Writers & Illustrators Conference
6 Sep 2018 (Thu)
L16, The Pod
AFCC Launch & Keynote
Colin Goh, Myra Garces-Bacsal, Lucia Obi
Moderator: Rosemarie Somaiah
Keynote Address 1 by Dr Myra Garces-Bacsal:
Reading for Emotional Engagement and Imagine-Nation
Keynote Address 2 by Colin Goh:
Dim Sum Warriors: The Challenge of Asserting Heritage and Countering Stereotypes
Keynote Address 3 by Lucia Obi:
Imagining Asia from Afar: Asia in the Mirror of European Children's Literature
B1, Programme Zone
Pathways to Publication: From Primer to Pro (and the Methods to our Madness)
Kristi Wientge, Don Bosco, Cynthea Liu
Moderator: Mindy Pang
Selecting a publishing path can be a bewildering experience, even for the most experienced author. Fret not, for Don, Cynthea and Kristi have the insider information you need, from obscure facts to the plain insane, for you to make best publishing choices for your masterpiece!
B1, Multi-Purpose Room
The Perfect Pitch
Pamela Rushby
Moderator: Andrea Pasion-Flores
This hands-on session teaches you how to pitch your book to a publisher, agent or editor. Succintly, effectively - and yes, even in an elevator!
L1, Visitors Briefing Room
Portfolio Review
Barbara Moxham, Darran Kuah, Soefara Jafney, James Tan, David Liew
The Portfolio Review session provides an opportunity for conference delegates to book a one-on-one consultation session with renowned illustrators and artists from Asia and around the world. Don’t miss this chance to get invaluable feedback on your portfolio from the masters, and find ways to upgrade your skills and expertise towards a professional level!
As there are limited slots, the consultation slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
L5, Possibility Room
From Pitch to Book Launch: The Missing Barbegazi – Author and Editor Perspectives
Helle Norup, Sarah Odedina
Moderator: Priti Sharma
Helle Norup's debut novel The Missing Barbegazi is a delicate tale weaving in themes of family, compassion and hope. From its speed pitch at AFCC 2016 to a full launch this year, join Sarah and Helle as they take you through the book's whirlwind editing process.
B1, Multi-Purpose Room
The Do’s and Dont’s of Author Talks: Tips for Teachers and Authors
Sarah Mounsey, Fleur Vella-Chang
Author visits make learning literature more dynamic as the writing process becomes accessible and real to students. This session highlights the value of such visits to teachers and school management, and introduces certain procedures when engaging authors. Authors also will takeaway strategies to make their school visits fruitful including the finer aspects of classroom management.
L5, Possibility Room
Providing Opportunity & Exposure to New Emerging Authors & Illustrators of Children’s Picture Books
Peter Creamer
Moderator: Robert Magnuson
Dr Creamer is one of the joint partners of Little Pink Dog Books, an established publisher in the children's picture book world. Hear it from his perspective, as he shares more on scouting emerging authors and illustrators, as well as what it takes for them to gain exposure in a highly competitive circuit.
B1, Multi-Purpose Room Masterclass
Illustrating Through A Child’s Eyes
Illustration doesn't always have to be a matter of natural talent. Rather, it is a craft only mastered by taking the first steps. Veteran children's book illustrator Yusof Gajah walks you through the tips and techniques to facilitate the journey from idea to the drawing board. Participants will learn more about the ingredients of eye-catching and memorable illustrations.
Participants are to bring:
- Drawing paper
- Art materials
- Cutter
- Scissors
- Glue
- A children's picture book
L16, The Pod
Speed Pitching (Writing)
Sarah Odedina, Cynthea Liu, Peter Creamer, Linda Tan Lingard
Participants have 5 - 10 minutes to pitch their children's book ideas to literary agents and publishing representatives from the USA, UK, Australia and Malaysia. This session is open to delegates.
Follow the link below to find out more details:
Submission Details
L5, Possibility Room
Windows Into Worlds
Frané Lessac
Moderator: Myra Garces-Bacsal
As authors strive towards diverse and identifiable books for children, how should we balance cultural authenticity with creative interpretation? In this session, Frané shows that this balance is maintained through careful and extensive research, while introducing some of the techniques budding writers can adopt in research.
L3, Drama Centre FR2
Turning Illustrations into Storytelling Devices
Illustrations are a medium through which stories are told, but ever wondered how it can be turned into an actual storytelling device? Find out more about the process in this talk and demonstration, and learn how to apply it to your own creations.
B1, Multi-Purpose Room
WondeRead
Pearle Chua
Moderator: Leo Vincent
Inspired by subscription box delivery services, the WondeRead project delivers pre-loved library books to children on a quarterly basis. By doing this, it reaches out to less privileged children who do not get to visit and utilise libraries often.
7 Sep 2018 (Fri)
L1, Visitors Briefing Room
Writing Historical ‘Faction’
Historical novels have long challenged the lines between fact and fiction and continue to do so. Introducing the art of fact-based fiction, Pamela's workshop is for the budding writers with an inner history buff - pick up your pens and get ready to make history!
L3, Drama Centre FR2 Masterclass
From Craft to Contract: Stress Test Your Work Without Stressing Out
Getting published is a daunting task, but writing the book is most often the hardest part of all. In this masterclass by well-known writer and publisher Cynthea Liu, learn techniques on how to stress-test your work for the children and teen book market, as well as pick up tips to land that desired publishing contract.
Participants can choose to submit a piece of their writing in advance for anonymous discussion and review by Cynthea at this session.
Submission guidelines:
- First 5 pages (1250 words max) or query letter (250 words max)
- Submit your writing samples to https://wfcat.submittable.com/submit by 28th August.
L5, Imagination Room
Illustration Through Assemblage: Exploration and Experimentation
Trish Donald
Moderator: Michael Tan
Join Trish as she shares her experimental and playful way of using mixed media to create a unique illustration style, while learning from her how you too can find your own 'voice' as an illustrator!
L5, Possibility Room
From Soups and Potions in Picturebooks to Fluid Picturebooks
Ilgim Veryeri Alaca
Moderator: Darel Seow
If stories are thirst-quenchers and words are the soul's chicken soup, could we think of picturebooks as things to drink? Ponder about these questions together with Ilgim Veryeri Alaca, as she invites you to the world of her research on books, soups and potions.
L5, Possibility Room
How to Write Sizzling First Sentences
Pamela Rushby
Moderator: Don Bosco
From truths universally acknowledged, to all happy families, bright cold days in April, and to the best and worst of times, a powerful opening sentence decides half the battle for a reader's attention. In this session with Pamela, get started on your manuscript's sizzling first sentence and leave your readers hungry for more.
B1, Programme Zone
Living, Writing & Creating, S.I.E.W D.A.I Style!
Lee Seow Ser, Hidayah Amin, Tan Ai Khim
Moderator: Claudine Fernandez
This panel offers a refreshing kopi siew dai brew, as the team shares meaningful insights and motivations behind their creative, literary and socially fulfilling work in Project To S.I.R (Socially Inclusive Reads) with Love. With two special book series published by Helang Books, explore Socially Inclusive, Educational Writing for Differently Abled Individuals, which stands for a “S.I.E.W D.A.I” style of living, writing and creating!
L1, Visitors Briefing Room Masterclass
On Illustration
It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words. But how do you create a narrative through illustrations alone? Join award-winning illustrator Satoshi Kitamura as he explains the creative process behind his books and leads a series of creative exercises in this interactive session.
L5, Imagination Room
What’s Your Favourite Colour? Illustrated Flash Fiction on Ilonggo Children with Colour Blindness
Mary Rose Adelle G. Pacificar
Moderator: Robert Magnuson
Put on new lenses and enter the world of colour blindness! In this presentation, Mary offers you a glimpse into colour blind children of the Philippines' Ilonggo people. Her presentation discusses their ways of perceiving as well as their struggles, but most importantly celebrates their victories and contributions to child diversity.
B1, Programme Zone Panel
Getting into ASEAN Markets
Thant Thaw Kaung, Daphne Lee
Moderator: Andrea Pasion-Flores
Southeast Asia is one of the world's most diverse regions, and its children's literature scenes are no different. This panel brings together a number of publishers from the ASEAN countries, to offer insights on their children's book markets, as well as the prospects of collaboration and publishing.
B1, Multi-Purpose Room
First Pages: Writing Critique
Cynthea Liu, Don Bosco, Daphne Lee
Moderator: Kathleen Ahrens
Ever wondered what an editor or publisher is thinking of as he or she reads a manuscript? Witness a panel of experts give live comments on the first pages of unpublished manuscripts.
L16, The Pod
Children’s Literature Lecture: Nurturing Roots of Self & Culture in Our Children Through Stories About Us
Suchen Christine Lim
Moderator: Panna d/o Kantilal
Without the stories, poems, pictures or music of their own country, children are figuratively malnourished. In turn, the books and stories we create have an imperative to make our people, culture, land and history visible to children.
8 Sep 2018 (Sat)
L1, Visitors Briefing Room
Is There A Uniquely Asian Art For Children?
Sara Siew
Moderator: Wang Tingting
Art bears the freight of various experiences, ranging from the deeply personal to the national. This talk explores the ways art can be incorporated into children's content, and potentially deliver to our children values of self-awareness, perspective-taking and cultural sensitivity.
L16, The Pod Workshop
For Illustrators And Writers
Hear from Satoshi Kitamura as he shares anecdotes on his path in forging a career in illustration. Find out more about the creative process behind some of his well-known works and get the opportunity to put forth your questions to the artist himself.
(includes lunch break)
L1, Visitors Briefing Room Masterclass
Make Your Words Count: Writing for Young Adults
Led by publisher Sarah Odedina, this intensive masterclass is aimed for those ready to push their Y.A. writing to the next level. Be ready to tackle every component of the writing process big or small, from finding your own voice to crafting compelling dialogue, characters and settings. Participants will also gain practical expertise as Sarah draws from the many stories she has worked with in her publishing career.
Please note that this session is capped at a maximum of 20 participants only.
L16, The Pod
Asian Award-Winning Titles in the White Ravens
Lucia Obi
Moderator: Myra Garces-Bacsal
This special talk is delivered by Lucia Obi from the International Youth Library, whose specialists work to preserve cultural diversity in the world's children's books. Their projects include the annual White Ravens Catalogue, though until recently, only East Asian literature have been represented. Lucia explores the challenges and opportunities of incorporating other Asian selections, and what it means to make Southeast Asian children's literature globally visible.
Lucia Obi's appearance is supported by the Goethe-Institut Singapore.
L5, Imagination Room
Lessons from Lewis Carroll: Alice and the Shape of Children’s Literature
Katherine Blyn Wakely-Mulroney
Moderator: Melissa Cooper
First published in 1865, Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland remains among the most popular children's books ever written. From Victorian stamp cases and umbrella handles to Alice for the iPad, this talk explores the strategies used to market Wonderland to different generations of readers.
B1, Programme Zone
The History Hunter
Mark Greenwood
Moderator: Danny Jalil
Join the history hunter on a dig for the truth! Intriguing settings and curious characters dot this adventure-driven session, leading you to the secrets captured in Mark Greenwood's latest book, The Happiness Box, set in Singapore during WWII. By balancing creative interpretation with historical authenticity, this presentation aims to help you uncover the magic in your own historical narratives.
L16, The Pod
First Look: Illustration Critique
Frané Lessac, Colin Goh, Satoshi Kitamura, David Liew
Moderator: Barbara Moxham
A picture speaks a thousand words, and the panel will say a few. This panel of illustrators and publishing experts will comment on the illustrations of unpublished picture books as they look at them for the first time.
B1, Multi-Purpose Room
Writing a Page Turner for Tweenies
Felix Cheong
Moderator: Andy Chua
Aspiring writers of tweenie fiction often find it an uphill task to keep their readers' attention. Award-winning writer Felix Cheong will teach you strategies in building suspense and plot twists, so that your writing has that page-turning hook.