EVERYONE A WINNER AT WIK'18: Humor Meets Heart

We have such terrific intensives for wik'18, I don't know how anyone's going to choose!

Next up is the dynamic duo of Kami Kinard and Rebecca Petruck, two authors who have managed to combine heart and humor in a couple of wonderful middle grade reads.


Kami Kinard's THE BOY PROBLEM and THE BOY PROJECT (Scholastic) are both laugh-out-loud funny and endearingly charming, capturing the essence of adolescent angst in facing that age-old problem of finding someone special.





Rebecca Petruck's STEERING TOWARD NORMAL is...well, now that I
think about it, both laugh-out-loud funny and endearingly charming, too! And cows! Lots and lots of interesting stuff about cows! Her WILL NOLAN EATS BUGS (ABRAMS/Amulet) is slated for a March release and with a title like that, I expect it to be a big hit with the middle grade crowd.



It's no surprise then that their intensive is "Building Characters With Heart and Humor." Writing funny is not exactly a laugh-a-minute--it's hard work!--but I can promise you that there will be plenty of laughs to share in this intensive. And plenty of know-how from two writers who know how to combine heart with humor to make a winner for publishers!

So, I'm sorry for all of you attending wik'18 because I don't know how you'll choose your intensive. But choose you must, and as soon as possible!

(Though now that I think about it, whatever intensive you choose, you can't go wrong. They are all just write!)


                                  REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! CLICK :::HERE:::TO REGISTER!

   

EVERYBODY A WINNER AT WIK'18: Nature Nuts and Nonfiction!

Hey Breezers,

You have a passion to share with readers. Kids have endless curiosity. Put those two together and you have great nonfiction for kids, right?

If your attempts end up a little too encyclopedic, if you are forcing rhyme just to add something fun, if you struggle to cram 1,000 pages of notes into 32 sparse pages, you are not alone. 

Passing along your passion for nature or science through the written word is not simple. But we Breezers don’t give up easily. When our manuscript – which we were sure sung the praises of nature or clearly clarified a complex concept – doesn’t quite do our subject justice, we dig in and learn some more.

That’s what Jodi Wheeler-Toppen and I, Heather Montgomery, will be doing on a Sunday afternoon in March. Come join us for “Curiosity Meets the Printed Page,” one of the many intensives offered as a part of wik18.  

It will be an extravaganza of nonfiction fun! We’ll explore the terminology of the nonfiction world. What does that editor mean when she says she’s looking for “commercial” nonfiction? Why did a reviewer describe a particular book as “narrative”? What is trade versus the educational market?

Come discuss different structures in used in nonfiction to turn bits of trivia into timeless lessons.  Compare and contrast different texts. Examine structural frameworks which might fit your topic. 

What techniques turn dry data into an “Aha!”? To understand that, we must become students of nonfiction. We must learn to read like writers.

Join us for an afternoon of analyzing mentor texts, discovering ways to make tough topics

understandable, and – my favorite! – reveling in rowdy research.

We hope to see you there!

Heather L. Montgomery is passionate about the underappreciated creatures of the planet and loves to wade in – literally – to her research. Learn more about her 12 nonfiction titles at www.HeatherLMontgomery.com.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 

CLICK :::HERE:::TO REGISTER!

EVERYONE A WINNER AT WIK'18: The Intensive Experience with Janice Hardy

Eight years ago, Janice Hardy lived about thirty minutes from me. But I had to go all the way to Birmingham to meet her.

Yep, we met at the first wik conference I attended, and right off, I knew she was a writing force to be reckoned with! Her first book in the Healing Wars Trilogy was out--The Shifter--and it was garnering rave reviews. And her blog, where Janice gave tons of writing tips and advice, was chugging along with a huge following. And after talking to her for twenty minutes after the Dessert Party, I was a lot smarter--writing-wise--than I had been before. And now you can sign up for her intensive and get a lot smarter, too!

Janice will be bringing all her expertise to her intensive, "Bringing Your Novel To Life." And it's amazing that she can cram all that expertise into a half-day!

For example, you know that blog I told you about? It's now called Fiction University, and any writer could get a four-year education, studying the posts.

She has a collection of books on writing craft: Understanding Conflict (And What It Really Means), Understanding Show, Don't Tell (And Really Getting It), Planning Your Novel: Ideas and Structure, Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft.

And she's constantly invited to teach workshops and classes, bringing her extensive knowledge to beginners and experienced writers alike.

Plus, Janice Hardy is a lot of fun. But you don't have to take my word for it. Register for wik'18 and sign up for her winning intensive.

Um. You will have to go to Birmingham. (See you there!)


                      REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! CLICK :::HERE:::TO REGISTER!

EVERYONE A WINNER AT WIK'18: Dear New Writer or Illustrator

Hello again, New Kidlit Writer or Illustrator!

Why Hello, again?

Because I'm guessing you've been here a couple of times, at the blog, or maybe at the the Southern Breeze website, your finger hovering over the "register here" link. Once, twice, maybe three times, and yet, you haven't registered. You're still unsure...

...that  you're a good enough writer or illustrator to attend the conference.

...that you should spend that much money on a dream.

...that you won't fit in, you won't know anyone, you don't belong.

Know how I know what you're feeling? Because I've been exactly where you are now. And what's more, I can promise you that every single writer and/or illustrator at wik'18 started out exactly where you are now.

We all start at the beginning, unsure of our talent or skills, uncertain if we're in the right place, nervous about whether we will make it in this challenging kidlit industry.

But there's a reason why our theme for this conference is "Everyone  A Winner at wik'18." The minute you walk through those conference doors at Spain Park High School, you've taken the first step toward the beginning of your successful kidlit career.

And that makes you a winner in my book!

So come join us today. Your SCBWI tribe can't wait to meet you!


                        REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! CLICK :::HERE:::TO REGISTER!

How I Got My Agent (Pssst! It's Probably Got Something To Do With a Conference!)

So I grabbed my folder and stuffed it into my bag without even giving it a look because of course, I was running late.

There really is no excuse to run late when the conference is practically in your backyard, but that seems to be what I do. That, and spending the rest of the day playing "catch-up" with conference business, people to see, and places where I'm supposed to be. And the next place I was supposed to be was the cocktail party.

I would not be late for that event! There were too many people I wanted to see, including Karen Grencik, an agent from Red Fox Literary. I'd met Karen the summer before at a week-long writer's retreat. She'd given a workshop which I thoroughly enjoyed, but she was also one of the professionals I signed up with for a manuscript critique.

And oh my manuscript critique, it was terrific! Not I-want-to-represent-you right-this-minute terrific; more like here's-what's-not-quite-working-in-this-picture-book terrific. Karen gave me concrete direction into the problems, but she was kind and professional. I'm not gonna lie. I sort of had an agent crush on Karen Grencik.

So I fetched an adult beverage for us both and we reconnected at the conference Friday night party. I'm not sure if Karen remembered me specifically but she was delightful and charming and I wasn't too stalkerish and eventually, everyone left and we cleaned up, and as I sat there waiting for my ride, I reached into my bag and opened my folder to see what I was going to be late for the next day. And that's when I saw the big envelope that had my manuscript critique.

For crying out loud, I'd completely forgotten that I'd signed up for a "written only" critique! I pulled out the manuscript and saw that it was Karen Grencik's name on the notes--wheee! And then I began to read the notes; she appeared to like this middle grade story I'd penned. When I got to the end, she'd included another note:

"I'd love to see this manuscript if you're unagented. Send it to..."

We'd never discussed manuscripts earlier, and clearly, she hadn't made the connection between me and the name on the manuscript, but no matter! As I held that critique in my hot little hands, my heart pounded a mile a minute!

I didn't have another chance to speak to Karen during the rest of the conference, but first thing on Monday morning, I emailed her the full manuscript. Within a couple of hours, she responded that she'd received it and couldn't wait to read it. Within a couple of days, she responded again, saying she was halfway through and loving the story! By the next week, she'd offered to represent me.

Because I attended an SCBWI conference where Karen Grencik was on the faculty, I not only got my agent, I got my agent crush.

Cathy Hall, mic drop.

ANNUAL GALLERY SHOW @ Decatur Arts Festival​

ANNUAL GALLERY SHOW @ Decatur Arts Festival​

http://decaturartsfestival.com/ 

JOIN US at the Decatur Library on Friday May 26th from 7pm - 9pm

for the opening of the SCBWI Southern Breeze Annual Gallery Show featuring our PAL Illustrators!  Show is open to the public during the Decatur Arts Festival and runs through June.

This event made possible in conjunction with the Georgia Center for the Book.

TeMika Grooms

SCBWI Southern Breeze Region
Illustrator Coordinator 

Southern-Breeze-IC@scbwi.org

JUNE IS SHOW-MO MONTH!

PSSST…  in case you missed the memo,

JUNE IS SHOW-MO MONTH!

So… you SHOW me yours, and I’ll SHOW you mine…

If you’re like me, you’ve attended a Southern Breeze conference or two, and each time you left inspired by the speakers and made a solemn vow that this time, yes, this time you WOULD submit to at least one of them. Then, you get home, and the glow fades, and when you give your writing sample one last review before hitting send… you just can’t. It’s not as brilliant as you remember.  You really wish you had a set of fresh eyes to give it a quick read.

This year, you can have that set and be that set for someone-else. Give your first pages (or art portfolio) one last look, and help a fellow creative shine their work to the that ready-to-hit-submit glow as well.

 

We want you to SHOW us your work during the month of June, and then give it a final revise and SUBMIT it to the SCBWI Southern Breeze Writing Contest. The Contest Deadline is June 30^th, so we’re scheduling critique meet-ups in June at various locations hosted by our local liaisons and other willing folks.  Click here to read more about the Contest: https://southern-breeze.scbwi.org/contests/#Writing

This is what you can win:

WRITING CONTEST AWARDS

1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Winners

Each category's winning authors, titles, and manuscripts’ genres will be acknowledged in the:

      •  Southern Breeze News

      •  Southern Breeze Web Site, Blog, Facebook Pages and Twitter

      •  Winners receive a Southern Breeze, SCBWI Writing Contest Award Certificate and Button for their social media pages.

Each 1st Place Winner also receives FREE tuition to the next WIK Conference in Birmingham in March, 2017.  

Let Show-Mo help you get your pages submission ready!

It works like this: You bring your pages or paintings and then read or show your work to other writers and illustrators.  They fill out feedback sheets which they give to you that you can use to improve and revise. In turn, you listen to them read their work, or look at their illustrations, and fill-out feedback sheets for them.

HERE’S THE DETAILS:

COST:  Free and open to the public, so yes, you can bring a non-SCBWI writing friend; however, they will not be able to enter our annual writing contest.

HOW LONG: Each “live” event should last between 1.5 and 2 hours.

HOW MANY PAGES/ILLUSTRATIONS: Your pages up to ten, double spaced pages in a 12-point font. Your pages should be your best work and near submission ready. For illustrators, bring up to four illustrations for feedback. For more of the Writing Contest submission information, see http://southern-breeze.scbwi.org/contests/writing-contest/.

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS:  To insure everyone is reached, where participation exceeds 8 people, we will break into groups of 4-6. This is a similar format to our conference Informal Critiques.

*HERE ARE THE SHOW-MO GATHERINGS WE HAVE ORGANIZED TO DATE:

SHOW-MO HOST                   REGION/LOCATION              DATE/TIME

ILLUSTRATOR’S SHOW-MO GOOGLE HANG-OUT*

TEMIKA GROOMS/MAEGAN PENLEY    ALL REGIONS           6/4/17, 6-7pm

  Contact Temika at southern-breeze-ic@scbwi.org, with attn: #ShowMo Illus

  *Limited to the first ten due to the nature of google hang-out

ALABAMA

MARK MCCLINTOCK                      BIRMINGHAM, AL     6/3,17        1:00-3:00 PM

Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr, Birmingham, AL 35216

  Contact: markmcclintock3@charter.net

CARRIE DALBY/MeLEESA SWANN MOBILE BAY AREA, AL 6/10/17 1-3pm

Ben May Main Library, 701 Government St., Mobile, Al 36602

  Contact: carriedalby@carriedalby.com

           

FLORIDA

SUZANNE PURVIS   NW-FLORIDA                       6/13/17        1pm - 3pm

            Niceville Public Library, 206 Partin Drive N., Niceville, FL 32578

  Contact Suzanne Purvis spurvis500@embarqmail.com, 850-897-5593           

GEORGIA

COLLEEN BENNETT                Canton, GA             6/10/17             2-4 pm
                     RT Memorial Library in Canton
     Contact Colleen Bennett at 770-314-0246 or Colleen4444@gmail.com

BOBBIE CANADA                 PINE MOUNTAIN          6/9/17 10-11:30,

Starbucks on Bradley Park Drive, Columbus, GA 31909

   Contact Bobbie at 706-604-9650.

TEMIKA GROOMES DECATUR, GA                      6/4/17, 2pm-4pm

                        Karvama Coffee House, 707B East Lake Dr., Decatur, GA 30030

  Contact Temika at southern-breeze-ic@scbwi.org, with attn: #ShowMo wrtr

CATHY HALL                         LAWRENCEVILLE GA          6/3/17, 10am-12pm

Five Forks Library (Gwinnett County) 2780 Five Forks Trickum Rd SW, Lawrenceville, GA 30044

   Contact: Cathyhall55@hotmail.com

STEPHANIE MOODY           N.FULTON CO. (Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Milton, Johns Creek, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Cherokee, Cobb and Gwinnett Counties)

Contact:  moodyviews@bellsouth.net                         6/24/17, 10:30-12:30

Location: Northeast Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30022

PAULA PUCKETT                 NORTH GA EAST     Time and location to be determined, but we'll be somewhere on location in the North GA mountains. Contact paulabpuckett@aol.com to help with this event. Thx.

TK READ                                SE ATLANTA                         6/17/17        10am-12pm

tk@tkread.com                  915 COMMERCIAL ST., CONYERS, GA 30013

PHYLLIS TILDES                   SAVANNAH, GA                  6/10/17        2pm-4pm

  Contact: artphyll@comcast.net   Location to be determined, so check back!

TRACEY M. COX       SOUTH CENTRAL GA          Date TBD
tracey@traceymcox.com          Would like to have a meeting at Giggles Cafe in Tifton, GA. Email me, if you are interested.

*Can’t make an event? Email me at tk@tkread.com and I’ll coordinate exchanges during the month so you can participate online.

Hope to see you at one of these!

Here’s to your writing success in 2017!

BEST, TK READ, Critique Group Coordinator, Southern Breeze

QUESTIONS?  WANT TO VOLUNTEER TO HOST A SHOW-MO EVENT?

CONTACT ME AT TK@TKREAD.COM

*ATTENDING A SHOW-MO EVENT? SHARE THE LOVE BY TAGGING YOUR PICS AND THOUGHTS: #ShowMo AND #SBreeze17

Breezers In Your Neighborhood - MAY EVENTS

Breezers In Your Neighborhood
May Events

Southern Breeze is kicking up some dust! 

Breezers In Your Neighborhood is a monthly post to list where you can find our authors & illustrators as they are out in the community. Come out and support your local members and invite others to do also!

Alabama:

• SCBWI Tuscaloosa members May meeting.  We would love for anyone to come from Birmingham and surrounding areas.
  We will host Kevin Waltman, author of Quicks, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at my home in Tuscaloosa. Kevin teaches writing and literature in the English department at the University of Alabama. He will speak for 15 minutes about his publishing experience, provide any advice he would like, take a few questions and then sell his books as others mingle. http://kevinwaltman.com/
  Anyone who needs additional information, including an address and directions, can email moniquefields@mac.com or call 205-447-3254. 
  Please let me know if I need to send this announcement to other writers and illustrators.
  
  
  Monique Fields

Florida Panhandle:

• 
  

Georgia

• May 6 Southern Breeze Workshop: So You Want to Write a Book, Gainesville, GA

• May 21 Southern Breeze Illustrators Workshop: Digital Artist Toolkit, Atlanta, GA

• May 26-27 Decatur Art Walk Illustrator Gallery Show, Public Library, Decatur, GA

Mississippi

• Vanessa Fortenberry...   Saturday, May 20, 2017; 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
  
  Christian Authors on Tour (CAOT)
  Book Signing, Story Time, and Writers Forum
  Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS
  Holmes Hall Auditorium

Region-Wide

• Sho-Mo... Show Us Your Manuscript!

Upcoming JUNE Events...

Alabama:

• 
  

Florida Panhandle:

• 
  

Georgia

• 
  

~DEADLINE FOR JUNE EVENTS IS MAY 26TH~

:::Leave a Comment:::

Let us know if you plan to attend an event.

What other events do you know of not listed?

Is there another regular post you would like to see?

Leave us your thoughts!

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Southern Breeze Illustrators!

Southern Breeze Illustrators!

As mentioned during this years Illustrator's Day, we will be hosting year-long opportunities to connect with your tribe and get involved with the regional activities.  The Southern Breeze webpage includes all of the regional events:  https://southern-breeze.scbwi.org/events/.  Check out some of the events we have coming up below:

​

ARTIST SKETCH CRAWL @ Decatur Square

Please RSVP

We will meet in the Decatur Square for some leisure time to sketch some of the great features and people in the area.  Open to all illustrators and writers - All levels are welcome!

JOIN US! Sunday, April 23, 2017  1pm - 3pm  

Please contact TeMika at southern-breeze-ic.org for interest

DIGITAL ARTIST TOOLKIT  @ Lenox Mall Microsoft Office Store

https://southern-breeze.scbwi.org/events/digital-artist-toolkit/

Sunday, May 21, 1pm - 4pm

Join Microsoft Surface and SCBWI for a hands-on demonstration of digital artist tools using Microsoft’s own Surface Pro 4! Artists of all levels will be introduced to hardware, applications, and work processes to advance their work to new levels,  learning how to integrate digital tools into the traditional illustration process.All necessary hardware and software provided by the facility.
Space is limited so registration is required.

 
​

ANNUAL GALLERY SHOW @ Decatur Arts Festival​

http://decaturartsfestival.com/ 

JOIN US at the Decatur Library on Friday May 26th from 7pm - 9pm

for the opening of the Southern Breeze Annual Gallery Show featuring our PAL Illustrators!  Show is open to the public during the Decatur Arts Festival and runs through June.

This event made possible in conjunction with the Georgia Center for the Book.

Please contact TeMika at southern-breeze-ic@scbwi.org for interest

2017 Liz Conrad Awardee Jason Bradley Rollins wins Mentorship with Loraine Joyner

2017 Liz Conrad Awardee Jason Bradley Rollins wins Mentorship with Loraine Joyner

Southern Breeze Region Liz Conrad Award is a scholarship awarded annually to one budding illustrator in the children's book field.  It includes tuition to the annual conference and to Illustrators' Day or the Illustrators' Intensive, depending on the conference that year. This year, a mentorship was added to the award.  This scholarship is open to Southern Breeze SCBWI members only and would be an impressive honor to add to one's resume.

Loraine Joyner, Peachtree Publishers Art Director and long-time advocate for our region, judged the submissions.  Applicants were asked to submit representative work and a brief biography and information sharing why they are interested in pursuing a career in the children’s book industry.  After much deliberation over many submissions, Loraine chose Jason Bradley Rollins illustration.

 

Jason’s animated host of characters reflects the real-world antics of animals.  He had this to share:

“….my love for animals pushed me towards the veterinary field and I attended college for my Associate in Science and acquired my registration and license as a veterinary technician. After twenty years of my writing and drawing being on the back burner while wrestling dogs and cats, I am ready for a change. I have recently joined SCBWI in hopes of improving my skills and possibly achieving my dream of sharing my stories and seeing my characters in print.”

We hope he enjoyed this year’s Illustrator’s Day and Springmingle.  We know you will produce great work under the mentorship program.  

Take a look at some of the other submissions:

Southern Breeze has so much talent! Many thanks to everyone who submitted work for the award.  

We look forward to seeing your work next year. 

Breezers In Your Neighborhood - APRIL #SBreeze17

Breezers In Your Neighborhood
April Events

Southern Breeze is kicking up some dust! 

Breezers In Your Neighborhood is a monthly post to list where you can find our authors & illustrators as they are out in the community. Come out and support your local members and invite others to do also!

Alabama:

• 
  

Florida Panhandle:

• 
  

Georgia:

• April 23 1pm – 3pm Artist Sketch Crawl & Lunch in Decatur Square, Decatur, GA

Upcoming May Events...

Alabama:

• SCBWI Tuscaloosa members May meeting.  We would love for anyone to come from Birmingham and surrounding areas.
  We will host Kevin Waltman, author of Quicks, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at my home in Tuscaloosa. Kevin teaches writing and literature in the English department at the University of Alabama. He will speak for 15 minutes about his publishing experience, provide any advice he would like, take a few questions and then sell his books as others mingle. http://kevinwaltman.com/
  Anyone who needs additional information, including an address and directions, can email moniquefields@mac.com or call 205-447-3254. 
  Please let me know if I need to send this announcement to other writers and illustrators.
  
  
  Monique Fields

Florida Panhandle:

• 
  

Georgia

• May 6 Southern Breeze Workshop: So You Want to Write a Book, Gainesville, GA

• May 21 Southern Breeze Illustrators Workshop: Digital Artist Toolkit, Atlanta, GA

• May 26-27 Decatur Art Walk Illustrator Gallery Show, Public Library, Decatur, GA

Mississippi

• Vanessa Fortenberry...   Saturday, May 20, 2017; 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
  Children's Story Time and Book Signing
  Sponsored by the Christian Authors on Tour (CAOT)
  Tougaloo College
  500 W County Line Rd. 
  Tougaloo, MS 39174

~DEADLINE FOR MAY EVENTS IS APRIL 26TH~

:::Leave a Comment:::

Let us know if you plan to attend an event.

What other events do you know of not listed?

Is there another regular post you would like to see?

Leave us your thoughts!

Don't miss one post! SIGN UP for email notifications over here --->

Feel free to COMMENT and then SHARE this post across your social media. Help spread the word about Southern Breeze! Easy buttons found below.

WORKSHOP: So You Want to Write a Book? w/ Connie Fleming & Nancy Craddock

So You Want to Write a Book?

Northeast Georgia History Center

322 Academy St. NE

Gainesville, GA 30501

Saturday, May 6th

9:00 AM – Noon                                      Where Do You Start?                                    Connie Fleming

Explore where successful stories begin. Hint: you don’t have to start at the beginning.

We will look at examples of different beginnings, and discuss the importance of first pages, and titles. There will be hands-on exercises to get the creative juices flowing, and sharing with the group. Handouts will be provided.

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM                               Self-Publishing Secrets                                    Nancy Craddock

• Which colors on a book’s cover sell the most books.
• Fonts that kill the deal..
• How to price a self-published book.
• How many pages in a self-published book make the most profit.
• What should every self-published book have on the last page.
• The “one word” secret for an award-winning story.

There will be “Question & Answer” time with both speakers during the last thirty minutes.

Numerous Door Prizes

(including a full manuscript critique)

Connie Fleming, SCBWI PAL Member                                             Nancy Craddock, SCBWI PAL Member
2016 GA Author of the Year Finalist for “Halley’s Hope.”                          2016 Moonbeam Medal Winner
2nd Place in WIK Novel Contest 2016 for “Desert Secrets.”                     Author of Five Self- Published Books
Winner of 2014 WIK Novel Contest for “Over a Barrel”                            Author of Numerous Magazine Articles
2008 Nominee GA Author of the Year for “Finder’s Magic”                            Winner of Numerous Writing Contests

Sponsored by SCBWI (Society of Children Book Writers & Illustrators)

SCBWI Members – 55.00                     Non SCBWI Members – 65.00

Due to limited seating, reserve your spot today at

https://southern-breeze.scbwi.org/events/so-you-want-to-write-a-book/

Questions: “Contact Me” page at www.nancycadlecraddock.com

Or

conniefleming@comcast.nwt