Spring 2012
Consciousness Cultivating Mini-Conference

"Radical & Relevant Children's Books"
Fostering a Publishing Revolution from Within

Saturday, May 12th, 2012
10am-5pm

Location:
The Women's Building
3543 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110 Get Directions

About the Spring 2012 Consciousness Cultivation:
In our first ever mini-conference, children's book authors, illustrators, and designers (or anyone aspiring to be one!) are invited to immerse themselves in the warm waters of a literary revolution. Where books are free to be and so are humans!

Our focus is on the growing need for children's books beyond the structures of established publishing houses. During these economic times, many of the smaller publishers are diminishing while the need for books that genuinely reflect the face and experience of all of our children is ever growing.

This mini-conference is appropriate for children's book authors, illustrators, designers or anyone who is driven to create books that are inclusive, relevant, meaningful, beautiful, and more.

The event will be packed full of information! To allow everyone to get the most from the experience and prevent distractions as much as possible, it is necessary that you be able to commit to and attend the full day. We hope to provide opportunities for making connections, learning, and being in the presence of other like-minded individuals so the event will be limited to under 30 people (yeah we really mean MINI-conference!). An overview of the general schedule for the day can be found in the sidebar to the right. View our event video below or read the press release. (opens in a new pop-up window)

Registration Information:

Limited Space available so please register early to ensure your spot!
Day-of registration is dependent on space availability. Lunch is included with conference pre-registration.

Cost

Early Bird Registration- through May 1st
Sliding Scale: $90-$125
Scholarships at Sliding Scale: $25-$75
dependent on the number of participants

After May 1st
Sliding Scale: $115-$150
Scholarships at Sliding Scale: $25-$75

How to Register:

Credit or Debit Card:
Register via PayPal below
PLEASE NOTE: If your billing information is different than the person registering for the event, please make a note in the "PARTICIPANT NAME" note area on the PayPal site when checking out.

Check or Money Order:
Use this form and send your check to address on form.
You can fill the form out online and submit via email using the "Submit Form" button at the top right of the PDF, you can also email the form to us, or fill out and mail along with your check.

Cancellation Policy:

If you are unable to attend the event, please let us know. If cancelled prior to May 5th we will refund your registration fee less $25 for administrative costs. After May 5th we are unable to offer refunds.

Childcare:

Unfortunately we are unable to offer childcare.

Can't make the Mini-Conference this time?

Check out our April 2012 newsletter for some great resources to get you started even if you can't join us this time. We're also in the process of formulating this into an online course so sign up on our email list to be notified of future events and when our online classes debut.
Also check out this article on the Huffington Post, Sticks & Stones: The Changing Politics of the Self-Publishing Stigma which discusses how many authors are foregoing the traditional publishers and instead turning to self-publishing.

Conference Registration Form via PayPal

Getting to the Conference

Location: The Women's Building, 3543 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Public Transit: BART is nearby at the 16th or 24th Street Stations. Muni bus lines serving the area: 14, 22, 26, 33, 49 and the J Church. Use the transit Trip Planner to plan your specific trip.

Parking: Street parking is available however due to length of the event parking in a garage is recommended. Mission/Bartlett Garage (3255 21st Street, between Valencia and Mission) is within a few blocks.

Presenter Bios:

Dana Goldberg:
Dana is the former Executive Editor of Children's Book Press and brings 11 years of experience as editor of this seminal, award-winning, multicultural press. She now offers editing and publishing consultation through her own business, Whirligig Editorial.

Maya Smith-Gonzalez:
Maya is an award-winning artist and author and co-founder of Reflection Press. She has illustrated over 20 children's books and authored four, including two through her own Press. Her children's books include I Know the River Loves Me and the 2008 Pura Belpre Honor Award winner, My Colors, My World.

Matthew Smith-Gonzalez:
Matthew is the co-founder, graphic designer and publishing manager of Reflection Press. Coming from a background in architecture, he now uses his design, structural and management strengths to build books and websites. Everything he knows about becoming an independent publisher he as taught himself through tons of research and lots and lots of fast learning.