Texas Library Association Conference Wrap-up

Texas Library Association Conference Wrap-up

mood:  bouncy

The Texas Library Association (TLA) Conference has come and gone for another year. Gone are the glorious books, the smiling librarians, the dynamic speakers (Librarians, authors, illustrators, teachers) and the buses of teens. But what we're left with are: new friends, new books and new inspiration to bring our stories into the hearts of kids. See you in Houston in 2012 for next year's conference!

 A big thank you to Austin SCBWI Regional Advisor Debbie Gonzales who coordinated the efforts needed for the TLA conference booth. She designed the booth to represent the heart and charm of the great State of Texas and it was widely received by everyone who stopped by. We put over 1,000 catalogs (ads of authors and illustrators who offer school visits) into the hands of librarians. Gave away packages of books to librarians who entered our free draws and made contact with authors and illustrators who want to be a part of next year's catalog which will be hosted by the Houston SCBWI chapter.

Here are a few pictures highlighting the many volunteers who manned the booth. It was another great effort by the Texas SCBWI chapters who sponsored the booth. Thanks, everyone!!



Austin Illustrator Chair Mark G. Mitchell, RA Debbie Gonzales and Austin SCBWI author Shelli Cornelison. Doesn't our booth look inviting?


Me and author Janet Fox . Janet was signing advanced reader copies for her latest novel FORGIVEN (Speak, June 2011) while visiting TLA.


Authors Janet Fox, Jo Whittemore, Donna Bowman Bratton and Bethany Hegedus.

 Me and author Donna Bowman Bratton.


Mother Goose and Mark G. Mitchell outside of the Austin Convention Center.

Authors Donna Bowman Bratton, Jo Whittemore, Emma Virjan, Jessica Lee Anderson andJeanette Larson at one of the TLA conference schmoozes.


Authors Jessica Lee Anderson, Jo Whittemore and PJ Hoover, some of the Texas Sweethearts and Scoundrels, speaking on a panel at TLA.


Author Phil Bildner and librarian Emily Gardner posing for a picture after speaking on a panel.

No Excuses and Great Writing Events Happening in and Around Austin

Well, I've got plenty of excuses for not blogging in FOREVER. But right now, none of them make sense. Does that make sense? 

I think the bottom line is that as my plate got fuller and fuller, I shoved the blogging into a napkin, kind of like you do when you're served brussel sprouts or turnip or beet tops. And yet I like all those things. So what I'm trying to say is that instead of eating my veggies first, I left them to the end and they got cold and then I didn't want to eat them anymore. Does that make sense?

In any case, No Excuses. 



I've had so much going on and it's all been good. The February Austin SCBWI Conference Books, Boots & Buckskin was a HUGE success thanks to a lot of hard work, giving volunteers, great leadership (Regional Advisor Debbie Gonzales) and a stellar line-up! Everybody I spoke with during and after the conference seemed to be glowing. It's hard catering to a group with varying levels of expertise but in my opinion there was something at the conference for everyone, and I believe if you come to any event with the right attitude you're bound to come away with an "aha" moment and a few more specks of wisdom in your pocket.

Right now, we're gearing up for the many librarians, editors, authors, illustrators, publishers, packagers that are about to descend on Austin as Austin hosts this year's Texas Library Association (TLA) Conference. If you're going to be at the conference please stop by the SCBWI booth (booth #1626) and say "Hi!"  There'll be a host of friendly authors and illustrators there to greet you with a warm SCBWI welcome!  

Also there are still a few last minute spots left to snag at the Writers' League of Texas YA A to Z Conference that runs on April 15th and 16th. It's your time to shine in front of authors, editors and agents so make haste and sign-up! I'll be moderating the Path to Publishing: Options for Getting Your Book Out with authors P.J. Hoover, Andrea White and Suzette Conway from Author Solutions on Saturday, April 16th. I hope you can come and gleam some advice from the experts.

   

This weekend I'll be attending the Houston SCBWI conference on Saturday then heading back to Austin to catch author Jo Whittemore's Odd Girl In (Aladdin) book launch at BookPeople. Both events are sure to be mind-blowing and fun!

     

We've just announced our next Austin SCBWI Workshop headlining the Texas Sweethearts.Beyond the Basics: Analyzing and Applying Constructive Criticism will fill up quickly so don't delay in visiting our website and registering for the July 30th, 2011 event!  If you're not currently in a critique group this will be a great chance to mingle, network and find that ideal group of like-minded writers.

 

Seeing as April is National Poetry Month I wanted to tell you about a wonderful poetry retreat sponsored by the Southern Breeze SCBWI chapter. Dive Into Poetry with Rebecca Kai Dotlichwill begin on Friday, June 10th and end on Sunday, June 12th, 2011 in Dahlonega, Georgia. No doubt these spots will fill up quickly with a chance to learn from one of the best poets and authors around. If you're not familiar with Rebecca's poetry check out her picture book Bella & Bean illustrated by Aileen Leijten (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009) and she's also included in many poetry anthologies including Amazing Faces illustrated by Chris Soentpiet and compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Cynthia Leitich Smith's last interview with Lee) (Lee and Low Books Inc, 2010). One of my favorite poems in the anthology is her poem "Amazing Face."

I hope to see you at one of the many events happening in and around Austin in the next few weeks. There's just so much to be thankful for living in such a vibrant writing community and I promise to do better and keeping you abreast of all the activities on my blog.  

Have a great day!