faculty friends) at the "Find The LGBTQ in SCBWI" Session!

I'm excited to once more host and moderate this great Q&A session at the 2015 SCBWI Winter Conference, where we'll dive into the dos, don'ts, ins and outs of including LGBTQ characters and themes in writing and illustrating for children and teens.

We'll be joined by faculty guests, including Agent Tina Wexler (of ICM) and Simon and Schuster Art Director (and 2016 Debut Author) Laurent Linn.

The LGBTQ session will be on Saturday February 7th from 8pm - 9pm, right after the Gala party!


More about Tina:

Tina Wexler is an agent at ICM Partners, focused on middle grade and young adult fiction and non-fiction. She is particularly interested in modern folklore, non-linear storytelling, magical realism, humor, weepies, and most anything with a feminist slant. Current and forthcoming titles include Teddy Mars, Almost a World Record Breaker by Molly Burnham, Pointe by Brandy Colbert, Poisoned Apples by Christine Heppermann, Nightbird by Alice Hoffman, and Bone Gap by Laura Ruby. She holds an MFA in poetry from Brooklyn College and is the mother of two boys. On Twitter: @tina_wexler.

Agent Tina Wexler

And here's Laurent's debut book announcement:


"David Gale at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights for Laurent Linn's debut illustrated YA novel, Draw the Line. Obsessed with superheroes and Renaissance art, 16-year-old Adrian creates his own unique but secret comic-book style superhero... who happens to be gay. Thrust into a dangerous spotlight at his Texas high school, Adrian must use his own superpower - art - in a struggle to discover how to become a true hero. Emmy-winning author Linn, an art director at S&S, also creates the illustrations for the novel. Publication is scheduled for summer 2016. Brenda Bowen at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates negotiated the deal.

Art Director and Author Laurent Linn

It promises to be a great discussion!

Lee

*** UPDATE SATURDAY MORNING FEB 7, 2015 ***

Additional Confirmed Faculty Guest: Agent Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency!

Jennifer's bio:

Jennifer Laughran is a senior agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She joined ABLA in 2007 after many years as a buyer and event coordinator for an independent bookstore. Jenn is always on the lookout for sparkling YA and middle grade fiction with unusual and unforgettable characters and vivid settings; the common thread in all her favorite stories is an offbeat world-view. She loves funny books, thrilling books, romantic books, books that make her cry, and all-around un-put-downable books.

Agent Jennifer Laughran

*** UPDATE SATURDAY EVENING FEB 7, 2015 ***

CONFERENCE FACULTY & BEST-SELLING AUTHOR JANE YOLEN TO JOIN US!

Jane Yolen is the author of well over 350 books, including Owl Moon, Devil's Arithmetic, and the How Do Dinosaurs books. A past president of SFWA (Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers of America) she's written books and stories that have won two Nebulas, a World Fantasy Award, a Caldecott, two Golden Kite Awards, three Mythopoeic awards, two Christopher Medals, a nomination for the National Book Award, and the Jewish Book Award, among others.

Best-Selling and Award-Winning Author Jane Yolen

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A sneak peek of the LGBTQ Q&A conference faculty guests at this year's sold-out SCBWI Summer Conference!

One of my favorite events of the year, the SCBWI Summer Conference starts today! I'm once again heading up SCBWI's Team Blog, and we'll be tweeting (follow the hashtag #la14scbwi) and blogging live from the conference floor over at the Official Conference Blog.

Among the conference events I'm most excited about is getting to host the LGBTQ Q&A session this evening (Friday August 1, 2014), from 7:30pm - 8:30pm in Olympic II.

Our faculty guests this year are fantastic, and will be joining us with enthusiasm, encouragement, and answers to attendees' questions about the fears, challenges and triumphs of including LGBTQ characters and themes in works for children and teens.

Who are they?

Tim Federle, 2014 Golden Kite For Fiction Winner for his Middle Grade novel, "Better Nate Than Ever." I did a fun pre-conference interview with Tim here.

Author Tim Federle

Agent Danielle Smith, of Red Fox Literary

Agent Danielle Smith

Agent Adriana Dominguez, of Full Circle Literary

Agent Adriana Dominguez

Art Director Laurent Linn from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (who worked on Tim's cover!)

Laurent Linn and a friend

and legendary author Bruce Coville (who has published over 120 books and whose "Am I Blue?" short story back in 1995 gave the title to the ground-breaking Marion Dane Bauer-edited anthology, "Am I Blue?: Coming Out From the Silence."

Author Bruce Coville

If you're attending the SCBWI Summer conference, I hope to see you there. Otherwise, if it's of interest, stay tuned to the conference blog and to twitter for a tapas-like taste of what's sure to be an amazing event, in a weekend of superlatives!

** UPDATE SAT AUG 2, 2014, 6:33AM **

We were also joined by "Freakboy" Author Kristin Elizabeth Clark and Editor Emma Dryden.

You can read my session summary here at the Official SCBWI Conference Blog.

***

Namaste,
Lee

The LGBTQ Q&A is Back At #NY14SCBWI

One of my favorite things about the SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City is hosting the LGBTQ Q&A session.  This time round it will be held on Saturday February 22, 2014 directly after the gala, from 8-9pm.

It's always a great discussion, with special guests from our conference faculty who weigh in with their answers to all your questions about including lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex, asexual and queer characters and themes in books for children and teens.

It's a wonderful opportunity to network with other writers and illustrators, meet professionals who have published LGBTQ-inclusive works, and help make the world of children's and teen literature -- and the world of the books you create -- that much more diverse.

Hope to see you there!

Conference details and registration information are here.

Namaste,
Lee