Sunday, January 6, 2013

Coming This Week


Week of January 6, 2013: An Interview with Maria Modugno
Quote of the Week:
The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home.
—John Campbell

I started 2012 with an interview with Maria Modugno. Since Maria is coming to our Miami SCBWI conference, we’ve updated the interview and I’m happy to run it again.

Maria Modugno is the Editorial Director, Picture Books, Random House Books for Young Readers. Previously, Maria was the Vice President and Editorial Director for HarperCollins Children’s Books. She has worked at several major publishing houses over the years, and with writers who are among the picture book greats. Maria is also known as the “queen of picture book series” and has a knack for turning picture books into franchises.

While at HarperCollins Maria acquired two of my picture books based on my character, Ruby Rose. We went through the editing phase on one of those books, and it was both great fun and a chance to learn from an editor’s editor.

Maria will be a featured presenter at the Florida SCBWI Winter Workshop in Miami on January 18-20. She will be co-leading the picture book intensive along with Rubin Pfeffer (my agent) and the fantastic picture book author, Toni Buzzeo. Maria will also present at other times during the weekend and will also critique manuscripts. There’s still time to register for the conference, or you can register at the door. Visit the Florida SCBWI web site at http://www.scbwiflorida.com/ for more information.

I hope you enjoy this week with Maria Modugno. This is an interview you won’t want to miss.

Monday, January 7—An Interview with Maria Modugno, Part I
Tuesday, January 8—An Interview with Maria Modugno, Part II
Wednesday, January 9—An Interview with Maria Modugno, Part III
Thursday, January 10—An Interview with Maria Modugno, Part IV
Friday, January 11—Quotes to Inspire You

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