Your January 2022 SCBWI Houston Newsletter |
|
|
Upcoming Meeting: Monday, January 3 7-9 PM
Next Meeting: Monday, February 7 7-9 PM
Please join us on the first Monday of every month from 7-9 p.m. on Zoom until meetings are resumed at the Tracy Gee Community Center,
3599 Westcenter, Houston.
|
|
|
This month:
Writing nonfiction books for young people is not for sissies! It requires gathering research, checking for accuracy, weighing for value, and sifting and synthesizing large amounts of information into an easily understandable narrative. Crafting a solid structure and compelling story gains the trust of readers. This hidden architecture has the potential to carry young readers on a journey of discovery, to empower them to ask questions, inspire them to search for answers and inform their ability to reason. This workshop will offer four tools writers can use to make their efforts come together in a way that appears effortless.
|
|
|
|
Yahoo Listserv has ended. STAY in the loop by joining the new listserv NOW.
|
The listserv has proved to be a great way to keep in touch, start critique groups, announce good news, etc. With us not meeting in person in the near future, let's keep in touch virtually.
|
|
|
Thirst, A New MG Novel Announced
by Varsha Bajaj
|
|
Thrilled to share the cover of my next middle grade novel. Thirst will be published by Nancy Paulsen books, Penguin Group, in July 2022.
|
|
Lynne Kelly Honor and a Webinar |
|
And beginning January 13, she will be teaching an online course on middle grade writing with the Writing Barn. Classes meet on Thursday evenings for six weeks. Students will work on developing the internal and external journeys of characters who drive the plot, and plot points that challenge characters to reveal who they really are. See the Writing Barn's website for more information and to register.
|
|
Publishers Weekly Includes new Work by Marissa Valdez in Anticipated Books
of 2022 List
|
Tundra Book Group feels the rhythm of the music getting stronger with
Esme’s Birthday Conga Line by Lourdes Heuer, illus. by Marissa Valdez, the
kick-off to a series featuring Esme who takes matters into her own hands when her grandparents, with whom she lives, don’t throw her a birthday party. Also mentioned: Don Tate (Austin)
|
|
|
Happy Little Landscape
Bob Ross Inspired Meeting: A Third Saturday Creative
January 15th 10am – 11am CT (Watch for Link in your InBox)
Create your own World
Let’s start the new year by creating a space of our own.
Using inspiration from environments from around the globe
we will create (draw, paint, write) our own little landscape.
Join us while we play with the natural world
taken from countries far and near.
During our creative time together, I will be posting an
inspiration board of different landscapes with variety of environments
so you can create your own little world.
(Illustrators and Writers both welcome)
Be prepared to make happy little accidents, drawing with fellow creatives
|
|
Coalition Condemns Political Attacks Against Books in Schools
As organized political attacks on books in schools spread, the National Coalition Against Censorship has issued a statement signed by more than 600 signatories condemning the efforts as acts of censorship that threaten the education of children while putting the safety of librarians, teachers, school administrators and school board officials in jeopardy.
|
|
|
Where Have All the School Librarians Gone?
In July, the study “SLIDE: The School Librarian Investigation—Decline or Evolution?” confirmed that the number of school librarians in the U.S. continues to decline.
|
|
ABA Cancels 2022 Winter Institute
Citing the recent spike of Covid-19 coronavirus infections across the United States, the American Booksellers Association has canceled the 2022 Winter Institute, scheduled for February 13-16 in Cincinnati. This is the second year in a row that the event has been canceled; the most recent in-person Winter Institute was held in Baltimore in 2020. The ABA had also planned on offering a virtual retreat, dubbed Snowdays, on March 8 and 9, which would have rebroadcast the recorded events from Winter Institute. The ABA said it will announce new plans for Winter Institute programming in the next few weeks.
|
|
SCBWI Winter Conference February 11-13 2022:
Back with programming that is
innovative and inspiring.
|
|
Please join us for:
- A rare presentation from Caldecott medal-winner, Brian Selznick. Open to the public
- Dynamic keynotes and industry panels
- A half-day of programming for illustrators offered at no additional cost
- Breakout sessions led by acquiring editors and agents with the opportunity to query
- The career-launching Portfolio Showcase
- Online socials and peer critiques
SCBWI members $150
Non: $250
|
|
Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Stephanie Garber
Brian Selznick
Kelly Yang
Paula Yoo
Editors:
Michelle Frey
Farrin Jacobs
Emma Ledbetter
Denene Millner
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Art Directors:
Erica De Chavez
Maria Elias
Kristen Nobles
Lesley Worrell
Cecilia Yung
Agents:
Chad Beckerman
Jemisco Chambers-Black
Samantha Fabien
Thao Le
James McGowan
|
|
A Picture Book Glow-Up
Tuesday, January 4 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time
THE START, THE ART, THE HEART OF REVISION
with Author, Beth Ferry
This presentation will focus on the important part that revision plays in writing a picture book. It will offer ideas for thinking about your manuscript in new ways, polishing the prose and considering the many different facets that are required for a successful story.
Saturday, February 19 9:00 AM Pacific Time
MORE THAN FANCY WRITING: Finding that solid hook in your picture book
with Literary Agent, Rachel Orr
These days, a story needs to be more than just beautifully written in order to catch the eye of an agent or editor. It needs to have some kind of a hook. Using examples from recent client sales, Rachel Orr of Prospect Agency will discuss the importance of understanding the market and considering how a picture book is going to stand apart from the crowd. Writers will be encouraged to think about their audience, the takeaway of their story, seasonal sales opportunities, and timing of submissions—all without overthinking it. A brief Q&A will follow.
Saturday, March 19 at 10:30 AM Pacific Time
Crafting a Successful Picture Book Ending
with Editor, Julie Bliven
Examine and discuss fiction picture books with memorable endings. What makes an ending feel especially satisfying? How does your character’s arc contribute to an ending that feels right? Consider ways to avoid summarizing, to trust your reader, and to strategically build up to an ending that encourages multiple reads.
Early Bird pricing for the full series will run until January 4.
$35 for SCBWI Members
$60 for Non-Members
Starting January 5, tickets for individual webinars will be offered.
$15 for SCBWI Members
$25 for Non-Members
|
|
12 X 12 is a year-long writing challenge where members aim to write 12 complete picture book drafts, one per month, for each 12 months of the year. You can find all the details here. But you have to sign up in January or February!
|
|
Just for Fun, Check Out This Site Where a Dad Recreates His Sons' Drawings. Charming and Delightful. |
|
Things I Have Drawn is the brainchild of a guy named Tom Curtis. Or, well, it's more the result of his kids, Dom and Al. They draw things, with all of the weird perspectives that
hild art tends to entail. And then dad takes those drawings, and re-creates
in Photoshop, with eerily realistic rendering.
Surrealist hilarity ensues.
|
|
10 Top Book Marketing Articles From BookBub in 2021
|
|
SCBWI Indie Support
SCBWI is happy to announce the launch of new member benefits to support authors and illustrators who publish their books independently. Your SCBWI membership now gives you access to resources to help distinguish reputable self-publishers from the scams; new publications that discuss self-publishing tools, technologies, and marketing practices; a self-publishing guidebook that will be out this fall; grants and awards for self-published books and more!
Check out the full list of benefits HERE.
If you’d like to receive ongoing notification about SCBWI’s self-publishing programs and publications, please log into your member profile and check the “Independently Published” box.
|
|
2021 Version of The Book now available.
|
THE BOOK is updated with invaluable, up to date market surveys, and several new articles including Bringing Your Backlist Forward, Putting Together a Winning Virtual Presentation, and Beware Author Self-Publishing Scams. Whether you are published or pre-published, there are many helpful articles to jump-start your career and/or provide the encouragement and knowledge you need moving forward.
THE BOOK is one of your most invaluable member resources that should be within reach at all times. Check out each section for information and insights: Preparing & Submitting Your Work, Published and Listed (PAL), Self-Publishing, SCBWI en Español, SCBWI Market Surveys, SCBWI Directories and Resources, Publicizing Your Published Work, SCBWI School Visits, and SCBWI Legal Questions.
To view THE BOOK, just log into your profile page and click on PUBLICATIONS, then on The Book in the dropdown menu. You must be logged in to download or order THE BOOK.
|
|
|
SCBWI YouTube Featuring The Vault Let's You Relive Wondrous Moments with Best-Selling Icons of Childrens Publishing -- Or Experience Them For The First Time
|
|
We are so proud to introduce you to the all-new SCBWI YouTube featuring the Vault which launches today with a treasure trove of exclusive never-before-seen videos that put you smack in the middle of the greatest children’s book creators of our time. Culling the best moments from SCBWI conferences---from the early days in the 1970s all the way up to this year, the Vault holds the advice, teachings, and musings of the biggest and brightest names in children’s publishing over the past 50 years. Even if you never got the chance to be there originally, you can now have a front row seat to all the SCBWI conferences---the profound, the moving, the funny, the goofy, the heart-stopping moments that are at the center of this brilliant creative community.
It's easy to step into our new YouTube channel and watch featured video clips from award-winning creators including:
Kwame Alexander Laurie Halse Anderson Judy Blume
Bruce Coville Karen Cushman Paula Danziger
Sid Fleischman Gordon Korman Meg Medina
Vanessa Brantley Newton Linda Sue Park
Jerry Pinkney David Small Jerry Spinelli
Shaun Tan Richard Jesse Watson
Before Newbery medals, before National Book Awards, before the adulation, there were young writers and illustrators on the path to legend status. The awards and praises of the book industry and book lovers worldwide were heaped on the giants of the industry seen here. All of them shared the stage at our conferences over the years. You’ll be inspired, captivated, and enamored.
And that’s just the beginning! Each week we will be bringing you stunning archival footage to watch and share with your friends, family, and colleagues. SCBWI is giving its members and book lovers everywhere an opportunity not found anywhere else, to witness the history of contemporary children’s books in the making.
SCBWI members will see exclusive clips pulled from the vault just for them in Insight, the monthly e-newsletter, and in Pro Insider the e-newsletter for published members. You can follow all the fun on our social media – Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook – with sneak previews and only-on-this-platform content. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/user/TheScbwi/ so you don’t miss out. And check in regularly, to keep the inspiration flowing.
For anyone interested in children’s books, for anyone who values creativity, for anyone wanting a direct hit of inspiration and joy, SCBWIYouTube featuring the Vault is the place to be. See you there, friends.
|
|
Have an idea on how to improve Houston SCBWI?
|
|
Information and Procedures
The SCBWI Emergency Fund has been established to provide assistance to SCBWI members of at least
six months’ standing in times of emergency or hardship. The emergency or hardship could involve,
for example, matters of health, family issues, or natural disasters that are in any way restricting
or preventing an SCBWI member’s ability to work as an author or illustrator.
The fund is also running low due to the high number of applications.
If you wish to donate to the fund, you may do so on the website or by mail:
Please send a check to:
SCBWI Emergency Fund
6363 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 425
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Your contribution will be announced in the following SCBWI Bulletin. Dollar amounts will not be listed. If you wish to remain anonymous please indicate so in your letter.
There is a $1,500 cap on any given grant, and no member may receive the grant more than twice.
SCBWI does not expect to be reimbursed for grants made from the Emergency Fund.
Applications for assistance can come from the individual member seeking the aid or from someone noting their member friend or associate is in need of assistance. Applications are confidential and not shared outside the organization.
Members should fill out the application, which can be found here. The applicant will receive an electronic confirmation and all communications will be by email unless the applicant indicates no access to a computer.
To learn more about the Emergency Fund, please click here to read the FAQ.
|
|
Don't Get SCAMMED!
Are you aware of Writer Beware? It's a good site to check on complaints about publishers. This 2019 roundup covers the year in review. If you're not familiar with how "vanity publishers" scam authors, be sure to study the links under SAVE YOUR CASH and ADVICE YOU CAN USE. It also touches on how awards can take advantage of authors.
Use the SEARCH THIS BLOG function to look up specific publisher and agent names.
|
|
FREE On-demand webinars from SCBWI MD/DE/WV! |
|
Creating Your Portfolio with Rebecca Evans
• Formatting Your Manuscript for Submission with Kathy MacMillan
• A Conversation with Picture Book Authors 1 (Read Local Challenge webinar featuring
J.H. Diehl, Amy S. Hansen, and Rebecca Evans)
• A Conversation with Picture Book Authors 2 (Read Local Challenge webinar featuring
Ann McCallum, Karen Leggett Abouraya, and Lezlie Evans)
• Conversation with Picture Book Authors 3 (Read Local Challenge webinar featuring Veronica Bartles, Sue Fliess, and Megan Wagner Lloyd)
• A Conversation with Middle Grade Authors 1 (Read Local Challenge webinar featuring
Laura Shovan, Leah Henderson, and Barbara Carney-Coston)
• A Conversation with Middle Grade Authors 2 (Read Local Challenge webinar featuring
R.D Henham and Deborah Kalb)
• A Conversation with Young Adult Authors (Read Local Challenge webinar featuring
Kathy MacMillan, Linda Budzinski, Meg Eden, Pintip Dunn, and Christina June)
We are pleased to offer these free webinar recordings, available anytime
|
|
SCBWI Podcast Goes Public
In a bold expansion to new platforms, SCBWI has made the first season of its popular podcast, SCBWI Conversations, available to the public. Our library of in-depth, insightful episodes feature the best of editors, agents, authors, and illustrators in the children’s book industry. As of today, we have over nine thousand listeners on six continents who have joined us since our public launch in May. The most current season will remain exclusive content for SCBWI members only. It is available for streaming from our website here.
|
|
|
|
An Ongoing and Updated List of Webinars |
The Nevada SCBWI chapter has a new feature listing and updating webinars of interest to our members. Be sure to bookmark this page to stay abreast of new opportunities...
|
|
|
Austin's Cynthia Leitich Smith Is Compiling
an ever growing list of Texas children's-YA
authors and Illustrators.
Howdy! Texas is bursting with talented children’s-YA book creators.
Once again, my Cynterns and I are updating the ever-growing list of
Texas children’s-YA authors and illustrators at:
It’s a popular resource for event planners, gatekeepers and Texas book lovers.
listings or updates to existing listings.
Those who currently live in Texas or have previously lived in Texas are
eligible for inclusion.
Please reply with byline, official website URL, preferred titles to
highlight, and current city and/or state of residence.
|
|
Monthly Meetings
When: Meetings are held on the first Monday night of each month (first Tuesday if first Monday is a holiday), 7-9 pm. Fiction, Nonfiction and Illustration critique groups meet from 6-7pm.
What: All regular monthly meetings are open to all at no cost or obligation. To suggest speakers or topics and/or to be added to our monthly meeting reminder e-mail list, contact Program Coordinator via our Contact Us page.
Where: The meetings are held at the Tracy Gee community center, located at 3599 Westcenter Dr, Houston, TX 77042. Please note: Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, meetings will be held online through Zoom until further notice.
|
|
Our Staff
Regional Advisor:
Asst. Regional Advisor:
Lynne Kelly
Illustrators Coordinator:
Monthly Program Chair:
Cheryl McCosh
|
|
Listserv Coordinator:
Twitter Coordinator:
Newsletter & Website
Art Credit
Header Design:
|
|
|
Copyright © 2021 SCBWI-Houston, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
