Current Scratch: Statewide, Opportunities, News

Howdy, folks!  Summer is almost over and the busy fall is upon us. I hope you carve time out of your schedule to create your best works.

Our next meeting is at the Barnes & Noble in College Station on August 27, 2014 at 10 a.m. This month's program is "All About Young Adult Voice". Speaker TBA. A gentle critique will begin at 9:30 a.m. Please bring 5 copies of the WIP you'd like to have critiqued. As always, join us for lunch directly following the Schmooze.

Save the Date: Agent Jodell Sadler has agreed to lead a day with an agent for us on November 8, 2014. More to come!  http://www.sadlercreativeliterary.com/

STATEWIDE

SCBWI North Texas Chapter Hosts Conference for Authors and Illustrators of Children’s Literature

Date/Time: all day Saturday, Sep. 27, 2014 with optional sessions the morning of Sunday, Sep. 28
Location: Addison Conference & Theatre Centre, 15650 Addison Road,Addison, Texas 75001
More: Visit https://northtexas.scbwi.org/events/out-of-this-world/ for conference details and to register online.

SCBWI Austin Chapter: Fall Workshop-Research for Fiction, Non-fiction and Historical Writers.
Date/Time: 9/13/ 2014, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Laura's Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd., Austin, TX

More : https://austin.scbwi.org/events/fall-workshop-research-for-fiction-non-fiction-and-historical-fiction-writers/

Non-Fiction for New Folks Retreat (NF4NF) --  For fiction writers wanting to try nonfiction writing, nonfiction writers who are new to the genre, and experienced NF writers in need of encouragement, instruction, and inspiration. (not an SCBWI event but may be of interest to our members)

Date/Time 10/9 -10/12
Location:  Hill Country University Center,  Fredricksburg, TX

http://www.patmillerbooks.com/nf-4-nf.html

OPPORTUNITIES

PiBoIdMo Picture Book Idea Month -- The 6th annual PiBoIdMo is in November 2014.The challenge is to create 30 picture book concepts in 30 days. Learn more here: http://taralazar.com/piboidmo/

Nanwrimo National Novel Writing Month -- this is around the corner. Write a novel in a month! http://nanowrimo.org/

NEWS 

PW's SCBWI Annual Conference recap. http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/63570-imagination-inspiration-and-finding-your-voice-notes-from-the-scbwi-summer-conference.html

Pushkin Press launches new children's imprint in the U.S. http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/63601-pushkin-launches-children-s-imprint-in-the-u-s.html'

Remember Janet Fox? Good news from PW: "Kendra Levin at Viking has preempted Sirens author Janet Fox's middle-grade debut, Chatelaine: The Thirteenth Charm. It's a mystery that asks the question: would you rather spend World War II trapped in an eerie Scottish castle with a ghost or with a Nazi spy? The book is slated for winter 2016; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights." http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/63603-rights-report-week-of-august-4-2014.html

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