Autumn Events!

Meet ups

The SCBWI WWA Peninsula Network hosts KidLit Sunday in the Park with a Pen 

Chetzamoka Park, Sunday, October 1st, 1pm

900 Jackson St. Port Townsend , WA

Free

For writers and illustrators, plus children and families are welcome! 

Bring a sketchbook or notebook, or just schmooze.

Optional: Bring a sack lunch, picnic, or food to share, plus something to sit upon. 

Meet at the gazebo in the park, rain or shine (In case of storm, check the Facebook group for updates.).

The Peninsula Network will also meet up at The Pourhouse in Port Townsend for Kid Lit Drink Night on October 25 6pm, and November 15 6pm. 

New! Eastside Network Writing Craft Book Club

Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 10am-12pm

Come join us for a craft book discussion and writing exercises in Kirkland. Read the book first, and come prepared to participate. After the discussion, we will delve into a few writing exercises to explore the topics covered. This new SCBWI Eastside Network group kicks off the year with the book WIRED FOR STORY by Lisa Cron. The book club is open to all and free of charge. 

Please RSVP to mccormir@outlook.com, so we can get a head count for expected participants.

Classes

Write Your Novel in a Month 

Tuesday Evenings, 6:30 – 8:30 

October 10th – December 5th

Need a kick in the pants to write that novel? Lois Brandt is teaching her “Write a Novel in a Month” class at Bellevue College North Campus starting October 10th. Is writing a novel one of your life-long dreams? Join this 8 week class as it hooks up with 100,000 writers worldwide for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). The first classes prepare you for the noveling process, with practice in characterization, setting, plot, voice, and dialogue. Then we're off and writing our 50,000 word manuscripts. During the last class we plan for revision. This is a great way to write your novel in a supportive environment.  Cost:  $195

Questions?  Contact Lois@LoisBrandt.com.  

Register through Bellevue College continuing education

Writing for Children Class: Put Pizzazz Into Your Story! with Lois Harris

Learn tips for engaging readers, and how to shape, structure, and style your manuscript. Practice using them on your story and if desired, share your results. Oct. 19 and 26, 6:30 to 8 PM at Skagit Valley College, $49. 

Register for CENGL 6098 by calling Community Education at 360-416-7638 or email communityed@skagit.edu.

Book events

September 23

Laurie Thompson will be telling truths and lies at Brick & Mortar.

September 26

Ben Hatke and Kazu Kibuishi will be talking about and signing graphic novels at University Bookstore.

 


September 26
Catherynne M. Valente will be might be circumnavigating fairyland to visit Secret Garden at 7 and talk about her newest, The Glass Town Game.

September 27
Will Hubbell will be reading Pumpkin Jack at Third Place Books.

October 1
Ryan Higgins is in town for Bruce's Big Move at Secret Garden.

October 1

Amanda Hosch celebrates her middle grade debut, MABEL OPAL PEAR AND THE RULES FOR SPYING, at University Bookstore. 

October 1

Toni Yuly talks about her newest, Thank You, Bees, at Elliott Bay. Cupcakes, Thank You Bees thank you cars, stickers, and more await!

October 3rd and 4th

Cressida Cowell stops training dragons to talk about a new series at Third Place Books LFP, AND  visits the peninsula to kick off a new series, starting with THE WIZARDS OF ONCE, at Liberty Bay Books and Sylvan Way Library.

October 7

Martha Brockenbrough launches Love, Santa at University Bookstore. 

October 17

Dusti Bowling blows into town to talk about Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus at University Bookstore.

October 19

Read for the Record with Jumpstart and Liz Wong at University Bookstore! It's the largest shared reading in the world, and what better choice than Quackers??

October 21

Lisa Mantchev visits Secret Garden with her newest picture book, a companion to Strictly No Elephants, Someday, Narwhal.

October 22

Caldecott winner Jerry Pinkney will be at Secret Garden Books! *Flailing Muppet arms!*

October 24

Kelly Jones will be at Third Place Books to talk about her new YA, Murder, Magic, and What We Wore.

October 26

Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis come to town to talk about their collaboration on The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid at Third Place LFP.

October 28

Nidhi Chanani will be in town at Third Place Books, Seward Park to talk about Pashmina, her debut graphic novel. 

November 1

Caldecott winner Phillip Stead comes to town to read Mark Twain's, The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine, illustrated by Phillip and Erin Stead. Find him at Secret Garden.

November 6

Renee Watson will be in town to talk about her wonderful debut at Third Place Books, Seward Park.

Double-check times and whatnot with bookstores before you set out for events. If you snap a great picture, tag us at @scbwiwwa on Instagram and/or Twitter, and we'll try to repost. If you have good news or an event coming up, let us know!

Support book culture.

Support independent bookstores and libraries.

Support authors.

❤️

SaveSave

Upcoming Book Events with Leigh Bardugo, Kevan Atteberry, Kelly Jones, & more!

Autumn is the best season (Fight me.), and one of the best parts is all the new releases and book events.

August 31:
Grab your shield and head down to University Bookstore to hear Leigh Bardugo talk about her newest, WONDER WOMAN: WARBRINGER. Priority signing tickets available in advance.

September 6:
Back to School with SCBWI WWA and Rosemary Wells! Details soon.

September 7-10:
Highlights Foundation offers an Illustrator Getaway in the Poconos with our own Elizabeth Rose Stanton, SCBWI WWA Portfolio Show winner Mike Curato, Giuseppe Castellano, and more. Registration details here.

September 8:
Kirkus likes it, and we bet you will, too. Kevan Atteberry launches his newest picture book, I LOVE YOU MORE THAN THE SMELL OF SWAMP GAS, from Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond.

September 11:

Knight takes rook, but look, Martha Brockenbrough launches ALEXANDER HAMILTON: REVOLUTIONARY from University Bookstore. 

September 17:

Wendy Wahman launches PONY IN THE CITY at University Bookstore. 

Watch PONY IN THE CITY's book trailer:

September 19:

Kelly Jones launches MURDER, MAGIC, AND WHAT WE WORE at Secret Garden Books!

September 26:

Ben Hatke discusses Mighty Jack and the Goblin King with Kazu Kibuishi at University Bookstore.

October 1:

Amanda Hosch celebrates her middle grade debut, MABEL OPAL PEAR AND THE RULES FOR SPYING, at University Bookstore. 

October 4:
Cressida Cowell visits the peninsula to kick off a new series, starting with THE WIZARDS OF ONCE, at Liberty Bay Books and Sylvan Way Library.

October 11:
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Editor Liz Kossnar visits SCBWI WWA! Details soon.

October 13-15:
Weekend on the Water Retreat! New venue and revamped programming! Registration now open.

November 4:

May 4:
It's not until May 4, 2018, but tickets are available for Sherman Alexie conversing with YA dynamos Jenny Han, Matt de la Peña, and Nicola Yoon for his Sherman Alexie Loves: Sherman's Book Club- YA Edition. Info for the May 4th event here, see the rest of SAL's season here.

Double-check times and whatnot with bookstores before you set out for events. If you snap a great picture, tag us at @scbwiwwa on Instagram and/or Twitter, and we'll try to repost. If you have good news or an event coming up, let us know!

Support book culture.

Support independent bookstores and libraries.

Support authors.

❤️

Summer Time Reading - Books by Local Authors

Summer time summer time sum sum summer time...

Yuuup! Summer is officially here and as we know there is no better way to fully immerse yourself into the season than with good books by local authors.

Here are a few to get you started:

Cat Nap by Tony Yuli

When Cat agrees to play hide-and-seek with Kitten, he underestimates his relentless opponent. Delightful pre-nap read-aloud fare. (Picture book. 1-3) (Kirkus Reviews)


Quackers by Liz Wong

A cat who thinks he’s a duck learns about himself. Both relevant and adorable. (Picture book. 3-6) (Kirkus Reviews)


Sam and Jump by Jennifer K. Mann

Kids with their own favorite toys will identify with this gentle, tender tale of Sam and Jump’s special bond. (Picture book. 3-7) (Kirkus Reviews)


Shark Week: Everything You Need to Know by Martha Brockenbrough

For readers transfixed by sharks, this photograph-filled guide, a tie-in to Discovery’s annual Shark Week, will hit the spot. (Publishers Weekly)


Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg

"This exciting pioneering story, based on actual events, introduces readers to a fascinating chapter in American history, when FDR set up a New Deal colony in Alaska to give loans and land to families struggling during the Great Depression." (Penguin Random House)


Lotus and Thorn by Sara Wilson Etienne

An ambitious, action-filled adventure that chronicles one girl’s rebellion and the world-shaking revelations that follow. (Science fiction. 14 & up) (Kirkus Reviews)

 

To learn more on these books you can read the full article from the Seattle Times:

http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/summer-reading-by-seattle-authors-chockablock-with-cute-mostly-critters/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=mobile-app&utm_campaign=ios

Happy Reading!

Martha wins!

Good year and good news to all!

Martha Brockenbrough, whose wonderful THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH has garnered stars, praise, and shortlists for months, has been awarded a 2016 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award!

To see all the winners, and to read more in detail, click here.


Needless to say, it's a HUGE honor, and we are falling over ourselves to wish Martha many high fives and congratulations.


Happy 2016!

Everything you wanted to know about sex...

...and YA but were afraid to ask!

J. Anderson Coats, Martha Brockenbrough, Jeanne Ryan, Lish McBride, and Rory Shay are doing a book panel this Saturday night  on sex. Yep, it’s going to pretty much be a high school sex class where teenagers are allowed to ask anything they want. They’ll talk about everything subversive related to YA books, from how far the thrills and chills go to the degree of intimacy. Please come on out and heckle/ask questions! 

WHAT: YA After Hours: The Secret World of YA: Sex, Scandal, and Shame

WHEN: Saturday, January 9 at 6pm

WHERE: University Book Store, U-District

       

PW's Best Books of 2015

The first round of year-end best lists is upon us! (Yes, I know! The year is almost over!)
 
And...hooray to all! Cheers to Martha Brockenbrough, whose GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH is on Publishers Weekly's Best of 2015 YA list.

For the entire PB-through-YA roll call, please click HERE. (Click on the tabs at the top of the page for each category separately.)


Congratulations to all, and a special round of applause to everyone who published a book this year, listed or not. Your work is so worthy and important! May 2016 be equally productive!

We HEART Martha!

Martha Brockenbrough, author of THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH, attended the Kirkus Prize ceremony last night in Austin, Texas as a nominee in the Young People's Literature category.

Alas, the award went to Pam Munoz Ryan's ECHO, but Martha immediately sent out a gracious post on Facebook and high-fived the winner in the process:

"A truly great book won the Kirkus Prize for young literature tonight. I was so shocked and thrilled to be a finalist, and am so happy with how this adventure has turned out. Thanks for all the good wishes, friends! And read ECHO by Pam Munoz Ryan. It's wonderful."

Kudos to Martha--we're so proud of you for your book and your tireless support of other writers near and far.

Martha B's big news!

The second year of the Kirkus Prize, nominees of which have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, is upon us.

Or, shall I say––it's upon MARTHA BROCKENBROUGH, who just this morning found out that her book, THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH, is a finalist for the 2015 Kirkus Prize in the Young Readers' Literature category!


The full list of finalists for Young Readers' Literature can be found HERE.


Congratulations to Martha! An amazing honor for an amazing book!

Best fiction for young adults list

How's THIS for your quintessential fall reading list?

The latest nominations for the Best Fiction for Young Adults from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is out! Some fabulous books are on this roster, and big
congratulations to our local lass, Martha Brockenbrough, author of the nominated THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH!



For the full list, click HERE.

Martha, Martha, Martha!

Our very own Martha Brockenbrough, who will soon participate as a panelist in the LA Summer Conference's SCBWI Success Stories session, is featured in the latest issue of the SCBWI Summer Bulletin! Martha's had a very busy, exciting year, with FOUR starred reviews for THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH, as well as many appearances nationwide at conferences and bookstores.

Photo by Emerald England.

To read the full story, click here. Or, enjoy your copy when it hits your mailbox.

Holiday meeting recap, part 2

And so we come to the place where we talk about our guest speaker,

Martha Brockenbrough!

She is, as Dana Sullivan wrote in an email,
"a force."

Those of us who've known Martha for a while know how hard she works, and how wonderfully she works a room. Those of us who were lucky enough to listen to her last night knew, from the moment she began with references to her literary nemeses (complete with hilarious Power Point visuals), that we were in the presence of someone special.

Martha is, as we all strive to be, a storyteller. So when she plugged her own path into her magic formula for capturing an audience, we were putty in her hands.

She inspired us, she cracked us up, and she even made references to, ahem, certain parts of feline anatomy. But that's Martha. She tied it all together and delved into the heart of the matter (or the anus, but who's checking?).

Her career has taken her on a roller-coaster ride that she shared in captivating and sometimes heartbreaking detail, and we whirled along with her every failure and success. She made us feel, from that squidgy stomach-drop of being rejected rudely to that glorious relief of having her 31-times-drafted manuscript find a home, like we were all on the same team. And how very human it is to experience these highs and lows and try to keep our passion alive.

Decked in splendid holiday finery––check out THOSE SHOES!––Martha gave us a precious gift last night. It was greater than a few nuggets of inspiration. It was a humble, funny, and fiercely emotional perspective on her journey through frustration and success. She embodied the artistic process, and what it means to live in pursuit of one's dreams despite its messy, unpredictable and fulfilling results. To keep up with Martha's ups and downs (and ups!), as well as her comings and goings, please go to her site.

Tonight! 10 reasons why you should....

...get to TONIGHT'S SCBWI WWA Monthly Meeting! See you at 6:30!

1. Martha, Martha, Martha! The author of Devine Intervention and the upcoming The Game of Love and Death, Martha Brockenbrough knows a thing or two (or 10!) about a thing or two (or 10!).

2. Cookies. Enough said!


3. Bring a book, take a book. Bring seven, take seven. You know the drill....

4. Networking.

5. Did we mention already how amazing our speaker, Martha Brockenbrough, is going to be?

6. The cookies you forgot you grabbed and stashed in your SCBWI tote bag during your mad scramble to write down Martha's pearls of wisdom. (Nom, nom, nom!)

7. Good news––because really, who actually likes bad news?

8. Holiday cheer means a fun, happy, and celebratory reason for just coming together.

9. Martha Brockenbrough knows how to work a room, people. And how!

10. The sad, stray cookies people didn't have a chance to gobble up the first part of the night. You know the ones, that lone bar on an island of powdered sugar, or the flourless chocolate crinkle cookie deflated and dejected on its plate among shards of crushed candy canes? Have at 'em! We won't tell!

Season's meeting to all!

Fa-la-la-la-la! It's our annual Holiday Meeting!

We're decking our (okay, Demaray's) halls with general merriment, holiday schmoozing, and COOKIES. Mark those calendars for NEXT THURSDAY, December 18, at 6:30 p.m.

The night begins with our much-anticipated Cookie Contest (see *RULES, below) and Book Exchange––so get those recipe engines revving, and come with books you'd like to pass along while picking up some new titles. Book Exchange rules are simple: Take as many books as you bring.
Want to simply donate books? Wait for our annual conference in April! Thank you!

Did we forget to mention that, at 7:30––after the gorging, and just as our sugar highs are peaking––the one and only Martha Brockenbrough, author of Devine Intervention (a Kirkus Reviews Top 100 books for teens in 2012), Dinosaur Tooth Fairy, and April 2015's much-anticipated The Game of Love and Death, will talk about literary living and learning.

Martha, who has volunteered for SCBWI in many different positions for many years, is the author of two books for adults and five for young readers. She's the founder of National Grammar Day (every March 4), has written game questions for Cranium and Trivial Pursuit, and is the former editor of MSN.com. Her work has been published in a variety of places, including The New York Times. She also wrote an educational humor column for the online encyclopedia Encarta for nine years.

COOKIE CONTEST RULES!
There are two categories: Most Beautiful and Most Delicious. (The judges will decide which category yours fall into.)

1. Bring at least a dozen of your cookies to share with your fellow writers and illustrators. 

2. ON A SEPARATE PLATE, place four of your cookies separately for judging. (Label your cookies CLEARLY so the judges know who you are!) If your cookies are of a special dietary variety, please also label them as such, so your fellow dietary-restrictive writers and illustrators can eat them without suffering horrible dietary-related consequences. 

Good luck and good baking. There will be FABULOUS PRIZES!!