Date/Time
Date(s) - 11/06/2021
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Category(ies)

Opportunities in Nonfiction: A Vast, Vibrant Genre from Board Books to Middle Grade

Date & Time:
Saturday, November 6th, 2021
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EDT

Registration opens Feb. 1, 2021

Zoom Info:

* Your link to join the live webinar will be sent by 6:00 p.m. EST November 5, 2021 (the day before the event).

* The recording will be sent to all registered participants a couple of days after the webinar (November 8, 2021) and will be available for re-watching for 30 days.

Description:

Co-RAs Diane Bradley-Kantor and Teresa Robeson are excited to offer a series of four webinars given by our region’s talented PAL members. These webinars are offered free of charge to all SCBWI members and with a small fee of $10 for non-members.

Our third speaker is multi-talented author, Cynthia Argentine:

Cindy will present an overview of the nonfiction genre and all its exciting possibilities. We will look at characteristics of various types of nonfiction for kids, including:

* expository, narrative, and how-to books
* STEAM poetry
* graphic novels
* magazine articles
* books for the educational market (which are often “traditional” nonfiction)

Cindy will share examples of recent nonfiction titles for different age levels within each category. She will suggest ways to take the seed of an idea and brainstorm different approaches to it based on an understanding of these categories.

Cindy will also share her experience with the business side of writing nonfiction, noting key differences between publishing with the trade market, educational market, and magazine market. She hopes writers new to this genre will gain appreciation for its wonderful variety and use that knowledge to develop their own creative approaches to topics involving science, nature, history, art, technology, and other nonfiction subjects.

Cynthia Argentine is a children’s book author specializing in creative nonfiction. She has two upcoming books for grades K-3. The first is NIGHT BECOMES DAY: CHANGES IN NATURE, releasing October 5, 2021 from Millbrook Press. Illustrated with full-page photographs, this book takes readers from beaches to forests, caves, canyons, and more—giving a wide-lens view of the science behind change. Cynthia’s second book tells the story of a groundbreaking woman in STEM and is scheduled for 2022. Cynthia also has experience writing for the educational market: Her middle-grade book STEAM Jobs in Cybersecurity was published in 2019. She has written many articles for national children’s magazines, covering topics such as bionic limbs, cell phone addiction, and the physics of snowflakes. Her poetry has also been accepted for publication.

Between her childhood in Virginia and current life in Indiana, Cynthia helped excavate an archaeological site in the Alps; studied English, environmental science, and environmental law; and worked as an environmental consultant. Now, when she’s not writing, Cynthia teaches piano lessons, volunteers at church and school, and enjoys spending time in her garden and kitchen. She’s curious about nearly everything and is always on the lookout for moments of wonder in the world around her. Learn more at https://cynthiaargentine.com.

EXTRA! Critiques available:

Cindy is offering limited number of written critiques at $45 each. If you would like to purchase a critique, you need to do so at the time of registration though you don’t have to send it until September 30, 2021. They will be completed and returned to you by November 7, 2021.

Please send the entire text of your picture book manuscript or a one-page synopsis and 10 pages of text for middle grade or young adult as a Word doc attachment in an email to Diane Bradley-Kantor (indiana-ra@scbwi.org) no later than September 30, 2021. Label your document with your first and last name, and be sure to put “Cynthia Argentine critique” in your email subject line.

Cancellation Policy & Trouble-Shooting:

Since this is an online event with a recording available for one month afterwards to watch at your own pace, there will not be any refunds issued.

Please add indiana-ra@scbwi.org and indiana-ra2@scbwi.org to your email contact list. Webinar invites and recordings are sent through the SCBWI email system. Sometimes they are blocked by filters. Send us an email if you do not receive your links by the dates below.

* Your link to join the live webinar will be sent by 6:00 p.m. EST November 5, 2021 (the day before the event).

* The recording will be sent to all registered participants a couple of days after the webinar (November 8, 2021) and will be available for re-watching for 30 days.

If you encounter any problems during your registration process for this event or have any other questions, contact Diane Bradley-Kantor, indiana-ra@scbwi.org or Teresa Robeson, indiana-ra2@scbwi.org and we will be happy to assist you.

Bookings