Current Scratch: Interest, Business Buzz, For the Illustrator, & Just For Fun

Howdy folks! As our summer comes to an end, it's time to fall head first into our writing and illustrating projects. Jump on the productive bus! Need some inspiration? See the Join Us section below. :)

JOIN US

For our next Schmooze: On Wednesday, August 28  for "Picture Book Potpourri"--a panel discussion of the best current books, best resources, acquiring agents, picture book development, U Tales etc. We meet at 10 a.m. in the College Station Barnes & Noble, 711 Texas Ave.

Gentle critique begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring 5 copies of 5 double-spaced pages to share. Feel free to join us for lunch afterwards.

Piney Woods Retreat Nov. 15-17, 2013 for writers and illustrators

Join SCBWI Brazos Valley for a working retreat in the pines of East Texas at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center near Palestine, TX. This event is for working writers and illustrators who need time, space and encouragement to move forward with their works in progress.

Additional information is available here. 
Online registration is available at Eventbrite.

To register by mail, please indicate whether you are an author or illustrator, make your check payable to SCBWI Brazos Valley and send it to: SCBWI Brazos Valley P.O. Box 9622 College Station, TX 77842

INTEREST

Looking for helpful information about small business deductions?

Read Highlights Fiction Contest guidelines here.

BUSINESS BUZZ

Here's a WOW story for you: Penguin signs a 13-year-old author!

A success story about a picture book, a girl named Sophie, and a butternut squash, emerging from the slush pile. Too cute!

FOR THE ILLUSTRATOR

 Self-Promo Tips

JUST FOR FUN

Love poetry? Neil Gaiman? Watch this!

Neil Gaiman - Crazy Hair

 The views expressed here are my own, and not necessarily those of the SCBWI.

Current Scratch: CANCELLED Critiquenic!, Statewide, Middle Grade, Recaps.

Howdy, folks! School is around the corner. Gearing up for a new school year inspires me. Hope your pencils are sharpened and you are ready to do great work!



JOIN US

 Need a break? SCBWI-BV Schmooze with us August 28, 2013. Picture Book Potpourri is the topic!
Stay for lunch if you have the time. Gentle critique begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring 5 copies of 5 double-spaced pages of a work in progress to share.

KEEP THE DATE

CANCELLED --August 17th SCBWI Critiquenic  CANCELLED!!!! 

We recommend that you consider attending the BRAZOS WRITERS' MINI-Workshop: Crime 101.
Date: August 17, 2013
Time: 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Place:Ringer Library in College Station

Should be very interesting for writers in all genres: stories from the front lines of law enforcement here at Texas A&M, followed by award-winning mystery writer Reavis Z. Wortham, who will share his journey to writing success. He will have copies of his Red River mystery series for sale as well.

Cost is just $20 and there is no preregistration--just show up!

Piney Woods Retreat

November 15-17, 2013 @ Lakeview Methodist Conference Center, Palestine, TX. Join us for a working retreat in the pines of East Texas. Registration fee covers two nights and six meals:
SCBWI Members--$295 per person for single room; $245 per person for double occupancy
Non-members--$315 per person for single room; $265 per person for double occupancy
Stay tuned for more details.

STATEWIDE

We have SCBWI events statewide. Here are a couple of upcoming events that might fit you.

 

SCBWI  SouthWest Texas -- San Antonio ...Richard Jesse Watson for a full-day picture book workshop on October 19, 2013. Register here: EventBrite registration page.

 

SCBWI North Texas -- Dallas...SCBWI North Texas 2013 Regional Conference, Creating Kids Books That Soar. September 21, 2013. For more details follow this link.

SCBWI Austin -- St. Edward University Austin. Graphic Novel Workshop 2013, October 5, 2013. Follow this link for more details: http://www.austinscbwi.com/graphic-novel-workshop-2013/ .

 

 

MIDDLE GRADE

 

Here is some middle grade writing advice from Peter Lerangis, author of 160 books for kids. Check it out at Galley Cat.

 

Ever wanted to see how a relationship works between a writer and editor. Check out this article from Stephen Roxburgh at PW. Gobsmacked! is an eye-opening experience.

 

Here is a Letter of Note from E.B. White.  On Charlotte's Web, a book is a sneeze. You will love this. It will make you happy.  

 

Current NY Times middle grade best sellers.

 

RECAP

 

SCBWI Summer conference was a couple of weeks ago. Here is the official recap. Another.

Another.

 

WRITE-ON-CON was just the other day. Here is the link to the content. Check it out. :)

 

  The views expressed here are my own, and not necessarily those of the SCBWI.