Editor Randi Rivers from Charlesbridge...

The Northern Ohio SCBWI conference kicked off this evening with dinner (decent vegetarian choice) and a wonderful talk by editor Randi Rivers. Randi talked about how she sees the role of an editor and the editor/writer relationship. She talked about the importance of having trust in your editor, but stressed a book belongs to a writer--editors don't "fix" manuscripts, they give direction to writers for making them stronger. She says the best place to find an editor is at a conference--introduce yourself, listen to an editor converse with other conference-goers, get a feel for an editor's personality. Recommended reading: Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom.

The very personable Randi stayed on hand throughout the entire mingling time after her dinner address and chatted with many of the writers in attendance.

Off to bed--tomorrow will be a busy day!