"SAVE THE DATE!"

Hello and happy summer to you all! Here are some important dates to look out for:

Early-AugustRegistration begins for the Weekend on the Water Writer Retreat, taking place October 21-23 at Dumas Bay Centre. A water view, great books and fabulous faculty. Could it get any better? Retreat Co-Directors Lois Brandt and Allyson Valentine Schrier are dying to reveal all, but we’re making them wait. We’re mean that way.

August 20The Great Summer Critique-nic will be held from 12 – 4 p.m. on the campus of Evergreen State College. Talk about great summer reads! Great Critter Tony D has details on our website.

Early SeptemberSCBWI Western Washington Monthly Programming Passport registration opens. Watch your email box for details!

Continuing through September 30Our Super Duper Summer Illustrator Show at the Washington State Convention Center. Have you seen this show yet? It’s already been listed as one of the top ten art shows of the west (by me). Our Family Draw-Along with the illustrators is Saturday, September 17, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Late SeptemberRegistration begins for our Illustrator Retreat at Dumas Bay Centre, taking place November 11-13. Our fantastic faculty will be a serious draw for our illustrators (get it? I slay me!), so jump on this. Illustrator Coordinator Tina Hoggatt refuses to spill the deets until you’ve reached a fever pitch.

Wednesday, October 12 is our kickoff meeting of the season.All meetings will be held the second Wednesday of the month in Demaray Hall on the campus of Seattle Pacific University. Schmoozing starts at 6:30, meeting from 7 – 9 p.m. Hugs from Kevan start at the Nickerson Street Saloon at 5 p.m.

November 15Inside Story from 7 – 9 p.m. Where, who, how? All will be revealed when Inside Story Chair Dori Butler is good and ready. But rest assured, it will be an evening to remember as our hometown heroes give us the stories behind their stories.

April 7-9, 2017SCBWI Western Washington Awesome Conference!! Oh yes, it’s back and this time it’s personal. Your Conference Committee has been hard at work wrangling amazing faculty for our awesome panels, breakouts, consults and who knows what else! We’ll fill you in once we’ve returned from the LA Conference and caught our breath.

Meanwhile, have a wonderful summer. Read a lot and write and draw even more!

Cheers from your Regional Team,

Dana Arnim and Dana Sullivan, Co-Regional AdvisorsDebbie Mickelson, Assistant Regional Advisor, Conference Coordinator, Tech Team LeadTina Hoggatt, Illustrator CoordinatorSCBWI Western Washington

P.S. Got a kid lit tidbit you want to share? Send it along to wwa@scbwi.org with the words “Chinook Update” in the subject line for our blog or post on our Facebook page.

Deadline Extended for Workshop Presenters!

We have received some terrific workshop proposals, but we still haven’t heard from YOU!
We want YOUR GREAT IDEAS for our next year of spectacular monthly meetings and April 2017 conference presentations. And because we know how busy you all are, note our EXTENDED DEADLINE!

The nitty-gritty: 

Workshops may address topics relevant to potential attendees that include (but aren’t limited to) the craft of writing and illustrating for children, book marketing, or the latest industry trends. Monthly meetings are open for areas of professional expertise and niche interests relevant to children's books and creating them. Share your talents with us all!

Click here for your application and submit your idea (or give somebody a nudge) TODAY!

Call for presenters!

Hey, y'all!

Do you have a fabulous idea that you could envision materializing as an informative, insightful, inspiring, and just plain mind-blowing presentation? We are currently opening the floodgates to applications for 2016-17's schedule of monthly programming and our 2017 regional conference.


Call for Conference Workshop Presenters and Monthly Meeting Presenters!

SCBWI Western Washington is seeking workshop presenters for our 2016-2017 year. Our chapter holds monthly meetings from October through April, and hosts an annual conference every other spring. We welcome fresh and compelling workshop ideas for any of these events!

Workshops may address topics relevant to potential attendees that include (but aren’t limited to) the craft of writing and illustrating for children, book marketing, or the latest industry trends.

As a presenter, you’re expected to share information and experience, but may not use our events as a platform for commercial sales, self-promotion, political discussions, or to criticize competitors or public figures.

Click here for full details and an application.
 

Deadline: May 1, 2016!

Flim feedback wanted!

Our February meeting presentation of the documentary, At-Risk Summer, has three screenings at film festivals during the month of April––one being the prestigious Sarasota Film Festival. We anticipate

this will give us more clarity on when the film will be available for wider distribution.
Fingers crossed it will be sometime in the Summer of 2015!

 

Any SCBWI members of or February meeting attendees who saw the film and feel compelled to 

share their experience and comments about it via email will only help in the promotion of this film. Please use the following email address to give your feedback:

 

Send all comments directly to Carrie Gordon Watson: events4rocktheword@gmail.com

Also: The prompt seen in the film is now the first broad step to reach youth as a nonprofit organization. If Someone Only Knew is a now a challenge Charlton-Trujillo and Never Counted Out have created in the wake of teen suicides and bullying in America. Visit the page for

additional information. 

 

Thank you for participating, and for helping get the word about this important film out so that many more people can learn about and from it!

November nudge

Are you ready for our next monthly programming meeting?


You won't be disappointed. This coming month––
Thursday, November 20, to be exact––SCBWI WWA presents:

NONFICTION IS THE NEW BLACK: a Panel Discussion moderated by Laurie Ann Thompson (Be a Changemaker) and featuring nonfiction and fiction authors Lisa L. Owens (The Great Chicago Fire), Jim Whiting (NFL Today: Seattle Seahawks), and Trudi Trueit (Stealing Popular).

As if that wasn't amazing enough on its own, Lois Brandt (Maddi's Fridge) will discuss Marketing for Introverts. It's sure to bring you out of your shell!


As before, all the magic happens at Seattle Pacific University, Demaray Hall 150.
TIME: 7–9pm

Passport holders: FREE
Non-passport holders: $9/SCBWI members; $15/non-SCBWI members




Mark your calendars! It's the second-most important Thursday of November!

Reminder-o-rama

Hear ye, hear ye!


In THREE (count 'em!) DAYS, our first monthly programming meeting will take place. Which means, dear SCBWI-ers and valued guests, that it is going to be a fabulous season ahead!

If you are still without a passport––which will get you in for our entire programming year––
please click HERE. Not only will this save you some dough, it will also simplify and enrich (oh, yes it will!) your life.

Long story short:

This Thursday. SPU campus, Demaray Hall. 7pm. Agent. Art show. Conviviality. Networking. Be there!

Great Critique: Monday, January 7, 2013

As in past years, the annual Great Critique will occur in place of our January Professional Series Meeting. However, in order to reserve the maximum about of space at SPU, The Great Critique will be on Monday, January 7, 2013 rather than on that Thursday.

The Great Critique gives authors and illustrators the opportunity to experience a model critique group led by a published professional. Participants will receive feedback from the group leader as well as from a small group of their peers. This event offers writers and illustrators a chance to experience how critiques can help strengthen their work, and offers those who already participate in a critique group feedback from a fresh set of eyes and ears.

Participants will bring a maximum of 5 double spaced pages (or 1200 words) OR a dummy/illustration sample. Attendees must register in advance, so please watch for registration information the end of November. The number of spaces is limited, and the event fills up fast. Since this is part of our Professional Series, priority is given first to Professional Series Meeting passport holders, then to SCBWI International members, then to others. Please carefully consider whether you would like to take advantage of this opportunity — if you sign up, we expect you to show up — and be aware that registration fills fast.

This year's stellar lineup of critique group leaders include: Holly Cupala, Ann Gonzalez, Janet Lee Carey, Helen Landalf, Kevin Emerson, Trudi Trueit, David Patneaude, Liz Mills, Peggy King Anderson, Meg Lippert, Tom Brenner, Donna Bergman, Deborah Reber, Richard Jesse Watson, Julie Paschkis, Wendy Wahman, Karen Lee Schmidt, and Craig Orback.

Tuesday's SCBWI WWA Regional Program Meeting

Don't forget Tuesday night is our monthly SCBWI WWA regional program meeting! The meeting will be held at  Seattle Pacific University, Demaray Hall, Room 150. Registration at 6:45 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m.


It's going to be our last meeting until September! Our main session speaker, Lois Brandt, will be speaking on revision and asks those attending to read over your WIP so that your characters and story are fresh in your mind!!


Here's the monthly meeting page from our website for information on directions and more!

Cookie Recipe

Looking for a cookie recipe to use this holiday season? Fellow SCBWI WWA member Dawn Simon (who was First Runner-Up at our Annual Holiday Cookie Contest) is graciously sharing her recipe and experience from the meeting! She made Chocolate Dipped Toffee Bits Cookies (I'm going to make these! Yum!).

Here's the blog post to check out!! Thanks so much to Dawn (and Dana Arnim for suggesting she send the post/recipe to post).

Attention illustrators! Submission Deadline is December 20!

Get your portfolio tuned up by Caldecott Honor illustrator Margaret Chodos-Irvine. We are now taking submissions for this fantastic opportunity. Margaret will curate a group of the submitted images for review and commentary during our February meeting. (Note: Not all submissions will be used.) Margaret will provide suggestions and comments on how to improve everyone's portfolios for conference shows, as well as for submission to agents, art directors, and editors. It will be a stellar night for illustrators at the February Professional Series Meeting!

The Details: Email 5 or 6 .jpegs to art@scbwi-washington.org by December 20. Please reduce your file sizes to no more than 2MB per image. Please label each image: FirstName_LastName_01.jpg, FirstName_LastName_02.jpg, etc. Failure to follow these submission guidelines will result in your images not being sent to Margaret for review.

Attention illustrators!

Get your portfolio tuned up by Caldecott Honor illustrator Margaret Chodos-Irvine. We are now taking submissions for this fantastic opportunity. Margaret will curate a group of the submitted images for review and commentary during our February meeting. (Note: Not all submissions will be used.) Margaret will provide suggestions and comments on how to improve everyone's portfolios for conference shows, as well as for submission to agents, art directors, and editors. It will be a stellar night for illustrators at the February Professional Series Meeting!

The Details: Email 5 or 6 .jpegs to art@scbwi-washington.org by December 20. Please reduce your file sizes to no more than 2MB per image. Please label each image: FirstName_LastName_01.jpg, FirstName_LastName_02.jpg, etc. Failure to follow these submission guidelines will result in your images not being sent to Margaret for review.

Creative Notes from an Illustrator

Fellow SCBWI WWA member Lida Enche was at our first regional SCBWI meeting and had a great time listening to Victoria Rock of Chronicle Books give advice as well as taking notes. She created this illustration using quotes from Victoria, and adding a few from Maurice (the despondent Vampire), Dr. Brain and Lady Hourglass. She was very gracious to share with us!! Thanks Lida! You can find out more information about Lida by visiting her website.

Don't Miss The Final 2010-2011 Professional Series Meeting

Tomorrow, May 10, is the final Professional Series Meeting for the 2010-2011 Regional Programming season. Our Professional Series Meetings take place at Seattle Pacific University- Demaray Hall, Room 150. Registration begins at 6:45 p.m., programming starts at 7 p.m. Get a map and directions here.

Mini-Session: VISUAL PURSUITS
Explore tools from the illustrator's toolbox that we can bend to our use when creating written work with Laura Kvasnosky. We'll look at graphic ways to view the macro and micro parts of your story; the revelations offered by sticky-note scene making; and collage as a way to summon, center and feed a story. Illustration skills not necessary, but bring paper and something to write with!

Main Session: A LONG JOURNEY IN A SMALL BOAT WITH HEARTY SHIPMATES
Laura Kvasnosky talked to fellow writers and illustrators who have been at it for about 20 years to get their perspectives on the long haul: How do they keep it fresh? What provides new inspirations? How do fame and money fit in? How do they navigate the murky waters of today's publishing world?

Make sure you come hear Laura share these two great sessions and spend an evening with our fabulous SCBWI WWA regional members.

Eastside Carpool?

A new member of SCBWI (who lives on the eastside) is looking for a ride to the next SCBWI Regional Program meeting in May. She can meet at a convenient location in Bellevue. If you're able to help; contact Daya at art.dba@comcast.net.

December Professional Series Meeting reminder!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010
SPU's Demaray Hall 150

COME EARLY! Why?

* Eat some festive and yummy cookies and desserts!
* Bring books for the book swap, then hunt for new treasures to take back home!
* Do some holiday shopping at the Secret Garden bookstore!
* Last chance to enter the free conference tuition raffle!
* Visit with friends and network with kidlit colleagues!
* Enjoy loads of good cheer!

• So, if you're hoping to win a fabulous hand-made cookie trophy or medal, don't forget to bring something delicious with you to share.
• If you could stand to clear out your bookshelves (or nightstand, or car, or random piles around the house), remember to bring new or gently used books for the book swap. You can take home as many as you bring with you. Any extras left at the end of the night will be donated to charity.
• And don't forget our program for the evening:

Mini-Session: EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING I'VE LEARNED FROM MY GRANDKIDS with Peggy King Anderson. Ten juicy writing tips, inspired by Peggy’s nine (yes NINE) grandkids. Peggy will share true-life incidents, along with the Aha! writing insights she gained. From fairies and sharks to Jesus with swimming goggles, Peggy’s grandkid stories will make you chuckle. You’ll come away listening in a new way to the kids in your life, all just bursting with new writing insights for you.

Main Program: FIRST YOU CHOOSE A SKELETON: BUILDING A STORY FROM THE INSIDE OUT with Bruce Holland Rogers. What is the best germ from which to begin a story? Does character come first? Action? Plot? Should we write from a premise or a theme? One way to keep writing challenging is to try basic approaches we’ve never tried before. This talk will examine an approach to story-making that most prose writers don’t consider: beginning with structure and only then looking for the right kind of story to hang on that structure. Bruce will demonstrate places where math intersects with writing and ways in which arbitrary decisions can make the writer bolder and more free. While useful for beginners, this talk is aimed at more experienced writers who already know a lot of conventional approaches to writing. Bruce is an award-winning adult science fiction and fantasy author and a faculty member for the Whidbey Island Writers Association MFA program.

Kathleen Alcalá Program Summary

Did you miss the last SCBWI Professional Series Meeting? Erik Pulkka has written up a summary of the evening's program.

Summary from the November 9 SCBWI WW Main Program: SPEAKING IN TONGUES: ZADIE SMITH AND OTHER WRITERS ON POINT OF VIEW Or Something Like Voice with Kathleen Alcalá.

Kathleen talked about how choosing the right point of view (POV) and voice are crucial to the success of any book. She referenced CHANGING MY MIND by Zadie Smith, and her own samples of the POV and voice choices she has made in her books, as well as how and why she came to those selections.

Finding the right voice in the work brings our writing alive. Each story will have a different voice and we as writers must find the POV and Voice that works best for our story. Kathleen used the term 'form' to refer to the structure of the POV and Voice in narrative. Some examples of Form and related books she shared with us:

"Recalling childhood with a child's voice" with readings from A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle, and TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD by Harper Lee.

"Prescient Now" reading from A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN by Betty Smith

"Tale" reading from THE TELLING, and LEVINIA by Ursula LeGuin

"Prophetic Voice" reading from DUNE by Frank Herbert

"Moving Now" first person POV, reading from HARRY POTTER by JK Rowling

"Flexing" a flexible POV and multiple voices, reading from WITNESS by Karen Hesse

During the Q & A the question of Creative Non-Fiction came up. As for the definition of "creative non-fiction," it's applying techniques of literary fiction to non-fiction.

Wikipedia's definition: For a text to be considered creative nonfiction, it must be factually accurate, and written with attention to literary style and technique. “Ultimately, the primary goal of the creative nonfiction writer is to communicate information, just like a reporter, but to shape it in a way that reads like fiction"

In conclusion, Kathleen said that when choosing the Form of our voice for our story we may have to write it from different POVs, and try different voices to get the right one for our story.

Tuesday is the Next Professional Series Meeting!

Tuesday, November 9, is the next Professional Series Meeting. First is the Mini-Session: EVERYTHING I EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT PICTURE BOOKS I LEARNED IN ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL with Jennifer Mann. The Main Program: SPEAKING IN TONGUES: ZADIE SMITH AND OTHER WRITERS ON POINT OF VIEW with Kathleen Alcalá, will follow.

Our Professional Series Meetings take place at Seattle Pacific University - Demaray Hall, Room 150. Registration at 6:45 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m. Visit the SCBWI Western Washington website for more information about the sessions; including costs, maps, and directions.

Professional Series Meetings Starts Tonight!

The 2010-2011 Regional Programming starts tonight! There is no Mini Program, the Main program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Main Program: FALL EDITOR PRESENTATION AND ART SHOW with Noa Wheeler, editor at Henry Holt. Tonight, check out our local illustrators’ great work while you mingle before the meeting, then listen as Noa shares her expertise from an editor’s point of view. She’ll discuss FINDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL WRITER (OR HOW IS A RAVEN LIKE A WRITING DESK?). Flexibility and revisions may be a theme, since she says, “Sometimes I end up scrapping what I'm working on and going in a whole new direction!” Regardless, we’re sure to hear a brilliant presentation. Noa has worked with award-winning authors and illustrators such as Bryan Collier, Denise Fleming, and Peter McCarty. Recent titles include the critically-acclaimed Charles and Emma by Deborah Heiligman and The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jackie Kelly (a Newbery Honor book).

For more information, registration for programming, directions, fees, etc. visit the SCBWI Western Washington website! Hope to see you all there!

Time to sign up for SCBWI-WWA regional programming!

SCBWI WWA’s 2010-2011 season will begin in September! This year, our Professional Series Meetings will again be held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Seattle Pacific University campus at Demaray Hall 150. Mark your calendars, and don't forget to register now: click here to sign up for our regional programming! 

We have quite a lineup for the 2010−2011 program year! Speakers include Noa Wheeler, associate editor at Henry Holt; Anna Olswanger, literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates in New York; Kathleen Alcalá, Bruce Holland Rogers, and Wayne Ude, acclaimed authors and faculty members from the Whidbey Island Writers MFA program; Grace Wang, Ph.D., a professional creativity and life coach; Peggy King Anderson, beloved author and teacher who has helped kick off the careers of many Western Washington authors and illustrators; Geisel Award Medal winner Laura McGee Kvasnosky; and many others!