Conference Updates & KidLit News: March 29

SCBWI-Houston Conference in October!

I’m so excited about our SCBWI-Houston conference this fall! Along with two editors and an art director, we will have three outstanding agents visiting us: Kelly Sonnack from Andrea Brown Literary, Brianne Johnson from Writers House, and Ginger Clark from Curtis Brown. All three of these established, successful agents represent authors and illustrators for picture books, middle grade, and young adult literature.

The first time I saw Ginger Clark (@Ginger_Clark) was years ago at a Writers League of Texas conference. I was still new to writers’ conferences and I didn’t have an appointment with her, so I was too terrified to just approach her and pitch my project as so many other writers did. I saw her again a year ago at the SCBWI-Florida conference, but since I already had an agent, I didn’t pitch to her then either. But I did attend one of her breakout workshops and wow! Any author or illustrator would be fortunate to have her on their side! I typed madly as she spoke. I’ll definitely be bringing my laptop again in October.

This will be my first opportunity to hear Kelly Sonnack (@KSonnack) speak and I am really looking forward to it. Kelly is on the Advisory Board and faculty for UCSD’s certificate in Writing and Illustrating for Children. She’s been selling children’s books to major publishers since 2007 and has been with Andrea Brown since 2009. Except for referrals and conference submissions, Kelly is closed to queries, so this year’s SCBWI-Houston conference is your chance!

Brianne Johnson (@SecretAgentBri) is a Senior Agent at Writers House. She was at the SCBWI-Oklahoma conference a year or two ago, and I really wanted to attend but couldn’t make it, so this will be my first time to see her, too. I love this quote from Brianne’s Publishers Marketplace page about her philosophy on books: “I do love a story that can illuminate something about humanity AND make me laugh. Life is serious enough. Reading should be a joy.” Indeed!

Local News!

Katy Budget Books events coordinator Anna Brown has been selected for the 2016 Steffie Walker Bookseller of the Year award by Romance Writers of America! Congratulations, Anna!

This Week’s Events!

APRIL 2: TEEN BOOK CON, HOUSTON
Alief Taylor High School

The librarians of greater Houston host the sixth annual TeenBookCon. This event is a great opportunity for teens and other fans of YA literature to interact with a variety of authors and graphic novelists! Blue Willow Bookshop will be there with books from all the authors. This year’s keynote speaker is young adult author Ruta Sepetys. Twenty-four more YA authors will also be attending, including local authors Kristin Rae and Meredith Moore. Book sales will be available through Blue Willow Bookshop.

APRIL 2, SATURDAY, 10:30 AM
Brazos Boosktore
Dee Leone, Children’s Author

For this week’s storytime, Houston author Dee Leone will read her new storybook, BIZZ AND BUZZ MAKE HONEY BUNS. She will sign copies of the book during craft time.

APRIL 3, SUNDAY, 2:00-4:00 PM
The Veranda, Kingwood
Denise Ditto, Children’s Author

Come join local author Denise Ditto for the Kingwood launch of her debut book in The Tooth Collector Fairies, BATINA’S BEST FIRST DAY. Have your photo taken with Crown Mistress Molar, the oldest and wisest tooth fairy in the land of Brushelot!

APRIL 4, MONDAY, 7:00 PM
Tracy Gee Community Center
Diandra Mae, Social Media Workshop
COST: FREE

At this month’s SCBWI-Houston meeting, Illustrator Coordinator Diandra Mae will present Social Media for Kidlit Creators: How Sharing Online Builds Communities & Connections. This free workshop will cover Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. All are welcome!