SCBWI Local Chapters
 

Houston SCBWI Newsletter

November 2022

Illustration by Marissa Valdez

HELLO!

NOTES FROM YOUR HOUSTON SCBWI REGIONAL CO-ADVISORS

Happy Fall, Creatives!


Just like that, it is already November. I have spent so much time complaining about the heat of the summer that I almost didn’t realize we are knee deep in pumpkin spice season! Circle the whole season with a great big cinnamon and spiced heart.


One great thing about October was getting back to meeting everyone in-person. I am still beaming from spending time with all the attendees at the Picture Book intensive.  We learned so much and we laughed even more. Kelly Bennett was AMAZING! I would like to thank everyone who attended online and in-person. I feel like a fire was lit and now I am ready to rock and roll with my picture book.



I have to stay true to my love of middle grade novels though! The novel study intensive with Leah Henderson was really a Writing MASTERCLASS! (If you missed it, talk to Meghan (Houston-ra@scbwi.org) about purchasing the recording!) There are also a few critiques available. (After Leah’s workshop, I started my first official round of edits!)

Next up is…cue the drum roll… Jarrett Lerner! On November 5th, he will be sharing his Graphic Novel tips and tricks with a hybrid workshop. You have until 8pm CST on 11/4 to register. If you're at all interested in graphic novels you don't want to miss it! And YES, it is for writers, too!



What a blessing it has been to be a part of such a talented community. My question for all of you is: Are you ready for more in-person events in 2023?



-Kaye Marc-Charles, Co-RA

We Need Your Help! We've created a survey to determine member needs so we can assess how to proceed. If you haven't already, please complete this short survey: https://forms.gle/zJJmhvKANNyFiEPq9.

MEMBER NEWS

 

Joy Saxton and her Joyful Bookmobile!


What an amazing way to spread 'joy!'


Our very own Joy Saxton brings a love of reading to children and sells her own books in the process. (Or reads them to those who can't afford it.)


That's what we call a win-win-win, you go girl!

Freddie the Flyer set to publish in 2023!


Former Houston SCBWI member Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and co-author Fred Carmichael, are excited to announce that Tundra Books will publish FREDDIE THE FLYER in 2023!


Audrea Wulf will illustrate this book.


Merlin’s Apprentice: The Mage set to publish in 2023!


The first novel in the new series by Houston SCBWI member Susan McCauley will be released in January 2023!

Tonya Duncan Ellis Awarded Highlights Foundation Scholarship!


Our very own Houston SCBWI member Tonya Duncan Ellis was recently awarded one of 25 full tuition Highlights Foundation onsite scholarships granting her paid participation in a Highlights writing workshop at the Highlights Pennsylvania retreat center.


Tonya will also be presenting at the 2023 National SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City!


Go Tonya!!

Have News? Share It With Us!

Please submit your author/illustrator news for the next newsletter to Angela Yeh by the 25th of the month via this form.


Event submissions for member book launches and signings can be added to our regional calendar! Please be sure to include the date, time, and location.

Stay on top of the latest SCBWI News!

Join the conversation at Groups.io!

This is a great place to ask questions, find a critique partner, or stay on top of chapter events. Sign up today! 


Worried about too many emails? Find out how to change your settings here.


Newsletter Tip: Be aware of message clipping!

This is done when an email program thinks an email (like our newsletter) is too long and the bottom part of the message is cut off. Make sure you're getting the full newsletter, by looking for this message at the bottom of the email:


"[Message clipped]  View entire message"


Be sure to click the blue link to access the full newsletter!


If you're not already, please follow us on social media!

It's a great way to stay up to date!

Instagram  Twitter  Facebook

HOUSTON CHAPTER EVENTS

Register Here!

November 5th (Saturday)

Graphic Novel Crash Course

Jarrett Lerner


For both writers and illustrators who want to know more about the graphic novel market and how to write and/or illustrate graphic novels! Buy now and watch later with 30 days access to the recording for all attendees!


This course is open to authors!

Turn an old manuscript in to a graphic novel!


This full day course will cover the following:

  • Market overview (including what is a hybrid graphic novel, anyway?)
  • Drawing and comic basics
  • Scripting and building stories
  • Structure and long form graphic novels


Registration closes at 8pm CST on Friday 11/4!

November Monthly Meeting with Charlene Chua!


When:

Date(s) - 11/07/2022 (MONDAY)

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm


Hurry Up and Draw! Time saving tips for designing characters for picture books.


Presented by: Charlene Chua


Charlene Chua (she/they) is the illustrator of several picture books, including Pinkie Promises by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and the Amy Wu book series. She is also the author-illustrator of Hug? When they are not making art, they enjoy cooking, reading, and playing with their cats. Charlene now lives with her husband (and cats!) in Hamilton, Ontario. 


Click here to Join: 


https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/94577848761?pwd=eVdpVGNGMTZpaFhsdkZFcnQzL2NjUT09


Meeting ID: 945 7784 8761

Passcode: 500591

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,94577848761#,,,,*500591# US (Houston)

Dial by your location

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 945 7784 8761

Passcode: 500591



Find your local number: https://scbwi.zoom.us/u/aDRUy2My9



We hope to see you there!


SAVE THE DATE!


We're excited to announce a spring retreat planed for May 19-21, 2023!


The three-day event will be held in the beautiful woods of Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas!


Put it on your calendar now for a fun mix of craft, work time, and socials.


Our schedule will allow attendees to Choose their Own Adventure!

WEBINARS AND WORSHOPS


Find many more Regional Virtual Events from the SCBWI website.

 

For more information or to register please click here!

Crushing the Critique Group!


WHEN:

Date(s) - 11/14/2022 (MONDAY)

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm


Ideas don’t flow in a vacuum. It’s our interaction with the world and a team approach that rocket good ideas into marketable, memorable, read-worthy books. 


Where:

Virtual:


For more information or to register please click here!


This is for informational purposes only and SCBWI in no way endorses the advertiser. We can only endorse SCBWI events and opportunities. Before doing anything with another organization, do your research to make sure the opportunity is right for you.

Illustrator Corner

Calling all illustrators! We want to feature you! Please submit your completed works to newsletter.scbwihou@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

How a Comic is Made

with Jarrett Lerner


To get us hyped up for this weekend's workshop, here's a great video of Jarrett walking through his comic process!

Featured Illustrator is open every month to members who wish to apply.


Apply Members should log in, update their SCBWI Illustrator Gallery Profile and follow the guidelines here: 

https://www.scbwi.org/featured%20illustrator/.  


View Review past Featured Illustrators work here:

https://www.scbwi.org/illustrator-gallery/


Youtube Watch Featured Illustrator Interviews here: 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLurbRCbKM2-Fs8vm95d05bePlgvjeRA1n

SCBWI Awards


DrawThis! Monthly Prompt

Monthly announcements available at our website and on SCBWI's social media accounts.

https://www.scbwi.org/calling-all-illustrators-2/ 


Find more info at: 

https://www.scbwi.org/awards-and-grants/

FOLK WISDOM & OTHER THOUGHTS

By Jim Smolski

A Star



Standing in the backyard.

The sun has gone to bed.

Looking up as darkness comes.

I’ll see the stars instead.

Watching as the stars move in.

We see them getting bright.

The same star I’ll be wishing on.

You’ll see with me tonight.

I miss standing together.

But you are outside too.

The stars are for us both tonight.

Just one thing left to do.

We’ll wish upon a certain star.

The one we both can see.

And dream we are together.

Or someday soon will be.


The smallest ray of sunshine can start a leaf to turn and look with hope. I want to be the sunshine that creates that moment for at least one leaf every day. -Jim

Open Opportunities

OPEN Volunteer Positions


We want to create a chapter that is more involved, engaged, and active, and we need your help to do it!


Open Positions:


Critique Connection Coordinator, Event Webmaster & Ticketing Manager, Membership Coordinator, and PAL Coordinator.


Click here for more information or to apply.

Suggestion Box

Have an idea on how to improve Houston SCBWI?

Leave a suggestion in our Suggestion Box!

Our Volunteers

Regional Team

Co-Regional Advisor:

Meghan Senkel

Co-Regional Advisor:

Kaye Marc-Charles

Asst. Regional Advisor:

Lynne Kelly

Illustrators Coordinator:

Lisa Chow

Regional Advisor Emeritus:

Vicki Sansum

Chapter Volunteers

Newsletter & Webmaster:

Angela Yeh

Conference/Retreat Chair:

Annie Harmon

Critique Group Coordinator:

OPEN!

Membership Coordinator

OPEN!

Programming Chair & Evite List:

Cheryl McCosh

PAL Coordinator

OPEN!

Social Media Chair:

Heather Walters   

Chapter Logo and Header Design by Marissa Valdez

Join our conversations on the SCBWI Texas discussion board


Copyright © 2022 SCBWI-Houston, All rights reserved. 

News and other information may be passed on without attribution; original artwork and writing are the property of their creators and may be reproduced only with written permission.

Write to Angela Yeh at newsletter.scbwihou@gmail.com.

Facebook  Instagram  Twitter