Hello, hello...
It's 2017, y'all! Time to kick things into gear with preparations for our March conference and much more.Join Us
Our next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 25th at 10 a.m. in the College Station Barnes & Noble. We will kick off the new year by talking about "Defining Goals." 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.Brazos Valley Blooms Updates
First and foremost, the website for our March 4th conference is: https://brazosvalley.scbwi.Help Spread the Word
We have a poster! Help as many people see it as possible by sharing it via email and social media and posting/distributing printed copies at your local libraries, coffee shops, schools and universities. Download and share the image file below or email brazosvalley@scbwi.org for a PDF and printouts.
Critique deadlines
The submission deadline is Jan. 21 for critiques at our March 4 conference. Critiques with Karen Boss have sold out but there are still slots available with Soloway and Cooner. Register today!
Volunteers Needed
We are still in need of volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering contact Liz Mertz at brazosvalley@scbwi.org. Task we could use help with include:
- Gather door prizes and silent auction items
- Stand watch over the illustrators portfolio showcase (during the conference)
- Make name tags
- Assemble gift bags
- Prepare baked goods/snacks for the conference
- Stuff folders
- Greeters at the conference
- Drivers for faculty (or you can donate fund for a shuttle ride)
Donations Needed
We will be putting together welcome gift bags for our five speakers before the conference. Donating the following items is the easiest way to help us out:
- Tissue packets
- Mini hand sanitizer
- Chapstick
- Granola bars
- Waters
- Savory snack (cheese & crackers, nuts, etc)
Other Industry News
- Julia Churchill, who heads up the children's division at A.M. Heath, is looking for new talent among children's and YA authors. More info at: http://amheath.com/childrens
- Storey Publishing, based in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, is looking to grow their children's non-fiction book program with new titles that teach and inspire kids to explore, learn, cook, grow, and get creative. We publish books about nature, farming, animals, sustainability, self sufficiency, outdoor science, DIY, crafts, puzzles, games, and activities. We are looking for authors and author/illustrators or author/photographers with strong platforms and expertise and we are open to unique formats and interactivity. Submissions can be addressed to Deanna F. Cook, Storey Publishing. By e-mail: submissions@storey.com (We prefer email attachments as Word .doc files or PDFs). Or, by mail: Storey Publishing LLC, 210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, Massachusetts 01247 (Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like your materials returned.) For full proposal guidelines, go to http://www.storey.com/propo
sal-guidelines/ - Check out this December New York Times interview with authors Meg Medina and R.J. Palacio about diversity in children's books.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are my own, and not
necessarily those of the SCBWI.
