HELLO!
Words from your Houston SCBWI Co-Regional Advisor
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Remember, the day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit. | |
I intended to kick off this month with some inspiration, but my thoughts kept returning to the modern trend of lengthy book acknowledgments. Nowadays, these sprawl across so many pages, they’re like a novel within a novel.
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Last month, as I finished another book, I couldn’t help but wonder if the author had thanked every soul on the planet. Hang on, I live on this planet…
Nope. I checked. I was not included in this stranger's acknowledgments page. And if that wasn’t bad enough, I also worried that I’d never get to write one myself. Do you ever feel that way?
If you’re like me, you’ve taken countless webinars, braved painful critiques, and strategically placed yourself where agents roam. And through all this, you’ve tried to see how all the moving parts will come together for you.
This week, amidst my “acknowledgments page" envy, I felt those pieces slide closer together. As I reviewed my chapters, I could see how much the webinars have impacted my writing. How those painful critiques have forced me to see outside of my narrow worldview. And, then, I realized why book acknowledgments have gotten so long.
Sure, our books are a product of us. They are also thanks to our parents’ support, the children who inspire us, and the critique partners who make us better writers. But with time we recognize just how many other events have helped shape our book.
It really was EVERY webinar and conference we've attended. It was the librarian who helped with our research. It was also our neighbor, when they said that witty thing. It was the commercial we watched when our creative self was open to new ideas. It was even the rocky road ice cream that gave us brain freeze because we were too impatient to eat it one spoonful at a time. Because if it weren’t for that cold ice cream, we wouldn’t have realized how our story had to end.
It was all of that, and we were just waiting for all of those experiences to come together.
So here's my inspirational message: Even if you can't see it yet, keep going. Every piece is falling into place, and it's happening right now.
Oh, and when you write out your acknowledgments, I expect to read my name somewhere in there!
Annie Harmon
Co-Regional Advisor
Houston SCBWI
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HOUSTON CHAPTER EVENTS
We encourage you to register for all events via our website.
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March's Meeting is Hybrid
We're getting ready for the Texas-wide conference! Authors will be helping each other tighten their first paragraphs (the one that has to hook the agent), and illustrators will be guiding each other with their portfolios. An agented author and illustrator will be checking in with our groups. (You don't have to be attending the conference to join; you only need a first paragraph or portfolio that you would like to test out.) For authors, we will have Lynne hosting on Zoom.
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Fuel Your Craft
Sign up for our region's many activities below!
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Plot Your Novel in a Day! | |
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We’re excited to announce registration for the ALL Y’ALL Writers and Illustrators Conference opened on Friday and we’ve already had all the critique and pitch spots for some of our faculty SELL OUT! Don’t worry. We still have several amazing faculty critiques and pitches available, but they’re going faster than we expected. Now, we realize not everyone can mosey on down to Austin for a weekend, so we’re going to have the whole conference online too. If you were thinking of joining us either in-person or online this year, register now!
Join us May 4-5 in Austin, Texas for opportunities to learn your craft, boost your career, get feedback on your work, and meet and make friends with fellow children’s book writers and illustrators. The schedule includes:
- 3 keynotes
- The always popular publishing panel
- 16 breakout sessions on writing, illustrating, and professional development
- 8 intensives on picture books, novels, illustration, and professional development for our published and pre-published authors
- Critiques, pitches, portfolio reviews, a portfolio showcase, and more!
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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.
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Houston Chapter Critique Group
Where: Tracy Gee Community
When: March 4th, 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
When: Saturday, March 23
10:00am-11:30am CT
Where: Slowpokes 6725 Stella Link
Houston, TX 77005
What: Join us for our monthly illustrator sketch sesh! Open to illustrators, writers, and all kidlit creatives.
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March Meet & Greet
Where: Brass Tacks Cafe, 612 Live Oak street, Houston, TX 77003
When: March 27, 2024
10:00 AM – 12:30 AM 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 at the restaurant. See you there!
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This hybrid meeting features Houston's Kacy Ritter as she takes us on her publishing journey to help us prepare for ours! Join us in-person and online on April 8th, 2024. | |
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OTHER SCBWI CONFERENCES,
WEBINARS, AND WORKSHOPS HERE!
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Space City Scribes Blog
Renee Nolte interviews
a personal friend and prolific writer, Candace Kade.
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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.
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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 $1,000 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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Co-Regional Advisor:
Kaye Marc-Charles
Co-Regional Advisor:
Annie Roi Harmon
Asst. Regional Advisor:
Lynne Kelly
Illustrators Coordinator:
Lisa Chow
Regional Advisor Emeritus:
Vicki Sansum
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Newsletter Editor
OPEN!
Critique Group Coordinator:
Nancy Blair
Newsletter Column Writer:
Jim Smolski
Kidlit Correspondents:
2 OPENINGS
New Membership Coordinator
OPEN!
Programming Chair:
Cheryl McCosh
Social Event Coordinator
Christine Wengler
PAL Coordinator
Sydney Dunlap
Self-Pub Coordinator
OPENING SOON
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.
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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.
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