Secret Garden's Drama Story Events

Secret Garden Books is proud to announce their brand-new partnership with Seattle Children’s Theatre for the 2010-2011 Season! During the run of each show of the season, they will be hosting weekend Drama Story events with artists from Seattle Children’s Theatre. The first one is based on Mem Fox and Judy Horacek’s book WHERE IS THE GREEN SHEEP? The event will be Saturday September 11, at 2 p.m.

This Drama Story event will feature these curriculum connections: Listening; Storytelling; Creative Play; Music; Dance; Early Reading Skills; Art; Repetition. They will experience a story from the inside. They will use acting, imagination and interactive, multi-sensory props to explore The Green Sheep.

To find more information, including remaining 2010 events, and dates for Secret Garden’s SCT Drama Story, visit their website. You can also find more information on the Seattle Children's Theater at their website.

Apply now for the Fall Retreat!

SCBWI Western Washington invites you to apply for its Fall 2010 Retreat for Writers and Writer-Illustrators of Children’s Books, WEEKEND ON THE WATER, taking place Friday, November 5, to Sunday, November 7, 2010, at the luxurious Alderbrook Resort & Spa, nestled on the scenic shores of Hood Canal less than two hours west of Seattle.

In an intimate, craft-focused retreat, Jill Santopolo, executive editor at Penguin’s Philomel Books imprint, and Nancy Mercado, executive editor at Roaring Brook Press, will bring their considerable editorial and teaching experience to bear on the idea of “connections,” with a focus on plot, putting emotion on the page, and the all-important revision.

Selected writers will spend the weekend alternating between sessions with Jill and Nancy, including a group first-page intensive, with time built in for individual writing, group critiques, walks, kayaking, swimming, resting, and networking.

Retreat fees range from $535 to $550, depending on whether you are a member of SCBWI International (members receive a $15 discount). Prices include all workshops and activities, one first-pages intensive, two nights’ lodging with one roommate, five catered meals, Internet access, and endless inspiration from the spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and the Hood Canal—a glacier-carved fjord more than 60 miles long.

The application and submission deadline is fast approaching: September 27, 2010. You will not be considered for the retreat if you don’t meet the deadline. No exceptions.

View complete information, application details, and deadlines for WEEKEND ON THE WATER by clicking on the link below:

View Complete Details and Apply

October Retreat Opportunity in Oregon

SCBWI Oregon will hold a retreat with Tricycle Press editor Abigail Samoun, former Washington writer Chris Eboch, and other great faculty on October 7-10, 2010. You could enjoy almost a solid week of writing goodness by starting in Oregon and working your way up to WWA's October Professional Series Meeting with agent Anna Olswanger in Seattle on the following Tuesday!

Washington members are welcome to check out the details or register for the remaining Oregon retreat spaces available. Robin Koontz, RA for Oregon, says, "Abigail Samoun, our guest editor, will be looking at post-retreat submissions and is especially on the lookout for MG. What
does she like? I don't know yet, she's going to tell us in October! This is just one networking gem you would pick up if you join us."

Also, for those of you who have been asking: registration and more information about Western WA's Weekend on the Water fall retreat will appear here any day now. That event will be Nov. 5-7, 2010. See your Chinook newsletter for more information or check back here frequently.

Writing "Edgy" Fiction

Thanks to Liz Mills, for sending this link to Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog. Cynthia interviews Ricki Thompson, author of CITY OF CANNIBALS, who gives her thoughts and process on writing "edgy" fiction.

As an artist, I have a responsibility to speak the truth. And the truth is, teenagers live in an “edgy” place. What could be edgier than attempting to balance on the tenuous cusp of adulthood? When teens aren’t engaging in “edgy” behavior, they’re likely thinking, fantasizing, or reading about it. How can I write for and about teens if I don’t write “edgy?”

To read more from this author, check out Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog.

Another carpool hope - Sequim

While we're hooking folks up, a Peninsula member is hoping to learn about kidlit pals in Sequim or thereabouts for carpooling to our monthly meetings and/or general mayhem. Contact Gene at gdbradbury (at) yahoo.com.

Islander hookups

A member on San Juan Island is looking to connect with others in the area to possibly carpool to SCBWI WWA meetings. If you're in that neighborhood and/or would be coming through Anacortes, contact Andrea at as4444 (at) centurytel (dot) net. Thanks!

Lois V. Harris Good News and Appearance

More good news for Lois V. Harris! Lois, author of MARY CASSATT: IMPRESSIONIST PAINTER, was mentioned in the latest issue of Home Schooling Today Magazine.

You can catch up with Lois on Tuesday August 31, at 7 pm, when she reads her new book, CHARLIE RUSSELL, TALE-TELLING COWBOY ARTIST, accompanied by a Russell art slideshow at Village Books in Bellingham. The Russell book received a lovely review in the Sunday, August 15 issues of The Kitsap Sun and The Bellingham Herald, and on August 22, in the Tacoma News Tribune.

For more information on Lois, and her books, visit her website.

Meet Noa Wheeler

Henry Holt Editor Noa Wheeler will be our speaker at our September Professional Series Meeting on September 14 to kick of our 2010-2011 programming season. She'll also be leading several special opportunities that are already sold out. In the meantime, here's a little about her:

Noa Wheeler is an editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. She has worked with award-winning authors and illustrators such as Bryan Collier, Denise Fleming, and Peter McCarty. She has recently worked on the critically-acclaimed CHARLES AND EMMA by Deborah Heiligman and THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jackie Kelly (a Newbery Honor book).

If you haven't already signed up for our regional programming for the year, don't forget! Things will be hectic at that first meeting. Find more info about the benefits and/or register here.

Inside Story: Spots filling up fast

The roster for the fall Inside Story is nearly full.

If you sent your application and did not hear back from Martha right away, please contact her: martha AT marthabee DOT com.

If you're like to apply, here are our criteria:

We are now taking presenter applications for the Fall 2010 Inside Story. You are eligible if you meet ALL of the criteria below: 

• You are an SCBWI member at the PAL level or have signed up for SCBWI Western Washington's current regional programming;
• You live in the official Western Washington region. If you’re a member and uncertain which region you’re in, please email us and we’ll check for you.
• Your publisher is on SCBWI’s lists of recognized (traditional) publishers; (found in the SCBWI Market Surveys or on the registration pages of the SCBWI website). Self-published titles do not qualify.
• Your book is released within four months before or three months after the event; AND
• Your book is readily available through normal trade channels (e.g., Baker & Taylor).

Presenter slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We generally limit the slate to about 15 presenters. Applications are due Sept. 1. So don't delay if you have an eligible book!

The event will be Oct. 27 at Parkplace Books in Kirkland. Click here for more information, as well as a link to the application.

Writing-In-Tandem

This month Stasia Kehoe's blog, Writer on the Side, explores the theme WRITING-IN-TANDEM and interviewing the following author teams. Some are offering fun give-aways!

Monday, August 9: Suzanne Williams & Joan Holub, GODDESS GIRLS series (with a give-away!)

Monday, August 23: Lisa & Laura Roecker, LIAR SOCIETY, which comes out March 2011 (with a give-away!).

Monday, August 30: Kirby Larson & Mary Nethery, TWO BOBBIES, and NUBS.

Stacia's own debut novel, AUDITION, a verse novel, comes out Fall 2011.

Tu Books (Lee & Low) seeking submissions!

This just in from Stacy Whitman, editorial director at Tu Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books:

Hi all,

We've just gone live with our illustrator guidelines and wanted to share them with you: http://www.leeandlow.com/p/tu_art.mhtml. We're mostly looking for cover artists and the occasional line art for middle grade novel interiors--NO picture books, sorry--and we wanted to be sure that illustrators knew how to submit their artwork for consideration.

As you may know, we publish diverse fantasy and science fiction for middle graders and young adults. So we're especially looking for artists who can depict fantastic settings and people of color, with a great sense of design and an eye for what would grab a young reader's attention.

Also, we're still (always) looking for great novels for children and young adults featuring characters of color and non-Western settings. Our novel submission guidelines can be found here: http://www.leeandlow.com/p/tu_submissions.mhtml.

Thanks,
Stacy Whitman
Editorial Director

--
Tu Books, an imprint of
LEE & LOW BOOKS
http://www.leeandlow.com/p/tu.mhtml

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Inside Story: Apply now to feature your book

For the past 12 years (since our beloved George Shannon and Laura McGee Kvasnosky conceived of the idea), one of the most exciting events of our chapter has been the Inside Story.

Twice a year, we celebrate the new books our members have published, and we invite some 300 librarians, booksellers, media members, and colleagues. It makes for an inspirational and lively evening.

We are now taking presenter applications for the Fall 2010 Inside Story. You are eligible if you meet ALL of the criteria below: 

• You are an SCBWI member at the PAL level or have signed up for SCBWI Western Washington's current regional programming;
• You live in the official Western Washington region. If you’re a member and uncertain which region you’re in, please email us and we’ll check for you.
• Your publisher is on SCBWI’s lists of recognized (traditional) publishers; (found in the SCBWI Market Surveys or on the registration pages of the SCBWI website). Self-published titles do not qualify.
• Your book is released within four months before or three months after the event; AND
• Your book is readily available through normal trade channels (e.g., Baker & Taylor).

Presenter slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We generally limit the slate to about 15 presenters. Applications are due Sept. 1. So don't delay if you have an eligible book!

The event will be Oct. 27 at Parkplace Books in Kirkland. Click here for more information, as well as a link to the application.

NOTE: If you don't hear back from Martha within 48 hours, please contact her directly (martha AT marthabee.com).