KidLit Author Events July 12
While I was out of town, my pre-ordered copy of Katie Kennedy’s (moderator on the SCBWI Discussion Board) debut young adult novel arrived at Blue Willow Bookshop! The novel, LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA, has continued to gain praise from the industry pros, like this starred review from Publishers Weekly, and was included included in the PW Picks: Books of the Week, July 11, 2016.
Since I started including the writing conference updates on these weekly posts, I think today is the first time I have come up empty-handed. There are many conferences and retreats which are pending but haven’t yet posted their information. Fingers crossed, next week I’ll have more news for you.
But don’t forget the SCBWI-Houston fall conference coming October 22 is now open for registration!
Here’s what’s going on around Houston this week:
Greater Houston Area KidLit Author/Illustrator Events
JULY 12, 6:30-8:30 PM: HWG SUMMER SERIES
Trini Mendenhall, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston
Workshop: Plotting Thrillers and Action/Adventure—Story Arc and Comic Relief with Tony Burnett
COST: $10 per session to Houston Writers Guild members/$30 per session to nonmembers; Or $50 members for all 6 sessions/$150 nonmembers for all 6 sessions
Tony Burnett, current president of the Writers League of Texas, will discuss:
Plot development–how complex should your story be
Pacing–tension and tension release
Unique characteristics of thrillers versus action adventure versus mystery
Finding your voice–reading to write
Standalone versus series versus serial–what works for your story
Character traits and quirks–making the believable interesting and the unbelievable believable
Finding an audience and/or specific genre
Having fun with writing
JULY 13, WEDNESDAY, 6:30 PM: RACHEL CAINE, YA AUTHOR
NYT bestselling author Rachel Caine will sign and discuss her young adult novel PAPER AND FIRE. In this sequel to INK AND BONE, Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower and doomed to a life apart.
Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London. But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, or the Library willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control…
JULY 15, FRIDAY, 5:00-10:00 PM: MARIANNE DYSON, CHILDREN’S NONFICTION AUTHOR
Barnes & Noble Westheimer Crossing
As part of Barnes & Noble’s Star Wars night, Marianne Dyson will sign her new children’s book WELCOME TO MARS, co-authored with Buzz Aldrin, plus her space shuttle memoir, A PASSION FOR SPACE. Another of her books, HOME ON THE MOOON, which won the American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award in 2004 will be available. She’ll have a special scale for readers to “Guess Your Moon Weight” with NASA stickers for prizes, and some “gravity bricks” to test their strength on the Moon and Mars.
JULY 16, SATURDAY, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM: WRITESPACE WORKSHOP
Writespace
Workshop: Crafting Effective Prose with Cassandra Clare
COST: Early-Bird until Monday, July 11: $30 Members, $45 Non-Members. After Monday, July 11: $40 Members, $55 Non-Members
In this workshop, we’ll examine these powerful building blocks of fiction by focusing on the importance of effective prose. How can the prose of a story highlight and enhance classic story elements like character, structure and plot arcs? How many metaphors are too many? What other writing styles can we employ to tell our stories well, or should we all just try to write like Hemingway? Through a combination of writing exercises and discussion of classic examples, we’ll answer these questions and more.
JULY 16, SATURDAY, 7:00 PM: CAMILLA D’ERRICO, MANGA ARTIST
Barnes & Noble Westheimer Crossing
Celebrate manga with drawing and coloring activities from renowned manga artist Camilla d’Errico. Enjoy a special offer on manga, activities, cosplay and giveaways.