Current Scratch: Join Us, Local, Evolution, Poetry

Rain is falling! Yay! I love the sound of rain. I hope your projects are humming out there. Keep working. Everyone succeeds who doesn't give up.

JOIN US

Schmooze: Successful Indie Publishing–A Veteran’s Story with local Indie star Debbie Leland, 10 a.m. April 30, Barnes & Noble, College Station, TX. Debbie Leland will offer her experience as an indie author with tips to help you on your journey. Join us at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the College Station Barnes & Noble for the slam. Also come early for gentle critique at 9:30 a.m. and/or stay around as the discussion continues over lunch. Join us!

Debbie will have some books for sale, the newest one is THE FOOTBALL MAN. Check out her website for more information about her and her books at Debbie Leland.com.

Webinar: Characters Who Walk Off the Page and Into Your Heart--You Can Create One with Darcy Pattison

SCBWI Brazos Valley has joined with all the Texas SCBWI chapters to offer a series of webinars on craft. We're thrilled to have author and renowned writing teacher Darcy Pattison kick off the series. Darcy will present "Characters Who Walk Off the Page and Into Your Heart--You Can Create One."

Date/Time:05/13/2014, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm --Register here!

LOCAL

Author Visit from J.A. White.

Author of The Thickety. A dark, forbidden forest. Vicious beasts. Deadly plants. An evil spellbook. Secrets. Mysteries. A Forest Demon. Witches both fair and foul.

SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014, 5:00 PM
APPEARS AT: B&N #2875/College Station, 711 Texas AVE College Station, TX 77840

EVOLUTION

The way kids read books is changing. Here is a thoughtful article from PW. 

POETRY

We had our first ever Poetry Slam in April. It was tons of fun and a nice segue into summer. Here is one of the poems:

TEXAS SUMMER 

by Angela Turner

Sumner is fun, or so you would think. 

And in most places you would be right. 

But in Texas . . . 

In Texas you sweat from morning 'til night

And drink water all day if you know what's right. 

Go to a party, icing melts off the cake,

Hop in a car, your legs start to bake. 

With all the heat, the bluebonnets droop, 

Swim in the Brazos River, it feels like soup. 

Sno Cone? Yay! But it melts down your arm.

A picnic outside has lost all its charm. 

When out in the sun, a hat is a must,

A fan you say?  Not with the dust. 

But even in Texas there is one thing you will find

To bring some relief to your sun scorched mind. 

So walk on inside, its waiting right there--

AIR CONDITIONING! Answer to a Texan's prayer. 

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

Current Scratch: Join Us, Opportunities, Vote Now, & Tips for Reading Poetry

In light of poetry month, here's a little treat! I'm not claiming to be a poet, but it was fun anyways! 

 

Beauty and the Hiss

Across the vast Brazos Valley, fields of wildflowers attract the human eye. Like bees to honey, we're drawn to it. Beauty. Canvasses of bluebonnets, paintbrushes, winecups, and more, we long to frolic and dance upon nature's palette. And while we may fall prey to nature's alluring spells, amongst the wildflowers, a slithering creature dwells. It hisses. It strikes. It slides. It glides. Remember, you're in charge of saving your hide! So, while you're out enjoying nature's bliss,

listen & beware of the dreadful hiss!

JOIN US

 

Poetry Slam, 10 a.m. April 30, Barnes & Noble, College Station, TX.  Take time this month to create a new poem or revise some old ones using the word prompts below. Then join us at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the College Station Barnes & Noble for the slam. Also come early for gentle critique at 9:30 a.m. and/or stay around as the discussion continues over lunch. Join us!

RULES for the Poetry Slam

Our goal is to provide a professional setting for members and friends to present their work. To that end, the following rules will be enforced.

1. The poems must be for children or teens—rated PG-13 or less (look it up).

2. Besides stating your name and the age level and genre of your poem, no other commentary will be allowed during your reading. You may only read your poem(s).

3. You will have 5 minutes. Several short poems within the time span will be allowed. You will receive a one minute warning and a 30 second warning. The time-keeper will stop you at 5 minutes even if you are in mid-word. (Practice timing yourself.)

4. The first 12 poets to sign in will read. (Assuming 5 min. per person. If there's time before the end of the hour, we can do more.)

5. Each poem must include at least four words from the list below. Have fun!

PROMPT LIST

Include at least four words from the following list in each poem presented. Plural forms are allowed.

1. bluebonnet

2. brazos
3. chupacabra
4. family
5. football
6. heat
7. sno cone (counts as one word)

Come early for gentle critique at 9:30 a.m. and/or stay around as the discussion continues over lunch.

 

Children's Book Lit. Club

 

This month, we will discuss PROTECTING MARIE by Kevin Henkes at our meeting next Thursday, April 24, 4:30-6 p.m. in the Arts Center on Dartmouth. Please bring a picture book by Henkes to share as well.

 

OPPORTUNITIES

 

May 13, 2014, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Don't miss this great opportunity to participate in a SCBWI webinar on craft! Click on the link below to find out all the details.

Webinar With Darcy Pattison: Characters Who Walk Off the Page and Into Your Heart

 

A chance for picture book submissions, folks! Meegenius Accepting Manuscripts

 

VOTE NOW!

 

Round Two of the Crystal Kite Awards Closes April 30th

 

TIPS ON POETRY READING

 

Are you crafting your poem for our poetry slam on April 30th? Need a few tips for reciting your poem out loud? Voice, physical presence, and more! This link has it all... Poetry Out Loud.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Scratch: Join Us, Author News, Gender Bias?, Agents, Revision

Oh, what glorious days we have been having! National Poetry month, folks! I totally understand why they picked April.  From an ode to bluebonnets by Grace Noll Crowell:

It was so blue beneath the Texas sky,
It made me want to cry.

I hope that you enjoying the weather and finding time to write.

 JOIN US

Poetry Slam, 10 a.m. April 30, Barnes & Noble, College Station, TX.  Take time this month to create a new poem or revise some old ones using the word prompts below. Then join us at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the College Station Barnes & Noble for the slam. Also come early for gentle critique at 9:30 a.m. and/or stay around as the discussion continues over lunch. Join us!
RULES for the Poetry Slam

Our goal is to provide a professional setting for members and friends to present their work. To that end, the following rules will be enforced.

1. The poems must be for children or teens—rated PG-13 or less (look it up).
2. Besides stating your name and the age level and genre of your poem, no other commentary will be allowed during your reading. You may only read your poem(s).
3. You will have 5 minutes. Several short poems within the time span will be allowed. You will receive a one minute warning and a 30 second warning. The time-keeper will stop you at 5 minutes even if you are in mid-word. (Practice timing yourself.)
4. The first 12 poets to sign in will read. (Assuming 5 min. per person. If there's time before the end of the hour, we can do more.)
5. Each poem must include at least four words from the list below. Have fun!

PROMPT LIST

Include at least four words from the following list in each poem presented. Plural forms are allowed.

1. bluebonnet
2. brazos
3. chupacabra
4. family
5. football
6. heat
7. sno cone (counts as one word)

Come early for gentle critique at 9:30 a.m. and/or stay around as the discussion continues over lunch.

 Young Poets on the Brazos Contest -- Awards ceremony and poetry reading on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. in the Clara B Mounce Public Library in downtown Bryan. Arrive early, as we will start the reading promptly at 6 p.m. in order to leave the library at closing time one hour later. Join us for this brief ceremony applauding 30 young poets and acknowledging the family, teachers, and friends who encourage them.

Children's Literature Book Club meets the day after the Schmooze at the Brazos Arts Center.

Upcoming Webinar -- details to come. The Texas RAs led by Austin and North Texas have planned a series of webinars to make available to all members in the state. The idea is that each region will set up registration for the event so each region will receive payment from its members, so we all benefit. The first one will be May 13 with Darcy Pattison.

AUTHOR NEWS

Mary Mize announces her two books Letters to Scamper (illus. by Shirley Hoskins) and His Name is BEN (illus. by Suzy Keller) are avaliable for purchase.  These books were edited by Tammy Hensel (Check out her blog) and published by Erin Casey.  If you wish to purchase these books contact Mary at marylouisemize@gmail.com

or

Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/His-Name-Ben-Mary-Mize/dp/0983251460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396967387&sr=8-1&keywords=mary+mize

Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Letters-Scamper-Mize-Mary/dp/0983251436/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1396967387&sr=8-6&keywords=mary+mize

GENDER BIAS?

Join the discussion.

Here's an article that may be of interest to you:  http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-dollar-and-cents-case-against-hollywoods-exclusion-of-women/

Laurie Halse Anderson's take on John Green, YA world and the New York Times.

AGENTS

Here is the monster list of picture book agents: http://frolickingthroughcyberspace.blogspot.com/p/monster-list-of-picture-book-agents.html.

REVISION

Need to cut down a manuscript. Here is some RX help for Writer Unblocked. Love every word. http://writerunboxed.com/2014/04/06/love-every-word/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WriterUnboxed+%28Writer+Unboxed%29

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

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