Current Scratch: Join Us, Author Visit, Awards, Contest, Tips, BV Schedule, & Inspiration

Howdy folks! Yes, winter is upon us, but don't fret. We live in Texas. The weather will improve. So, cuddle under a warm blanket, get cozy, and be productive! Write. Illustrate. Revise. Spring will bloom before you know it.

JOIN US

January Schmooze: 01/29/2014  Nuts & Bolts of Writing for Children & Teens
10:00 am - 11:00 am, Barnes & Noble, College Station TX. After the meeting, join the group for lunch.

03/22/2014 SCBWI Saturday Workshop Martha Wells: Writing Speculative Fiction for Kids & Teens
10 am - 12  pm  Arts Council of Brazos Valley, 2275 Dartmouth, College Station TX
Martha will offer her expert overview of speculative fiction, including tips, resources, exercises and practical advice. Bring your questions for a time of Q&A. Copies of Martha’s books will be available for purchase—cash or check or only. Registration: $20 for SCBWI members or $25 for non-members. Seating is limited. Please let us know you are coming by emailing brazosvalley@scbwi.org and then paying at the door. We look forward to seeing you!

Children's Literature Book Club: January Reading List: My Father's Daughter (Father's Arcane Daughter) by E. L. Konigsburg, Locomotive by Brian Floca (PB), Details about this year’s CLBC will be coming soon. We are planning to meet on January 30th. Bring Brian Floca PBs to share.

AUTHOR VISIT

Don't miss out! A New York Times Bestselling YA Author comes to College Station! Rachel Caine will appear at the Ringer Library on Feb. 11th from 4-6 p.m. to promote her new book PRINCE OF SHADOWS, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Rachel Caine is the author of the popular Morganville Vampires series and more than forty novels. Call the library for further details 979-764-3416.


AWARDS

Way to go, DiCamillo, Floca, and Sedgwick!

HAVE A NOVEL UNDER YOUR BELT?

Polish it! Consider entering the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest.

REVISION TIPS & TRICKS

12 Tips for revising.

BRAZOS VALLEY SCBWI SCHEDULE

BV Event Lineup for 2014

INSPIRATION

And last, but certainly not least, an inspiring video of 17 year-old Sam Berns and his "Philosophy on a Happy Life". You don't want to miss this TEDxMidAtlantic talk with an incredible and wise young man.

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

Current Scratch: Event, Awards, News, Win

Howdy, Folks.  I love a brand new shiny year. I hope that you have made your goals. If not, look to the sidebar for our local member goals.  Perhaps you will be inspired. 

Our first schmooze for the year is around the corner. 

JOIN US!

We meet Wednesday, Jan 29, is "Revisiting Revision." at 10 a.m in the College Station Barnes and Noble. Join us for lunch afterwards. Our topic is to be announced...but it will help launch you into a successful new year.

EVENT

Martha Wells --Writing Speculative Fiction for Kids and Teens

Mark you calendars for a morning workshop with acclaimed fantasy author for adults and teens Martha Wells (www.marthawells.com). Martha will offer her expert overview of speculative fiction, including tips, resources, exercises and practical advice. Bring your questions for a time of Q&A. Copies of Martha’s books will be available for purchase.

Q. What is speculative fiction?

(from wiki!) Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, weird fiction, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature.

Here are the details...

DATE: March 22, 2014

TIME: 10 a.m to 12 p.m

PLACE: Brazos Valley Arts Center, 2275 Dartmouth, College Station, TX.

COST: $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Seating is limited. Please let us know you are coming by emailing: brazosvalley@scbwi.org and then paying (cash or check) at the door.

 AWARDS

Hey, movies  have the Golden Globes and Oscars. We have the the ALA Media Awards.  Here is the scoop just in case you want the news hot off the presses...The 2014 Youth Media Award announcements will take place during the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibition at 8 a.m. ET, on Monday, January 27, from the Pennsylvania Convention Center's Grand Ballroom A, in Philadelphia.
The ALA will provide a free live webcast of the announcements. Live streaming efforts will begin the morning of the announcements.

NEWS

Kate DiCamillo Named Next National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Read about in PW.


WIN

The deadline for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards is 1/31/2013. Are you interested? Read about it and check out the rules Here is the link.

Work-in-Progress grant applications need to be in March. It is time to think about it now. Read about the available grants and the rules. Here is the link.

Do you have an 800 word or less HOLIDAY story simmering on the back burner?  Here is the link to the pertinent details!  Hurry, you have until the end of the month.

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