‟Books transmit values. They explore our common humanity. What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?”
—WALTER DEAN MYERS
Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books?
New York Times, March 15, 2014
#KWELI22 VIRTUAL
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Pre-Conference Events
Tuesday, March 15
Horror in Indigenous Literature with Darcie Little Badger and Andrea Rogers, moderated by Arely Guzman
Wednesday, March 16
Star Child with Tracy Deonn in Conversation with Ibi Zoboi
Tuesday, March 22
Black Gold with Laura Obuobi, illustrator London Ladd and Eva Lynch Comer
Friday, March 25, 2022
Master Classes
9:00am - 12pm
A. Picture Books
The Art of Writing the Picture Book with CAROLE BOSTON WEATHERFORD, author of Unspeakable
Outstanding picture book texts are deceptively simple yet utterly magical. With an award-winning author as your guide, study hybrid-genre mentor texts and the ingenious moves behind them. Examine, and experiment with, premise, structure, verbs, viewpoint and voice. Experience how merging these elements can elevate the narrative to lyric. NOTE: PLEASE BRING DRAFT OF YOUR PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT.
B. Middle Grade and Young Adult Novel
Crafting Perspective and Point-of-View with KEKLA MAGOON, author of The Season of Styx Malone and The Rock and the River
The key to mastering voice is to fully immerse yourself in your character’s viewpoint and learn to observe the world from within their skin. Via discussion, exercises, and interactive prompts, we will explore craft techniques for grounding your story in the point-of-view character’s perspective.
* * *
1:30pm - 4:30pm
C. Chapter Books
Writing Chapter Books: Master Class with SUSAN MUADDI DARRAJ, author of the Farah Rock’s series
Kate DiCamillo said, “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift.” Chapter books are an important bridge for children who are just beginning to discover the precious gift of independent reading. However, chapter books are not simply “shorter novels” or “easy readers.” Children are insightful and selective readers who want to read engaging books. In this class, writers will bring a chapter book idea (just a bulleted list or paragraph will suffice). We will discuss the genre of chapter books, the important craft elements, and the ways in which one writes for the newly independent reader. Examples from mentor texts will be discussed and studied.
D. Young Adult Novel
Master Class on the Novel in Verse with ELISABET VELASQUEZ, author of When We Make It
In this masterclass, participants will learn storytelling using the emotive elements of poetry while managing the structural narrative of a novel.
Friday, March 25, 2022
YA Debut Panel
7:00pm - 8:00pm
YA Debut Panel
Featuring: Camille Gomera-Tavarez, Joanna Ho and Kristen R. Lee; moderated by Samira Ahmed
Saturday, March 26, 2022
8:45am - 8:55am
WELCOME by Laura Pegram
9:00am - 10:00am
A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
“Publishing is a Long Game”
Featuring: Angeline Boulley, Joanna Ho, Kevin Johnson, Kristen R. Lee & Lisa Stringfellow; moderated by: Sarah Choi
B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG)
Revolution in our Time: Nonfiction
Featuring: Kekla Magoon, Aida Salazar & Traci Sorell; moderated by: Autumn Allen
C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
Pulling at the Heartstrings: Picture Books
Featuring: Leah Henderson, Rajani LaRocca, Minh Le & Kim Rogers; moderated by: Namrata Tripathi
D. Intensive [see below]
10:15am - 11:15am
A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
Don’t Give Up Your Day Job (Yet)
Featuring: Paula Chase, Adib Khorram & Molly O'Neill, moderated by Phoebe Yeh
B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG)
This is How We Do It: Conjuring up Characters & Situations for a MG Novel
Featuring: Amina Luqman-Dawson, Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich, Andrea Y. Wang, & Brian Young, moderated by: Joanna Cardenas
C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
Marketing and Promotion: What I Wish I Knew Before My Debut (from TikTok Takeaways to Press Kits)
Featuring: Anne Wynter, Harshita Jerath, Winsome Bingham, Shirin Shamsi, & Lissette Norman; moderated by: Sheetal Sheth
D. Intensive [see below]
11:30am - 12:30pm
A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
CRAFT: “The Heartbeat of Nonfiction”
Featuring: Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, Wade & Cheryl Hudson, Kirsti Jewel & Marilyn Nelson; moderated by: Amina Luqman-Dawson
B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG)
Voice & the Novel in Verse
Featuring: Mahogany L. Browne, Candice Iloh, & Elisabet Velasquez moderated by Rajani LaRocca
C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
From Wisp of an Idea to Final Book
Featuring: Tricia Elam Walker, Gloria Amescua, Emeline Lee, Xelena Gonzalez, Laura Obuobi; moderated by Minh Le
11:30am - 12:30pm
D. Intensive Track
TRANSPARENCY: Developmental and Line Edits with TIFFANY LIAO
12:30pm - 1:00pm
Lunch Break
1:00pm - 1:45pm
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION with Michaela Goade and Cozbi A. Cabrera, moderated by Joanna Ho
2:00pm - 3:00pm
A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
On Identity and Belonging
Featuring: Schuyler Bailar & Brian Young; moderated by Autumn Allen
B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG)
Dear Star Child II: Tell Us About Your Research In World Building
Featuring: Zetta Elliot, Lisa Stringfellow & Julian Randall, moderated by Arely Guzman
C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
REVISION & SUBMISSION: What to Expect in The Author/ Agent/ Editor Relationship
Featuring: Brittany Thurman & Marietta Zacker, Nasugraq Rainey Hopson & Connie Hsu, moderated by Alvina Ling
3:15pm - 4:15pm
A. Publishing, Community, & Culture Track
Arab American Kidlit: Challenges and Opportunities
Featuring: Susannah Aziz, Hayan Charara, Aya Khalil and Rhonda Roumani; moderated by Susan Muaddi Darraj
B. Novels / Memoir Track (YA & MG)
FIRST PAGES CLINIC: Voice and Audience
Featuring: Alvina Ling, Meghan McCullough & Joanna Cardenas; moderated by Arely Guzman
C. Illustrated Books/Nonfiction Track
FIRST LOOK CLINIC: Illustration
Featuring: Madelyn McZeal, Abhi Alwar, Adriana M. Garcia, Laura Obuobi, Clarissa Wong moderated by Isabel Roxas
4:30pm - 5:30pm
NEW EDITORS, NEW CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS
Featuring: Autumn Allen (Barefoot Books), Tiffany Liao (Zando Projects) & Irene Vázquez (Levine Querido); moderated by Alvina Ling
5:45pm - 6:30pm
CLOSING KEYNOTE CONVERSATION with Renée Watson and Jennifer Baker
Sunday, March 27, 2022
9:30am - 10:45am
Laura Pegram Introduction
Screening of Tallahassee Short Film
Hala Alyan and Mahogany L. Browne on ART & SELF CARE
11:00am - 12:00pm
KEYNOTE INTERVIEW with Daniel José Older and Kweli
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Lunch Break
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Yuyi Morales and Magaly Morales in Conversation; moderated by: Leah Henderson
2:30pm-3:30pm
RAFFLE
CLOSING KEYNOTE CONVERSATION
Nnedi Okorafor and Ibi Zoboi on AfricanFuturism and Akata Woman
POST CONFERENCE - TBD
Ask Me Anything Sessions and Roundtable Sessions
SPONSORS
Abrams
Penguin Young Readers
Spalding MFA
Victoria Sanders & Associates
Support the Color of Children’s Literature Conference with your tax deductible donation.
