Current Scratch: Join Us, Awards, Opportunities, Interest, & For Fun

Howdy, folks! It's official. The Bluebonnets and Texas Paintbrushes are blooming. The trees are budding. Spring has sprung! What new projects of yours are springing to life?

JOIN US

Diandra Mae: An Illustrator's Perspective, 10 a.m. March 26, Barnes & Noble College Station, TX. Want to know what happens once an illustrator receives a new picture book text? Illustrator coordinator for SCBWI Houston, Diandra Mae, will fill us in, along with tips for writers on "leaving room for the illustrator." Check out her portfolio in the Illustrators Gallery. Or stop by her website or her blog. Come early for gentle critique at 9:30 a.m. and/or stay around as the discussion continues over lunch. Join us!

The Children's Literature Book Club meets on March 27th. March reading list.RETURN TO SENDER by Julia Alvarez and A CAFECITO STORY, by Julia Alvarez, will be shared More info? Contact here: ChildLitbookclub@yahoogroups.com.

AWARDS

The Texas Institute of Letters gives out literary awards every year in several different categories. Read more about it here. 

Our local members are nominated!

VOICES OF PEARL HARBOR by Sherry Garland, illus. by  Layne Johnson is a finalist H-E-B Awards for Best Children’s Book ($500)

And

TRUE BLUE SCOUTS by Kathi Appelt. is a finalist in the YA category.

National Book Awards at Sam Houston

OPPORTUNITIES

In light of our recent (awesome!) Speculative Fiction workshop with Martha Wells, check out this writing opportunity in Inaccurate Realities, a Speculative Fiction magazine. Next submission theme: Superpowers, due May 15, 2014.

Highlights Retreat Scholarship


INTEREST

April 26-27  SCBWI Houston holds their annual conference.  Find out more details here.

FOR FUN

Ever wanted to pick Neil Gaiman's brain about why he writes scary stories for kids? Here's your chance.

And how about the big Oxford comma squabble? Are you for or against it? Check out this fun, animated video.

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

Current Scratch: Join us, Industry News, Grants, In State, Crystal Kite

Hi folks, warmer days have arrived! I hope that you have found some time to work on your projects. I hope that everything is singing.

JOIN US

Want to know what happens once an illustrator receives a new picture book text? Illustrator coordinator for SCBWI Houston, Diandra Mae, will fill us in, along with tips for writers on "leaving room for the illustrator." Check out her portfolio in the Illustrators Gallery. Or stop by her website or her blog. Come to the Schmooze on Wednesday, March 26, at 10 a.m. in the College Station Barnes & Noble. 

ALSO Join us for "Writing Speculative Fiction for Kids and Teen with acclaimed fantasy author Martha Wells.

March 22
Time: 10 a.m - noon
Place: Arts Council of Brazos Valley

Martha will offer her expert overview of  writing 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 only. We look forward to seeing you!

Registration for the workshop is $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. Bring your check book to buy books too!

Martha Wells (www.marthawells.com) is the author of a number of fantasy novels, including her YA fantasy, Emilie and the Hollow World, which was published by Angry Robot/Strange Chemistry in April 2013, and the sequel, Emilie and the Sky World, which will be out in March 2014. She’s also the author of The Cloud Roads, The Wizard Hunters, and the Nebula-nominated The Death of the Necromancer. The Siren Depths was published in December 2012 by Night Shade Books, and is the third in the Books of the Raksura series.

March 27 Children's Literature Book Club: Meets last Thursday of the month, subject to change. Please check.  March reading list.RETURN TO SENDER by Julia Alvarez and A CAFECITO STORY, by Julia Alvarez, will be shared More info? Contact here: childlitbookclub-owner@yahoogroups.com.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Here is an in depth artcle about the shifting children's market from PW. Emphasis on how ebooks are changing the market. Interesting.

What do editors thing about their work? Publishing advice that editors would give to their younger selves. Check it out in PW.

Thinking about self-publishing. Here are six questions to ask yourself from GalleyCat.

DreamWorks launches its own press. Read about it here.

 GRANTS

Work-in-progress grant applications are due in March.  Follow the links for the important details.

Here is an extended list of grants, fellow ships and prizes post on Horn Book. 

IN STATE

April 26-27  SCBWI Houston holds their annual conference.  Check ou this link for details.

Here are the links to our state's SCBWI regions: austin.scbwi.org, brazosvalley.scbwi org, houston.scbwi.org, northtexas.scbwi.org, swtexas.scbwi.org.   

CRYSTAL KITE

This is our annual members choice award. The deadline has been extend until Mar. 26.  Consider entering your book! Here are the details.

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

Current Scratch: Join Us, SCBWI Winter Con, Opportunities, Interesting Stuff, & BV SCBWI Lineup

Howdy, folks! Hope your writerly and / or artsy projects are springing to life!

JOIN US

From alternative history to post-apocalyptic futures, speculative fiction covers a wide range of genres. Join us as we explore the possibilities at our Schmooze on Wednesday, February 26, at 10 a.m. in the College Station Barnes & Noble.

Then plan to learn more at "Writing Speculative Fiction for Kids and Teens," a morning workshop on March 22 with acclaimed fantasy author Martha Wells. She 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 only. We look forward to seeing you!

Registration for the workshop is $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.

Martha Wells (www.marthawells.com) is the author of a number of fantasy novels, including her YA fantasy, Emilie and the Hollow World, which was published by Angry Robot/Strange Chemistry in April 2013, and the sequel, Emilie and the Sky World, which will be out in March 2014. She’s also the author of The Cloud Roads, The Wizard Hunters, and the Nebula-nominated The Death of the Necromancer. The Siren Depths was published in December 2012 by Night Shade Books, and is the third in the Books of the Raksura series.

 

02/27/2014 Children's Literature Book Club: Meets last Thursday of the month, subject to change. Please check.  February reading list: Homecoming, Cynthia Voigt. More info? Contact here: childlitbookclub-owner@yahoogroups.com.

SCBWI WINTER CON

 

Check it out! The SCBWI Winter Con blog posts are up!

 

OPPORTUNITIES

 

Tales2Go, a new children's book app

 

COBBLESTONE Magazine Seeks Articles

 

INTERESTING STUFF

 

An interesting article from New York Times about publishers rolling out books in a series faster.

 

Love Winnie the Pooh? Take a moment to listen to a rare recording of A. A. Milne reading from his beloved book.

 

BV SCBWI LINEUP

 

https://brazosvalley.scbwi.org/events/

 

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

 

 

Current Scratch: Author Visit, Local Authors' Books, Novel Contests, Interesting Stuff, 2014 Schedule

Howdy folks! Argggh...more winter.  I am needing some springtime, seriously.  I hope that you are working on projects. At least the cold makes me want to hunker inside. First drafts, revisions, and marketing, whew, you are probably very busy, but I hope this post gives you a thought  or two. 

JOIN US

02/26/2014 February  Schmooze: Topic: Worlds of Speculative Fiction -- a historical look at the speculative fiction genre to get us ready for Martha Wells' workshop in March.  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!
02/27/2014 Children's Literature Book Club: Meets last Thursday of the month, subject to change. Please check.  February reading list: Homecoming, Cynthia Voigt. More info? Contact here: childlitbookclub-owner@yahoogroups.com.

Want a critique group? Check out our discussion board thread for the BV SCBWI on SCBWI's Blueboard. Here is the link.

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.


LOCAL AUTHORS' BOOKS

Be sure to congratualte these authors for their wonderful achievements.

Local author Mary Mize has a new picture book, HIS NAME IS BEN, illustrated by Suzy Keller; this book is available for purchase on Amazon.
 

 

 

Local author Debbie Leland has a new picture book out, Football Man, illustrated by Ann Hollis Rife: this book is available for purchase on Amazon.

 

 



NOVEL CONTESTS

Calendar for SCBWI Grants.  WIP grants are due in March. It's time to put together an application right now.

Polish it! Consider entering the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest.

Brand new contest for Young Adult and New Adult. The YARWA Chapter is proud to announce the Rosemary Contest, the only RWA contest specifically for YA writers in all genres. Fee based, multiple genres.

This contest will run from March 1 – March 31. Finalists will be announced by June 1 and winners will be announced at the 2014 Day of YA event in San Antonio, TX.

For a complete list of rules, visit http://yarwa. com/contest- 2014/

Questions? Please contact Contest Coordinator Rebecca Lynn at YARWAContestCoord [at] gmail [dot] com.

INTERESTING STUFF
Common core is a huge shift in education. Read about how this shift applies to authors in "Getting up to speed in common core" by Matia Burnett in PW.

Read about children's publishing job moves in January in PW

Rewriting advice from Louis Sachar from GalleyCat.


BV SCBWI SCHEDULE

BV Event Lineup for 2014

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

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

Current Scratch: Happy New Year....

You might have noticed the blog has been quiet this month. We are on BLOG VACATION for December.  We will be back next month with the Current Scratch!