Here are some highlights from the SCBWI-MI Spring Conference 2012.

In the words of Author/Illustrator Brett Helquist (best known for illustrating Lemony Snicket)  “Genius is nothing but a lot of hard work.” Brett also encouraged all artists to trust the process and take things step by step.

Editor at Candlewick Press, Hilary Breed Van Dusen, encouraged writers to treat submissions as professionally as one would an application for a job and to really focus on the cover letter.

Jennifer Mattson, Literary Agent from Andrea Brown, reminded writers not to get discouraged by the word “no” and she humbly explained various projects that had been rejected by many and then went on to be best sellers.  She also showed how a “no” can turn into a “yes” next time if writers take a serious look at the reasons for a rejection and improve their story accordingly.

Author/Illustrator team Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) and Jim Di Bartolo brought comedy and encouragement to the conference. Laini was awesome and honest and truly inspired me to go home and write, write, write!