Banner logo by Ashley Belote

Hey, Carolinas! It's Ashley, Becky, Elizabeth, & Erica





1. Fall Retreat Deets!

Fall Retreat: November 3-5, 2023!


  • The Fall Retreat website will launch at carolinas.scbwi.org May 13th
  • This will be a working retreat designed for kidlit creators at all stages of their careers.
  • Registration opens later this summer



2. Member Happenings

Check out these upcoming opportunities:

 

  • July 10 - 14: Ashley Belote will be teaching a virtual picture book class with the Victorian Chautauqua Writer's Workshops! Learn more



3. Ignite the Spark!

Join us!


What is it? The Carolinas' favorite monthly meet-up, every third Tuesday on Zoom.


This month's meeting: May 16th, 7:30-8:30 pm ET. Heads Up: our Sign Up has a new format! Please use the "sign-up tab" in the Ignite the Spark email sent out each month.


Questions? Contact Elizabeth Rawls at carolinas-ara@scbwi.org.


*Sign Up closes at 11:59 p.m. ET the night before the event.*

4. May Book Fairies

To support new releases by our PAL members, contact your local library, schools, and booksellers to request this month's titles:

 

Deb Aronson

HOW TO RAISE A RHINO


Joan Holub

Illustrator: The Little Friends of Printmaking 

BIG STUFF DOZER, EXCAVATOR, MIXER & MORE!


Joan Holub

Authors: Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Illustrator: Yuyi Chen

APHRODITE & THE DRAGON’S EMERALD 

(Little Goddess Girls series #11)


Derick Wilder

Illustrator: K-Fai Steele

I MADE THESE ANTS SOME UNDERPANTS



Have a new release coming?

PAL members, watch your inbox for the monthly Book Fairies email.


5. Interviews, Illuminating & Insightful

Artwork by K.A.K. Lecky


Be sure to check out our most recent interview featuring

author Nora Shalaway Carpenter about her new YA anthology,

ABSOLUTELY NORMAL


Click here to watch and subscribe: YouTube channel


Have a new release coming? PAL members, watch your inbox for the monthly Book Fairies email.

6. Your Blog Post Here!


Don't miss this month's member blog post:


Three Books from Childhood that Inspired Me to Write

by Stacey Parkins Millett


BLOG CALL!!!


Want to write about your writing experience?! This is your chance to share your journey with our members. For submission details, please email Carol Baldwin at cbaldwin6@me.com.

7. Carolinas Critique Connection

Critique Group Opening:


  • ONLINE OPPORTUNITY FOR MG/YA: Our critique group for middle grade and young adult authors has an opening for a new member. We submit up to 5K words a month at the beginning of the month and all critiques are due by the end of the month. Open to all genres. If interested, please submit a 500-word writing sample to David at kweeda@gmail.com. We’ll send you back a critique and sample of our work for you to critique. That way, we can determine if we are a good fit from both ends. 


New Critique Groups Forming:


  • GREENVILLE/ANDERSON (SC): If anyone is interested in exploring options for setting up a new critique group in south Greenville, please contact Carolyn Fraiser.


  • BLUFFTON/HILTON HEAD (SC): If anyone is interested in exploring options for setting up a new critique group in the Bluffton area please contact Carolyn Fraiser.


If you are interested in joining a critique group (for writers and/or illustrators) or starting one in your city, please email Carolyn Fraiser. Log into your SCBWI account and visit Critique Group Central to learn more.

8. Winston-Salem Mingle

Local mingles are back this year!


Anyone in the Winston-Salem area interested in co-hosting a local mingle, please contact Erica Wood.


*If you are attending a mingle, don't forget to post pics and tag our socials!

9. Member Spotlight

Meet our next creator participating in the member spotlight,


Kyla Saphir, author


PUBLICATIONS:


On Brighter Days


I Love Nature School



Do you want to be featured here? We highlight members who are self-published or 

published by an independent publishing house. Email Ashley Belote the following information:


  • Author or Illustrator Name
  • Publications (Title and ISBN)
  • A link to your website
  • Headshot