Texas: Austin

SE Witschorke Signs with Natascha Morris, BookEnds Agency

SE focuses on middle-grade and young-adult novels.

Helping Kidlit’s Hurricane Harvey Victims

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims of Hurricane Harvey across the south and eastern areas of Texas. Libraries have lost their collections and so many people have lost their homes or experienced severe damage. So we're going help.

SCBWI Member Lindsay Leslie Sells Picture Book to Page Street Publishing

THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS slated for a Winter 2019 launch date.

SCBWI Member Sue Meredith Cleveland and Dixie Lee Evatt to Launch Debut Mystery Novel SHROUDED on Sept. 9

Launch event for SHROUDED at The Writing Barn from 3-6 p.m.

Cate Berry Graduates with VCFA MFA

Cate Berry, an Austin SCBWI member, recently received her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts…

Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Childhood Story Published in Anthology

“Dreams to Write” by Cynthia Leitich Smith appears in OUR STORY BEGINS by Elissa Brent Weissman.

Illustrator Patrice Barton’s Latest Picture Book Set to Release July 25

Illustrator and SCBWI Austin member Patrice Barton will welcome a new picture book, Hello Goodbye Dog (Roaring Brook Press), into the world on July 25, 2017.

Congratulations to our 2017 Cynthia Leitich Smith Mentorship Winners

Twelve finalists were nominated for our 2017 Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award at our 2017 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference, two of them nominated twice for difference manuscripts. And now we're thrilled to announce not one but two winners!

Perseverence at 2017 SCBWI Summer Conference

Perseverence seemed to be the buzz word at the 2017 SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles July 7-9. From debut authors Stephanie Garber, who wrote the New York Times bestselling novel CARAVAL, and Kim Turrisi, who wrote the YA novel JUST A NORMAL TUESDAY, to the brilliant illustrator VANESSA BRANTLEY NEWTON, to the amazing kidlit author and supporter Judy Blume, their message was clear: To succeed in this business, to make great art, you have to be determined.

Lindsay Leslie Signs with Agent Stephanie Fretwell-Hill/Red Fox Literary

Congratulations to Lindsay Leslie, an Austin SCBWI member, who has signed with agent Stephanie Fretwell-Hill with Red Fox Literary!

RA Samantha M Clark sells book to Simon & Schuster

Congratulations to Austin SCBWI Regional Advisor Samantha M Clark.

2017 Austin SCBWI Authors & Illustrators Working Conference Highlights

All the highlights from this year’s working conference.

Austin SCBWI Members’ Books Recognized by Bank Street College of Education

Bank Street College selects four books by Austin SCBWI authors/illustrators to 2017 Best Children’s Book list

Award-winning Author Debra Winegarten Releases New Picture Book

ALMOST A MINYAN, a new picture book by author Debra Winegarten, released this week.

Author Deanna Roy Launches Final Book in Magic Mayhem Trilogy

Author Deanna Roy’s final book in the Magic Mayhem series, ELEKTRA CHAOS, based on daughter with epilepsy.

Guest Post by Misha Maynerick Blaise: How Winning the SCBWI Portfolio Contest Supported My Path to Publication

How Winning the SCBWI Portfolio Contest Supported My Path to Publication

Inspiration and Support at Marketing Boot Camp

Austin SCBWI writers and illustrators gathered to learn and share tips about speaking, booking events, marketing and career strategies on Feb. 25 at our Marketing Boot Camp.

Artist Daniel Minter Talks Illustration of STEP RIGHT UP by Donna Janell Bowman

Watch this video of artist Daniel Minter showing how he created the beautiful woodcut illustrations for STEP RIGHT UP

Congratulations to our Diverse Characters Scholarship Winners

Austin SCBWI's annual Creators of Diverse Characters Scholarship expanded in 2017 to give scholarships in three categories: novels, picture books and illustration. We awarded two scholarships in each category: The winner gets a full scholarship to the 2017 Austin SCBWI Writers & Illustrators Working Conference, and the honor recipient gets a half scholarship to the conference.

WHOOSH! Named 2017 Cook Prize Finalist

WHOOSH! LONNIE JOHNSON’S SUPER-SOAKING STREAM OF INVENTIONS by Chris Barton and illustrated by Don Tate was named a 2017 Cook Prize finalist.

Noah Weisz Shortlisted for Bath Children’s Novel Award

A manuscript written by Austin SCBWI member Noah Weisz was shortlisted for the 2016 Bath Children’s Novel Award.

Donna Janell Bowman’s STEP RIGHT UP Receives Two Honors

STEP RIGHT UP: HOW DOC AND JIM KEY TAUGHT THE WORLD ABOUT KINDNESS by Donna Janell Bowman was selected

Gloria Amescua Chosen for LEE & LOW BOOKS 2016 New Voices Award Honor

LEE & LOW BOOKS announced today that Gloria Amescua, an Austin SCBWI member, has been chosen to receive the New Voices Award Honor for her manuscript Luz Jiménez, No Ordinary Girl.

SCBWI Member Kit Rosewater Leads Six-Week Fiction Writing Course @BookPeople

Kit Rosewater will lead a six-week fiction writing course called “Write the Book!” at BookPeople beginning Feb. 1

Food, Fun and 2016 Festivities

About 70 Austin SCBWI members and guests came together to enjoy good company and bid goodbye to 2016.

Carmen Oliver’s Bears Ring Bell

Carmen Oliver’s debut picture book is on the shortlist for the 2017 Colorado Libraries for Early Literary (CLEL) Bell Picture Book Award

Donna Janell Bowman Steps Up to CYBILS

Congratulations to Donna Janell Bowman, whose debut picture book biography has a finalist for the 2016 CYBILS awards.

Cynthia Levinson’s Young Marcher Marches Into Mixed Up Files

Cynthia Levinson’s debut picture book, THE YOUNGEST MARCHER, was featured on popular blog From the Mixed Up Files

Carmen Oliver’s Bears are Bestsellers!

Carmen Oliver’s debut picture book BEARS MAKE THE BEST READING BUDDIES is on the Austin Statesman’s bestseller list.

Kit Rosewater Signs with The Bent Agency’s Susan Hawk

SCBWI Austin member Kit Rosewater recently signed with agent Susan Hawk of The Best Agency.

November Monthly Meeting

During our November monthly meeting, we were privileged to hear from author Shelli Cornelison, poet and author E. Kristin Anderson, and artist C. S. Jennings. They discussed writing and illustrating for the magazine market.

GRENDEL’s MOTHER by Susan Morrison Wins WOW YA Book Award

Author Susan Signe Morrison received the Words on Wings YA Book Award for GRENDEL’S MOTHER.

WHOOSH! on 2017-2018 Bluebonnet Award Master List

WHOOSH! LONNIE JOHNSON’S SUPER-SOAKING STREAM OF INVENTIONS by Chris Barton, illustrated by Don Tate (Charlesbridge) is on the 2017-2018 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List announced today at the 2016 Texas Book Festival.

Gayleen Rabakukk Signs with Agent Andrea Cascardi with Transatlantic Agency

Gayleen Rabakukk, an SCBWI member and Austinite, has signed with agent Andrea Cascardi with Transatlantic Agency.

ALIVE by Chandler Baker No. 1 on YALSA Teen Top Ten List

Austin SCBWI member and author Chandler Baker’s ALIVE (Disney/Hyperion) tops Young Adult Library Services Association’s Teens’ Top Ten

Mari Mancusi Reveals Cover for PRINCESSES, INC.

Author Mari Mancusi reveals the cover and back cover copy for PRINCESSES, INC.

C.S. Jennings Steps Up as IC

Author/illustrator C.S. Jennings has taken over as the Illustrator Coordinator for the Austin SCBWI chapter.

Jason Gallaher Reveals Cover for Upcoming PB

Jason Gallaher’s upcoming picture book, WHOBERT WHOVER, OWL DETECTIVE, has a cover.

Project Picture Book : An Illustrator (& Writer) Challenge Workshop

Picture books seem simple. They’re somewhere around thirty-two pages. They generally don’t have a lot of words. Cute characters galavant throughout. Sitting down, however, to actually create a picture book, the process presents itself as a tangled knot.

Don Tate Awarded 2016 Illumine Award for Children’s Literature

Author and illustrator Don Tate will be honored with the 2016 Illumine Award for children’s literature at The Austin Public Library Friends Foundation’s Annual Gala, Illumine.

Austin SCBWI Members Represent at the 2016 Texas Book Festival

The list of 2016 Texas Book Festival authors is out!

Illustrators Get Funny at Monthly Meeting

At our Austin SCBWI September monthly meeting, brand-new Illustrator Coordinator C.S. Jennings led illustrators Emma Virjan (PIG IN A WIG series), Jeff Crosby (THE ROCKABILLY GOATS GRUFF, WEINER WOLF) and Mary Sullivan (NOBODY’S DUCK, BALL) in a discussion about how they use humor on their work.

Full Novel Workshop Recap

On Aug. 27, SCBWI Austin members enjoyed a day of full-novel-workshopping with authors Anne Bustard (ANYWHERE BUT PARADISE), Greg Leitich Smith (CHRONAL ENGINE) and P.J. Hoover (TUT: THE STORY OF MY IMMORTAL LIFE).

Donna Janell Bowman Book Launch Party

Donna Janell Bowman launches her new book STEP RIGHT UP: HOW DOC AND JIM KEY TAUGHT THE WORLD ABOUT KINDNESS.

Patrice Barton to Illustrate Two New PBs

Hats off to SCBWI member Patrice Barton.

Betty X. Davis Honored by National SCBWI

Austin SCBWI member Betty X. Davis has been given a lifetime membership.

Anne Bustard Finalist for Willa Award

Congratulations to Austin SCBWI member Anne Bustard on being a finalist for the Willa Literary Award for her book ANYWHERE BUT PARADISE.

August Monthly Meeting

For our August monthly meeting, we had the pleasure to hear from author/illustrator Don Tate and author Chris Barton.

Austin SCBWI Members Teach at The Writing Barn

Come learn from Austin SCBWI members Lindsey Lane, Shelli Cornelison, and K.A. Holt who are teaching at the Writing Barn this fall.

PIG IN A WIG Wins Award!

Congratulations to Austin SCBWI member Emma Virjan for winning the Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award in the Beginning Fiction category for her book A PIG IN A WIG.

Judy Beglau’s ‘Twas All Hallow’s Eve’

Austin SCBWI member Judy Beglau recently worked with composer and lyricist Thomas Pavlechko to write the narrative poem ’Twas All Hallows Eve’

STEP RIGHT UP Seeing Kirkus Stars

Congratulations to Austin SCBWI member Donna Janell Bowman for receiving a starred review from Kirkus for her book.

Austin Writers Win Big With Writer League of Texas Awards

Austin SCBWI members won big at this years Writers League of Texas Awards.

K. A. Holt Sells Sequel

Congrats to Austin SCBWI member K. A. Holt who announced that a sequel to her book HOUSE ARREST will be published.

E. Kristin Anderson’s New Chapbooks Announcements

Congratulations to Austin SCBWI member E. Kristin Anderson.

BE THE CHANGE Named Junior Library Guild Selection

Congratulations to Bethany Hegedus for her book, BE THE CHANGE: A GRANDFATHER GANDHI STORY.

Don Tate Illustrating POTATO KING Book

Congratulations to Austin SCBWI member Don Tate.

Rivkah LaFille Featured in Spider Magazine

Congratulations to Austin SCBWI member Rivkah LaFille for having her illustrations featured in Spider Magazine.

Nikki Loftin Honored by Texas Center for the Book

Austin SCBWI member Nikki Loftin was recently honored by the Texas Center for the Book.

July Monthly Meeting

For our July monthly meeting, authors Lindsey Lane and Cynthia Levinson talked about some common tools we all use, whether we write fiction or nonfiction.

Susan Signe Morrison Wins Words on Wings Award

Austin SCBWI congratulates member Susan Signe Morrison on winning the Words on Wings Book Award for young adult fiction.

Susie Kralovansky Sells PB to Pelican

Austin SCBWI member Susie Kralovansky recently signed a contract with Pelican to publish her picture book THE BOOK THAT JAKE BORROWED.

Shellie Faught Signs With Agent

Shellie Faught signs with Mackenzie Brady Watson of New Leaf Literary & Media!

June Monthly Meeting

This month we heard from Jennifer Hamburg who spoke about writing for children’s television.

Liz Garton Scanlon Joins Faculty Ranks at VCFA

Austin SCBWI member Liz Garton Scanlon recently announced that she will be joining Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) in their Writing for Children and Young Adults as visiting faculty.

P.J. Hoover’s New Cover: “Tut”ally Awesome!

PJ Hoover’s cover reveal for TUT: MY EPIC BATTLE TO SAVE THE WORLD

Don Tate and Chris Barton Win Big

Austin SCBWI members Chris Barton and Don Tate win the Carter G. Woodson Book Award.

2016 Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award Winner

Congratulations to the winner of a year’s mentorship with award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon.

2016 Emerging Voice Illustrator Mentor Award Winner

Our 2016 Emerging Voice Illustrator Mentor, Marsha Riti, talks about why she chose Kristin Wauson’s work as the recipient of this year’s award.

2016 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference Highlights

Austin SCBWI celebrates 20 years at its biggest conference yet!

Don Tate Takes Crystal Kite

Austin SCBWI Don Tate has been awarded SCBWI’s 2016 Crystal Kite award for the Texas/Oklahoma region.

Jingle Dancer Recommended Read for Dia

Cynthia Leitich Smith’s picture book JINGLE DANCER gets new recognition.

Tate and Yansky Win Texas Institute of Letters Awards

Don Tate and Brian Yansky both win Texas Institute of Letters Awards!

Cory Putnam Oakes and Nikki Loftin Make Florida Award Lists!

Austin SCBWI members Cory Putnam Oakes and Nikki Loftin make Florida’s Sunshine State Young Readers Award list.

Don Tate Wins Big Times Two

Austin SCBWI member Don Tate recently won two very big awards in the children’s book industry.

April Monthly Meeting

Our April monthly meeting focused on critique partnerships. Bradley Wilson, from Yellow Bird Editor, taught us how to apply the Golden Rule to such partnerships. “Critique unto others as you would have them critique unto you.”

Liz Garton Scanlon Sells Substitute Teacher

Austin SCBWI is cheering for member Liz Garton Scanlon, who recently made another sale.

Finalists for Texas Institute of Letters

Several Austin SCBWI writers were recognized as finalists by the Texas Institute of Letters.

March Monthly Meeting

In our March meeting, author Brian Yansky gave us an overview of how to write an entire novel. He covered a lot of material in one hour, but here are a few of the highlights.

Austin SCBWI Members Produce “Best Children’s Books of the Year”

Congratulation to all the Austin SCBWI members featured on Bank Street Book’s Best Children’s Books of the Year list!

Donna Janell Bowman-A Little Pre-Party

Austin SCBWI member Donna Janell Bowman mentioned on School Library Journal list for her upcoming picture book STEP RIGHT UP: HOW DOC AND JIM KEY TAUGHT THE WORLD ABOUT KINDNESS.

February Monthly Meeting

At our February monthly meeting we had a panel discussion about writing middle grade books. We heard from authors Mari Mancusi, Cory Putman Oakes, and Jo Whittemore.

2016 Diversity Scholarship Contest Winner(s) Announced!

Austin SCBWI was thrilled to offer a diversity scholarship to our upcoming May SCBWI Conference! We received so many wonderful entries, and it was very hard on the selection committee to select just one. So we are pleased to announce that in addition to selecting a winner, we have also selected a runner up.

Christina Soontornvat Cover Reveal: The Changelings

Christina Soontornvat reveals the cover for her new book, The Changelings.

Don Tate Wins Ezra Jack Keats Award

Don Tate wins the 2016 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award in the new writer category for his book, POET: THE REMARKABLE STORY OF GEORGE MOSES HORTON.

Jessica Lee Anderson Signs New Book Contract!

Austin SCBWI congratulates member Jessica Lee Anderson on the recent signing of a new book contract for her middle grade Texas Bigfoot novel, titled UNCERTAIN SUMMER!

Kirkus Talks to Cynthia Levinson About Hillary

Cynthia Levinson’s latest book Hillary Rodham Clinton: Do All the Good You Can was the catalyst for a write up in the Kirkus Reviews on January 15th.

Loftin’s Wish Girl Continues to be Celebrated

Austin SCBWI member Nikki Loftin’s book Wish Girl was recently featured by the Austin American Statesman.

Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day with Pat Mora

Join Texas Center for the Book and Children’s Author and SCBWI member Pat Mora at a special performance of Tomás and the Library Lady Saturday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. at ZACH Theater to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Día – Children’s Day, Book Day.

January Monthly Meeting

Author Anne Bustard spoke about revisions at our January monthly meeting. She offered three questions we can ask that will help us clarify who our characters are and what our story is about. If we focus on these questions during revisions, we can take our work-in-progress to a higher level.

Don and Chris make “Chicago Best” List

Congratulations to Austin SCBWI members Don Tate and Chris Barton for being recognized on Chicago Public Library’s Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2015 for their book The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch.

Holt and Loftin On TLA’s Spirit of Texas Reading Program

Two Austin SCBWI members were named to the TLA’s Spirit of Texas Reading Program’s Middle Grade Author list.

Kari Anne Holt Sells Picture Book!

Austin SCBWI is celebrating member Kari Anne Holt’s big news, from Publisher’s Weekly.

Austin Member Betty Davis: 100 Years Young!

We wish a hearty Happy Birthday to Austin SCBWI member Betty Davis on her 100th birthday!

Paige Britt Es Bueno

Congratulations to Austin SCBWI member Paige Britt.

Don Tate is a Kirkus Favorite!

Congratulations to Austin SCBW member Don Tate on his book, POET: THE REMARKABLE STORY OF GEORGE MOSES HORTON, being recognized by Kirkus Reviews as one of their Best Books of 2015.

November Monthly Meeting

In our November monthly meeting, Varian Johnson graced us with the keynote speech he gave at the Los Angeles SCBWI 2015 Summer National Conference.

P.J. Hoover Signs with Erin Murphy Agency

A big congrats to P.J. Hoover who recently announced that she signed with Trish Tony Lawrence at the Erin Murphy LIterary Agency.

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