INVITATION TO SHOW & TELL:

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IT'S A PLAY DATE !!
SCBWI monthly meeting at NALIS
(In the auditorium /basement)
Saturday 18th. February, 2006 10 a.m.- NOON
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OPEN CALL TO ALL CULTURAL CREATIVES
Our next SCBWI meeting will take the form of a creative workshop. Whether we write, paint, act or bake we do this most effectively and fluently when we tap in to our universal creative essence.
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Participants will:
- have an opportunity to network and experience creative fellowship
- remember the spirit of play and learn that "doing the work " - is fun
- explore practical exercises to unblock and inspire
OPTIONAL: Bring work to share (writing/ illustrations)
FEE: A willing heart and open mind
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FEEL FREE TO BRING A FRIEND WHO SHARES YOUR INTEREST!
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NEWSLETTER CONTENTS:
Review of January
1. New members share enthusiasm...
2. Free Bulletins for all...
3. Calling artists...
4. Guest Speaker - Lisa Allen Agostini on: Creative Discipline
See also link to Lisa's talk click here
5. Our Blog tour
6. Call for submissions (both writers and artists)
from: http://www.indigoleafmagazine.com
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1. New members share enthusiasm...
Our January meeting was well attended and I was happy to greet both familiar and new faces. Those who have joined the SCBW I spoke about receiving their packages and some were willing to share with the group their delight and enthusiasm thus far -Thank you Patricia Reyes, Carolyn Ali and Walcott Prize '05 finalist, Marsha Gomes!
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2. Free Bulletins for all...
Not only do I want to show non-members the benefits of the society but I also want to remind those who join that the package/membership is only as useful as you make it. We need to read, engage and employ the suggestions/ tools and information offered to actually experience the benefits.
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To this end I accepted an offer from SCBWI Head Office to send out a box of SCBWI Bulletin back issues which I have been distributing freely to non-members as well. Better than just a 'brochure', the bi-monthly Bulletin truly reveals the quality of the society and its work.
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Using one of the issues I was able to point out an article on the copyrights involving the use of photographs (just as Karen Waldron discussed with us FIRST HAND in November!), and another on helping artists put together a portfolio for art director sat publishing houses.
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3. Calling artists...
As I expressed last month in my goals for 2006, I want our regional chapter to be ever mindful of illustrators as well. I'd like to put the word out to artists who have always wanted to illustrate children's books - joining SCBWI and/ or attending our meetings goes a long way to making this a reality...(SO TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE SCBWI AND OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS AT NALIS!)
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To this end, SCBWI member, Terry Suresh spoke about getting his first gig illustrating for children, networking through SCBWI.
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He brought his illustrations to show and also mounted a mini-exhibition of his impressive air brush works. Picking up on the suggestion of post cards which illustrators mail out to art directors he proudly handed me his first batch which includes child friendly interpretations of T&T's folklore characters and a Soca Warrior/ football bonus- smiles! He is already accessing sales for the cards locally - person to person, and in souvenir/ gift shops. (Go Terry!)
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4. Guest Speaker - Lisa Allen Agostini...
The highlight of the meeting for me and other writers I am sure, was an informal presentation by Guardian Editor and soon to be published children's author (Macmillan)Lisa Allen Agostini.
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I think I first met Lisa at the Holy Underground - an open mic poetry affair over a decade ago- and we have been acquainted over the years. She has been very supportive of my own budding talent and accomplishments.
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In September she asked me to read two novel length manuscripts - both suitable for Young Adults with tremendous cross over 'adult' appeal. I was struck by the 'readability' of her work. A hard to define quality that is so important not only for marketability in a general a sense, but KEY to making willing readers out of reluctant teens.
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I asked if she would be willing to submit something on speculation for the new (pre- and young teen) series I am currently editing for Macmillan. The Chalice Project- a trilogy, made the cut! and All of this before the end of 2005!! Despite her dodging the label of 'disciplined writer', the results indicate to me, that Lisa is accessing a very disciplined creative space in herself and her life. Thankfully, she accepted my invitation to speak about this at our January meeting. With her kind permission, the written version of what she shared can be read on our blog. (© 2005 Lisa Allen Agostini)
Please click here to go to Lisa's article on 'Discipline in Writing'
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5. Our Blog tour
To help you make your way around our blog:
- Most current news will be on the front page
- There is a section for writers to blog and another section for artists to blog;presuming the interests will be different. If this proves cumbersome we will revise it later on.
- An events calendar will let you know what's going on/ coming up in our region.
- See archives for past actitivities/ newsletters
- There's a link to the SCBWI Kansas "In The Wind" regional news letter. It's instructive to see what others are doing and how they're doing it.
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6. Call for submissions (both writers and artists)
from: http://www.indigoleafmagazine.com
One of our members Karen Waldron - lawyer, writer, photographer, wife and mother - is a tremendous example of self starting. Marrying her creative expression with a bit of tech savvy, she has launched (yet another) online magazine www.indigoleafmagazine.com
The magazine intends to spotlight talented writers and artists "who do not yet make a living from their art". It may offer a professional showcase and reading audience for writers who have not yet had a lucky break, and who do not have a web presence of their own.The work has to be considered of 'publishable' quality:
" Indigo Leaf welcomes high quality submissions for publicationon our website. All articles are reviewed by a committee of published writers, to ensure the highest standard."
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Joanne Gail Johnson
www.caribbeanchildren.com