On March 22nd, SCBWI hosted the International SCBWI Symposium in
Bologna, Italy, followed by the SCBWI Showcase at the Bologna Book Fair.

One hundred participants from all over the world, including speakers and
volunteers, attended the symposium. Keynote speakers were writers Ellen Hopkins, Richard Peck, Leonard Marcus, writer-illustrator Frané Lessac, Fiona Kenshole of Laika Entertainment and SCBWI president Steve Mooser.

Leonard Marcus began with a discussion of US, UK and international book awards and of his experiences judging books for top prizes.

Richard Peck gave a rousing speech about children’s literature and read
from his forthcoming novel A Season of Gifts.

Fiona Kenshole blew the crowd away with her behind-the-scenes look at acquiring books for movies, creating Coraline and a video specially made
for SCBWI Bologna.

Ellen Hopkins gave a writing workshop on YA and provided feedback to those who read the first two pages of their manuscripts.

Frané Lessac's illustrators' workshop provided moving visual examples of crossing cultural borders and included a discussion with other illustrators working internationally: Doug Cushman, John Shelley, Bridget Strevens-Marzo and Dianne Wolfer.

The First Pages panel was moderated by Kathleen Ahrens and included agents from US, UK and New Zealand: Sarah Davies (Greenhouse), Marcia Wernick (Sheldon Fogelman), Frances Plumpton (Richard's Literary), Rosemary Stimola (Stimola Literary Studios), Kristin Nelson (Nelson Literary), Kendra Marcus (BookStop Literary), Steve Chudney (Chudney Agency) filled in for John Cusick (Scott Treimel), who was unable to attend due to travel difficulties.

The First Look panel moderated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo showed a series of three slides submitted by each illustrator for comment by picture book publishers Deirdre McDermott (Walker UK) and Neal Porter (Roaring Brook) and art director Martha Rago (Harper US).

The final panel, moderated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo and Erzsi Deak, provided diverse answers to pre-selected questions about 'Publishing Today from Idea to Markeplace' from editors and publishers, Gita Wolf of Tara Books, India (whose hand-printed books won her a 2010 Bologna award),
e-book pioneer Stephen Roxburgh (Namelos, US), Sarah Foster (Walker Books, Australia), Neal Porter (Roaring Brook, US), Sara Grant (Working Partners, UK) and Tessa Strickland (Barefoot Books, UK).

Steve Mooser opened and closed the day with his inspiring words for us all. Lin Oliver was unable to attend and was greatly missed.

SCBWI Bologna Speaker interviews were posted on cynsations: cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com

The full day symposium closed with a buffet dance at a local bookstore, to which we also invited publishing professionals who were not able take part in the symposium.

The SCBWI Showcase was our booth at the Book Fair from Tuesday - Friday. The Showcase exhibited events from SCBWI regions, individual displays by PAL members, created a buzz, good publisher contacts and even some foreign rights sales for multiple books. In addition to shelves displaying our books, an Illustrator Portfolio showed selected work by attendee illustrators, also online www.scbwibologna.org/displayportfolio/illustrators-gallery.php www.scbwibologna.org/displayportfolio/illustrators-gallery.php.

The symposium and booth would not have been possible without the RAs from many regions including: Tioka Tokedira (RA France), Marjorie van Heerden (RA South Africa), Jessie Huang (RA Taiwan), Corinne King (ARA Australia), Miri Leesham-Pelly (ARA Israel), Linda Lingard (RA Malaysia), Linda Lodding (ARA Netherlands), Mikki Mahan (RA Russia), Jenny Walters (RA Korea), Laura Watkinson (RA Netherlands) , Dianne Wolfer (ARA Western Australia), Sally Cutting (RA Spain), and Yoko Yoshizawa (ARA Tokyo), plus the members of Team Bologna (below) who dealt with hundreds of emails each day in order to coordinate the event.

A special note of thanks goes to Erzsi Deak, Doug Cushman, and John Shelley (IDP Coordinator) and Tioka Tokedira (Review Coordinator).

Thank you one and all!

Angela Cerrito
Assistant International Advisor, SCBWI Bologna 2010 Co-coordinator