SCBWI Westchester - Agents Panel

Entering the Manhattanville College Campus and passing through the security gate my heart skipped a beat with my exhilarated anticipation of the SCBWI Westchester Agents Panel. 

Some may ask, why such excitement and why now? Well you see, I'm finally coming into my own and feeling the most comfortable in my own skin for what seems like forever and I'm no longer putting my writing on the back burner. With my new direction for 2020 I am finally dusting off long ago shelved works-in-progress with a determination to secure an agent as well as publishing contracts.  

The SCBWI Westchester Agents Panel delivered from the onset and throughout. 

We were welcomed by Lori Soderlind, Director of MFA in Writing at Manhattanville College as well as the SCBWI Westchester Chapter regional advisors and coordinators, Gina Macari, Kimberly Marcus and Adrienne May. 

The agents panel consisted of:

• Leslie Zampetti of Dunham Literary
• Christa Heschke of McIntosh and Otis, Inc.
• Monica Odom of her own agency, Odom Media Management

Each agent brought their own unique perspective as to what they are seeking,... 

• submission process
• what a query should include
• the importance of peer critique groups 
• the importance of polishing your work
• the importance of having more than one manuscript available for submission so an agent can cultivate a writer's career

The 90-minute session flew by and excitement buzzed throughout the room with the opportunity to listen to the agents.

Thank you with deep gratitude to the organizers, agents and Manhattanville College for hosting such a worthwhile event.

#SCBWIWestchester
#SCBWI
@agentspanel

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

#TeamMickey - Helping to Hold the Hand of A Child Fundraiser

Wow! It's February 4th already! I've been participating in #IWSG for several months now and the support has been amazing. Thank you! 

The awesome co-hosts for the February 4 posting of the IWSG will be Gwen Gardner, Dolorah, Sarah Foster, and M. Pax!

I'm going off topic from writing this time around and I'm focusing on fundraising efforts for childhood cancer. Please read the story below of Mickey Reeves from my community who is now battling his way through cancer for the second time. 

Team Mickey

Helping to Hold The Hand of A Child Fundraiser

Any child can have cancer. Nothing you do or say, not even love, can stop it. It doesn’t discriminate based on race, financial status, or the age of a child.

It was 2008, when Mickey was 10, he began exhibiting concerning symptoms and in January of 2009, he was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a highly malignant brain tumor. He would endure radiation and chemotherapy and more surgery to stop a massive GI bleed. He would lose the entire use of his left side and learn how to walk again. He would receive blood and platelet transfusions as a side effect of the chemotherapy. He would endure intensive rehabilitation. 

Eventually over time, he fell back into the normal swing of things. After home tutoring, he returned back to school in the 8^th grade and in true Mickey fashion continuously made honor roll.  His strength and determination has been incredible.  Mickey is now a junior at Tappan Zee High School. Last year he and his family learned there was a new growth and they have been managing his healthcare and again we stand united to support him in his courageous battle against brain cancer.

Can you help us out? If you are a business please make a generous donation of food, gift certificates or services.  If you are a family or individual please make a generous donation of money or buy some raffles for some spectacular prizes.

On Sunday March 8, 2015, 2pm, we, the friends of Mickey Reeves, will hold a fundraiser at the Knights of Columbus in Blauvelt, New York. The event will feature an afternoon of live music, with a couple of talented bands, Dead Mile Dance and Sum of The Others. There will be many opportunities to win amazing raffles and prizes. Food, beer, wine and sodas will be served. 

We have reunited again to continue our journey and we need your support. No man, woman, or family is an island, we live in a community where people pitch in to help when things get rough.

Prayer is powerful and your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.

If you are not local and would like to contribute please visit... http://www.gofundme.com/teammickey ~ No sum is too small!

Thank you for your time and thoughtfulness!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author

Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist