Austin SCBWI

The 2012 Austin SCBWI Something for Everybody Regional Conference just can’t get here soon enough! If you haven’t registered, there is still room for you during the Friday, Feb. 17th, and Saturday, Feb. 18th, events which will take place at St. Edwards University in Ragsdale Hall . This conference has all the makings of being absolutely unforgettable! We’ve gathered together the industry’s finest professionals – agents, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

The City of Austin Art in Public Places (AIPP) program of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office (EGRSO) seeks to commission a professional artist or artist team to create a work of exterior art that is engaging for families and children for the 2nd Street Bridge and Roadway Extension (Shoal Creek to West [...]

The Writer’s Journey is fraught with triumphs and travails. The triumph of a well-written sentence, the sale of a book or a glowing review are touted and shared as Facebook statuses and Twitter feeds. The travails of self-doubt, rejection, and loneliness are harder to bear. Varsha will share her journey and talk about strategies that [...]

Please make note that our Saturday, January 14th will begin at 10:00 am  on BookPeople’s 2nd floor. Come join us as Brian Yansky  kicks off  2012 by helping us all to “Get Organized!” His presentation promptly at 10:00 am. Get that? Promptly at 10 am at BookPeople. His  presentation will be followed by the Open Critique Group upstairs, in the 3rd floor at 11:00. Then, [...]

From Marci Merola on behalf of the School Library Task Force:   Dear Colleagues, Carl Harvey, 2011-2012 AASL president, has initiated a White House petition on school libraries, which specifically petitions the Obama administration to “ensure that every child in America has access to an effective school library program.” 25,000 signatures are required in order for this petition [...]

The American Library Association’s Mid-Winter meeting is being held in Dallas, Texas (In our own backyard, thank you.) from January 20 to 24 at the Convention Center. The Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits offer a wide range of events, exhibits and sessions to help you expand and enrich your career and your library. Here is a top 10 list of things [...]

A message from Liz Garton Scanlon , best-selling author: There are 2 or 3 spots left in my spring course at ACC — Advanced Writing for Children. We cover everything from picture books to YA. It’s held on Thursday nights from 6:15-9:45 at the Rio Grande campus for 12 weeks starting February 16. Students do not need to be [...]

The Tomie dePaola Illustrator Award, is given annually to an illustrator of promise chosen by Tomie himself. The award consists of a $1,000 gift certificate for art supplies, plus full tuition, transportation and accommodations to the SCBWI New York Winter Conference held in Manhattan. The winning piece of art will be featured at the annual winter conference in New [...]

A note from Brandee Davis, publisher: I am the publisher of the non profit local magazine School Choice where we strive to keep our readers informed on the education issues that impact our community. This February we will be hosting our first annual Preschool Preview: An Early Childhood Education Fair. We are looking for children’s authors and/or illustrators [...]

Happy, happy, happy 2012, everyone! Can’t you just feel the sparkle of endless possiblities crackling all around you? Together, let’s make some marvelous things happen. What do you say? To start things off right, multi-published author Brian Yansky will be presenting Getting Organized at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 14th at BookPeople. Brian will be sharing his secrets of success regarding how to keep [...]

Vicious Valentine: a YA fantasy celebration, featuring authors Jordan Dane , P.J. “Tricia” Hoover , Mari Mancusi, Rosemary Clement-Moore , Cynthia Leitich Smith, and L.A. Weatherly —moderated by Sean Petrie –will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at BookPeople in Austin. Whether you love love, hate it or fear it, be there for spooky cool refreshments and scary bookish [...]

Lauren Adams of The Horn Book gave Cynthia Lietich Smith’s lastest YA, DIABOLICAL, rave reviews!!!   Local author Donna Bowman Bratton shared the following review excerpts: “It’s a considerable challenge for a series not to lose steam by the fourth book, but this one runs full force on the fires of hell and the sword power of heaven.” and “This installment is [...]

Recently, Cynthia Levinson’s  new non-fiction   Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March earned some mighty-big praise from Publisher’s Weekly . Here’s what they said: This chronicle of a pivotal chapter of the civil rights movement weaves together the stories of four black children in Birmingham, Ala., who were among some 4,000 who boycotted school to participate in a march to protest [...]

A note from Christopher Cheng , SCBWI International Liaison:   Just a shout out about SCBWI Bologna this coming March and the SCBWI Showcase. All details including FAQs at the website http://www.SCBWIBologna.org. If you are attending then please register for the showcase at the SCBWI booth where you can display books from your PAL members. Regional Advisors may also delegate another member, who [...]

Attention all published and PAL listed SCBWI authors and illustrators! Would you like a way to get your name and book information in front of all the librarians in Texas? Here is an easy way to achieve this. The annual conference of the Texas Library Association Conference will be held in Houston this year from April [...]

We’re setting the wrapping paper and ribbons aside long enough to wish everyone in our Austin SCBWI creative community the very best of the holiday season. We hope that you are wrapped in loads of love and joy - now, and in the days to come. Here’s to a promising, prosperous, and prolific New Year! Season’s greetings from your [...]

NPR, quoting librarian Loriene Roy, posted a few recommended books by our very own Don Tate , Cynthia Leitich Smith , and Jennifer  Ziegler , praising a recently released children’s book that tells the story of how Duke Ellington brought swing to the holiday classic, ‘The Nutcracker.’ Also, Texan vampires go up against werewolves and were-armadillos in a popular young adult novel. These are [...]

SLJ praises by stating,  We’ve Got A Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March by Cynthia Y. Levinson is a remarkable story interweaving four children  protesters out of 4000 and how their actions impacted  the Civil Rights movement. This is the story I have been missing all my life as it takes an importance series of children’s protests to explain [...]

Lindsey Lane’s  Snuggle Mountain  was nominated for a Cybil award as a book app.  The Cybils are an award given each year by a group of children’s book bloggers for the best children’s and young adult books of the year.  The twin criteria for nomination (and winning) are literary merit and kid appeal.  This is the sixth year of giving [...]

A note from the staff of the Bastrop Public Library: We want to thank the Austin Chapter of the SCBWI for the wonderful books you donated to the library. Our Friends group said that they gave away over 300 books at our Open House. We also want to thank you for the $285.00 cash donation. Your gifts to the [...]

A quick note to mention that exciting plans are formulating to create ASCBWI on-line critique partnerships with SCBWI France, Germany, and Amsterdam! Debbie will be meeting with the international RA’s while attending the  SCBWI National Conference in New York, being held late next month, where they will be putting their heads together to conjure up something wonderful! The RA’s, ARA’s, and [...]

We hope this newsletter finds you warm, cozy, and fully enjoying the delights of the holiday season. And, hopefully, finding the time to polish up your pieces in time to shine during the Regional Conference in February! The Conference  Early Bird Deadline  is just around the corner! After December 15th, opportunities to reserve one-on-one critique sessions with our incredible line-up of [...]

A note from Carmen Oliver , ARA: It’s been one month since we kicked off the Austin SCBWI Outreach effort, an effort to help replenish the books that the families and the libraries lost in the fires that ravaged the Bastrop community. Today, representing the Austin SCBWI chapter, my husband and I delivered over 1,000 books donated by [...]

A note from Helen Hemphill , of the Highlights Foundation Program Many times when a manuscript is rejected, it isn’t because the writing is weak. It’s because the manuscript isn’t ready. We all want to push our work to the next phase, but sometimes we submit work to agents or publishers before it’s ready. Maybe we’ve shown the [...]

A note from Jessica Wigent, Ph.D.,  Badgerdog Literary Publishing Education Programs Coordinator: Badgerdog Literary Publishing , an Austin-based organization that brings writers into schools and community centers to provide creative writing programming for youth and seniors, has teamed up with WriteByNight, a writing center and writers’ service dedicated to helping writers of all experience levels to achieve their creative potential and [...]

The postman must be wondering what sort of literary mischief is going on in the name of the ASCBWI Bastrop Outreach . Daily, boxes and boxes of donated books are being delivered to my door. Hundreds of picture books, middle grade and YA novels are stacked in my garage, evidence of the Kid Lit community’s generous spirit. For all of this, I am grateful [...]

Houston is hosting the Texas Library Association conference (TLA) in April 2012. If you are a published SCBWI member with PAL listed books, this is your opportunity to have your information distributed to librarians in Texas, the perfect way to be considered for school visits and other speaking engagements. Attention all published and PAL listed [...]

A Writer’s League of Texas Event: “Write Before You Write! Outlining, Planning, Plotting” with Jennifer Ziegler 12/10/2011 From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Location: St. Edwards University , Fleck Hall 106, Austin Do you ever start a manuscript and end up lost in your own story? Do you know your plot but still find that your writing is [...]

Details for 2011 The Texas Institute of Letters Literary Contests: Distinguished judges have been named for TIL’s 2011 literary contests. They will select finalists and winners for the best works of the year in thirteen categories. The judges will award writers a total of more than $20,000 at TIL’s annual banquet to be held this year in [...]

A note from Sara Rutenberg: Golden Kite Award Coordinator- If you were published in 2011, we want to make sure that your book is included for consideration in the 2012 Golden Kite Awards! The deadline for receiving your book from your publisher is Friday, December 16, 2011.  How do I make sure my book is a [...]

A note from Brian Lewis: I thought you and your members would love this opportunity that the National Association of Elementary School Principals is offering. It is going to be posted to the national membership but thought your regional membership wouldn’t want to miss it. Teacher.net said “It is a great way to launch a writing [...]

First of all, the Bastrop Book Drive is coming along famously! Daily, UPS or FedEx drivers have been dropping off book donations sent from thoughtful people all over the US. Last weekend the generous folks from the Brazos Valley SCBWI Chapter  not only donated funds, but gathered up three huge boxes of books for the cause! Also SCBWI Germany and SCBWI Missouri are [...]

The Hill Country Book Festival at Georgetown is announcing its annual book festival and authors’ showcase that will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3 pm. The theme for the festival this year is “All for the love of Books.” The event will be held at the San Gabriel Community [...]

Note! New monthly meeting time: Getting Organized with Brian Yanksy from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, January 14 at BookPeople’s 2nd floor. A note from Brian Yansky: I admit this is often my New Year’s Resolution. “Going to have to get organized this year.” I may even make a few half-hearted plans toward that goal, but, [...]

Once again, we hope this newsletter finds you happy and fruitful in your craft. Below are a few brief mentions of the last of the 2011 events and a look toward a shiny, brand new year packed with promise and productivity! We are thrilled to sponsor a phenomenal outreach to benefit the Friends of the Bastrop Public Library . From [...]

Jill Stimson, a former librarian at Hill Elementary who now works at Webb Middle School, is inviting our local writers and illustrators to join the “Friends of the AISD Libraries.” If you’re interested, email Jill at stimsonjill@gmail.com. There are no dues and minimal meetings (the group plans to communicate via email and perhaps a wiki page). [...]

Get set for another great year of events, meetings, and all-around super support for your craft. The dates listed below can also be found scrolled on the Upcoming Events feature found on the lower right of the website as well as listed on the Regional News page of the SCBWI International website. So gather up a calendar and a [...]

Plans for an outreach to the fire-ravaged Bastrop community have been solidified as we are absolutely elated, thrilled, and over-the-top beside ourselves with holiday jubliation. From now until December 8th, the date of our Holiday Hoedown , we are asking illustrators and authors from all over Texas to donate a book and/or make a monetary contribution to [...]

The Launch Event for Cory Putman Oakes’ debut YA – THE VEIL – will be held on November 10 at Book People’s Local Author Night  at 7:00. Seventeen-year-old Addison Russell is in for a shock when she discovers that she can see the invisible world of the Annorasi.  Suddenly, nothing is as it appears to be — the house she [...]

Illustrators, Writers, Quite Inspired, How do Your Stories Grow? When: Saturday, March 31st, 2012 8:00am – 6:00pm Sunday, April 1st, 2012 9:00am – 12:00pm Where: The Merrell Center 6301 S. Stadium Lane Katy, Texas 77494-1057 http://www.merrellcenter.org Join us for –  * Amazing speakers including editors, author, art director, and agents  * One-on-one manuscript critique sessions with speakers and [...]

On Saturday, November 12th at 11:00 join us at BookPeople to hear author Lindsey Lane speak about Out On The Bendy Branches: Shifting The Paradigm From “Write What You Know” To “Write What You Think You Can’t” In her 2008 commencement address to Harvard graduates, JK Rowling said, “It is impossible to live without failing at something [...]

A note from Carmen Oliver, ARA: Hi everyone, If you haven’t heard, Algonquin is adding YA and Middle Grade to their list. They’ll start with 4-6 books and go from there. You might want to polish up your novel and send it out the door. Here’s the link to the article from Publisher’s Weekly: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/49287-elise-howard-moves-to-algonquin-to-start-list.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+Children%27s+Bookshelf&utm_campaign=280cefd00b-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email Good luck, [...]

Got your pencils ready? Is your calendar close at hand? Good, because we have some important dates for you to make note of. Dates of events that you do not want to miss. Here we go… The Texas Book Festival – October 22 & 23:  An astounding number of our local talent will be participating as presenters and [...]

An important note from Leah Farnsworth: Have plans this weekend?  We do!  Overheard with Evan Smith will be taping interviews with five terrific authors in just two days during the Texas Book Festival .  We’ll start with Molly Shannon Saturday morning, followed immediately by Susan Orlean.   Juan Williams will tape just after lunch.  And we’ll end Saturday with Andy Borowitz, who will make us [...]

An astounding number of our local talent will be participating as presenters and moderators during the 2011 Texas Book Festival , to be held on October 22 & 23 in the State Capitol Building – truly, an astounding number. We have Greg Leitich Smith to thank for gleaning though the festival schedule to create a nifty, neat, and [...]

The Tomie dePaola Award competition is open to all SCBWI members. Each entrant is to produce one illustration, any size, any medium, that is based on a text supplied by Tomie. Entries were due no later than December 15 each calendar year. Final art must be electronically submitted and Tomie will announce the winner on January 2, 2012. The winner [...]

A note from author/illustrator Divya Srinivasan : My first picture book, Little Owl’s Night, will have its official release party at 2:00 on October 15th here in Austin at BookPeople (603 N. Lamar), and I would love to see you there! Please feel free to invite friends. I will be reading and signing the book, we will have refreshments for children and [...]

A note from Cynthia Levinson - ASCBWI member: I’m delighted to say that I’ll be giving a talk about my forthcoming book at the National Council of Teachers of English annual convention on Nov. 19 in Chicago. I’m teaming up with classroom and graduate school teachers and a curriculum developer to present “Social Justice: Reading Its Past, Writing [...]

Congratulations to Vanessa Lee for winning a base-rate scholarship to the 2011 Something for Everybody Austin Regional Conference!  Her captivating middle-grade novel Archbald Mitzakowski: Big Physic Failure simply swept the Scholarship Committee right off their noodles. Vanessa reports that attending the last two Regional Conferences has made all the difference in her pursuit of publication. She says, “Each [...]

Even though our next regional conference Something for Everyone is months away (Feb 17-19, 2012), we’re in preparation to make it even better than last year. Now that the faculty has been chosen and registrations are pouring in, we’re beginning to concentrate on the finer details, one of those being the Silent Auction . Your Austin SCBWI committee [...]