Presenters

Michele McAvoy
(Creator of Girl Power Hour)
​Author/Publisher
(​The Little Press)
Presentation: 
"Get That Devil Off Your Shoulder! - Conquer Imposter Syndrome & Self Doubt to Create for Kids."

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Lynne Marie
​Author/Presentation: 
First Pages Review



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I.S. Belle 
Author/Young Adult 
Presentation:
​"Writing Strong Female Characters in YA"​
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Valerie Bolling​
​Author
​Presentation:
​"Luscious Layers in Picture Books"
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Brittany Pomales​Author/Picture Book
Presentation: 
​"Marketing for Maximum Reach: Pre- & Post-Release"
Tina Shepardson
​​​Author/Picture Book ​
Presentation: 
"Marketing for Maximum Reach: Pre- & Post-Release"
Sally Pla
Author/Middle-Grade
Presentation:
"Writing Strong Neuro-Diverse Characters in Kidlit"
Selene Castrovilla
Author/Nonfiction
"How to Wow Your Readers: Getting to the Heart of Your Non-Fiction Story."
Gaby Cabezut 
Literary Agent
Presentation: 
"Best Practices when Querying Agents + What is Foreign Rights, Really?"

Giveaways

All registrants will receive: 
  1. Open Submission window to Gaby Cabezut- agent at The Seymour Agency
  2. Open Submission window to The Little Press.
  3. Free Access to Marketing Strategies for Children's Book Authors: Boost Your Profit, Visibility, and Impact from our sponsor Rosy Sky Kidlit PR & Marketing
  4. Free Access to Picture Book Coaching Masterclass -From Pen to Success: Mastering the Art of Picture Book Writing from our sponsor Rosy Sky Kidlit PR & Marketing
  5. 10% discount to anyone who wants to take the Whale Rock Novel Foundations class in January 2025.
All registrants will be entered into raffles throughout the day for a chance to win prizes donated by our fabulous presenters and sponsors (new!) including: 
  1. Free 15-min Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat with Valerie Bolling
  2. Free 15 min Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat with I.S. Belle 
  3. Free 30 minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat with Brittany Pomales
  4. Two 30 minute Mentor Sessions with Lynne Marie (two winners!)
  5. Free 20 Minute Mentor Session with Michele McAvoy 
  6. Picture Book Manuscript critique with Selene Castrovilla (fiction or nonfiction)​
  7. Signed copy of Seeking Freedom: The Untold Story of Fortress Monroe and the Ending of Slavery in America -Selene Castrovilla​
  8. A signed copy of The Sorry Seeds with an activity kit included- by Tina Shepardson 
  9. A signed copy of Invisible Isabel - Sally Pla 
  10. A signed copy of  The Fire The Water and Maudie McGinn- Sally Pla
  11. Written critique of your first chapter (middle-grade or young adult)- Sally Pla
  12. A free 90-minute workshop with Whale Rock. (The writer can choose any session unless it is a special fundraiser.) 
  13. Free 30 minute Zoom consultation with Rosie Pova of Rosie Sky PR & Marketing 
  14. Free 30 minute “Ask Me Anything” Video Chat about Rhyming or Lyrical Picture Books* with a Rhyme Doctor from our sponsor The Rhyme Doctors (*video chat excludes critiques or detailed scansion analysis)​
  15. Free 90-minute workshop. (The writer can choose any session unless it is a special fundraiser. )-Whale Rock

Thank you to our sponsors