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!

Current Scratch: Join Us!, Sad News, Opportunity, Tip, & Big News!

Howdy, folks! Bundle up with a good book or your current work in progress, Old Man Winter decided to arrive early in Texas!

JOIN US!

*Remember, there's no monthly Schmooze in November & December. But don't forget...

Our Annual Holiday Party. Dress in your festive finery! Bring a guest or come alone to the annual SCBWI-BV Annual Holiday Party.

This year is a holiday crawl in downtown Bryan. We start at Uncorked, 206 W 26th St, Bryan, TX 77803, and then at 6:15, we will arrive at Caffe Capri, 222 N Main St, Bryan, TX 77803, and have an entree. By 8:15, we will move up the street to Murphy's Law for yummy desserts. Come to all or drop in when you can.

Share what you've achieved this year and what you hope to achieve next year. Did you read a good book this year? Let us know. :)

Let's play trivia. Brush up on your Newberys and Caldecotts. :) Do you know which books won the year you were born? Can you name all the RAs of SCBWI-BV?

Giving opportunity! (TBA) Bring one book to be given to a worthy cause.

Food and beverages will be availble for individual purchase at each step on the crawl.

 

***

 

Dec. 6--Candilynn Fite will be signing her picture book, LITTLE ACORN'S BIG FALL at the annual Christmas Stroll in Brenham, after the parade (7:00-8:30) at the Brenham Book Nook.

 

Dec. 7--Sherry Garland and illustrator Layne Johnson will sign Voices of Pearl Harbor at the National Museum of the Pacific War (Admiral NimitzMuseum), Fredericksburg, TX.

 

SAD NEWS

 

As children lit lovers, we mourn the loss of one of our own. A lovely tribute to the creator of Junie B. Jones, Barbara Park.

 

OPPORTUNITY

 

SCBWI and the Author's Guild partner up to create the Children's Book Section of BookTalk Nation. Very cool! Check it out!

 

WRITING TIP

 

What happens when you craft that story. The one you love with all your existence, only to discover people don't like it? Darcy Pattison offers some sage advice.

 

BIG (HUGE) NEWS!

 

Way to go, Kathi Appelt!!! Read the BEST news ever Here .

 

Also, Kathi Appelt and her book THE TRUE BLUE SCOUTS OF SUGAR MAN SWAMP was a 2013 National Book Award Finalist. You can read her interview Here.

 

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

 

 

 

Current Scratch: Join Us! Around Texas, Reading

November is upon us, and, brrr, it's cold! I hope you are snuggled up with good books or blazing through your Nanowrimo, or writing happy words at your own speed.

JOIN US!

No Schmooze in November. Enjoy your Thanksgiving, folks, and we hope to see you for the Annual Holiday Party. Dress in your festive finery! Bring a guest or come alone to the annual SCBWI-BV Annual Holiday Party.

This year is a holiday crawl in downtown Bryan. We start at Uncorked, 206 W 26th St, Bryan, TX 77803, and then at 6:15, we will arrive at Caffe Capri, 222 N Main St, Bryan, TX 77803, and have an entree. By 8:15, we will move up the street to Murphy's Law for yummy desserts. Come to all or drop in when you can.

Share what you've achieved this year and what you hope to achieve next year. Did you read a good book this year? Let us know. :)

Let's play trivia. Brush up on your Newberys and Caldecotts. :) Do you know which books won the year you were born? Can you name all the RAs of SCBWI-BV?

Giving opportunity! (TBA) Bring one book to be given to a worthy cause.

Food and beverages will be availble for individual purchase at each step on the crawl.

AROUND TEXAS

The annual SCBWI Austin conference will be February 8-9, 2014. Click here for details.

The annual SCBWI Houston conference will be April 26-27 2014. Click here for details.

READING

Here is an interesting article in PW about what are the new trends in YA.

Nanowrimo is throwing bunches of writing tips out there. Here is a link.

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

Current Scratch: Join Us, Announcement, Local Events, Big News, & Interest

The end of October is upon us, but fear not, folks! There's still time to break out your cauldrons and brew a spooktacular project for the upcoming winter months.

JOIN US!

The Schmooze topic for Wednesday, Oct. 30, is "Revisiting Revision." From picture books to 60,000-word young adult novels, all manuscripts need to undergo revision before they are ready to send to an editor or agent. Learn tips for revising your work and join the discussion! 10 a.m. Wednesday in the College Station Barnes and Noble. Join us for lunch afterwards.

***ANNOUNCEMENT***


The Piney Woods Retreat scheduled for Nov. 15-17 has been cancelled due to low registration. We haven't given up on the idea, but we will use a different format in the future.

LOCAL EVENTS

Children's Literature Book Club will meet on October 24th, Arts Center in College Station, 4:30 PM. The book is ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Levine. We will also share picture book versions of Cinderella.

Nov. 9--Sherry Garland’s book signing for Voices of Pearl Harbor, Barnes & Noble, College Station, TX. Sherry is scheduled for a Story Time at 10:30am, Saturday November 9 and will continue with a book signing from 11am-12pm, potentially 1pm, if her schedule allows. *Signing time may change.

Nov. 9--Christie Craig will be at Larry J. Ringer Library (College Station) from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Christie Craig writes contemporary romance, and she writes YA paranormal under the name C.C. Hunter. Christie will present a "Polish me Pretty" editing workshop for teens and adults, and there will be a book signing. You may bring your own copy or purchase a book at the event if you would like to have one signed. Contact Hilary at (979) 764-3416 for more details.

Dec. 3--Holiday Celebration, 7 pm. Location TBA

Dec. 7--Sherry Garland and illustrator Layne Johnson will sign Voices of Pearl Harbor at the NationalMuseum of the Pacific War (Admiral NimitzMuseum), Fredericksburg, TX.

BIG NEWS, FOLKS!

Kathi Appelt's THE TRUE BLUE SCOUTS OF SUGAR MAN SWAMP made it into the top five for the National Book Award for Young Peoples Literature! You can read about it here. You can read the full review of Kathi's book here. Congrats, Kathi!!

Also, Sherry Garland on Oct. 23 -- will be interviewed by Sharon Colson for her TV Magazine Program on the topic of VOICES OF PEARL HARBOR. The program will be aired three times: Oct. 31, Nov. 2 & Nov. 3 on KAMU-TV, the local PBS station. Congrats, Sherry!!

INTEREST

The Texas Book Festival is this weekend, October 26 & 27. A fun, free, literary event in Austin.

Interested in attending the SCBWI Winter Con? Check out details on the SCBWI blog.

Slick Write is a free online tool to check your writing for potential stylistic mistakes and other features of interest.

Check out this cool announcement. The USPS will issue a Harry Potter stamp this November for the holidays.

November is the month for NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, where writers can find support and motivation all while writing 50k in 30 days.

If novels aren't your genre and picture books are, check out PiBoIdMo, Picture Book Idea Month in November as well. By generating 30 picture book ideas in 30 days, a fabulous idea (or two) is sure to be in the mix!



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

Current Scratch: Local Events, Good News, Opportunities.

Howdy, folks! Yay, cooler weather is here. Yards are green. Every one's yard is blooming. I hope that your work is blooming too.

JOIN US

Join us on  Oct. 30--Schmooze: “Revisiting Revision”--10 a.m. at Barnes& Noble, College Station, TX. We'll meet at 10 a.m. in the Science corner of the College Station Barnes & Noble. Come early for a gentle critique session that begins at 9:30.

B.V. EVENT

Piney Woods Retreat, Nov. 15-17, 2013 for writers and illustrators in the pines of East Texas at LakeviewMethodist ConferenceCenter near Palestine, TX. This event is for working writers and illustrators who need time, space and encouragement to move forward with their works in progress. Additional information here. And you can register at Eventbrite.

LOCAL EVENTS

Oct. 26-27--Texas Book Festival, Austin, TX

Nov. 9--Sherry Garland’s book signing for Voices of Pearl Harbor, Barnes & Noble, College Station, TX (time to be set around the football game)

Nov. 15-17--Piney Woods Retreat, LakeviewMethodist ConferenceCenter, Palestine, TX (info above)

Dec. 3--Holiday Celebration, 7 pm. Location TBA

Dec. 7--Sherry Garland and illustrator Layne Johnson will sign Voices of Pearl Harbor at the NationalMuseum of the Pacific War (Admiral NimitzMuseum), Fredericksburg, TX.

GOOD NEWS

Kathi Appelt's The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp is on the National Book Awards Long List! From the site: "Newbery Honoree and National Book Award finalist Kathi Appelt presents a story of care and conservation, funny as all get out and ripe for reading aloud." 

Molly Blaisdell fangirl rom-com PLUMB CRAZY-- to Georgia McBride at Swoon Romance,a nice deal, a 2-book deal, for publication in May 2014, reported in Publisher's Marketplace.

OPPORTUNITIES

New Imprint -- all digital -- Bloomsbury Spark -- Read about it in PW.

Macmillian Children's Books has opened a new site called Swoon Reads. Read about it at Galley Cat.

Check out Merit Publishing yet another new publishing venture available to authors.  Read about it on PW.  

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