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“I loved this workshop—I had a truly excellent, eye-opening experience.”
— Edward Necarsulmer, agent; Children’s Department, McIntosh & Otis |
2010 Faculty
BIOS & KUDOS
One of the greatest draws to any workshop (and perhaps its greatest strength) is its faculty. We select cutting-edge, articulate presenters who enjoy working closely with writers. Like you, these professionals want to see your manuscript shine—then be successfully published.
Below, we’ve provided not only faculty bios, but testimonials from writers like you. Why? Because credentials alone aren’t enough to determine if an individual will meet your needs and match your tastes. To further inform you, we also provide exclusive, in-depth interviews with our faculty on the 15th of every month, February through April.
Some previous faculty who received rave reviews from our attendees include editors Joy Neaves (Front Street Books), Deborah Wayshak (Candlewick Books), Andrea Welch (Harcourt Children’s Books), Erin Clarke (Knopf/Random House), Julie Romeis (Bloomsbury), and Anne Hoppe (HarperCollins); agents Andrea Brown, Stephen Fraser, Andrea Cascardi, and Edward Necarsulmer; author-consultants Marion Dane Bauer, Martha Alderson, Deborah Halverson, and Barbara Shoup.
In 2010, we welcome literary agent Ted
Malawer, children’s book editor Kate Harrison,
and author-consultant Laura Backes. Enjoy their bios
and kudos below! Also, see our interview with adjunct faculty
Liz Gallagher, author of YA novel, The Opposite of Invisible.
 To read Bios & Kudos of our previous faculty,
click here.
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LITERARY AGENT
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Kudos
 “I’ve
worked with Ted for three years—and sold three novels. I’m
consistently impressed with his creativity, intelligence, and
knowledge about children’s publishing. He’s also a great
negotiator, incredibly supportive of his clients, possesses a
keen editorial eye, and has a terrific sense of humor—what more
could anyone want in an agent?” — Sydney Salter, former client, author
of My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters (Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt); more
“Ted's
a savvy, hands-on agent who landed a two-book deal for my debut
novel. He gave me invaluable advice on how to enhance my plot, yet
believes the heart of each story lies in its language and the
voices of its characters. His editorial advice blended all of
these sensibilities.”
— Yvonne Woon, author of Dead Beautiful
(Hyperion, Sept. 2010)
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Since Ted launched his agenting career in 2007, he has sold
books to almost every major publisher—including six-figure deals
to Random House, Scholastic, Disney-Hyperion, and Little, Brown
Books for Young Readers.
An “editorial,” hands-on agent specializing in youth novels, Ted
advises writers to craft the best possible manuscript before
submission. He seeks well-drawn characters and a riveting plot
in literary or commercial genres, with impeccable writing and
fulfilling storytelling. Ted’s clients’ publications include Antony John’s Busted,
Sarah Ockler’s Twenty Boy Summer, and Bree Despain’s
The Dark Divine. Upcoming 2010 releases include Danette
Haworth’s The Summer of Moonlight Secrets, Angie
Frazier’s Everlasting, and Violet Haberdasher’s
Knightley Academy.
Ted is a graduate of Columbia University and The Juilliard
School, where he studied Comparative Literature and Opera,
respectively. He also penned two YA novels under the name Ted
Michael: The Diamonds and
Crash Test Love.
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EDITOR
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Kudos
“If
my novel succeeds, it’s because of Kate Harrison. She’s
insightful, smart, and a joy to work with. She seems to know the
spirit of my stories before I do… kind of a writing shaman. Kate
is, in short, a dream editor.”
— Kathleen Van Cleve,
author of Drizzle (Dial Books)
“Kate
gently offers brilliant, transformative, supportive notes, with
a phenomenal sense of humor. She never gives up on me. Kate
brings the focus of the book, scene by scene, line by line, to
that which might challenge readers to see their world in a
different way. I trust her with my characters and therefore my
life.” — Paul Griffin, author of Ten Mile River
and The Orange Houses (Dial Books)
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Formerly an editor at Harcourt Children’s Books, Kate now edits at Dial
Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.
Dial’s focus is on stylish, genuine, character-driven writing with high
literary merit and kid-relevance.
Kate is drawn to a wide range of genres, from realistic fiction of any
time period to fantasies grounded in everyday reality—and, above all, to
stories “with unforgettable characters full of heart and sass. Bonus
points if you make me guffaw at my desk.”
Award-winning novels Kate has edited at both houses include Aurora
County All-Stars by Deborah Wiles, Willow by Julia Hoban, and
multi-award winners Orange Houses by Paul Griffin and Peak
by Roland Smith.
In college, Kate studied English and Creative Writing. She has worked
with many aspiring writers at Rutgers One-on-One, as well as other
conferences. “I am very much a hands-on editor,” she says. “I love the
process of working with authors to shape their novels.”
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AUTHOR-CONSULTANT
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Kudos
“Laura’s review of my mid-grade novel manuscript was detailed, precise and professional. It pinpointed strengths and weaknesses, efficiently walked me through areas that needed work, and asked poignant questions. My revisions led to publication and positive reviews. I applied the critique lessons to a second novel manuscript, published the next year. I would not hesitate to return to Laura for further advice and guidance.” — Cynthia Chapman Willis, author of Dog Gone and Buck Fever (Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan)
“I felt like a handyman without a toolkit. I knew something was broken, but didn’t know how to fix it. Thanks [to Laura] for giving me the tools to repair my manuscripts!” — Chuck Kline
“Laura helped me clean up my first novel manuscript, then made helpful structural suggestions. An agent picked it up and piqued the prompt interest of an editor. Based on such good results, I also submitted my second novel manuscript to Laura, which immediately sold to the same editor. My agent was impressed enough to request Laura’s contact info for other clients.” — Chris Woodworth, author of When Ratboy Lived Next Door, Georgie’s Moon, and Double-Click for Trouble (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
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Since 1988, Laura has impacted the children’s book field as an agent, editor, author, and teacher. She publishes the international, cutting-edge professional journal, Children’s Book Insider: The Newsletter for Children’s Writers. In these pages and in extensive workshop presentations, she has helped writers of all levels improve their craft. Also, through her manuscript critique service, she has critiqued more than 2000 children’s writers manuscripts—including 700 novels. Many of these fiction and nonfiction manuscripts have become published by such well-established venues as Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Laura authored Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate To Read (Prima Publishing/Random House), and Children’s Writer’s Big Book of “How To” (Children’s Book Insider). She was technical editor for Writing Children’s Books for Dummies (Wiley); her craft articles have appeared in national magazines (Writer’s Digest; The Writer).
Co-founder of Children’s Authors Bootcamp workshops, Laura also offers an extensive online community for children’s writers: The CBI Clubhouse (Click on “Take a Tour.”) This treasure trove, packed with articles, videos, podcasts and tutorials, was named one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writer’s Digest magazine.
BONUS!
The spring 2010 Homework web page of the Pacific Coast Children’s Writers Workshop will include a sample critique by Laura—a novel synopsis and first few pages—so that you, our future enrollee, may experience a taste of Laura’s critique style. Critique this online sample, then compare your analysis with hers. This hands-on demo previews the seminar’s open clinic format
or “master classes.” |
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Join our stellar faculty in this intimate, coastal setting!
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