Latinidad – April 2006: Children's Books

Contents:
1. Saludos: Children's Books
2. Q&A: Adriana Dominguez
3. Upcoming Workshops: Chica Lit Club Fiesta
4. Writing Opportunities: Children's Book Writers Conference
*********************************************************************
For more writing opportunities, including calls for submissions,
contests and conferences, visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/ and
click on Writing Opportunities.
*********************************************************************
1. Saludos
According to Criticas magazine, as of 2004 more than half of Spanish
language and bilingual books for children were imported from Latin
America and Spain. Given that the Census Bureau reports that by 2025
one in four children in the U.S. will be Latino, agents and editors
arguably need to find and publish Latino children's book writers and
illustrators to serve this growing market. One children's book
editor who is actively seeking Latino writers is featured in the Q&A
below.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Adriana Dominguez is an Executive Editor in the children's book
division of HarperCollins. Before joining Harper, she was Criticas
magazine's Children's Review Editor. She has many years of
publishing experience in the children's market, and has worked for
most major publishers, such as Scholastic, Harcourt, McGraw-Hill,
and Santillana U.S.A, among others, on either a full-time or
freelance basis.

Why is HarperCollins Children's Books a great home for Latino
writers?
HarperCollins Children's Books is a major publisher with a
reputation for excellence and innovation in the field of children's
book publishing. The fact that this company now has an in-house
Latina editor dedicated to Latino children's books through
their "Rayo" imprint displays its commitment to the Latino market,
and represents an opportunity for Latino children's authors to join
the ranks of classic and bestselling authors such as Eric Carle,
Maurice Sendak, and Margaret Wise Brown.

Which Latino authors has HarperCollins Children's Books published?
Most recently, Rayo helped Grammy Award-winner singer-songwriter
Gloria Estefan add "New York Times best-selling author" to her long
list of credits. Rayo is also the publisher of literary icon Isabel
Allende's wildly popular young adult trilogy. Additionally, we have
published established and respected Latino children's authors such
as Alma Flor Ada, Isabel Campoy, and Lulu Delacre.

What kinds of manuscripts do you seek?
Because Rayo is expanding, we are afforded the luxury of publishing
all types of relevant work written by Latinos in Spanish, English
and bilingually. Rayo recognizes the wonderful diversity of this
market, and its interests reflect that.

How can writers avoid your "Reject" pile and get into your "Pursue"
pile?
By submitting original work that speaks to the current Latino
realitie(s) in the U.S., by avoiding stereotyping while managing to
recognize the rich Latino culture and capturing its spirit.

Other than honing their craft, what is the smartest step writers can
take to become successfully published?
Honing their craft is the smartest way to get published; don't
submit an unfinished work, or a work in progress; you often get only
one shot to make an impression on a publisher, make it count. Also,
keep yourself informed; see what is being published and what needs
to but hasn't yet; keep abreast of the market's trends, and if
possible, stay one step ahead of them.

Send submissions to: Adriana Dominguez, Executive Editor,
HarperCollins Children's Books and Rayo, 1350 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, NY 10019-4703
HarperCollins Children's web site:
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrens/
Rayo web site: http://www.harpercollins.com/imprints.asp?
imprint=Rayo

3. Upcoming Workshops
WHAT: Founded and organized by best-selling author Alisa Valdes-
Rodriguez, The Chica Lit Club Fiesta is the first and only
mainstream chick lit event aimed at modern Latinas in the United
States. The fiesta will feature all the excitement of a literary
conference, plus the fun of being in one of the world's most
beautiful cities. The event will include panels, readings, and book-
signings with your favorite Chica lit authors; group brunches and
dinners with inspiring Latina celebrity and author keynote speakers;
pampering, beaches, shopping and nightclubs; there will also be a
book fair sponsored by Books & Books of Miami. For a schedule of
events, visit http://www.chicalitclub.com/schedule.html

WHEN: Friday, May 19 through Sunday, May 21

WHERE: Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, 4833 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach,
FL 33140

TO REGISTER: Visit http://www.chicalitclub.com/registration.html

QUESTIONS?: Contact info@... or (505) 573-2892

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/id49.htm
List of upcoming workshops: http://www.marcelalandres.com/id22.htm

4. Writing Opportunities
*********************************************************************
When you contact these organizations, please mention that you were
referred by the Latinidad™ Newsletter. Thank you, and let me know
what happens.
*********************************************************************
CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS CONFERENCE
Date: August 4-7
The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators offers two
conferences a year, covering subjects from poetry to plot structure,
marketing to time management, revisions to royalties. The conference
continues to expand its program for illustrators as well, with a
heavy emphasis on the craft and technique of picture book
illustration. To register and for more information, visit
http://www.scbwi.org/events.htm.
*****
CITY COLLEGE SEEKS ENGLISH LIT LECTURERS
Closing Date: April 16
Appointment Available: September 1
The English Department seeks two lecturers to teach undergraduate
courses in composition, literature, and creative writing. Teaching
load will be 27 contact hours with possible reduction for
administrative responsibilities. For more information visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/ then click on Writing Opportunities
then Jobs.
*****
HISPANIC WRITER AWARD
Deadline: May 1
For fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. Open to any New Mexican
resident of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish heritage. For more
information visit
http://www.unm.edu/~taosconf/scholarships/Hispanic.htm.
*****
WRITING WORKSHOP IN SAYULITA, MEXICO
Application Deadline: May 1
Workshop Date: June 18 - 25
Fiction workshop led by award-winning novelist, journalist and poet,
with an emphasis story, voice and craft. Lively, in-depth workshop
critique and one-on-one conferencing. Writers will meet for three
hours each weekday morning to discuss and critique their classmates'
manuscripts. Afternoons are open for one-on-one conferences with
Obejas and for individual writing time. For more information, visit
http://www.toltecatl.com.mx/.
*****
HBO SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Deadline: May 5
HBO has teamed with The New York International Latino Film Festival
to find the next hot Latino filmmaker. The winner will receive
$15,000 in funding to produce and direct on digital video an
original short film narrative. The winning film will be presented on
screen this summer during the New York International Latino Film
Festival. To apply and for more information visit
http://www.nylatinofilm.com/ .
*****
CHICANO/LATINO LITERARY PRIZE
Deadline: June 1
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of
California, Irvine invites submissions of an unpublished full-length
play in Spanish or English. For more information, visit
http://www.hnet.uci.edu/spanishandportuguese/contest.html .
*****
LATINO PUBLIC BROADCASTING OPEN CALL
Deadline: June 5
An open invitation to independent producers to submit proposals for
a public television program or series on any subject that relates to
or is representative of Latino Americans. For guidelines and more
information visit http://www.lpbp.org/
*****
LATIN-AMERICAN EROTICA ANTHOLOGY
Deadline: July 1
Anthology entitled "Erotically Ours" seeks submissions of erotica in
the form of stories, poetry, and prose on the Latino experience of
erotica. For submission guidelines and more information visit
http://www.eroticallyours.com/ .
*****
NBC SEEKS DIVERSE WRITERS
NBC seeks ethnically diverse writers, males and females, all
minority ethnicities, for scripted NBC primetime series and
programming. The NBC Diversity Initiative program provides funding
for minority staff writer positions that are selected and hired by
the showrunner/producers of each show, with the guidance of the
network and studio(s). Scripts are accepted year-round for
screening; however, positions are generally filled during the March-
June staffing season. For more information, visit
http://www.nbc.com/NBC_Career_Opportunities/Diversity_Initiative_for_
Writers.html .
*****
POETS & WRITERS' DIRECTORY
Poets & Writers' Directory of American Poets and Writers includes
contact information for over 6,000 poets, fiction writers, creative
nonfiction writers, and spoken word artists. The Directory is used
by agents, editors, and reading series coordinators; the goal is to
include all qualified writers in it (qualifications are specified on
the application). If you qualify, please apply for listing, which is
free-of-charge, on their Web site, http://www.pw.org/ . The
application is easy to complete and should take no more than five
minutes of your time. P.S. Please help us spread the word about the
Directory by letting other qualified writers know about it.
*****
CONSULTATIONS
I edit manuscripts, critique proposals and advise on how to launch
and maintain a successful writing career. If you are interested in a
consultation, please visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/ , click on
Consultations, and follow the instructions.
*****
POST AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN LATINIDAD™
E-mail announcements about contests, calls for submissions,
conferences, jobs, book publications, literary events, etc., to
marcelalandres@....
*****
CHANGE E-MAIL ADDRESS/READ BACK ISSUES
To change your e-mail address and/or to read back issues of
Latinidad™ visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/.
*****
REPRINTS
If you wish to reprint portions of Latinidad™, please credit The
Latinidad™ Newsletter and include a link to
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
DID YOU LIKE THIS NEWSLETTER?
If so, forward it to friends and colleagues. If not, fill out the
Newsletter Survey on http://www.marcelalandres.com/id59.htm and tell
me what doesn't work and why.
*********************************************************************
"Writing is only a guided dream."—Jorge Luis Borges

The Latinidad™ Newsletter © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Helping writers get published.