Hello from rainy Rimsting!
Hard to believe it’s July already! For those of you celebrating, happy belated Canada Day and Happy 4th of July!
Region News:
BBQ
Thank you to everyone who partook in our poll. Jehan Jones-Radgowski has graciously offered her home in Holzerlingen (near Stuttgart) as the location.
When: Saturday, August 26th from 3pm – 7pm.
Where: Holzerlingen. RSVP Jehan at jehanjones@yahoo.com for more detailed information.
What to bring: Food to grill and a dish to pass. Drinks will be provided by SCBWI.
This event is open to all Germany/Austria SCBWI members and their families. Bring swimsuits as there is a public pool only a 5-minute walk away.
Undiscovered Voices
The submission period for the 2018 Undiscovered Voices Anthology is now open until August 15th. All writers (who write in the English language) and illustrators who are SCBWI members and living in Europe are eligible.
As a past winner, I can only say that this is a fantastic opportunity to jumpstart your career in publishing.
For more detailed information visit: http://www.undiscoveredvoices.com
Future events
Initial planning is starting for Fall/Winter events. In the works are:
– working retreats for both writers and illustrators
– Frankfurt meet up (including renting an AirBnB)
– webinars with publishing professionals
Volunteers to help organize and run these or any other events are always welcome. If interested, please contact me at germanyaustria-ra@sbcwi.org
Illustrator’s News from Sanne:
Over the last six month, a group of illustrators in the Stuttgart/Tübingen area have come together once a month to spend a morning working together. In order to make it possible for other illustrators to join, we have decided to host a whole day meeting. This is happening on July 15th, from 10:00am until 4:00 pm in Sanne's Studio, Paul-Lechler-Str.11, 72076 Tübingen.
We'll work on picture book dummies, creating thumbnails, working on pageturns, character development and composition – and all the questions which will turn up in the process. You'll need to bring your drawing equipment and a story, if you have one. And, of course, anything you might want to share! Please let me know if you want to join, it would be lovely to see you there.
Taking a break in August, we'll go on with our Creative Tuesdays in September. Our first meeting will be September 12th, and we'll do Figurative Drawing. My daughters' rabbits are eager to pose, so please bring a pencil and a carrot. We're meeting at 9:30 am at my studio.
Other SCBWI news to be aware of
On-The-Verge Emerging Voices Award
This grant was created to foster the emergence of diverse voices in children’s books.
Deadline:
Applications accepted between September 15 and November 15, 2017 only.
Award:
Two writers or writer/illustrators will each receive:
– A paid trip to the SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles (transportation, and hotel shared with other winner as appropriate)
– Tuition to the SCBWI Summer Conference (Excluding Portfolio Showcase. Intensives depending on availability)
– Manuscript Consultation at the Summer Conference
– A press release
– Publicity through SCBWI social media
– Manuscript included on our secure website for a selected list of publishing professionals to view
– Guidance available from SCBWI staff on professional career development during the winning year.
Eligibility:
Any writer or writer/illustrator from an ethnic and/or cultural background that is traditionally under-represented in children’s literature in America. (Including but not limited to: American Indian, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander)
The manuscript must be an original work written in English for young readers and may not be under contract. The applicant must be over 18, be unpublished (self-published is not considered published for this award), and should not yet have representation.
For more information visit: https://www.scbwi.org/awards/grants/on-the-verge-emerging-voices-grant/
SCBWI Narrative Art Award
Starting in 2017, the Tomie dePaola award will become the SCBWI Narrative Art Award. A rotating panel of judges from the SCBWI Board of Advisors will provide an assignment and will judge the submissions each year. The assignment will require three images, in the format of panels, to show sequence and narrative. The theme and specific assignment will change each year. The prize will continue to be a trip to the SCBWI New York Winter conference, with tuition, travel and hotel included. The winning piece will be displayed during the New York VIP Party and Portfolio Showcase. We will also continue to have an online gallery displaying the submissions to the award for anyone who wants to participate. The first assignment of the Narrative Art Award will be announced in July 2017, submissions will be due in September, and the winner will be announced in November. The winner will attend the SCBWI 2018 Winter Conference. For questions, contact Sarah Baker
La Cometa
A bulletin in Spanish about the Children's books market in Hispanoamerica
For those of you who speak Spanish, here’s a resource about the Spanish children’s book market.
To access the latest issue visit: http://mailchi.mp/78ff69519d04/la-cometa-n-42
Current Interviews include:
-Alma Flor Ada, writer. She talks about her work, the Spanish market in US, and Capoy-Ada Award, the first Spanish Literary Contest in US, just launched by the North American Academy of Spanish Language.
-Mariana Mendía, a brilliant editor in Ediciones Castillo (Mexico). She offers submission guidelines and tips for writers and illustrators.
-Ana Garralón, a Children's books critique and professor, who recently opened a Book-store in Madrid with Spanish Children's books from all over the world.
-Pedro Pablo Picazo, script-writer.
That’s all the news for now. Wishing everyone a creative summer and hope to see a number of you at the BBQ in August!
Patti and Sanne