Austin SCBWI
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Ziegler, Jennifer – Writer
Jennifer Ziegler is the author of the YA novel HOW NOT TO BE POPULAR (Random House, 2008), a pick for the 2009 Texas Lone Star Reading List, and a nominee for the 2009 Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. She has also written ALPHA DOG (Random House, 2006) a finalist for the 2007 Teddy Award, as well as serveral other young adult series books penned uner her pseudonym Lynn Mason. A former English teacher, Jennifer lives in Austin, Texas where she continues to write and speak about writing at libraries, schools, and book festivals. She credits her wonderfully patient husband and two hilarious kids with keeping her happy and inspired.
Harvey, Dianne – Writer
Dianne Harvey was born in Corpus Christi but was quickly whisked off to a new location with her military family. Her life is like a road map of travel to many different states and countries. She moved to Austin to study journalism at the University of Texas. No, she didn’t stay. As a high school English teacher, she was lured to Germany for ten years and Florida for two before she returned and, yes, settled into the beautiful hill country outside Austin.
Writing, photography, and gardening (even though the deer eat everything!) are her passions.
She has a M.S.E. and is currently writing picture books inspired by nature and animals.
Gonzales, Debbie – Writer
Debbie Gonzales has been a teacher, school administrator, and an educational consultant. During a filming season, she taught PBS’s Barney kids in an off-set one-room school house. Most recently Deb has earned her MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, Writing for Children and Young Adults. She has written three sport-related pieces: a non-fiction picture book, a middle-grade and a YA novel. Her current project is a historical fiction middle-grade novel set in the Pacific Northwest. Debbie lives in Round Rock, Texas with her two favorite dogs: husband John and Tripod, her Labrador pup.
Lopez, Minia – Writer
www.happychildrenbooks.com
read@happychildrenbooks.com
Born in Spain, Minia came to Texas in 99; what was going to be a short visit, became a “matter of love” and she has lived in Austin since then. After teaching on both sides of the Atlantic, she wanted to taste other fruits of life. She stopped her constant running and begun taking time to smell the roses . What a surprise to discover God’s jewels in Nature to be enjoyed if only we look, if we listen, if we really open our soul and senses…She shares this joy with children, and visits schools and libraries with suitcases full of surprises …
Some of her stories are: ” Feathers in the Meadow” ” Friends in the Forest” ” Grand Circus”, ” A little big help”, ” Memories of a little Princess”, ” Oscar’s decisions”… all of them available in up to five languages.
