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!

The SCBWI-Michigan Fall Fantasy to Reality Conference was a fantastic experience. The first evening was populated by fantasy characters (I was a sorcerer) and the create-your-own wand competition was a big hit. I walked away with the runner-up wand, a dark creation featuring a bone handle and bear claws for hand to hand combat. Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles and A Seven Realms series, was the keynote speaker, and was just as charming as Aunt Linda from The Warrior Heir.

Susan Chang, Senior Editor at TOR, was a great presenter and always ready to talk books during down time. Any author who gets to work with her has struck gold. Amy Lennox, Senior Editor at Sleeping Bear Press, gave an in depth look into the acquisition process and would be a gem of an editor to work with as well.

Partick Collins, Creative Director at Henry Holt and Company, presented picture books from words to finished product and was extremely accessible and talented. Authors Darcy Pattison, Crystal Bowman, and Betty Raum also presented and gave critiques (unfortunately I didn’t get to listen to any of them).

Overall, the conference was splendid!