May 2024

HELLO!

Words from your Houston SCBWI Co-Regional Advisor

Hello, Creatives!

I hope this May brings you rest, relaxation, and a lot of creativity. It sure seems like this year is trying to fly by! With summer approaching, we may find a little more time on our hands. May is a great month for all of us to make a little time to revisit our kid lit goals.

When you are reflecting, you may want to ask yourself these simple questions:


  • Which areas am I excelling in?
  • Which tasks have I become relaxed in completing?
  • Are there any important areas that have become less of a priority in my day to day life? How can I squeeze in more time for them?

All in all, know that we are all in this together. Reach out if you have questions or just need encouragement. The regional team will be heading to Austin for the ALL YALL conference this Friday. If you are going PLEASE find us! We want to take a group picture and mingle. Also, It's not too late to attend online. (We will see you online, too.)


Write on!

Kisha "Kaye" Marc-Charles

Co-Regional Advisor

Houston SCBWI

Introducing Our New

Illustrator Coordinator, Jennie!


Jennie is a wife of 34 years, mother of 3 grown kids and grandmother of 3! She is “that first grade teacher” that would rather sit at the kid’s table than with the adults! Jennie loves camping, crafting and genuine people! A mixed media artist by choice, she's never met an art supply she didn’t want to try or buy, but prefer her watercolors and graphite/pen and ink compositions. Jennie has spent a lot of time creating for her friends and family but she is currently launching what she hopes to be her next career as a promising illustrator/author! Born in Colorado, lived everywhere, but she will forever call Texas her home. Actively seeking representation and open for creative opportunities!

We know that Jennie will be a great addition to our regional team. Next time you see her, be sure to give her a Texas size congratulations!

We Now Have A New Member Coordinator, Michelle!


Michelle is a lifelong doodler turned social worker. She has experience with toddlers all the way up to the elderly and is excited to use her people skills to serve as the SCBWI New Member Coordinator.

She loves seeing others grow and helping them along the way. Looking forward to meeting new people and hearing about their projects is one of her favorite parts of SCBWI!

Email her at: members.scbwihou@gmail.com

HOUSTON CHAPTER EVENTS

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

May Meeting

This online only meeting features fantasy writer Katie Keridan, Psy.D., MPH, as she applies her knowledge of brain-behavior relationships to creating realistic fictional characters. Join us online on May 6th, 2024.

Register for May's chapter meeting

Houston Chapter Critique Group


Where: Zoom

When: May 6th, 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!

Online Seats still available until MIDNIGHT, May 1st

Registration will open soon

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.

May Write-in

Come join us (in-person or online), as we socialize a little and write/illustrate together. If you arrive a little late come on in a find a spot to create. Light refreshments will be served. Let's write! (Please Note: In-person option may be canceled if in-person registration is low. Low attendance may push event to online only.)

Register

March Meet & Greet


Where: Blue Willow Bookshop

14532 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079


When: May 25th, 2024

10:30 AM – 12:30 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. We'll meet at Blue Willow, then move on over to the pastry shop next door. See you there!

RSVP Today!


Jennie Smith is taking over Lisa Chow's beloved Sketch Seshes, and infusing them with her own unique style. Don't worry, you'll get a chance to come out and meet your brand new Illustrator Coordinator, we just don't have the date finalized yet. As soon as we do, you'll get an email. Be on the look out!


June's Chapter Meeting

All Y'all conference Recap!

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 Monthly Meeting


OTHER SCBWI CONFERENCES,

WEBINARS, AND WORKSHOPS HERE!

Space City Scribes Blog

New Blogs coming!


Margaret is a writer, musician, piano teacher, wife, mom of three teenage girls, and an active member of SCBWI. She has been published in several “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books, Sasee Magazine, The Sun literary magazine and Your Teen for Parents magazine. She lives in Katy, TX. Stay tuned for upcoming articles!


Subscribe

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


Mom

They say it’s all been said before,

but here goes one more time.

Mothers do so many things.

Here’s my list in rhyme:


Mom knew when we misbehaved.

Sixth sense, no dad could match.

A creative cooking specialist.

Could make anything from scratch.


Dusk to dawn and back around.

Moms are sent to us from heaven.

Full time jobs at home and work.

Twenty-four times seven.


So, from day one she is awesome.

Making sure our needs are met.

She doesn’t miss a detail.

It’s not in her to forget.


One day a year is for her.

She will take care of all the rest.

Make sure you let her know, you know.

That she is the best!

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.

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.


Submissions open April 1, 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

(1 OPENING LEFT)

New Membership Coordinator

Michelle Byrant

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.

Stay on top of the latest SCBWI News!

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