Sneak Peek WIK

It may only be October but something wonderful this way comes!

It's Wik'20--Writing and Illustrating for Kids--and here are a few hints on who'll be presenting our picture book INTENSIVE:

So is it Jane Yolen or is it Heidi Stemple? 

Answer: It's both! And Heidi Stemple will present a session for non-fiction writers, too. Details are coming soon for Wik'20, March 13th and 14th in Birmingham, Alabama at the Homewood Library! 

And The Winners Are...

Say hello to Debbie D'Aurelio, the Southern Breeze Writing Contest Coordinator! It takes a lot of work to bring the contest together, from gathering judges, to handling all the entries, to getting the results out to all the members. And speaking of results, here's Debbie with big news!

The 2019 Southern Breeze Writing Contest has come to an end. We had a record number of entries in the Illustrated Text and Middle Grade categories this year. The competition was very tough and the judges across all three categories were very complimentary of the entries. The professional judges emphasized that creative writing and NEW ideas were the key to success! They recommended studying your genre and making sure your manuscripts stand out. 

And the winners are . . . 

Illustrated Text

1st - Secretly Poppy The Finder of Lost Things by Candice Marley Conner

2nd - One Bright Star by Amy Dees

3rd - The Sock Who Lost His Friend by Anne Weaver

Middle Grade

1st - Trex by Christyne Morrell

2nd - Rocket Captain by Randall Bonser

3rd - Maybe This Time by Johnna Stein

Young Adult

1st - Fall to Me by Brenda Posey

2nd - Persistence by Kara Bietz

3rd - Secrets Rise by Lisa Stauffer

BIG congratulations to all our winners! And a big thank you to Debbie D'Aurelio for all her hard work!

For all those who participated, check your inboxes in the next week or so for feedback from the judges. Use your professional critique to polish those manuscripts because even if you didn't win today, you could end up published in the future. And to think that it started with the Southern Breeze Writing Contest!

Breezers in Your Neighborhood: OCTOBER!

No time for small talk 'cause we've got BIG doings this month!


Saturday, October 5

Our Local Liaison for North Georgia (West) is Shanda McCloskey and she's brought together a group of seven writers and illustrators for a panel you won't want to miss:

What: Confessions of a Kidlit Critique Group

When:  Saturday, October 5th
              10:30 Am to 12:30 PM

Where:  Hampton Park Library
              Cumming, GA

The Trail Mix Critique Group will speak candidly about what makes success, what keeps them writing, how to critique a friend's writing, and how a successful critique group comes together. Find out this group found (and lost!) agents, dealt with rejection, juggled life, got published, and how each one's journey is so very unique.

Trail Mix is an eclectic assortment of children's book writers and illustrators who have been meeting for almost ten years, all aspiring to be traditionally published. Some have been published, some not yet. Come hear these Southern Breezers tell all--and as always, our Local Liaison events are free!


Sunday, October 6

Southern Breeze Illustrator Coordinator, TeMika Grooms, is always up to something artsy! If you're a creative, join her at this Sunday meet-up:

What: Sunday Write-In

When:  1:00 to 3:00 PM

Where:  Kavarna
              707 East Lake Dr.
              Decatur, GA

Creating does not have to be a solitary process! Join this meet-up group as they set the time aside to create with writers and illustrators of children's books. ALL ARE WELCOME! Bring your sketch books, pencils and paper, and enjoy the process. There will be time for critiques at the end.


Saturday, October 12

Our Local Liaison in the Coastal area, Melissa Miles, received feedback asking for an illustrator event. So Melissa checked around and found a Southern Breezer happy to help:

What: What It Takes to Get Published (from Author/Illustrator Phyllis Tildes)

When:  10 AM to Noon

Where:  Starland Studios
              114 W. 42nd Street
              Savannah, GA

Author/ Illustrator Phyllis Tildes is a PAL member with over 20 books published by Charlesbridge. She'll share her methods and discuss her publication journey, so bring your questions, and bring a friend. It's free!

Saturday, October 26th

Wednesday, October 30

Mark your calendars for a Lunch and Learn with Lin Oliver, co-founder and Executive Director of SCBWI. And P.S. She's also a New York Times best-selling author of children's books! She and Henry Winkler will be in the Atlanta area for a special appearance in the evening but she's always happy to meet local SCBWI members, so we're firming up the details of place and time for this special lunch. We'll post the particulars as soon as we do!