Sign Up For BREAK INTO PUBLISHING!

Just starting out writing for young people and wondering what you’re getting yourself into?

Ready to query and anxious for feedback?

Been querying for a while and wondering what’s really going on behind closed doors?

Well, then you’ll want to Register for BREAK INTO PUBLISHING! at the Lancaster Public Library on September 10 from 1-4 p.m. for a chance to meet Agent Heather Flaherty of the Bent Agency and Authors Jennie K. Brown, Sandy Asher, and….new to our faculty list…Mark Magro! (Registration is only $30 for SCBWI members!)

(Please note that this event is for writers only. If you’re an illustrator, go ahead and register for Illustrator Day instead!)

Take a look at the friendly faces of our faculty and learn a little more about them below. Keep scrolling for more details about the day’s events.

Heather Flaherty represents children’s, middle-grade, and young adult fiction and non-fiction, as well as select adult fiction and non-fiction.

I grew up in Massachusetts, between Boston and the Cape, and worked in New York City as a playwright during college. After a lot of country-hopping in my early twenties, I began my publishing career in the editorial department at Random House UK. I then became a young adult and children’s literary scout, advising foreign publishers and Hollywood on the next big books. Now, as an agent, I’m thrilled to focus on helping authors find that same success.

Check out Heather’s 2015 interview at the Eastern Penn Points Cafe here

Check out blogmaster Lindsay Bandy’s interview on signing with her lovely agent, Heather, here

Jennie K. Brown is an award-winning high school English teacher, freelance magazine writer, and author of children’s books. Her middle grade novel POPPY MAYBERRY, THE MONDAY will be published in September 2016 by Month9Books (Tantrum Books imprint), with a sequel to follow in April 2017. Book 3 in her Nova Kids Series is set to publish in September 2017. Jennie currently serves as president of the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts (PCTELA) and she is an active member of SCBWI, NCTE, and ALAN. She is a regular contributor to the SCBWI Eastern PAand PCTELA blogs.

Check out Jennie’s Cafe Chat from 2014 here!

Sandy Asher

I write books, mainly for young readers, and plays, mainly for young audiences. Preschool through high school. I also write for adults and travel to schools, conferences, workshops, and theaters all over the country to share ideas and experiences, teach creative writing and marketing techniques, and develop new scripts. Here in Lancaster, PA, I delight in working with the public schools and libraries, Lancaster Literary Guild, Millersville University’s Ware Center, United Way’s High Five Lancaster initiative, Lancaster Day Care Center, New Choices Career Development, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and other organizations and colleagues to coordinate programs that encourage literacy and creativity. I consider myself very lucky to be able to do the work I love and meet so many bright, caring, talented folks along the way.

Check out Sandy’s Cafe Chat here

Mark Magro

I grew up in New York where I went to some schools, eventually graduating Wagner College with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s in Adolescent Education. From there I spent some time teaching in New Jersey before relocating to Pennsylvania and setting up shop with my wife, Molly.

When I’m not teaching, I like to game, run, and spend time with my family. Oh, and writing. I find writing a swell time.

Read Mark’s Eastern Penn Points post about his journey to publication and his advice to writers here

Here’s what you can expect for the day’s agenda….

Agenting 101 – a talk by Heather Flaherty explaining the ins and outs of what agents do, plus time for YOUR questions!

My Journey to Publication – a talk by Jennie K. Brown, whose debut middle grade novel, POPPY MAYBERRY, THE MONDAY releases with Tantrum Books this September, plus time for YOUR questions!

A special First Pages/Query Looks session, where you can anonymously submit the first page of your picture book, middle grade, or YA manuscript. (Double-spaced, 1-inch margins, include title and genre in header) -OR- your query (include no personal information unless desired) for instant feedback from our talented panel, including Heather, Jennie, Sandy, and Mark.

(All submissions must be sent to Lindsay Bandy at LKBandy84@yahoo.com by September 1. We regret that we may not have time for all entries received, but we’ll do our best!)

There will be networking time, plus the opportunity to buy faculty’s books and get them signed, chat, and ask questions. Limited to 60 people, this cozy afternoon conference will give you lots of opportunities for friendship, feedback, and answers to your questions. Plus, it’s in charming, artsy downtown Lancaster! So join us, won’t you?

Got questions? e-mail Lindsay Bandy at LKBandy84@yahoo.com