Writing for charity, redux

I'm getting lots of questions about the Writing for charity event, so I'll answer them here.

"Are there still spaces available?"

Yes! [EDIT: At this point, July 15, there are still many spots available. As it's too late to mail in registration, you can pay at the door. Please bring a check or $45 in cash]

"I don't have a first page of a book to workshop. Can I still come?"

Yes! During the workshop portion, it will still be instructive to listen to other people's pages being workshopped, and I promise no one will point at you and laugh. Except maybe Brandon Mull.

"I sent in my check and haven't received anything in return!"

And...you won't. Sorry. We are an orphan Annie operation (as my dad would say) and aren't set up to be all cool like that. But if you sent it in, we have it and there should be no problem.

"Can kids participate?"

Sure! We're going to have one break out group just for teen writers. Younger than that might be bored. My four-year-old, for example, will be staying home.

"Can I bring more than one page of my book?"

We'll only have time to look at the first page of a novel, or 300 words of a picture book text. Please bring 15 copies of that page on the day of the event. We're splitting the workshops into three categories: realistic fiction novel, fantasy novel, and picture book. But really, the rules of storytelling aren't limited to genre, so don't worry if what you have doesn't fit exactly.

"Could the list of participating authors be any cooler?"

Probably not, but we've got a few to add--best-selling fantasy authors Laura and Tracy Hickman will be there, as well as agent Amy Jameson and editor Chris Schoebinger.

Here's the skinny once again:

This summer have unfettered access to professional children’s authors, all in the name of charity! Saturday, July 19 several local authors will host a Writing for Charity event in Salt Lake City, with all profits going to The Wheelchair Project. Come hear writers talk about their process, how to write for a young audience, storytelling tips, and the ins and outs of the publishing business. In addition, have your picture book text or first page of your novel (the most important page!) workshopped by professionals.

When: Saturday, July 19, 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Salt Lake Main Library, 200 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah
Cost: $45 (should be tax deductible!)
Event breakdown: 9:00 am -- Registration
    9:15 - 10:15 am -- Panel discussion in the auditorium
    10:30 - 11:15 -- Break out discussions in topic groups
    11:30 - 1:00 -- Small group workshops

Authors and publishing professionals include Brandon Mull, Shannon Hale, Mette Ivie Harrison, Ann Cannon, Kristyn Crow, Becky Hickox, Kimberley Heuston, Anne Bowen, Aprilynne Pike, Laura and Tracy Hickman, Ann Dee Ellis, Mike Knudson, Sydney Husseman, Chris Schoebinger (editor), Amy Jameson (agent), and Wendy Toliver.

Space is limited, first come first serve. To reserve your spot, mail in the $45 registration fee.
    Mailing address: 1176 E 2620 N, Provo, UT 84604-4132
    Make checks to: “LDS Philanthropies” (the organization that runs The Wheelchair Project) and write “Wheelchair” in the memo line.
    Also include: Your name, age, phone number, and area of interest--picture book writing, fantasy novel, or realistic fiction novel.

On the day of the event, bring 15 copies of the first page of your novel or picture book text (maximum word count: 300 words) for some hands on workshopping. If you don’t have a first page to workshop, don’t let that stop you!

100% of the proceeds go to The Wheelchair Project, a wonderful charity that donates new wheelchairs to people in third world countries, many of whom have never had one. A wheelchair can completely change the life of a disabled person, offering mobility, increased independence, and a chance to go to school or find employment. Because this charity is administered by volunteers with LDS Philanthropy, there is no overhead and every penny donated goes directly to purchasing wheelchairs. This is not a religious charity--the wheelchairs go to the needy regardless of their faith. Thank you for supporting this extraordinary cause!

Comments

[cuileann]

This sounds so fantastic. I hope it's as awesome for everyone as it sounds like it should be!

[Calliope1of9]

You're so cool, Shannon.

[Shayla Smoot]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I am so dang excited!! I going to have to miss something to go but I don't care. I and like speechless! Well not exactly speechless because I am talking! But I will get to meet you won't I? Because you are my all time favorite author! You are the reason why I am writing my book! So I thank you! And once again

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to go!!!!!

[gag01001]

Thank you for re-posting this information. I was just reading about it on Sara Zarr's Web site and wanted to know if there was still space available. I'll be seeing you (and hopefully everyone else) there just in time for the last day of the summer term.

[taylor]

oh my oh my oh my oh my!!!!!!!!! i am so excited but sadly-- i wont be able to go and meet my all time favorite authors like YOU and brandon mull but ugh i cant freaking go!!!!! :( so just remember, if i could come, i so totally would and i would be sitting at your table or where ever you are and like, be begging for your autograph. speaking off autographs, can we get one!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?1?! that would be SWEET!!!! well, so sad so sad, i cant go, but i wish i could. :(

[Amy Derby]

Sounds like fun! And for a great cause! Makes me wish I was a local.

[Celes]

I think I should be able to go. I just need to get paid, and then I can sign up! :) And, you know, get a decently written first page... that should be exciting.

[Claire]

Yeah, I would love to come. It sounds like a ton of fun and sounds perfeclty awesome but I'm in Wisconsin right now, I live in Wisconsin. Yeah...

[Frogster]

Gah! I wish I lived in Utah! That would be a great experience, PLUS the authors of my two favorite books (Shannon wrote Enna Burning and Kimberley Heuston wrote Dante's Daughter) in the same place? Now how cool would that be?!

[Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen]

Can you hand me a kleenex please?
Because..
*sob*
I...
*sob*
Can't
*sob*
Go!
*sob*
I need another kleenex. And my nose is stuffy now.

[Sophie]

Hi Shannon!
I was lucky enough to have gotten a copy of Rapunzel's Revenge. You can read my review at my blog:
http://sophiecouture.wordpress.com.
Thanks for being such a wonderful author! :o)

[CHelsea]

I"M GOING!!!!!!!!!!YAYYY!!!!!
I'm missing a family reunion but i don't care.
I'm sooooo excited!!!

[Enna Isilee]

I'm so totally going, dudes!

No idea why I appear to be channelling Crush though.

See you in two weeks!

[Ashley]

I wish I lived in Salt Lake or anywhere in the general area. Want to come to Chicago? I guess not. Well have fun; I'm jealous of everybody who's going.

[Brinnan]

Yay!! I'm going-- at least I think I am... I hope there's still room.

But, anyways-- I have a question.
My sister isn't able to go because of Girl's Camp, but she is begging me to take the first page of her book to be worked on along with mine-- but I don't know if I could do that, because I'd feel bad if someone who paid didn't get there's done because both of ours took too long. So, would that be all right? Also, will you be signing books?

I can't wait!!

[Heather]

I am very excited to go. This is quite literally the highlight of my summer. Thank you for doing this Shannon.

[Marianne]

I'm really excited to go too! Hopefully an ardent fan (me) will have an opportunity to meet you, Shannon! I sent you an email, but I don't know if you'll get to it prior to the event.