Chinook Update

Round One Crystal Kite Voting is Open!!

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:24:00 +0000

The Crystal Kite Awards are given by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators each year to recognize great books from the 70 SCBWI regions around the world. Along with the SCBWI Golden Kite Awards, the Crystal Kite Awards are chosen by other children’s book writers and illustrators, making them the only peer-given awards in publishing for young readers. Each member of SCBWI is allowed to vote for their favorite book from a nominated author in their region that was published in the previous calendar year. You can find out more information here on the SCBWI website.

Here's the link to log in and then click on "Crystal Kite" on your Regional Chapter Homepage.

A nice reminder of what's important

noreply@blogger.com (J. Elizabeth Mills) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:07:00 +0000

E-readers, e-books, amazon.com as publisher, B&N saying no...

This article reminds us, gently and firmly of the most important thing amidst all the raucous noise:
"Books are not sexy compared to ereaders. They don’t do anything but provide words on a page. And that is a wonderful, wonderful thing."

Enjoy.

http://www.law.upenn.edu/blogs/library/archives/rare_books_collection/

A Single Shard on stage with Linda Sue Park!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim Baker) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:39:00 +0000

Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park, who led our recent SCBWI WWA Weekend on the Water retreat, will be in Seattle again on Saturday, March 10th! She'll be attending the 5:30 p.m. performance of her Newbery-winning novel, A SINGLE SHARD, as it's performed at the Seattle Children's Theater. Support this amazingly talented writer and beloved SCBWI board member by attending the show that night, too. What's more, get A Single Yard (or more!) of creative inspiration in seeing how a children's novel is transformed from book to stage!

Sara Easterly has scored a group ticket discount for SCBWI members who'd like to see the show with Linda Sue on Saturday, March 10th at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are usually $29 for children, $36 for adults -- both with a $3 processing fee. But with the SCBWI group deal, tickets cost only $25 -- adults or children alike (plus the $3 processing fee). To guarantee yourself a seat now, call the SCT box office at 206-441-3322 and let them know you're with SCBWI. The box office opens every day at 11 a.m. Note that you must call the box office; the SCT website won't work for this special promo. Seats are limited so act fast to take advantage of this screaming deal.

February PSM Last Night with Jolie Stekly and Margaret Chodos-Irvine

noreply@blogger.com (CocoaStomp) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:16:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came out last night for a dash of Scrivener and a dollop of Portfolio Critique! We were minus a few of our Adcom volunteers due to illness, including Co-Regional Advisor, Kim Baker, here's a get well message for her:

We missed you all! Giant gobs of thanks to Laurie Thompson, Brenda Winter Hansen, Erik Pulkka, and Dana Sullivan who filled in for our sick comrades. The middle name of all our Advisory Committee members is DEDICATED.

And thanks to all attendees for being patient while we were low on volunteer hands. And for putting up with just me MC-ing the meeting. Gazing out at the audience, I know what the faces of Romans looked like in 476 A.D., the year the Roman Empire officially declined (at least they didn't look like the faces of Pompeiians circa 79 A.D.!) I can only promise we are working on attaining even a hint of the panache and smarts exhibited by our former Co-RAs.

If you missed last night, you missed YA author Jolie Stekly. She's not only a panache-y/smarty former Co-RA of SCBWI WWA, she's also a fantastic blogger, and an instructor for the University of Washington Extension's Writing for Children certificate program. Jolie gave us a live demo of Scrivener, and if you attended last night's meeting, you had a chance to win one of six Scrivener licenses. All attendees also left with a discount code for Scrivener, thank you, Jolie and Literature and Latte.

Jolie (and offscreen, her giant arrow)

We also had the privilege of hearing Caldecott Honor Winner Margaret Chodos-Irvine lay down the portfolio law. Margaret's Portfolio Tune-Up had us looking at the portfolios of members (submitted in December) and Margaret's critiques of the pieces were helpful for all artists trying to build a perfect, focused children's book illustration portfolio.

SCBWI Western Washington is TOTALLY STOKED to see a new blog being run by Margaret, Julie Paschkis, Julie Larios, and Laura McGee Kvasnosky! We can't wait to see all their future posts, please be sure to check out Books Around the Table:

Thanks again to speakers Jolie and Margaret, and to Dana Arnim for wrangling the portfolios.

Hope you will join us MARCH 13th for our next Professional Series Meeting!

Holly Cupala Book Trailer and Giveaways!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:59:00 +0000

Fellow SCBWI member Holly Cupala's second novel, DON'T BREATHE A WORD, just came out, and today they are unveiling the DBAW trailer on YouTube along with a huge party finale swag giveaway, including five grand prize packs and ten runner-up prizes!

PRIZES:

Five Grand Prizes:

Signed copies of DON'T BREATHE A WORD, TELL ME A SECRET, the TMAS special edition audiobook, bookmarks, stickers, and other swag*

Ten Runner-Up Prizes:

DON'T BREATHE A WORD flyers, bookmarks, stickers, and a TMAS button*

Plus the first forty people who buy the book at this link between now and Valentine’s Day get DBAW bookmarks, stickers, and undying book love from me!*

*Must include mailing address with entry. (US + up to 20% international winners)

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Click here to go to the DBAW trailer link, then click the Share button to send to your Facebook, Twitter, Google+,MySpace, blog, or other social network. 5 pts each

2. Buy the book at this link for more chances to win!

3. Click here to tell us where you posted and to enter!

For more information on Holly, and her work, you can visit her website.

Good News for Samantha Vamos

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Check out all this good news that Samantha Vamos has received!!!!

Her book, THE CAZUELA THAT THE FARM MAIDEN STIRRED was recently named:

-A Pura Belpré Illustration Honor Book (ALA, 2012)

-A New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing" Selection (2011)

-A Texas Library Association “2012 Texas 2x2 Reading List” Selection

-A Fuse #8 Production “100 Magnificent Children’s Books of 2011” Selection

-A Read On Wisconsin 2011-2012 Booklist Selection

Rafael López, illustrator of THE CAZUELA THAT THE FARM MAIDEN STIRRED received a Pura Belpré Honor for Illustration at the ALA's midwinter meeting this week.

Congratulations to Samantha!!! For more information on Samantha, and her work, you can visit her website.

A book jacket's worth a thousand words...

noreply@blogger.com (J. Elizabeth Mills) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:48:00 +0000

"First, as everyone will tell you, a book jacket is a poster. It will be (if you are lucky) face out on the shelf in a bookstore and it needs to sing a siren song to anyone walking by. It needs to crook its finger at the buyer. It needs to wiggle its beautiful rear. It needs to seduce."

Read this wonderful post from the empress of children's literature, Jane Yolen, discussing the finer points of book jacket-ry!

quote taken from "http://janeyolen.com/interstitial-moment-33/"

El dia de los ninos, El dia de los libros

noreply@blogger.com (J. Elizabeth Mills) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:51:00 +0000

How would you like to celebrate books and reading, promote literacy, meet some wonderful children and families, and support your libraries and communities all at the same time?

Come join Dia! This national festival to celebrate literacy and reading is sponsored locally by KCLS, and we would love for you to be a part of it! Come read your stories, sign some books, connect with children, and be a part of an amazing event. And if you can't make it, we can especially use donations.

Events take place at King County libraries around the area starting the last week in April, 2012.

Visit here for more information about the organization and the event. And please contact me (Liz Mills) at chinook@scbwi-washington.org or the organizer, Jose Garcia, at jjgarcia@kcls.org. We hope to see you there!

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

SCBWI WWA Winter 2012 Published Pro Think Tank: Feeding Your Creative Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Joni) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:42:00 +0000

Are you a published author or illustrator overwhelmed by promotional tasks... wondering what happened to your inspiration... or feeling caught between the commercial demands of the business and the creative impulses of your heart?

Time out!

Take a breath and join published members of SCBWI Western Washington on Saturday, March 3, 2012, for our Winter 2012 Published Pro Think Tank with award-winning poet and teacher Julie Larios.

With Julie’s expert guidance and insight, we’ll talk about how to maintain your creativity and sanity despite the demands of publishing and promoting. Topics will include feeding your artistic soul, finding creative and emotional support, weathering ups and downs, and capturing the passion again if it’s slipped away.

PAL members, see your email inbox for an invitation with more details, or email joni (at) jonisensel (dot) com with questions. You must be a PAL (Published and Listed) member of SCBWI to register, and advance registration is required, as space is limited. Confirm or update your membership status as needed on your profile at www.scbwi.org. We’ll hope to see many of you on March 3!

Helen Landalf Book Signing

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:27:00 +0000

Next stop on Helen Landalf's FLYAWAY tour: Moonraker Books in Langley, Whidbey Island, Sunday, February 12 from 1 - 3 p.m.

This will be a joint signing with Amber Kizer, author of the Meridian saga. Pre-Valentine's-Day ferry trip, anyone? For more information on Helen, and her work, you can visit her website.

TLCWorkshops - Professional Art Series 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:07:00 +0000

SCBWI member Tara Larsen Chang is an experienced illustrator who was looking for more opportunities to hone her skills at a higher level and hence took it upon herself to organize a professional-level series of workshops here in the greater Seattle area. She managed to twist the arm of some of the best and brightest talent in the illustration industry to try out teaching here to very small, exclusive, highly-interactive classes of experienced students.. Their 'practice run' in late 2011 was a smashing success and she's thrilled to be able to announce TLCWorkshops - Professional Art Series 2012.

You can see all the details here. For more information on Tara, and her work, you can visit her website and art blog.

2012 SCBWI WWA Annual Conference: Keynote Speaker Bonny Becker

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Have you registered yet for the 2012 SCBWI WWA Annual Conference? Make sure you head to the webpage for more information and to register.

We're excited to share information about the conference and amazing faculty and up first is Bonny Becker! Bonny is an fellow SCBWI WWA member, our region's very first Crystal Kite Regional Award winner and a keynote speaker at the conference.

Bonny's A BEDTIME FOR BEAR won the Crystal Kite Award and is the third in her series of best-selling Bear and Mouse picture books. A VISIT FOR BEAR won the E.B. White Read Aloud Award and was Amazon’s Picture Book of the Year. Her middle-grade novel, THE MAGICAL MS. PLUM, won the 2010 Washington State Children’s Book Award. In all, she’s published 12 books for children.

Bonny was gracious enough to answer some questions for us about her writing and winning the Crystal Kite Award.

When did you start writing?

I wrote my first “book” in the second grade. I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. But I started writing specifically for children about 24 years ago.

What is the best and worst advice you were given when you started in children's literature?

Hmmm, that’s a hard one. Maybe the best was to join SCBWI. That sounds like a “suck-up” answer, but it was a simple single doorway into so much information and support and contacts.

The worst? I don’t know if it was advice so much as an impression I got, which was that somehow there was a special, magic destiny for those who got published. It seemed like they “just happened” to get that story idea, meet that editor, have a friend of a friend. Like there was this lucky chain of events for the chosen ones and I worried about missing that moment of luck. What if the gold was behind Door Three and I forgot to open it? Now I know that the old cliché is true—the harder you work the luckier you get. And that there is no one magic way to get to the goal. If you do the work and write something good, get your work out there, stay in the flow, then a number of doors will open for you over time.

What was your inspiration for your Bear stories?

I was musing about the idea that we tend to get the same problems over and over in our lives and the idea of a mouse who wouldn’t go away popped into my head. I quickly settled on a grumpy bear as the perfect victim for my little mouse. Then the characters became so distinct and so fun, I couldn’t resist going on to create more stories of aggravation for Bear.

When did you join SCBWI? And how has being part of SCBWI influenced your writing process?

I joined SCBWI very soon after I started writing for children, so about 1989. SCBWI

SCBWI has been incredibly important in my career. When I first started out I was in awe at being in the same room as published authors. I was so jealous when they showed sample art for their books and complained about their editors and agents. I would have given my eyeteeth to complain about “my” editor! It offered so much information and support as a beginner and, now, as one of those published authors, it’s a place to connect with friends and fellow writers and for continuing support in this phase of my writing. It’s my number one recommendation to people who say they’d like to write for children.

What do you like most about writing? What do you like least?

The thing I dislike the most is getting started writing. It takes a lot of effort for me to finally, actually, sit down and just write!

What I like the most is the whole process of creating—once I’m actually writing I like wrestling with ideas, researching things, thinking of something cool I can do in a plot, writing a good line, making myself laugh. I love the sheer fun of creating something.

Can you explain what winning the Crystal Kite Award means for you as an author?

It means a lot to me because it was voted on by my peers here in the Northwest. I get such a lift out of hearing from another writer about how much they enjoyed the book. Only other writers really know what goes into something as “simple” as a picture book!

What's your writing environment look like? Where do you do your best writing?

Now that my kids are gone and we have a couple empty bedrooms, I have my own office at home. I have nice views into the side yard and back yard and lots of bookshelves and a big desk. Bottom line, though, it’s fairly messy. I’m a “piler” rather than a “filer.”

Are you part of a critique group? If yes, how has that helped you as a writer? If no, where do you get feedback for your work?

I belong to a great critique group including local writers Kirby Larson, Dave Pateneude, Kathryn Galbraith and Slyvie Hossack. I can’t imagine writing without feedback and these guys really know what they are doing.

What's next for you? What are you working on?

I have two more Mouse and Bear books in the works. I’m also working on two other picture books. One I’ve sold but I’m working on rewrites. And the other is going the rounds. Both are very different from Mouse and Bear. I’m also working on an older middle-grade fantasy. It’s really fun to work on different genres and writing styles.

As you know, those who are in children's literature tend to have lengthy discussions on the important topic of snacks (usually it's a baked good). What's your favorite snack?

Top Pot chocolate sandcastle doughnuts!

Thanks to Bonny for her wonderful answers! It'll be wonderful to hear more from her in April!!

Classes with Rollin Thomas and Doug Keith

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:23:00 +0000

Pratt Workshop: Creating Your Own Graphic Novel

This class begins February 1, Wednesday and 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Instructors: Rollin Thomas

Explore how pages fit together and tell stories sequentially. Find out how fun it is to write dialogue using the back-story-method. Structure stories, characters, and action to carry the story in each panel. Work in pencil, pen and ink, or on the computer. We will also cover the reproduction and publishing industry and all of the many ways you can get your graphic novel to market.

Ages: 16 Yrs. and over
Fees:
- Non-member $340.00
- Master Member $316.00

Introduction to Children's Picture Book Illustration

Begins February 1, Wednesday and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Instructors: Rollin Thomas & Doug Keith

Do you have a children's picture book idea just waiting to develop? This class will give you creative tools to help with visual storytelling, character development, and making story boards and book dummies. Learn how to find your place in the children's book market and create original art for a professional portfolio. Writers, hone your craft by learning more about visual storytelling and enrich your stories with some fun techniques.

Prerequisite: the desire to create children's Picture Books.

Ages: 16 Yrs. and over
Fees:
- Non-member $370.00
- Master member $333.00

Sad you're not in NY?

noreply@blogger.com (Joni) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Get a flavor of the SCBWI International Conference in New York through live blogging posts from TeamBlog (three-fifths of whom are SCBWI WWA folks you know and love!). The reporting includes session highlights, video interviews, photos, and more great stuff. It's the next best thing to being there yourself.

Good News for Joni Sensel

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Congrats and a big round of applause to our own Joni Sensel!! Joni is one of five winners for the She Writes "Young Adult Novelist" contest.

The five winners will get feedback on their synopses and excerpts, as well as guidance about next steps toward publication from agents ELIZABETH KAPLAN (Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency) and KIRBY KIM (William Morris Endeavor), and editors MICHELLE H. NAGLER (Bloomsbury), LANIE DAVIS (Alloy), and STACEY BARNEY (Penguin Putnam).

You can visit She Writes here. You can also visit Joni's website to find out more about Joni, and her work.

A Few Goodies for the Illustrators

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

A few great links for illustrators to check out! Thanks to Laurie for sending!!

Illustrators should head on over to Steven Salerno's blog for an amazing post about his artistic process in the development of his latest book project!

Here's some required reading for anyone who thinks picture books are easy. Laurie's agency posted this fascinating account of the process of a recent picture book sale. Check out the link.

Washington State Book Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

The Washington Center for the Book administers the annual Washington State Book Awards (formerly the Governor's Writers Awards), given for outstanding books published by Washington authors the previous year. They are looking for more children's authors to honor for 2012. The deadline for 2012 submissions is April 1.

You can find the 2011 winners, entry guidelines and submission form here on the Seattle Public Library website.

The SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

For information how to nominate your book and more visit the SCBWI Crystal Kite webpage.

http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Crystal-Kite-Member-Choice-Awards.

Graphic Novel Panel with Seattle Graphic Artists Guild/SPGA

noreply@blogger.com (CocoaStomp) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:36:00 +0000

Reminder, there's a great event happening this weekend for you comics fans! Taken from their email invite:

You're invited to register today.
It's more at the door and it's cash or check only.
Graphic Novel Panel 2012
for Artists and Writers

Saturday, January 28, 2012 1-6 pm

Seattle Design Center & Fantagraphics Bookstore

Take advantage of the collective wisdom of some of our region’s top graphic novel artists and writers as they reveal how they go about creating, publishing and marketing the Graphic Novel. The panel will be held at the Seattle Design Center followed by an After Party at Fantagraphics Bookstore. Both venues are in gorgeous Georgetown.

The Panel:

Matthew Southworth - comic artist: Stumptown
Brandon Jerwa - writer: Battlestar Galactica. Highlander, G.I. Joe
Megan Kelso - writer, illustrator of Girl Hero
Chuck Messinger - owner: Comic Evolution, Editor-in-Chief at Creator's Edge Press
Emi Lenox - writer, illustrator of EmiTown
Moderator Mark Monlux - illustrator: The Comic Critic Presents Seldom Seen Films

Event Schedule

1-4 PM-Panel Discussion. Doors open at 12:30 PM
Seattle Design Center
5701 6^th Avenue S.
Plaza Building
Suite 370
Seattle, WA 98108
www.seattledesigncenter.com

4:30-6 PM- After Party
Fantagraphics Bookstore
1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108
www.fantagraphics.com

Preregister at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/219132
Students-$10
Guild and AIGA members-$18
General-$25

At the door, CASH or CHECK only
Students-$15
Guild and AIGA members-$25
General-$35

More info: www.seattleguild.org
Questions: seattleguild@gmail.com

The Bison v. Woman Skating Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Check out Darcy Pattison's new book trailer for PRARIE STORMS, a nonfiction picture book about how animals survive the storms on the prairies.

This new video is an example of a YouTube Aesthetic Book Trailer, an informal, humorous video that only addresses the content of the book tangentially, but nevertheless, creates interest. The humor is meant to be shared! So please send your friends to see it.

Darcy will be speaking at the 13th Annual Winter SCBWI Conference in New York City on January 27 at the preconference Marketing Intensive on the topic of book trailers. Join her in a discussion of appropriate aesthetics for your book trailer and many more practical tips.

Keep Calm and Query On

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Thompson) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:55:00 +0000

Luke Reynolds wrote a brilliant essay about breaking down our writing walls that was recently featured in Vermont College's Hunger Mountain. Here's an excerpt:

"No matter how little you feel like it, no matter how futile it sometimes seems, you must keep writing. You must continue to send out queries. You must continue to make contact, believing that the words you write do possess all the possible power and beauty in them to affect one life."
...
"And should you choose to wade through the waters of fear, worry, criticism, and lack of discipline, you may find that the words you craft do, indeed, end up making a difference in one life.
(And that life may be your own.)"

Read the full essay here.

Piecemeal Publishing Submission Call

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Piecemeal Publishing is calling for poetry submissions from authors, published and unpublished! If you would like to contribute to Piecemeal Publishing’s anthology of poetry, please submit two children’s poems suitable for ages 5 – 11 yrs. Deadline is February 20, 2012.

Send all submissions and questions to piecemeal-submissions@hotmail.com. Please include your submission in the body of the email. Here's the website to check out for more information.

Make sure when you're submitting your work that you read through all the guidelines and information.

What really makes a happy ending happy?

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie Thompson) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

The New York Times recently ran a story about how movie producer Lindsay Doran is trying to get Hollywood to think differently about storytelling by applying the ideas of positive psychology. If you're a writer, it's well worth your time to read the full article here, but here are some of my favorite quotes to whet your appetite:

"Audiences don’t care about an accomplishment unless it’s shared with someone else. What makes an audience happy is not the moment of victory but the moment afterwards when the winners shares that victory with someone they love."

The protagonist may be happy at the end, “but his smile,” she said, “is laced with the loss that’s come before.”

...Instead, she said, “the accomplishment the audience values most is resilience.”

Thought-provoking stuff, to be sure!

Mindy Hardwick News

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Mindy Hardwick is talking about her new upper middle grade book, STAINED GLASS SUMMER, and mentoring at-risk kids on Carrie Pearson's Mentor Monday Blog Series. Carrie Pearson is a Michigan SCBWI member and hosts a weekly blog series about mentors. Here's the blog link to check out.

To find out more about STAINED GLASS SUMMER, including a free teacher's guide, visit Mindy's website.

Questions? Tips? What are You Looking Forward to at Our Region's Annual Conference?

noreply@blogger.com (Rebekah Jensen) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited for the upcoming SCBWI WWA 21st Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference! You can register now! To get you even more excited about the conference we'll be previewing conference events, faculty and so much more in the upcoming weeks!

First up we'd love to know what you're looking forward to if you've been to our annual conference before. Any tips for getting ready? If this will be your first conference let us know what you're excited to do at the conference or any questions you might have. Leave a comment and we'll answer it the best we can. Make sure you read all the information about the conference on the webpage.