Current Scratch: Join Us, Opportunities, Awards, Book Biz, For the Illustrator & Just For Fun

I bet we're all hoping March's showers will bring lots of April flowers, right? Something beautiful must come from the torrential downpours we've experienced this month. (And I'm not talking about the accidental mini waterfall which has occurred in our backyard, due to the raging water flowing from the hill, washing out a section of our land.) I'm thinking of writing a story. I'm seeing a fire ant (Yes, I said fire ant. What? They can be cute, too! Sort of. Okay... maybe not.) family facing the extreme challenge of the backyard river. Texas... Fire ants... I may be onto something! What about you? Any new projects springing up?

JOIN US

"Writing for the Youngest Readers" is our Schmooze topic this Wednesday with author Linnea Heaney. Linnea’s poems are being published in the 2015 summer issues of Highlights Hello. A Real Best Friend, her lyrical picture book story, was published at Hunger Mountain: the Vermont College of Fine Arts Journal for the Arts. She brings the perspective of a teacher and researcher in the early childhood and emergent literacy fields to writing for the youngest readers.

Join us for her presentation at 10 a.m. followed by time for questions and discussion. We meet in the back corner of the College Station Barnes & Noble. Gentle critique begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring copies of 5 double-spaced pages of your work in progress. Those who have time stay for lunch at a local restaurant. Members and friends welcome!

BV folks & friends, do you have a Facebook? Join us over at our new group! The more, the merrier!

Kid Lit Coffee Klatch

Join other SCBWI members and friends for a Kid Lit Coffee Klatch for their next meet up in the evening! This is be a chance to meet other writers and illustrators, maybe gossip a bit about our characters, and encourage each other. You can email Liz at lizbmertz@gmail.com for the next date.

OPPORTUNITIES

The Grateful American Book Prize is the only award for excellence in writing, storytelling and illustration for children’s historical non-fiction and fiction focused on the events and personalities that have shaped the United States since the country’s founding. Details from the website: There is a market out there for well-written, well-illustrated and well-researched accounts of the way we, as Americans, were and the way we will continue to grow, prosper and contribute on a global scale in the future. We invite your interest in and support of the Prize. And, of course, we welcome your participation by submitting your books that meet our criteria for consideration.

Writing YA? A small book publisher Intrigue Publishing (est. 2012) is accepting stories for a forthcoming anthology titled, Young Adventurers: Heroes, Explorers & Swashbucklers. Find out details here. Be quick! The deadline is April 1, 2015.

AWARDS

The Jane Yolen Midlist Author Award 2015 winner is Sanna Stanley. Congrats!!

And the runner-up is Jane Mitchell! Congrats to both! You can read about both authors on the SCBWI blog. Just follow the links.

BOOK BIZ

Big publishers selling books through Twitter? Check out this article about Harper Collins & Twitter. Although this is a special promotion for Harper, Hatchette recently explored the same selling adventure. The article above is certainly well worth the read!

What if you could get your books ordered from Amazon by drones? Yes, directly to your front lawn. *shakes head* Crazy thought, right? Well, Amazon just received approval to test. Read about it here.

FOR THE ILLUSTRATOR

This blog post just popped up, literally, as I was putting this together! Check it out. 10 Mistakes the Illustrator Makes on the SCBWI blog. Just read through it. Great tips to pack into your mental toolbox, illustrators!

JUST FOR FUN

This is a hilarious, short article I found on our fabulous SCBWI Blog called, "If Strangers Talked to Everybody Like They Talk to Writers." You can read the entire article here. I had a few giggles over my coffee this morning. Enjoy!

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

Current Scratch: Join Us, Local SCBWI Happenings, SCBWI Opportunities, Events, Agents, Inspiration

Did you miss us? Your intrepid Scratchpad contributors were slammed with stuff last month, but we are back: "better, stronger, faster."  Wow, what great creative weather we are having!  Nothing like dull, rainy days to make us turn to our imaginations. I hope that you are doing awesome things.

Join us at the College Station Barnes and Noble on March 25 (Last Wednesday of the month). for discussion, news, and encouragement. Topic "Writing for the Youngest Readers." Gentle critique begins at 9:30 a.m, our program stars at 10:00 a.m. Bring copies of 5 double-spaced pages of your work in progress. Those who have time stay for lunch at a local restaurant. Members and friends welcome!

LOCAL SCBWI HAPPENINGS  

Kid Lit Coffee Klatch

Join other SCBWI members and friends for a Kid Lit Coffee Klatch on Monday, March 16, 2015 7-8 p.m. in the Starbucks at the corner of Hwy. 6 and Rock Prairie Rd. This will be a chance to meet other writers and illustrators, maybe gossip a bit about our characters, and encourage each other. You can email Liz…

The Deets: 

Date: 03/16/2015
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location:  Starbucks, 3985 State Highway 6 South, College Station, TX, Un

BV Illustrator Event! Free Lecture by The Neuland Concept Designers

Concept designers Margaret Wuller and Patrick Hannenberger will discuss their work for film projects such as The Croods, Rise of the Guardians, Monsters vs. Aliens, and How to Train Your Dragon. The free public lecture begins at 7 p.m. in the Geren Auditorium at the College of Architecture on the A&M campus. http://www.theneuland.com/about/

Date/Time: 04/16/2015,7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Langford Building, College of Architecture, Texas A&M Universtiy, College Station, TX,

SCBWI OPPORTUNITIES

TAX Seminar, Phone

It's tax season, and to take away some of the pain, we've arranged for a seminar to help. Tax Tips for Writers & Illustrators will be given by Robert Pesce, a CPA with the New York firm Marcum LLP. The one-hour seminar is for both writers and illustrators, self-published, traditionally published and pursuing. Click here for more info.

Date/Time: 03/17/2015, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grant

SCBWI provides numerous grants to unpublished writers. The application window is currently open! 

Please click here for more info.

Crystal Kite Award Deadline

The annual Crystal Kite Award is a peer-given award to recognize great books from 15 SCBWI regional divisions around the world. ~~Deadline: You must enter your book published in 2014 by March 15th, 2015. For more information, visit: http://www.scbwi.org/awards/crystal-kite-member-choice-award/ ​

EVENTS

Do you want to participate in the East Texas Book Festival?  Click here for all the info. 

NF4NF Childrens Writers' Conference.  Do you write Non-fiction? Are you interested? Check out the link to the conference held in Rosenburg, Texas on September 17-20.  

AGENTS

This listing of children's literary agents may be interesting to you. Follow this link thanks to Casey McComick at Literary Rambles. 

INSPIRATION

Because you freaking need inspiration.  Here are links to many podcasts that are sure to stir you up. Here is the link. 

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

Current Scratch: Join Us! Regional Events, ALA Youth Media Awards, Grants and Contests, News, Fun

Howdy, folks!  New year is in full swing! We are in February. I hope you are working hard at your goals. I've already snagged my first rejection for the year. (That makes me a real writer!)  I know that the sunshiny days are hard to avoid right now but carve some time out for creativity.

Join us for discussion, news, and encouragement.

Next SCBWI Brazos Valley Schmooze: Feb. 25, 2015 at 9 a.m. at the College Station, Barnes and Noble. Topic: Writing for the Youngest Readers. Gentle critique begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring copies of 5 double-spaced pages of your work in progress. Those who have time stay for lunch at a local restaurant. Members and friends welcome!

REGIONAL EVENTS

Webinar Opportunity--Author and teacher Leslea Newman will teach The ABC’s of Poetry: Writing in Poetic Form for Children and Young Adults on Feb. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. Click the title link for details and registration. Member discounted registration is $10.+

SCBWI Austin 2015 Writers and Illustrators' Working Conference. A two day conference with over a dozen publishing professionals. Check it out on March 3/7-8/2015.

SCBWI Houston 2015 Annual Conference. A two day conference with an included intensive. Check it out 4/18-4/19/2015.

If you want to go to SCBWI International Conference,

ALA MEDIA YOUTH AWARDS. 

The Newbery goes to Kwane Alexander for his book THE CROSSOVER  

The Caldecott goes to Dan Santat for his book BEEKLE. 

The Printz goes to Jandy Nelson for her book I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN 

All these folks are members of SCBWI. Check out this SCBWI article. 

Also check here for more info!

GRANTS and CONTESTS

Follow the links for more info.

SCBWI WIP Grants

Master of the Ink Pot at David Fickling Books.

The Katherine Paterson Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing 

NEWS

Small but Mighty Small Presses. Check them out in this article in PW. 

Hatchette sales were down 4.8 % in 2014.  Read about it at GalleyCat. 

FUN

Mac Barnett: Why a Good Book Is a Secret Door.   

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

Current Scratch: Join Us, Opportunities, Book Buzz, Craft Tip, & Agent Opportunity

Hello, SCBWI Brazos Valley & Friends! Maybe it's because it's a New Year. Maybe it's because the sun has shined its light on us for three days straight. But I feel fabulous things heading our way! Completed works. Requests. Contracts. Publishing deals. They're just around the corner.


Are you inspired yet? If not, maybe you should join us for our Schmooze tomorrow!


JOIN US


SCBWI BV Schmooze--Where do you look for inspiration to keep creating? Do you have a favorite quote, practice, or place that gets you going again when your creative well starts to run dry? Join us on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the College Station Barnes & Noble to talk about filling the well. Gentle critique begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring copies of 5 double-spaced pages of your work in progress. Those who have time stay for lunch at a local restaurant. Members and friends welcome!


Webinar Opportunity--Author and teacher Leslea Newman will teach The ABC’s of Poetry: Writing in Poetic Form for Children and Young Adults on Feb. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. Click the title link for details and registration. Member discounted registration is $10.


OPPORTUNITIES


Preparations for the 2015 Texas Word Wrangler in Giddings is already in full swing. If you're a Texas author and/or illustrator and have published a book and would like to participate, contact Deidre Harry through the link provided.


Pockets Magazine seeks stories on role models for October issue.


We Need Diverse Books hosts a new Short Story Contest. Deadline May 8th.


BOOK BUZZ


Read about how a little press on the prairie races to keep up with sales. An amazing story! An annotated edition of the 1930's biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder PIONEER GIRL


 2015 Edgar Award Nominations for Children's and YA. *scroll down to see children's and YA on the list*


SCBWI Announces 2014 On the Verge Emerging Voices Award


CRAFT TIP


Do you write YA? Check out the latest post over at SCBWI: The Blog about how understanding the adolescent psychology may help us write better YA fiction. Interesting information, folks.


AGENT OPPORTUNITY


Polish up those queries! Young Adult, Middle Grade, Picture Books, etc. Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties is back from maternity leave and is accepting queries.




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

Current Scratch: Join Us!, Regional Events, Contest, Resolutions, Publishing, For Fun

Howdy, folks!  Welcome to the New Year, SCBWI Brazos Valley! Sorry this is a day late. I spent yesterday celebrating my son's 17th birthday.

Time to get working!

I hope you have made solid New Year's resolutions. I have found that people with a plan find good success!  Send me a sentence goal for the New Year, and I will post it the sidebar!  It can be anonymous or not. Accountability always helps.

JOIN US!

Next SCBWI Brazos Valley Schmooze: January 28, 2015 at 9 a.m. at the College Station, Barnes and Noble. Details still to come!

REGIONAL EVENTS

SCBWI Austin 2015 Writers and Illustrators' Working Conference. A two day conference with  over a dozen publishing professionals. Check it out on March 3/7-8/2015. 

SCBWI Houston 2015 Annual Conference. A two day conference with an included intensive.  Check it out 4/18-4/19/2015.

CONTEST

Highlights Fiction Contest.  This year's theme is mystery stories. The deadline is 1/31/2015.

RESOLUTIONS

Every writer should have dedicated office space. You could do this if you could find your manuscript. Here are some Pinterest Boards to help you organize your office: Organizing Tips and Tricks for Writers, Office and Organizing, Simplified Offices,

Develop a plan for your writing future. This might help you. 

How to write a business plan.  This might help you move from a hobbyist to a professional.

Write a book in a month.  This might help light a fire under you.

PUBLISHING

Good news. Children's sales up at Independent Books stores! Read about it in PW.

What is going on with sci-fi and fantasy readers?  Where are the younger readers? This discussion at PW might be interesting to you. 

FOR FUN

Neil Gaiman offers advice on how to become a writer.  It is much simpler than just writing down your ideas. Check it out on his blog.


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

Current Scratch: Join Us!, Cheer!, Boards

Howdy, folks! What a great year!  Hope you have found the Scratchpad helpful. Enjoy your break time! We will be back next year with more Scratch! Molly and Candilynn

Next Schmooze: January 28, 2015 at 9 a.m. at the College Station, Barnes and Noble. Details to in January.

New BV Monthly Evening Meet-up. SCBWI & Friends, you are invited to the new Kid Lit Coffee Klatchon Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 7-8 p.m. in Lupa's Coffee Shop, 2501 Texas Ave , Suite C-100, College Station. It's in the middle of the strip center behind Kentucky Fried Chicken at Southwest Parkway and Texas Avenue.This will be a chance to meet other writers and illustrators, maybe gossip a bit about our characters, and encourage each other. You can email Liz at lizbmertz@gmail.com for further details.

CHEER

The Brazos Valley SCBWI peeps at Johnny Carino's enjoying some Holiday Cheer! 

BOARDS

Want to connect during the break? Check out our Texas Board. The five Texas regions have a new Discussion Board where members may easily find the events going on around the state. Check here for conference updates and special events or post information about your next book launch. https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?board=207.0

If you have logged onto the "Blue Boards" in the past, but the green stars indicating SCBWI membership do not show up under your name, you won't be able to view the members-only boards. Go here for a quick fix: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?topic=73590.0

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

Current Scratch: Join Us, New BV Evening Meet-up, Business Buzz, Opportunities, & Creative Gifts

Hello, Friends! My deepest apologies, this was due out last week. Between Thanksgiving and trying to squeeze in final edits before I ship this MS off, I lost track of time. Hope your holiday was fabulous and y'all ate lots of pie! May the magic of December bring lots of sparkle to your projects!


JOIN US


Tomorrow Evening! It's time for our annual holiday happening!
WHEN: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 at 06:30 PM
WHERE: Johnny Carino's Patio, 620 Harvey Rd, College Station TX 77840
*Once again we will be accepting donations for Books and A Blanket, a local non-profit chartered by two elementary school girls in the Brazos Valley to promote literacy to underprivileged children.

New BV Monthly Evening Meet-up:

SCBWI & Friends, you are invited to the new Kid Lit Coffee Klatch on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 7-8 p.m. in Lupa's Coffee Shop, 2501 Texas Ave , Suite C-100, College Station. It's in the middle of the strip center behind Kentucky Fried Chicken at Southwest Parkway and Texas Avenue.This will be a chance to meet other writers and illustrators, maybe gossip a bit about our characters, and encourage each other. You can email Liz at lizbmertz@gmail.com for further details.

Next Schmooze: January 28, 2015 at 9 a.m. at the College Station Barnes and Noble. Details to follow!

BUSINESS BUZZ

Do you write Young Adult? If so, you may want to spruce up your manuscript and jump onto the The YA Wave. New YA-only imprints are popping up everywhere!

OPPORTUNITIES

Call for submissions. "Actively seeking Inspirational and/or Sweet themed manuscripts. Think Hallmark Hall of Fame, Janette Oke, Little House on the Prairie, etc."

Writing Contest. "Nightlight Reading is requesting submissions for our 2014 Nightlight Readings Short Story Writers Contest that is geared to at-risk boys in the 10-12 year age group who often stop reading for pleasure.  Nightlight Reading’s goal is to fund and promote literature that appeals to boys and keeps them engaged and reading."

Cricket Magazine Group's Call for Articles. The theme for this issue is “Weird But True: Body

Facts ”—articles, interviews, stories, and activities about the human body.

CREATIVE GIFTS

Tis the season, folks! Friends and family needing gift ideas for you? Check out these lists:

Cool Gifts for the Writer

Cool Gifts for the Artist

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