Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers 2011 conference

So I just have to gush about the WIFYR conference this year. For those who aren’t familiar with the acronym, it is The Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers conference held June 13-17 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Registration is open now, and some of the classes are already full. I’m already signed up, and I hope to see you there!

I’ve been attending this conference for years, and it has been so helpful. For me personally, I formed my awesome critique group from this conference (and I know others have done the same), and I’ve met tons of my writing buddies here, as well as made important contacts. Not only can you network, but you get a full week of intense workshopping with an author. Then there are awesome afternoon sessions that are just so helpful, and that’s not even mentioning the dancing they do in the opening and closing parts! So check out the short (as in 45 seconds) video to see what the conference is like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kgQp9FocO4

And there is also a facebook page, which is currently having an AWESOME CONTEST!

And there is going to be an AMAZING faculty!

Beginning Class– Sharlee Glenn
Picture Book Class– Trudy Harris
Picture Book Class– Kristyn Crow
Illustrator Class– Kevin Hawkes
Chapter Book Class– Mike Knudson
Middle Grade Novel– Claudia Mills
Beginning YA Novel Class– Emily Wing Smith
Novel Class — Louise Plummer
Fantasy Class– Holly Black
Advanced Novelist Class– Martine Leavitt
Advanced Novelist Class– Kathleen Duey
NEW! Writer’s Boot Camp– A.E. Cannon
Keynote Speaker– Ally Condie

AND these guys will be there, too:

Agent– Mary Kole, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Editor– Alyson Heller, Aladdin Books
Editor– Lisa Yoskowitz, Disney

I also want to mention that my friend, Cherylynne, is having a contest over on her blog where you have the chance to win one (or more) of 50 books. That’s right — FIFTY BOOKS! So go check it out now!