BOOK SALES: Speakers, Workshop Leaders, Critiquers, and SCBWI members registered for the conference may sell their books. Contact Rebecca Sladek Nowlis, rsladekn@yahoo.com by December 30, 2005. Book Store open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Book Signings in the Book Store on Saturday, January 14th from 3:50-4:30 PM.

DIRECTIONS: Take the Florida Turnpike or Palmetto Expressway (826) to SW 8th Street exit (Tamiami Trail) and go west to Krome Avenue (177 Avenue). The Miccosukee Resort is on the corner of Krome and 8th Street. If coming by I-95, take the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836) west to the Turnpike, then south to 8th Street.

FIRST PAGE CRITIQUES: Bring the first page of your novel or picture book, double-spaced, 12-point type, 250 words or less, one page only. Write the title and genre at the top of the page, but do not put your name on it. Panelists will select a few submissions to read aloud and critique. Leave your first pages at the registration desk before 9:00 AM, Saturday, January 14th. There is no charge for this informal critique. Submissions will be recycled afterwards.

HOTEL: Miccosukee Resort/Casino and Convention Center, 500 SW 177 Avenue, Miami, Florida. Up to four may share a room: two double beds, no cots. Call (877) 242-6464 for reservations. Be sure to say you're with the SCBWI-Florida Conference. Special rate: $85.00 per room, plus tax if reserved by December 23, 2005. Free shuttle from airport.

ILLUSTRATOR CO-ORDINATORS: Danette Lane, evensong@cfl.rr.com and Anne Jewett, anne@annejewett.com.

December 15, 2005 Manuscripts for critiques due. Artists' critique fees due.
December 20, 2005 Last day for Early Registration.
December 30, 2005 Last day to contact Rebecca Sladek Nowlis if you wish to sell books.
December 30, 2005 Last day to contact Danette Lane if you wish to exhibit your portfolio.
December 23, 2005 Last date to reserve hotel room for special SCBWI conference room rate.
January 13, 2006 Registration, Drop off First Page Critiques at the Registration Desk
January 14, 2006 7:00-8:30 AM Saturday registration for those who did not register on Friday afternoon. Drop off First Page Critiques by 9:00 AM. Illustrators drop off portfolios in the main conference room for art show between 7:00 and 8:00 AM. Conference starts at 8:30 AM.
January 13-15, 2006 Book Store open.

INFORMAL CRITIQUE GROUPS: Meet in small critique groups with volunteer SCBWI critique group leaders from around the state. Read your work aloud to the group and listen as they critique it. If you have never been in a critique group before, this is a great opportunity to see if you enjoy this kind of feedback. Meet at 9:00 PM in Alligator and Heron.

ILLUSTRATION CRITIQUE GROUP: Meet with the SCBWI-Florida Illustration Co-Coordinators; bring up to three pieces of your artwork (no originals please) to be critiqued by group leaders. If you are new to SCBWI and the field of children's illustration, established illustrators will be on hand to help you determine which markets compliment your style. Returning members, bring your latest work to share with peers. The meeting will be at 9:00 PM. Look for the updated schedule in your packet which will list the name of the meeting room.

LISTSERV: to join, contact Linda Bernfeld, lrbjsb@bellsouth.net.

LITERARY LUAU: Practice your hula. Dust off your grass skirt. Weıll provide the leis. A Hawaiian-themed costume is all the rage for our Saturday night dinner and Literary Luau. String bikinis? Well, maybe thatıs a bit over the top, but donıt forget your dancing shoes.

MEALS: Full conference registration includes the following meals and snacks: Friday Night Reception: (light hors d'oeuvres), cash bar. Saturday: Breakfast: (pastries, coffee, tea), Box Lunch, Dinner and cash bar. Sunday: coffee and tea only, breakfast and lunch on your own. Saturday Only Attendees: session includes breakfast and lunch. If you wish to attend the Saturday night dinner, you may purchase a ticket for $35.00.

MY FIRST BOOK PANEL: Did you have a first book published in 2004-2006? Weıd like to invite Florida SCBWI members (both writers and illustrators) to participate in our panel and discuss your path to publication. Contact Linda Bernfeld or Sandy Rubiera to sign up as a panelist.

NEW MEMBER COORDINATOR: Sue LaNeve, sooze@laneve.com.

OPEN MIC: Sign up at the door to the main ballroom on Friday, January 13th, 2006 between 8:45 PM and 9:00 PM. Read aloud from your manuscript from 9:00-10:30. Reading time will be determined by number of requests to read.

PAID CRITIQUES: You will be notified in advance by e-mail of the time and person providing your critique. Panel includes Libba Bray, Lisa Bernstein, Priscilla Burris, Dorian Cirrone, Bruce Coville, Alyssa Eisner, Alex Flinn, Laurie Friedman, Jo S. Kittinger, Arthur Levine, Lisa McCourt, George Nicholson, Frank Remkiewicz, Gloria Rothstein, Joyce Sweeney, Gaby Triana, and Ruth Vander Zee. We do NOT honor requests for specific critiquers.

MANUSCRIPTS: Please send two copies of your manuscript (up to 10 pages) to Adrienne Sylver, 20121 Cutler Court, Miami, FL 33189. Follow standard submission guidelines or see "From Keyboard to Printed Page: Facts You Need to Know" at www.scbwi.org. Manuscripts must be received by December 15, 2005. Note: Although a picture book may have fewer than ten pages, each different manuscript counts as a separate submission. DO NOT MAIL VIA A SERVICE THAT REQUIRES A SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY.

ARTWORK/PORTFOLIO: Do not send your work in advance. Bring your art to the conference. Send in your payment for the critique with your conference registration form no later than December 15, 2005.

SCBWI-FL COLLECTORıS PINS: SCBWI-FL collector's pins (numbered and signed by the artists) may be purchased for $6.00 at conference Friday through Saturday. Pin numbers will be entered in a drawing held at the Saturday night dinner. The winner of the drawing and the winner of our pin design contest (see below) will each receive a scholarship to one of our two regional conferences. All proceeds from the sale of the pins will be used to fund these scholarships. This year only: numbered pins sold at the 2005 Orlando conference are also eligible for entry in the 2006 Miami conference drawing. Both pins and purchaser must be present to win.

PIN DESIGN ARTISTS 2005-2006: Janeen Mason (Orlando 2005 Design) and Cheryl Nathan (Miami 2006 Design). Artists wishing to design future conference pins should submit designs for judging by February 1 for the Orlando conference and August 1, for the Miami conference. Contact Illustrator Co-coordinator, Danette Lane, evensong@cfl.rr.com to enter.

PORTFOLIO/ART EXHIBIT: Table space will be provided for artists wishing to show their work. Two artists share one six-foot long table. You may bring your own table easels, postcards, handouts. Contact Danette Lane, evensong@cfl.rr.com by December 30, 2005. Space is limited, so bring in work no larger than 11" X 17". Copies, not originals. No framed work. The show is inside the main ballroom but we do not have anyone assigned to watch it. SCBWI is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

BOOK BASKET: Bring a new or gently used childrenıs book to put in our book basket. The books will be used to restock a library either here in Florida or in a hurricane damaged area.

QUESTIONS? Contact our Conference Chairpersons at (305) 382-2677 or e-mail Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld, lrbjsb@bellsouth.net or Saundra Smith Rubiera, s.rubiera@earthlink.net.

REMINDER: Since we cannot control the temperature in the conference rooms, you may want to bring a sweater.

SCBWI FL NEWSLETTER, THE SAND SCOOP: Vivian Fernandez, editor, vfernandez2@cfl.rr.com.

WEBSITE: www.scbwiflorida.com, Cheryl Nathan, Webmaster, cheryl@cherylnathan.com.