June 2024

HELLO!

Words from your Houston SCBWI Illustrator Coordinator!

Howdy, Houston SCBWI!

I would like to take a moment to unite all of us and try to get a feel for what you guys are looking for, as illustrators, from our chapter! Do you want to meet to sketch together? Take field trips somewhere we can sketch people and/or animals? Field trip to art supply stores you have never explored? or…Simply meet up at an already scheduled social event? Perhaps you would rather sketch on ZOOM with virtual timed speed prompts? Let me know!

Follow my QR code to a brief survey designed simply for info gathering and enhancement of our illustrator group! I am here to help us be better! Or click here



In the meantime, I will be rebranding the “Write-In” session on Saturday mornings and calling it Write Draw Love! (see post below) So come check it out!


Jennie Smith

houston-ic@scbwi.org

Illustrator Coordinator 

HOUSTON CHAPTER EVENTS

We encourage you to register for all events via our website.

June Meeting

This in-person meeting features your local team and YOU! Whether you made it to the conference or not, mark your calendar for our upcoming monthly meeting in June. We're turning it into a cozy gathering where we spill the tea on what went down at All Y'all and how we can apply what we learned to our own creative endeavors. If you attended the All Y'all conference, bring your notes and your voice- we want to hear all your favorite tidbits, juicy tips, and encouraging experiences. If you missed the conference, bring your ears and take notes.

Register for June's chapter meeting

Houston Chapter Critique Group


Where: Tracy Gee

When: June 3rd, 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.

Register

Fuel Your Craft

Sign up for our region's many activities below!


June Meet & Greet



Where:

Mercantile Coffee Shop

3321 Stanford St, Houston, TX 77006


When: 

June 22nd, 2024

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST

 

What: Please join us for our monthly social! Hang out with other Kidlit creatives where we can talk about craft, kids, or coffee. Please RVSP so we can save you a seat. Christine is your host. Email her with any questions. See you there!

RSVP Today!

Chapter PB Book Study!

"The Gruffalo" is know as a top 100 Children’s Book Best of all time. Let’s analyze elements like rhyme, theme, character design, which has made this picture book a global sensation!

We will learn how to incorporate these elements into our own writing and illustrations.

Book study led by our New Member Coordinator, Michelle B.

Let us know you're coming!

July's Chapter Meeting


A hands-on workshop in which will explain the importance of dummy books for authors (length, pace, getting going, anticipation, text per spread, etc.) and demonstrate how PB dummies can be are created with the Ourboox and Dummyboox platform. You will make a physical mini-book in three minutes with three pieces of paper and scissors, and a simple hack with MS-Word. Great for writers and illustrators! Stay tuned for Mel's interview on our chapter blog.

Register for July's Monthly Meeting

Registration opening in June!

After a whirlwind of a year, you're going to deserve a little getaway. Picture a cozy retreat nestled in the heart of the Navasota woods, surrounded by like-minded writers and illustrators, all eager to share their craft and stories. It's the perfect opportunity to recharge, refuel, and reconnect with your passion. Imagine waking up to the crisp morning air, grabbing your notebook or sketchpad, and heading out to to put your ideas to paper. You'll enjoy three buffet meals per day, engage in lively discussions, gain insights from fellow artists, and spark your creativity in a supportive environment.

But here's the best part – you can make this dream a reality without breaking the bank! By setting aside just $10 a week, you'll have a tidy sum ready when registration opens. Yup! For the cost of a couple of coffees, you'll secure your spot at this unforgettable pre-Christmas present to yourself.

Visit the site

Space City Scribes Blog


Read the interview on Lynne Kelly!

FOLK WISDOM & OTHER THOUGHTS


By Jim Smolski


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


Bells of Summer


70 years can’t wash away.

The sound of certain bells.

One extra special memory.

It’s ice cream that truck sells!

Summer brought a lot of fun.

Just playing with my friends.

No school to interrupt the games.

Or each day that never ends.

Our roadside watch, each afternoon.

We can hear bells in the air.

Pocket change, we stand there waiting.

We have enough to share.

There’s nothing like the ice cream truck.

On a childhood summers day.

With bells that signal, I will be back!

As it drives away.

Have News? Share It With Us For Our Members Corner Newsletter! (published the 10th of each month)

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.


OTHER SCBWI CONFERENCES,

WEBINARS, AND WORKSHOPS HERE!

SCBWI Awards & Grants

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

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 $1,000 grant to encourage the development of an excellent picture book manuscript.


Submissions open April 1, 2024.


Click for More Info

Crystal Kite Awards


Peer-given award to recognize great books from fifteen SCBWI regional divisions around the world.


Second round voting Jun 03- Jun 21, 2024.


Click for More Info


Critique Groups

About Us

Houston Events

Our Volunteers

Regional Team

Co-Regional Advisor:

Kaye Marc-Charles

Co-Regional Advisor:

Annie Roi Harmon

Asst. Regional Advisor:

Lynne Kelly

Illustrators Coordinator:

Jennie Smith

Regional Advisor Emeritus:

Vicki Sansum


Chapter Volunteers

Newsletter Editor

OPEN!

Critique Group Coordinator:

Nancy Blair

Newsletter Column Writer: 

Jim Smolski

Kidlit Correspondents

Margaret Lea

New Membership Coordinator

Michelle Byrant

Programming Chair:

Cheryl McCosh

Social Event Coordinator

Christine Wengler

PAL Coordinator

Sydney Dunlap

Self-Pub Coordinator

OPEN!

Social Media Crew

OPEN! 


OPEN Volunteer Positions

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


Click here to apply.

Stay on top of the latest SCBWI News!

Join the conversation at Groups.io! Sign up here! 


Newsletter Tip: Be aware of message clipping! To make sure you're getting the full newsletter, by looking for this message at the bottom of the email:

"[Message clipped]  View entire message"


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

Instagram  X  Facebook

Suggestion Box

Have an idea on how to improve Houston SCBWI?

Leave a suggestion in our Suggestion Box!

Chapter Logo and Header Design by Marissa Valdez

Copyright © 2024 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.