Weekly Scratch

Hi folks,

The Brazos Valley SCBWI gathered for lunch on Monday,  Dec. 13, 2010 at the Village Cafe in Bryan, TX for a year-end time to connect. We enjoyed great food, great company, and supported a great cause -- Brazos Valley Reach Out and Read, our local chapter of the nationwide literacy organization dedicated to preparing America's youngest children to succeed in school. We were able to bring together more than 60 books to support our community. Thanks to ARA Jacqueline Gramann for delivering the books! Thanks to RA Liz Mertz for a year of great programming. 

The event was a great time to connect with local writers and illustrators.  Our business can be lonely; take  time to get out and connect.  Consider joining us for monthly events. 

Publisher's Weekly is buzzing about the upcoming 2011 spring book season. Check it out here.

Interested in eBooks?  Check out Interact Books, a Texas company. They are looking for submissions. Read more about it here.

Harold Underdown has put up some newsy publishing bits for November at his site The Purple Crayon.

Sales up 250%!  Happy news from Random House.  Read about it in PW here. 

Check out the calendar for upcoming Texas events. I will be back in January with more Weekly Scratch. 

Weekly Scratch

Hi folks, I've gathered together a few tidbits that you may wish to check out.

Here is a great way to fritter time.  Check out your recent books sales. Here's an article in the LA Times about the new Nielsen BookScan info available to authors on Amazon. Head over to Amazon's Author Central to find out about your sales. :) 

You want to read a good book? The best book lists keep rolling in...

Here's the Best Illustrated Books of the New York Times: http://events.nytimes.com/gift-guide/holiday-2010/best-illustrated-childrens-books-2010/list.html

From the New York Times Library blog: Children's Books 2010: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing.

Just keeping an eye on the emerging markets.  Another article from PW about "Children's Books in an iPad Age".  Want to check out a digital publisher? Here's one: Callaway Digital Arts.

Have you dreamed of going to Chautauqua and the Highlights Foundation Writer's Workshop?  That dream can come true.  Check out Chautauqua alum Vijaya Bodach's blog for an insider's story. 

Remember

Hi folks,  remember, Please join members and friends of SCBWI Brazos Valley Holiday Gathering--

11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 13

The Village Cafe

210 W. 26th Street, Bryan, TX*

RSVP to Liz Mertz, Regional Advisor, lizbmertz@gmail.com

Donations of new and gently used books appropriate for children ages 6 months to 5 years will be accepted for the Brazos Valley Reach Out and Read** program. A donation letter can be received for tax purposes. Middle Grade books also will be accepted. Older siblings of children in the program may receive books as well as read them in the waiting room.

Cafe’s phone: 979-703-8514, http://www.thevillagedowntown.com/eats/our-menu/ 

*View Map  Order at the counter and join us in the back corner of the restaurant.

Reach Out and Read Mission Statement: Reach Out and Read prepares America's youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.

Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals incorporate Reach Out and Read's evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children. The program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities. Families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills, better prepared to achieve their potential.