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. 

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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