The Writing Contest! Our Judges! Show-Mos! Oh, My!

Are you a member of SCBWI? Because we've got lots going on, just for you!

June is only a few weeks away and that means our Southern Breeze Writing Contest will be open for entries. And we have some exciting changes coming to the 2020 writing contest!

In order to help our members best prepare their manuscripts for publishing, the contest entries will now mirror submissions that would be sent to future agents or editors. So although the manuscript requirements are shorter in length, every entry will now also include a query.

The query is such an important part of all submissions, even for those already represented by an agent. To get some great tips on writing your query, please refer to SCBWI THE BOOK which is available online for free to our members.

Along with having query feedback, each manuscript receives a scoring sheet from one to two of our Southern Breeze published authors, depending on the number of submissions to the contest category. The top 15 manuscripts in each category move on to the final round and receive feedback from an editor or agent judge.

And now to announce the judges for our 2020 categories!

Illustrated text (which includes fiction and non-fiction picture books only): ADRIA GOETZ

Adria Goetz is a literary agent with Seattle-based Martin Literary and Media Management, specializing in picture books, middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction, as well as gift books and devotionals. To learn more about Adria and what she is (and isn't) looking for, check out her wish list at adriagoetz.com. She tweets at @adriamgoetz.




Middle Grade novels, including chapter books: LAUREN SPIELLER

Lauren Spieller is a literary agent at TriadaUS. She has a sharp editorial eye, and is passionate about author advocacy. Lauren is seeking middle grade and young adult fiction. Whatever the age category or genre, Lauren is passionate about finding diverse and underrepresented voices.







Young Adult novels: ALEXANDER SLATER

Alexander Slater is a literary agent with the Trident Media Group. He is most interested in stories that blend genres, in characters that have historically been underrepresented, and in voices that enrapture him to the point of missing his subway stop. His list focuses intently on middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction, and in particular, graphic novels for all ages. You can follow his infrequent tweets at @abuckslater.





Our judges always rave about the Southern Breeze contest entries (and P.S. Something else new: First Place winners will receive a year's SCBWI membership!) and this year, we're once again sponsoring special programming for our members to get those entries polished up and prize-ready: Show-Mos!

This year, our annual Show-Mo events are moving online! By now, you've heard from Critique Coordinator TK Read about the meetings starting on May 15th. There are 10 Show-Mo events, with five different categories. You can go to as many Show-Mo events as you like, too, and then decide which manuscript is the best to enter into the Southern Breeze Writing Contest.

It's free to enter the contest and it's free to attend any Show-Mo event, as long as you're a member of SCBWI. So take advantage of all that your SCBWI membership offers... and good luck!

Breezers in the (Virtual) Neighborhood: MAY!

Even though some businesses are opening in our region, bookstores, libraries, and other businesses where our Breezers would typically share a book-signing or host a release party remain closed. So we asked you to send news of your virtual events so that we can join you online!

From Jenny L. Cote, author of the series, Epic Order of the Seven:

Every Thursday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM EST, I hold a Facebook Live event at my author page. I've been focusing on a different aspect of writing each week and taking reader questions:

 https://www.facebook.com/Jenny-L-Cote-33032532428/

From Reem Faruqi, author of Laila's Lunchbox:

Join her for an online Storytime with a Q & A on May 9th on Instagram Live at
 https://www.instagram.com/taleswithmimi/?hl=en 





From TeMika Grooms, our Illustrator Coordinator:

Join us for a 3-part series on Children’s Book Illustration designed to give you the basics of visual storytelling in children’s books from start to finish.  This free event, sponsored by Microsoft, Art Is King and SCBWI Southern Breeze, will cover the development of thumbnails and book dummies, book design, character design, and the basics of typography and hand lettering.  

The three-part series will be on Sundays May 17th, 24th and 31st  from 1pm – 3pm EST.

May 17th- Thumbnails, Book Dummies & More 

May 24th – Character Design

May 31st – Typography and Hand Lettering

To learn more go to the Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Atlanta-Children-s-Book-Writers-Illustrators-Meetup

Join us! Registration is required.

And of course, we're joining in the virtual fun with Zoom Local Liaison meet-ups starting May 7th. And Zoom Show-Mos are coming, too! Look for more details in your members-only newsletter.

There are lots of opportunities for our members to get together during these social-distancing days of spring in Southern Breeze. So see you soon online, Breezers!

Breezers in Your Neighborhood: JUNE!

After a whirlwind May, it's time for those lazy days of summer. But not too lazy because the Southern Breeze Writing Contest is in full swing! You'll need to get those manuscripts polished and sent in by June 30th and there are still a few Show-Mo's to give you a helping hand:

June 8th and June 22nd

Join TK Read on these dates from 10 AM to 1 PM at 915 Commercial Street, Conyers, GA. Bring your manuscripts from PB to YA for great critique and feedback. Contact TK at tk@tkread.com if you have questions.







Starting June 10th

When you live far from the urban areas in our region, how do you celebrate a book? Leave it to our webmaster, Tracey M. Cox, to find a fun online way to host a book party!

Tracey will be celebrating the tenth year anniversary of her first published picture book, Shaping Up the Year, but you won't find Tracey and her book at a bookstore. This party's happening at Tracey's blog and she wants everyone to come! She's having a contest and giving away 10 prize packs which will include her book, stickers, a bookbag, and an adorable crocheted mouse. Plus, she has a coloring page of Squeaks the mouse with his birthday cake, free to download and print.

Come to Tracey's place and join in the fun this month with Squeaks and Shaping Up the Year!



And even more Show-Mo's have been added:


June 12th

New Gwinnett County LL Rhonda Knight will host her first event with a Show-Mo at the Five Forks Public Library:

Time: 5 - 8 PM
Location:  Five Forks Library
                 2780 Five Forks Trickum Rd.
                 Lawrenceville, GA


June 13th

And join Paula Puckett the following evening for a Show-Mo from 6 - 8 PM at the North Hall Technology Center in Gainesville, GA.


And just an FYI: You may attend as many Show-Mo's as you like! These are free events offered to our members in order to work on manuscripts which we hope will be submitted to the Southern Breeze Writing Contest. And P.S. We have Show-Mo attendees whose workshopped manuscripts have won in the contest! So revise and polish and send those manuscripts in by June 30th. NOTE: You must be a member of SCBWI Southern Breeze--or have attended the previous conference--in order to participate in the contest.

SHOW-MO Time!

If you've read the Breezers in Your Neighborhood post for May, then you already know the Show-Mo's are coming!

Yep, the Southern Breeze Writing Contest is right aroun--what? You don't know what a Show-Mo is? Goodness! Here's Southern Breeze Critique Coordinator, T.K. Read, with all the details:

So… June 2017 was our first SHOW-MO! You came, you showed, you read; we came, we read and we responded, and… it was such a great success, in 2018, we expanded it to include the month of May! 

This year we’re back and we’re hoping to reach more of our members and other writers. We want you to show us your best work – your first ten pages of your manuscript - and use feedback from other writers to let you submit your polished-up, dazzling, publish-ready work for Southern Breeze’s writing contest (submission deadline June 30th, 2019). Submission to the contest is free for Southern Breeze members and you can read more details at the Southern Breeze Writing Contest on our website.

So, you say, TK, that sounds a little ambitious. My response: Consider this my personal challenge to you to pick one Show-Mo from our line-up and go, just go. Find out for yourself why 55 of us attended in 2017 and even more in 2018. 

You have no excuses. Show-Mo's are a free, no-strings-attached way to get fresh eyes to give you honest feedback on your pages. We, the serious, professional writers of Southern Breeze, know that such feedback is crucial to insuring we submit our best work. So, I challenge you to take three to four hours of your time during May or June and improve your writing while helping others improve theirs.

Here are some participants’ feedback from past SHOW-MOs: 

 "Was great!" "Very helpful." “WONDERFUL SCBWI SHOW-MO today at Starbucks! Productive critique group! Loved the diversity!” And, my favorite: "Can we do this again?" 

See your pages real soon! Best, TK.


Thanks, TK! And later this month, we'll be announcing the judges for our Southern Breeze Writing Contest, so come back to the Southern Breeze blog to get more info. And more Show-Mo's are added all the time so be sure to check if one's coming to your neighborhood!

Breezers In Your Neighborhood: MAY!

Start polishing those manuscripts, Breezers, the SCBWI Southern Breeze Writing Contest is coming! And that means we'll see those Show-Mo events popping up all over the region. So come back often and check if Breezers have added a Show-Mo in your neighborhood.

Meanwhile, we have Breezers who have all-polished-up books and awesome art:


Sunday, May 5

Come out and lasso Sheri Dillard's debut picture book, Cowhide and Seek! Join in the fun and games with the farmer and Bessie the cow!

Where: Little Shop of Stories
             133A East Court Square
             Decatur, GA

When:   2 PM

Sheri will be launching her book as well as reading Cowhide and Seek for the Sunday Storytime program. As always, this event is free and fun for kids big and little!



Friday, May 17

It's Show-Mo Time so let the writing (and revisions!) begin!

Claire Datnow will be hosting the first Show-Mo event, from 7:30 - 9:30 PM.  If you're in the Birmingham area and interested in participating, please RSVP to emmafox16@gmail.com.


Saturday, May 18

Candice Conner is hosting a Show-Mo at the Haunted Book Shop, 109 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL. It's from 10-12 and that's probably AM not PM. But wouldn't it be cool if you were writing at midnight in The Haunted Book Shop? Contact: cmconner10@gmail.com


Wednesday, May 22

Tresha Render will host a Show-Mo in the Montgomery area (Prattville) from 6- 8 PM at the EL Lowder Branch Library at 2590 Bell Road, Montgomery, AL. Contact: tresharender@gmail.com


Thursday, May 23


Join Breezer Sonja R. Scott, author of Ikio Learns to Fish, for Books and Blankets!

Friday, May 24

Join us in Decatur, GA for this annual event co-sponsored by the Georgia Center for the Book. The illustrations on display will be accompanied by a copy of the book or publication in which the art appears. It's free and fun, come join us!


Saturday, May 25

Melissa Miles will sponsor a Show-Mo in the Savannah area from 11 - 2 PM at the Southwest Children's Library, Savannah, GA. Contact: melissajmiles1@gmail.com


Wednesday, May 29

Suzanne Purvis is hosting a Show-Mo in NW Florida from 9 AM to 5 PM at 803 Turnberry Way, Niceville, Florida. That's a lot of writing (but there will be lunch)!
Contact: spurvis500@embarqmail.com

Show-Mo Success Story!

So… We did it… AGAIN!

June was our second, annual SHOW-MO MONTH!

You came, you showed, you read; we came, we saw, we heard and we responded, and… next year, we’ll do it again! 

We had loads of folks participate in our second annual SHOW-MO. Throughout the month of June, at various places in our region, Local Liaisons*, and other enthusiastic Southern Breeze members*, hosted critique meet-ups so members could show and share up to the first ten pages of their work, and give and receive feedback to help improve their writing in time for the Southern Breeze Writing Contest submission deadline.

SHOW-MO was intended to foster a sense of community amongst our members, encourage submission to our annual Southern Breeze Writing Contest, and help members up-their-game by improving the quality of their pages.

June is over, the SHOW-MOs have concluded, and the contest deadline has come and gone.

Did we accomplish our goals?

YES!

Just look at the pictures and you’ll have to agree the meet-up part was a resounding success. And how could it not be? What’s more fun than hanging out with a bunch of children’s book writers and illustrators as they discuss writing and illustrating children’s books? (The proper response is “Nothing; that’s what.”)

Here’s feedback from this year’s participants and Show-mo hosts:

From Cathy Hall, who hosted a Show-Mo in the Gwinnett County area in Georgia:

We had a terrific turnout for the Show-Mo at the Five Forks Library--we gathered first for a short and informative presentation from author Rebecca Petruck (BOY BITES BUG). And then it was right to work on our manuscripts! We had two groups: a PB group of five and a novel group of six; most of the attendees were Southern Breeze members but we had one young writer (a rising 4th grader) who I hope one day will join SCBWI. :-)

Special thanks to Rebecca Petruck who joined the novel group to give feedback to our middle grade and YA writers, to Lisa Stauffer who jumped in to facilitate the PB group (her PB comes out in August 2018!) and ARA Sharon Pegram who always lends a hand with whatever I need.

From Temika Grooms who hosted a Show-Mo in the Decatur, Georgia area:

The Southern Breeze ShowMo 2018 for Decatur/DeKalb was held on June 2, 2018 at the Kirkwood Library in Atlanta, Georgia.  SCBWI members and non-members gathered for the love of storytelling as they shared and listened to the first 10 pages of each manuscript.  This diverse group provided constructive criticism and support for authors from picture books to middle grade.  Opportunities like these are important for craft development and participants look forward to more critiques in the future.

From Suzanne Purvis, who hosted a Show-Mo in the Florida Panhandle area of our region:

We had a fabulous lunch thanks to Lisa Black who hosted us at her beachfront condo in Destin. We had a blast and  even critiqued too. :-)

From Paula Puckett, who hosted a Show-Mo in the NE Georgia Mountain area:

North Georgia East Write and Draw Event was held in May at the Sautee Nacoochee Center.  Attendees were able to have time to work on individual projects and attend featured displays, such as the miniature quilt display put together by the Mountain Laurel Quilter's Group and the Folk Pottery Museum.

We would like to plan another opportunity to get together in the future at this location.  Please get in touch with Paula Puckett for more information.

*Thank you, thank you, thank you a thousand times over to our SHOW MO volunteers for making this happen. And yes, I’m calling you out: Cathy Hall, Suzanne Purvis, Bobbie Canada, Melissa Miles, Susan Montanari, Carrie Dalby, Martha Hynson, Temika Grooms, Stephanie Moody, MeLeesa Swann, and Paula Puckett. 

If you missed submitting this year, don’t sweat it! We have other events taking place throughout our region (check-out the regional events page here,  https://southern-breeze.scbwi.org/events/ ) and… next June will be here before you know it.

Tootles!   T. K. Read

Critique Group Coordinator, Southern Breeze.

  

Breezers in the Neighborhood: JUNE!

Listen up, Breezers! There are only TWO more Show-Mo events left in the Southern Breeze neighborhood, so if you want help with your manuscript, come join us:


When:     Saturday, June 2
               10 AM to 1 PM

Where:    Five Forks Public Library
                Lawrenceville, GA

Contact:  Cathy Hall
                cathyhall55@hotmail.com

(Please note: Cathy's event includes guest speaker Rebecca Petruck, author of BOY BITES BUG, who'll help get the bugs out of your manuscripts!)

Bring at least 4 copies of your PB manuscript; for novel manuscripts, bring 4 copies of the first 10 pages if possible. Contact Cathy if you have any questions. And as always, local liaison events are free and open to the public so bring a friend and share Southern Breeze!


When:   Saturday, June 2
              2 to 5 PM

Where:   Kirkwood Public Library
              11 Kirkwood Rd. NE
              Atlanta, GA  

For more information and to reserve your place RSVP to Temika Grooms: southern-breeze-ic@scbwi.org

Reminder: The Southern Breeze Writing Contest is open to members only. Find out more information at our website.


Oops! There are TWO more Show-Mos that were inadvertently left off the list!

Bobbie Weldon Canada has the following events scheduled:

June 16, 10:00 to 11:30 CMT at the Auburn Public Library, 749 Thach Ave., Auburn, AL

June 23, 10:00 to 11:30 ET, Harris Co. Public Library, 7511 GA Highway 116, Hamilton, GA





The Southern Breeze Gallery featuring original works of our children's book illustrators will continue through June 30th at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA. Please come out and see how talented our illustrators are!


If you have an event around the Southern Breeze neighborhood this summer, please email Cathy Hall with all of your information. We'd love to help get the word out AND the Breezers to your event!

Breezers in the Neighborhood: SHOW-MO May!

Show-Mo's starting early this year with events all over our region! Come join Breezers at these free events, and remember, you do not have to be a member of SCBWI Southern Breeze to attend a Show-Mo; we'd love for you to see what SCBWI Southern Breeze is all about! (However, you MUST be a member to participate in the Southern Breeze Writing Contest this June.)

So on with the Show-Mo!





For illustrators in ALL areas of Southern Breeze, Temika Grooms has something special planned. She'll have an online review, 5 to 7PM on Sunday, June 3. Please contact Temika for more details with attn: #ShowMoILL18. (southern-breeze-ic@scbwi.org)


ALABAMA

When:      Saturday, May 19th
                10 AM to Noon

Where:     Earnest & Hadley Booksellers
                 1928 7th Street
                 Tuscaloosa, AL

Contact:    Monique Fields
                 moniquefields@mac.com

                             ~

When:      Wednesday, May 23
                 1 to 3 PM

Where:     Hoover Public Library
                 Birmingham, AL

Contact:   Claire Datnow
                 cldatnow@me.com


FLORIDA

When:       Wednesday, May 2

Where:       NW-Florida

Contact:     Suzanne Purvis
                   spurvis500@embarkmail.com


GEORGIA

When:       Saturday, May 5
                  10 AM to 11:30 AM

Where:      Troup-Harris Regional Library
                  115 Alford Street
                  LaGrange, GA

Contact:     Bobbie Weldon Canada

(Please note that this event serves the Alabama/ Opelika area as well as Georgia/Pine Mountain.)
    
                               ~

When:       Saturday, May 12
                  10 AM to 12 Noon

Where:      915 Commercial Street
                 Conyers, GA

Contact:   Tk Read
                 tk@tkread.com

(Please note: TK's second event has been cancelled. Check out some of the other Show-Mo events nearby!)

                      ~
When:      Saturday, May 19
                 11AM to 1 PM

Where:     Southwest Chatham Library, Children's Activity Room
                 Savannah, GA

Contact:    Melissa Miles
                 melissajmiles1@gmail.com

                   ~

When:      Saturday, May 19
                10 AM to 4 PM

Where:     Sautee Nacoochee Center
                 Sautee, GA

Contact:   Paula Puckett
                paulabpuckett@aol.com

(Please note: Paula's event is "Write-In, Draw-In." Please contact her for more details about this fun day for writers AND illustrators!)

                   ~

When:     Saturday, June 2
               10 AM to 1 PM

Where:    Five Forks Public Library
                Lawrenceville, GA

Contact:  Cathy Hall
                cathyhall55@hotmail.com

(Please note: Cathy's event includes guest speaker Rebecca Petruck, who'll help get the bugs out of your manuscripts!)

Contact the Local Liaisons listed for more details re: what to bring and how a show-mo works for you. Hope to see you (and your fabulous manuscripts) soon!

It's Baaaack! (SHOW-MO 2018!)

Show-Mo: (n) A free event whereby writers and illustrators in the Southern Breeze region show their work and get feedback in a small workshop atmosphere. Usually held in the month(s) prior to the Southern Breeze Writing Contest.

We're revving up for Show-Mo now and that means that our Critique Coordinator has been very busy! Here's T.K. Read, ready to share her Show-Mo encouragement and excitement (and P.S. She's really excited!):

So… Last June was our first SHOW-MO!

You came, you showed, you read; we came, we saw, we heard and we responded, and… IT WAS SUCH A RE-SOUNDING SUCCESS, WE’RE DOING IT AGAIN, AND EXPANDING IT TO THE MONTH OF MAY AS WELL!

 

We had over 55 folks participate last year, and a 19% increase in the number of submissions to our 2017 Southern Breeze Writing Contest. This year, we’re hoping to go-big, double that number… and get even more people to submit their polished-up, dazzling, publish-ready work to the contest. Submission to the contest is free for Southern Breeze members and you can read more details at the Southern Breeze Writing Contest. (Please note: Information for 2018 has not been updated yet but the rules are the same for every year!)

 

So, you say, TK, that sounds a little ambitious. My response: Consider this my challenge to you to pick one Show-Mo out from our line-up and go, just go. Find out for yourself why 55 of us went last year. You have no excuses. Show-Mos are a free, no strings attached way to get fresh eyes to give you honest feedback on your pages. We, the serious, professional writers of Southern Breeze, know that such feedback is crucial to insuring we submit our best work. So, I challenge you to take three to four hours of your time during May or June and improve your writing while helping others improve theirs.

 

Here are some participants’ feedback from last years SHOW-MOs:

 

"Was great!" "Very helpful." “WONDERFUL SCBWI SHOW-MO today at Starbucks! Productive critique group! Loved the diversity!”

 

And, my favorite:  "Can we do this again?"

 

                                                                         *****

I told you TK was excited! We are getting information daily about Show-Mo events throughout the region so please check the Southern Breeze website for updates, and next month, we'll have a complete list here at the Southern Breeze blog. Get writing and get ready--the next winner of the Southern Breeze writing contest could be YOU!