Austin SCBWI

2012 Conference Schedules of Events

Debbie Gonzales — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:18:46 +0000

How does one keep two key note addresses, three major presentations, nine small group intensives sessions, two market analysis panel discussions, one full-day writing intensive, one first pages session, two wine and cheese socials, readings, a portfolio display, an auction, bookstore hours, meals and all of the trimmings in order? Through careful scheduling, my friend…very careful scheduling.

To access the action-packed Schedule of Events for the Friday evening and all day Saturday conference sessions being held at St. Edward’s Ragsdale Hall click here.

And, click here for Sunday’s Full Day Writing Intensive with Lisa Yee will be held at the Wyndham Gardens Hotel in the Amphitheatre. Attendance to this session is limited to those who have previously registered for it.

Feel free to look over the Schedules of Events. If you have yet to register for the Friday and Saturday fun, there is still room for you.

Come on out. We’d love to have you join us!

What’s for Eats? – The Conference Menus

Debbie Gonzales — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:25:55 +0000

You’d best come to the conference hungry, because we’ve got a delicious gourmet menu guaranteed to tickle your taste buds as our speakers tantalize your creative souls.

For our Friday night and full-day Saturday dining pleasure Bon Appetit Caterers of St. Edwards will be serving us. To access a .pdf printout of the menu for the Friday and Saturday, Feb, 18 and 18, click here.

And, for the Sunday, Feb. 19th Full Day Writing Intensive with Lisa Yee, being held at The Wyndham Gardens Hotel, we’ll be enjoying mid-morning coffee and tea and a delicious Potato, Soup, and Salad Bar. For more information about the meal specifics click here.

Hope to see you there!

Save the Cat Comes to Austin

Debbie Gonzales — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:10:18 +0000

The Novel Writing Beat Sheet Workshop based on Blake Snyder’s highly acclaimed book, Save The Cat!, is coming to Austin! This two-day workshop is led by young adult author, Jessica Brody, who has used the beat sheet method to write and sell eight of her own novels. Workshop details can be found at http://www.blakesnyder.com/services/novel-writing-beat-sheet-workshop/

Mark your calendars for April 14 -15 and contact Rich Kaplan at rich@blakesnyder.com to reserve your spot today.

The workshop is being held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel: http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/AUSWC/mapanddirections/main.wnt

Registration for Small Group Intensives to Close Feb. 10

Debbie Gonzales — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:32:01 +0000

In effort to offer “Something for Everybody”, in addition to a stellar lineup of presentations and speakers throughout the General Assembly, we are offering a wide variety of specialized small group intensive sessions at an additional cost with topics ranging from understanding the legalities of contract negotiation to shameless self promotion. Please make note that registration for these sessions will close on Friday, February 10.

There are some spaces available in these sessions. If you have previously registered, feel free to access our PayPal on-line account and sign up for one or more at any time prior to 2/10.

The speakers and their session topics are as follows:

Erin Murphy & Ammi-Joan Pacquette: The EMLA Agency and YOU!
Kirsten Cappy: Shameless Self Promotion
Patti Ann Harris: An Art Director’s Search for Excellence
Jill Corcoran: Crafting a Stellar Query & Synopsis
Anastasia Suen: Perfecting the Picture Book
Tricia (PJ) Hoover: Design a Dynamic Book Trailer
Barry Furrow: Contract Negotiations
Bonnie Bader: Leveled Readers & Chapter Books
Erik Kuntz: Creating a Stellar Web Persona

Small group session or not, we’re looking forward to seeing you there!!!

Conference Silent Auction Items

Debbie Gonzales — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:45:36 +0000

The Conference Auction Committee consisting of ARA Carmen Oliver, Merdith Davis, and Shelli Cornelison – The Dynamic Trio – have been hard at work gathering the most amazing items for our Conference Silent Auction. Below is a list of just a few of the cool things they’ve scoured up for us and they promise there are more items to come!

Actually, this list serves as a testimony for the wonderful way our creative community bands together by sharing talent, treasure, and support for one another. Are we blessed? The answer to that question is a resounding YES!

You must be present to win, so if you haven’t registered for the conference do it now!!!

Audio Book Basket donated by Jeanette Larson.
Critique Basket stuffed with goodies including a critique by one of the Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels.
Basket donated by Lindsey Lane, Liz Garton Scanlon, Anne Bustard, Bethany Hegedus.
Basket donated by Don Tate, Donna Bowman Bratton, Shelley Ann Jackson, Carmen Oliver and Marsha Riti.
Basket donated by Jerri Romine and Meredith Davis.
Basket donated by Brian Yansky’s critique group.
Writer Toolkit Basket donated by Austin SCBWI.
$100 gift certificate from BookPeople.
Male and Female Kenneth Cole watches donated by Debbie and John Gonzales.
Retreat donated by the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Austin which includes two-night stay at the hotel, 2 continental breakfasts and a bottle of wine to help you celebrate.
Picture book manuscript critique by author/illustrators Shelley Ann Jackson and Jeff Crosby.
Picture book manuscript critique by author/illustrator Don Tate.
Two vintage necklaces from Nanci Stevenson.

And more to come!!!!!

Call for Conference Auction Print Donations

Debbie Gonzales — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:08:25 +0000

This year at the conference, there will be a silent auction/raffle to raise funds. Donations of prints (originals are accepted, as well), framed (preferred) or unframed, are being requested. Please choose your favorite illustration, slap it in a frame and donate it to the cause! This not only shows your generous spirit, but it is yet another way to get your art in front of the faculty at the conference. Who knows, maybe they’ll bring your work home to display in their office! Furthermore, the proceeds from all art sales go toward the chapter’s illustration budget, so that we can continue to have great illustrator events in the future. It’s a win-win!

Donations need to be dropped off by Friday, February 17^th at 5pm at St. Edward’s University, where the conference is being held. If you don’t think you’ll make that deadline, feel free to contact a Girllustrator or Assistant Regional Advisor Carmen Oliver to set something up.

Conference Portfolio Showcase Details

Debbie Gonzales — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:58:20 +0000

Illustrators, to participate in the portfolio display and contest bring a portfolio that measures a maximum of 30 inches width and a fistful of business cards or postcards to be on display. Your portfolio will be placed on a table with others to be viewed openly by conference attendees and our esteemed professional guests. Not only will you have the opportunity to win prizes and impress the crowd, you just might get noticed and land a contract! It’s happened before. It could happen again…to YOU!

This year we are thrilled to announce the Girllustrators are coordinating all facets of the Portfolio Showcase. At Registration, look for representatives of this enthusiastic band of accomplished illustrators for they will steer you straight toward success. A Girllustrators member will be there for you when you drop off your portfolio on Friday evening or Saturday morning in the Mabee Ballroom B, found on the 3rd floor of Ragsdale Hall. There your portfolio with be proudly labeled with a very special placecard mounted on a stand.

Our Esteemed Guests will be judging the portfolios throughout the conference. After combining their scores, the illustrator judged as Best of Show wins a free registration to the 2013 Austin Regional Conference! (Should you desire that your portfolio not be judged simply let the assisting Girllustrator know and they will make note of this on your portfolio placecard.)

Portfolios will be judged based on criteria such as (all aspects have been clarfied on the Girllustrator website):

Composition
Color
Character development/sequencing
Continuity of style(s)
Pictoral readability or narrative clarity
Professional presentation

The Girllustrators have been generous with helpful hints, all of which have been provided on thier website. If you have any question at all regarding the Portfolio Showcase, feel free to contact either our Illustrator Chair Mark Mitchell or The Girllustrators via their website.

Call for Children’s Book Illustrations for Art Exhibit

Debbie Gonzales — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:40:18 +0000

From Dianna Bluntzer, Exhibitions & Administration for the The Art Center of Corpus Christi:

Hello,
I am writing on behalf of the Exhibition Committee and Board of Governors of the Art Center of Corpus Christi with hope that we can join forces to present an exhibit of Children’s Book Illustrations May 4-29, 2012.We have envisioned a month filled with related programming and a Children’s Book Festival on May 12.

Open call for entry for “The Art of Children’s Books Illustrations” Submission Guidelines:
1) Artists residing in the Southern half of Texas
2) Illustrations published in print in the last 5 years
3) Submission via email, a maximum of 3 illustrations per artist (jpg images no larger than 5mb ea.)
4) Entry fee: $15 flat fee
5) Juror: Dr. Barbara Immroth (tentative)
6) Delivery and pick of artwork and/or any shipping cost is responsibility of artist
7) Cash awards

Timeline:
Submission deadline: March 3
Notification: March 22
Art Delivery: by May 1st
Installation: May 2-4
Artwalk: May 4
Award Ceremony & Artist Reception: May 10
Children’s Book Festival: May 12
Last full day of exhibit May 29
Pick up art: May 29-June 2

I hope you are interested! Please feel free to call me to discuss anytime (361) 884-6406.

Dianna Bluntzer
Exhibitions & Administration

The Art Center of Corpus Christi
100 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 884-6406
dianna@artcentercc.org

San Antonio SCBWI Member Wins Pura Belpre’ Award

Debbie Gonzales — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:04:32 +0000

A note from Shannon Morgan, RA for the San Antonio Chapter:

Great news this morning for Texas SCBWI member Guadalupe Garcia McCall: the American Library Association has awarded her the 2012 Pura Belpré Author Award for her debut novel Under the Mesquite, which was also a finalist for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award. Please share this awesome news with your region’s members.

Also, McCall is scheduled to speak to our chapter on March 17, 2012. Topic: Literacy and Our Roles As Writers and Illustrators for Young People. She’ll speak during the 10:00 – 11:00 am hour at Barnes & Noble (321 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78216), and will discuss El día de los niños / El día de los libros, which culminates on April 30. McCall’s talk is free and open to the public.

Stroll Down Memory Lane – 2011 Conference “Three Words” Pictures

Erik Kuntz — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:32:59 +0000

With our 2012 Regional Conference – Something for Everybody – right around the corner, we thought it might to be fun to enjoy a pictorial reminiscence celebrating great fun we had together last year. A set of wonderful pictures were taken during the 2011 Austin Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference. People were asked to write down three words that summed up the conference for them, then pose with those words.

While last year’s conference was amazing, 2012′s promises to be even better yet! If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for? The 2012 Austin Regional is going to incredible…especially with you there with us!

Keep reading to see the full gallery of pictures.