Current Scratch: Join Us! Regional Events, ALA Youth Media Awards, Grants and Contests, News, Fun

Howdy, folks!  New year is in full swing! We are in February. I hope you are working hard at your goals. I've already snagged my first rejection for the year. (That makes me a real writer!)  I know that the sunshiny days are hard to avoid right now but carve some time out for creativity.

Join us for discussion, news, and encouragement.

Next SCBWI Brazos Valley Schmooze: Feb. 25, 2015 at 9 a.m. at the College Station, Barnes and Noble. Topic: Writing for the Youngest Readers. Gentle critique begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring copies of 5 double-spaced pages of your work in progress. Those who have time stay for lunch at a local restaurant. Members and friends welcome!

REGIONAL EVENTS

Webinar Opportunity--Author and teacher Leslea Newman will teach The ABC’s of Poetry: Writing in Poetic Form for Children and Young Adults on Feb. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. Click the title link for details and registration. Member discounted registration is $10.+

SCBWI Austin 2015 Writers and Illustrators' Working Conference. A two day conference with over a dozen publishing professionals. Check it out on March 3/7-8/2015.

SCBWI Houston 2015 Annual Conference. A two day conference with an included intensive. Check it out 4/18-4/19/2015.

If you want to go to SCBWI International Conference,

ALA MEDIA YOUTH AWARDS. 

The Newbery goes to Kwane Alexander for his book THE CROSSOVER  

The Caldecott goes to Dan Santat for his book BEEKLE. 

The Printz goes to Jandy Nelson for her book I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN 

All these folks are members of SCBWI. Check out this SCBWI article. 

Also check here for more info!

GRANTS and CONTESTS

Follow the links for more info.

SCBWI WIP Grants

Master of the Ink Pot at David Fickling Books.

The Katherine Paterson Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing 

NEWS

Small but Mighty Small Presses. Check them out in this article in PW. 

Hatchette sales were down 4.8 % in 2014.  Read about it at GalleyCat. 

FUN

Mac Barnett: Why a Good Book Is a Secret Door.   

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