Join Us, Local Events, Illustrator Workshop, A Bookshelf for Baby

It looks like it will be a rainy week here in East Texas, but it also feel like spring is upon us. Redbuds are in bloom, the first few Bluebonnets are saying "hallo" and I've been able to spend quite a few warm days reading outside in my hammock strung up between two trees just beginning to blush with new green.

JOIN US 

Our next meeting is on on Wednesday, March 30th at 10 a.m. in the College Station Barnes & Noble for What’s Your Platform for Catching the Success Express? We'll also discuss news and provide encouragement. Gentle critique begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring copies of 5 double-spaced pages of your work in progress. Those who have time may go to lunch at a local restaurant. Members and friends welcome!

LOCAL EVENTS 

Besides our monthly meeting there are a few more events you might want to investigate:

Kathi Appelt & Alison McGhee Book Signing
3/10/2016 @ 5:30 pm
Jacque's Toys & Books
4301 S Texas Ave, Bryan, Texas 77802
Kathi and Alison will both be signing their new book, MAYBE A FOX. 

"I’m so happy that Alison will be with me," Kathi said. "We met at Vermont College as new faculty members. This book took us about 4 years to write." The new novel has garnered three starred reviews--from School Library Journal, Booklist, and Publisher’s Weekly--so far.

Alison is the NY Times bestselling author of SOMEDAY, along with books for all ages, including adults. Kathi’s first novel, The Underneath, was a National Book Award Finalist and a Newbery Honor Book. It also received the Pen USA Award, and was a finalist for the Heart of Hawick Children’s Book Award.

Building a Website in WordPress for Writers and Illustrators
4/2/2016 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wesley Foundation
201 Tauber - College Station, Texas 77840

Writer and software developer Avery White will lead this hands-on workshop on building a website using WordPress. Bring your laptops and we will set up in the Fellowship Hall of the Wesley Foundation (Methodist Student Center) in College Station. We'll work from 9 to 11 a.m. and break for lunch at a restaurant nearby. The afternoon session, 12 to 2 p.m., will allow time to answer everyone's questions. 

ILLUSTRATOR WORKSHOP

Not quite as local, but certainly worth the drive; SCBWI in Houston is having its first Illustrator's Day, it looks to be a really great event!

Illustrator Workshop with Greg Pizzoli
4/23/2016 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Lanier Theological Library
14130 Hargrave - Houston, TX 77070

Join SCBWI-Houston for our first Illustrator's Day! We are excited to have Geisel Award winning author-illustrator Greg Pizzoli present a workshop featuring peeks into his process, hands-on exercises, illustration critique, and discussion. It promises to be a day full of information and inspiration.

A BOOKSHELF FOR BABY

On a more personal note, this member of the blog team is approximately seven weeks away from meeting her first child. I've been reading to him in utero, but since his comprehension skills are on the low side, he is just getting to hear what I'm reading. I like that his little developing brain is being bathed with the language of such infinitely talented wordsmith's as Zadie Smith, Carl Sagan, and Rebecca Solnit, and I hope the practice of reading out loud is making me a better storyteller, but I know I'm going to have to start reading more age appropriate literature soon. Also once he exits the dark confines of my guts he might enjoy some pictures. So I've been starting to build a bookshelf for our tiny human.

At first the baby registry just consisted of books. As an illustrator this has given me an excuse to indulge in some of the books created by my favorite artists; Jon Klassen, Carson Ellis, Beatrice Alemagna all made the list. I've also gotten to revisit some of my favorites from when I was little, so Goodnight Moon, Make Way for Duckling, and Are You My Mother are present. I'm also enjoying picking up serendipitous surprises from scanning the kids section at Half Price Books; Ed Emberley drawing books, Number flash cards covered in bug facts and graphics, and a book of poems with Edward Gorey drawings have all snuck on to the little boy's shelf. Even more special is that a lot of these books are appearing as gifts from some of my favorite people.

Books have been the tangible link to the little person who will exist on the other side of this pregnancy. Reading to him, watching him explore illustrations, wondering about his favorite stories, is one of the ways I can imagine this new life actually existing alongside mine.

I just hope he likes to read. :)

Self promotional plug: I've redesigned my website, check it out!
And I have a new facebook page for my illo work, come see :)


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