November News!

Happy Thanksgiving from

THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS  & SCOUNDRELS!

  

seven authors & illustrators who write for kids and teens

November means the Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels are prepping for the holidays just like everyone else! We look forward to seeing old and new friends at our upcoming events, and we're excited to offer a group signing event at the Book Spot in Round Rock, Texas.

(Don't forget, many of us are still scheduling school and library visits, as well as festival and event appearances, and hope to see you soon!)

Meet the Sweethearts & Scoundrels!    On Saturday, December 8th, the Sweethearts & Scoundrels will be taking over The Book Spot in Round Rock from Noon - 2pm. We'll have a meet and greet, book signings, refreshments, and arts and crafts for the kids. The Sweethearts & Scoundrels are so excited to be able to partner with a local indie bookstore for this event, and would love to be able to help you knock out a big chunk of your holiday shopping all in one swoop. Please come by and say hello!

NEWS & UPDATES ACCOLADES Jeanette's Hummingbirds was named a 2012 Editor's Choice book by Library Media Connections.  Don Tate's It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw has made it onto Kirkus' Best of 2012 list, as well as Booklist's Top 10 Arts Books for Youth  in the November issue.   AUSTIN COMIC CON P. J. Hoover and Jessica Lee Anderson had a great time at Austin Comic Con last month as part of the Writing Ninjas of Texas booth. Both dressed as Alice in Wonderland from the Tim Burton movie, and a highlight was definitely getting their picture taken on the bridge of the USS Enterprise.   (P.J. Hoover and Jessica Lee Anderson at Austin Comic Con)   TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL ( Duncan Tonatiuh, Greg Christie, Don Tate discuss their books at the Texas Book Festival, 2012)     (K.A. Holt, Jarrett Krosoczka, Dav Pilkey, Lisa McMann, and Mac Barnett at the Captain Underpants panel, Texas Book Festival, 2012)    DEAR TEEN ME RELEASE WEEK  P. J. Hoover and Jessica Lee Anderson visited Round Rock High School in Round Rock, TX last week as part of the lead-up to the DEAR TEEN ME release party. Along with a few other Texas authors, P. J. and Jessica shared what inspired them to contribute to the DEAR TEEN ME anthology. Thank you, Round Rock HS, for the great hospitality! And thank you to The Book Spot bookstore for organizing the event!   Don Tate, K.A. Holt, Jo Whittemore, P.J. Hoover, and Jessica Lee Anderson attended the launch party for DEAR TEEN ME on Saturday, November 11th at The Book Spot in Round Rock. The theme of the party was "retro prom" and everyone had a great time celebrating the book and getting decked out in formal (or not so formal) wear for the party.      (Jo Whittemore, Don Tate, P.J. Hoover, Jessica Lee Anderson, K.A. Holt pose at the Dear Teen Me launch party. Photo by Dave Wilson Photography.) SCHOOL VISIT UPDATES Don Tate is currently working with educator Debbie Gonzales, who will help him to align his school library visits with the  Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), state standards.   P. J. Hoover had a lovely time visiting Canyon Pointe Elementary in Tomball, TX. She talked about her path to writing and about how developing characters is a lot like creating monsters. The kids were so enthusiastic! If you'd like to schedule P. J. for an author visit, please contact her via her website. K.A. Holt had a great visit with the Writers' Den students in October. Kari and the students discussed the revision process and how it doesn't have to make you crazy. They also talked about zombie haiku, which can sometimes make you crazy.

UPCOMING EVENTS     BOOKMANIA Don is looking forward to being featured at Bookmania, Chicago, on November 17. Two days of school visits will precede the event.  WRITERS' DEN In December, Jeanette will visit with members of The Writers' Den at Westview Middle School in Pflugerville, TX.   HYATT LOST PINES  ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT Jeanette will be presenting at the Hyatt Lost Pine Annual Christmas Bird Count in Bastrop on December 28. You do not have to stay at the resort to participate in the free (or small fee for some) birding programs held in cooperation with the Bastrop County Audubon Society. For more information on this event, click here.

SCHOOL VISITS!   

   

Interested in an author visit? The Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels would love to visit your school. We understand that library budgets are tight, so our honorariums are flexible and reasonable, and visits can often be combined with other trips to your area.  

DON TATE   

Don looks forward to sharing with students his story about how he became a published author. And he draws! Lots of drawing! Contact him soon as his schedule is filling up.  http://dontate.com/contact/     

JEANETTE LARSON

Jeanette recently added to her experience for school presentations by watching bird banders (have you ever been up close to the south end of a north bound bird?). Contact Jeanette about speaking at your school or library event at jeanette@jeanettelarson.com.
 

K. A. HOLT

Kari enjoys letting students in on a few of her writing secrets - authors are just regular people, and just because you write about zombies and chupacabras doesn't mean you can't write poetry. Contact karianne@gmail.com to bring Kari to your school!

P. J. HOOVER

Creating new worlds, mythology, and monsters is what P. J. Hoover loves to talk about the most. As a former Electrical Engineer, P. J. will share with students her transition to writing, inspirations for her books, and tips that will help even the most reluctant kids believe being a writer is possible. P. J. also partners with Jessica Lee Anderson for school visits. Contact P. J. at www.pjhoover.com/contact.php. 

   

JESSICA LEE ANDERSON

Jessica Lee Andersonis a certified teacher and loves sharing her journey from struggling writer to published author. She is happy to customize any presentation. Jessica also pairs with P. J. Hoover to provide exciting, interactive programs. Contact her at jessicaleeanderson.com/contact.php.