HELLO!
Notes from your Houston SCBWI Co-Regional Advisor
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Greetings Creatives,
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'm glad to see another year approaching with new goals and dreams for 2024. I'll ignore the heaviness in my chest that let personal life get in the way of my 2023 writing goals and promise myself that querying, editing, and new writing projects are in store. Just me?
You will see many new additions for our region this year, along with a host of new volunteers landing in your inboxes. Here are some things to look forward to:
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The monthly newsletter is now split into 2 different publications (1st: Events & Things and 2nd: Member Corner) that will be sent throughout the month. Thanks Lucy, our newsletter editor!
- Christine, our small events coordinator, will offer us a monthly social event starting on Jan 27th!
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Renee, our Kidlit correspondent, will keep you posted as she interviews our local creative community for our new blogsite.
- Just Write: Write-ins will start in January (Details below)
- New quarterly meetings led by the regional team will focus on craft and socializing. (My two favorite things!)
We have so many additions to this year in hopes that we can push us all closer to our creative dreams in 2024. All suggestions welcome!
"See" you soon,
Kaye Marc-Charles
Co-Regional Advisor
Houston SCBWI
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HOUSTON CHAPTER EVENTS
We would like to encourage you to register for all events via our website. Click the register button below each event.
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Last chance to grab a virtual seat! | |
In an interview with Renee Nolte, Heather Cashman, Agent at Storm Literary Agency, shares an inside view of growing successfully in the publishing business. By Renee Nolte Should everyone have an agent? Having an agent for representation has advantages and disadvantages. Whichever your choice, literary agent Heather Cashman believes your work is valid and has an audience. | | | |
January's Meeting
Captain Create shares how a shift in focus can bring storytelling goals within reach.
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Houston Chapter Critique Group
Where: Online
When: January 8, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST
What: An informal critique group to meet before most of our chapter meetings.
Details: All written and illustrated works-in-progress intended for the children’s market are welcome.
Please view the group's guidelines prior to attending. Free to all.
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Illustrator Sketch Sesh
Where: Slowpokes, 6725 Stella Link, Houston, TX 77005
When: January 13, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM CST
What: Join us for our monthly illustrator sketch sesh! Open to illustrators, writers, and all kidlit creatives.
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January Meet & Greet
Where: Brace Tacks Cafe, 612 Live Oak street, Houston, TX 77003
When: January 27, 2024
11:00 AM – 12:30 AM CST
What: Please join us for our first monthly social! Have lunch with other Kidlit creatives to meet and greet! Please RVSP so we can have a valid headcount for the restaurant. See you there!
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February's Meeting
Let's keep focusing on improving our craft and explore query letters and first pages!
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Have News? Share It With Us For Our Members Corner Newsletter!
Submit author & illustrator news for the next newsletter by the 5th of each 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.
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Rope in your pens and paints and projects cause this year we’re holdin’ a conference as big as Texas!
That’s right, for the first time ever, we’ll be holdin’ one conference for all Texas writers and illustrators down in the center of Texas. We’ll have opportunities for you to hone your craft and also pitch and network with agents and editors from any number of houses. Maybe even ones from New York City.
So polish those pitches.
Pore over your portfolios.
And save May 4-5, 2024 on your calendars!
For more information, check out our webpage.
We’ll keep a spot open for ya!
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Draw This Award!
A monthly art prompt, part of the SCBWI publication Insight.
All submissions shown on the online gallery, and two winners featured in Insight, the website, and social media.
Check for submission guidelines.
Click for More Info
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Ann Whitford Paul Writer’s Digest Manuscript Award
An annual award given to a Most Promising Picture Book manuscript.
Winners will be selected in two categories: Fiction and Nonfiction. The two winners will each receive a $1000 grant to encourage the development of an excellent picture book manuscript.
Submissions open April 1, 2024.
Click for More Info
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Don Freeman Grant
This award enables picture book illustrators to further their understanding, training, and work in the picture book genre.
Two grants of $1,000 each will be awarded annually. One grant to a published illustrator and one to a pre-published illustrator. The money may be used in any way to help you complete your project.
Submissions open March 1, 2024.
Click for More Info
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Copyright © 2023 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.
newsletter.scbwihou@gmail.com.
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