Non-Fiction Workshop Rocked!

Southern Breeze is bursting with talent, from our vital volunteers to our illustrious illustrators to our winning writers! So when Local Liaison, Melissa Miles, met with non-fiction author, Jennifer Swanson, it’s no surprise that they were able to plan Non-fiction Rocks!, a terrific workshop, in Savannah, Georgia. I asked about the event and here’s what Melissa had to say:

 “On a hot, steamy Saturday in Savannah, a group of lucky writers discovered new and exciting ways to rock those non-fiction projects—thanks to the guidance of award-winning author, Jen Swanson. On July 13th, writers from Tampa, Birmingham, Atlanta, Beaufort, and Augusta joined local Savannah area writers to learn about writing proposals, finding and interviewing experts, obtaining photo releases, and more. Most of those in attendance were already members of SCBWI, but the few who were not expressed interest in joining after the workshop. 

One workshop attendee stated, “Jennifer was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and I especially

learned a lot about expert interviews.” Another said, “I gained a good deal of behind the scenes help.” Overall, the writers in attendance expressed their appreciation for an affordable, one-day workshop with a non-fiction focus. Hopefully, this will be the first of many workshops held in beautiful Coastal Georgia offered by SCBWI Southern Breeze.”

Right now, the Regional Team is busy planning for wik’20, our spring conference in Birmingham, Alabama, and pssst! We’ve got a great slate of agents and editors and authors and illustrators coming your way!

But we hope to bring more workshops like Non-fiction Rocks your way! So if you’re one of our talented Southern Breezers with an idea for a workshop, contact your Local Liaison and/or your Regional Team. There’s still time to do something terrific in 2019!

Breezers in the Neighborhood: JULY!

It must be too darn hot around Southern Breeze for book signings and such 'cause there's not a single one in the neighborhood. But there is an event this month, and there's still time to register:

Non-Fiction Rocks with Jennifer Swanson

Saturday, July 13
10:30 to 3:00 PM
Savannah, GA



Swanson is one of the science rock stars in this region and her non-fiction workshop will give you hands-on tips on non-fiction topics, research know-how, and even how to get that tricky photo permission. Bring your manuscript for expert advice and soon you could be rockin' a non-fiction book yourself!

Find more details and register at the Southern Breeze website here.



Just a reminder if you have an event coming up for Breezers in Your Neighborhood: send the who, what, where, and when, plus a book cover or photo to Cathy Hall. Make sure to use the ARA email:
southern-breeze-ara2@scbwi.org. We know it's not always possible to get that event in by the first of the month but please understand that it's not always possible to add an event later in the month. However, late events will usually get a shout out on the Southern Breeze Facebook page so if you haven't checked us out there yet, come say hello today!

Non-Fiction Rocks! With Jennifer Swanson

What's all the excitement about non-fiction? It's getting published every day! And one of Southern Breeze's rock star authors getting published every day is Jennifer Swanson. She's coming to Savannah, Georgia for a whole-day workshop to help you get your non-fiction ready to send out in the world. On Saturday, July 13th, join Breezers at this jam-packed workshop:

In this hands-on workshop, writers will learn how to come up with intriguing nonfiction topics, dive into research, and get tips on where to find agents and editors. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of how to craft a well-written, fascinating biography, history, or science book for readers from ages 6 to 60. There will be a special session on photo permissions and how to work with experts. Bring works-in-progress, finished manuscripts or proposals– from picture books to YA–or just ideas for this very interactive boot camp.

Morning Session: STEAMing into Nonfiction

LUNCH

Afternoon Sessions: Nuts and Bolts of Writing Proposals

                                 Photo Research

                                 Working with Experts

And here's the 4-1-1 on Jennifer Swanson:

She is the award-winning author of over 35 nonfiction books for children.  Jennifer’s passion for science resonates in all her books but especially, her Astronaut-Aquanaut: How Space Science and Sea Science Interact which received a Florid Book Award, a Eureka California Reading Association Gold Award and an NSTA BEST STEM book award.  She has presented at multiple SCBWI conferences, National NSTA conferences, the Highlights Foundation, the World Science Festival and the Atlanta Science Festival. 

Want to rock along with Jennifer Swanson? Sign up for Non-Fiction Rocks at the Southern Breeze website. Registration is open now!