Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels

Happy 2012!

2012-01-13T06:41:00.000-08:00

We hope 2012 is off to a wonderful start for you!

If you will be attending ALA Midwinter 2012, please join us for a Sweethearts Reception! Take a break to come say hello and to enjoy cookies, munchies, and other treats.

When: Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 3:00-4:00
Where: Dallas Convention Center Booth 1102, Texas Overlooked Booth.

Many thanks to Pat Anderson!

Is there someone you know who is making a difference in your community? Please nominate him or her to be a Featured Sweetheart.

Thanks, and hope to see you soon!

A Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels Holiday Signing!

2011-12-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

FEATURED SWEETHEARTS: Patti Cook & Joanna Nigrelli

2011-11-16T19:51:00.000-08:00

Today, we're thrilled to feature two fantastic librarians from right here in Texas, PATTI COOK & JOANNA NIGRELLI!

About Patti:
Patti is now an assistant branch manager in Austin after working for many years as a teen services librarian. She is very active with the Texas Library Association, serving twice on the Local Arrangement Committee (go Placement Center go!), she has served on the Tayshas High School Reading list in two different capacities and is currently Chair-Elect of the Young Adult Round Table.

About Joanna:
Joanna is a teen services librarian turned stay at home mom of two boys. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida where she can often be found visiting the local libraries and appreciating that they always have something fun for her boys to do. In her illustrious 9 year librarian career, she was active in the Texas Library Association (serving as Chair of the Young Adult Round Table), a SXSW Dewey Winburne Community Service Award Honoree, and a totally rock star NYT Librarian of the Year. (*high five!*)

*****

TXS&S: What is your biggest surprise since becoming a librarian?

P: The Conferences! Who knew library conferences would be so incredibly awesome? You not only get the important professional development that you would expect, but there is a wealth of resources at your fingertips. Author panels, the publishers in the exhibit hall, your fellow librarians. We are especially lucky to live in Texas and be able to become involved in the Texas Library Association.

Becoming involved with TLA, and YART in particular really helped us both to grow professionally.

J: I agree 100%!

We were both able to find our own opportunities to pursue interests in literature, librarianship, and leadership that were beyond what we could at our jobs.

I would say that I had one other big surprise: the close community of YA - readers, librarians, authors, publishers, book sellers.

TXS&S: How do you see the future of reading changing, and how do you think readers and libraries can stay current?

J: The lines between genres and formats have blurred if not exploded. Also, there isn’t much of a distinction for “these are boy books and these are girl books.” If it is a good story, people will read it - be it on their electronic whatsit or with a bound paper version. Libraries are aware of what’s current and what’s coming. The problem is getting the money to be able to do it and then wading through government bureaucracy to get the green light.

P: Despite what the newspapers will have you believe, libraries are not some quaint notion of the past. We’re busier than ever with more people coming through our doors, using our computers, taking our computer classes, enjoying our varied programming for all ages, checking out library material, and basically taking advantage of everything a library card can get you.

TXS&S: Would your friends and colleagues consider you a Sweetheart or Scoundrel, and why?

Once a teen librarian, always a scoundrel!

TXS&S: Can you tell us what motivated you to start your blog, Oops…Wrong Cookie?

P: We started this blog in 2007 along with several of our colleagues as a way to continue the discussion of books that we were having in real life in a more public forum. It was a way for us to try to improve our writing skills (improved and still improving) and try out new things and share our love of literature with anyone who was interested in reading.

J: The blog became self-guided professional development. I am just one reader and YA publishes so much each year. Oops was a way to pool our reading resources and learn about books that maybe we wouldn’t read but would know a teen (or adult!) who would be interested.

P: We really love to talk about books and we really love to do live blogging during ALA award broadcasts. Our reactions are immediate and uncensored, honest, and we think pretty funny. We especially appreciate these posts because we now live in different states and we don't get to have these conversations in person any more. A couple highlights are:
● Joanna and Patti React...to the Youth Media Awards
● Joanna and Patti Discuss...Mockingjay!

TXS&S: What or who keeps you both motivated?

J: I’ll admit I thought being at home would give me more time to blog. Sometimes there’s a great book that I just have to talk about. My 2 year old is a pleasant enough audience, but it’s more satisfying to shout my undying love for Gary D. Schmidt and the Red Blazer Girls to my friends through the blog. It’s out there... forever!

P: Its fun to share your opinion on things. You never know who you’ll run into online. Having Kathleen Duey comment on our blog was pretty fabulous and then we got the chance to meet her at TLA and she was so interesting. She doesn’t plot her books beforehand! We were blown away. If you’ve never read her Skin Hunger series you’re missing out (and you’ll be doubly amazed by the non-pre-plotting. How does she do it?!?).

TXS&S What are some ways you support each other?

J: Patti is my reading buddy. Not just that she reads voraciously (anything and everything where I tend to stick to certain things) but she’s also so willing to talk about what she’s reading and listen to me talk about what I’m reading. When you have someone like that, it makes it easier to, for instance, stay up until 2 a.m. reading the rest of Monsters of Men because you have to email Patti tomorrow morning and ask her a zillion questions about Todd and Viola and his mom and what-the-heck-The Mayor-omg! Plus, Patti mailed me ARCs from ALA so that I can keep up. She won’t let me slack.

P: It’s nice to have someone to share your enthusiasm with. Especially if you’re two different types of readers. Joanna introduced me to Megan Whalen Turner’s The Thief and for that I will be forever grateful!

TXS&S: You are both not originally from Texas, where did you two meet?

J: I’m originally from Clearwater, Florida
P: I’m originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

P: We met in library school at the University of Texas and then were reunited when we both were lucky enough to get jobs when we graduated. We were both hired, coincidentally, by Jeanette Larson,one of the Texas Sweetheart authors.

TXS&S: To what do you attribute your passion for young adult literature?

J: I interned at the public library after graduation hoping that would lead to a reference job, but completely fell in love with working in the youth/teen department. Being a teen librarian in the early 2000’s meant inclusion into this exciting, growing library movement dedicated to services for teens and providing a library experience tailored for their needs - developmental and recreational. I became a youth advocate and part of that meant advocating for what young people liked to read... which easily became what I liked to read.

Plus, there’s living in the city of Austin, a city with a passion for YA. The vibrant author community, several yearly author visits at Book People, the delightfully fab Forever YA blog, the Texas Book Festival which started a teen program in the early 2000s, and now the fantastic Austin Teen Book Festival coming up October 1.

P: I don’t have much to add to that, that seems pretty comprehensive! I will say that serving on the Tayshas committee helped me a lot as a reader. You have to read every book nominated to the list which can mean you’re reading about 200 teen books a year. It really knocks down a lot of your pre-conceived notions of what you think you’ll enjoy. That sort of experience pays dividends in readers advisory.

TXS&S: Thank you so much for joining us!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: John Schumacher

2011-11-10T06:37:00.000-08:00

John Schumacher (MrSchuReads) isn’t your average elementary school librarian. In fact, he was recently touted as a 2011 Library Journal Mover and Shaker for all the amazing work he does promoting children’s literature in and out of schools. When he isn’t at Brook Forest Elementary craftily getting kids into books, he’s blogging, Tweeting, or traveling the country to meet new characters and greet old favorites. His devotion and appreciation for children’s literature (and children themselves) is why Mr. Schu is our Featured Sweetheart!

TXS&S: You have an amazing web presence (two blogs and a VERY active Twitter account), on top of being a K-5 librarian AND traveling to publishing events throughout the country AND having a goal this year to read 2011 books!
How do you find the time?

JS: It is easy to juggle multiple roles when you love what you do. I feel passionately about libraries and literacy. I’ve always been an avid reader, but I’ve gotten better at managing my time and prioritizing. I schedule reading time into every day. I read picture books, beginning readers, middle-grade fiction, graphic novels, and young adult fiction. I tend to read more picture books than any other format. I set up a general formula that works. My monthly goal is to read 150-200 picture books, 10-12 novels, and at least one young adult selection. I like to read in the morning before heading to school, and I always have two or three audio books in my car. Most importantly, I only watch television on Tuesday. :)
I’m usually juggling 6-7 books (just look at my Goodreads “CURRENTLY READING” shelf.) If a book gets a lot of buzz, I’ll put the one I’m reading aside and start a new one. I jump from book to book.
Sadly, I neglect those “small” things like grocery shopping, dropping off dry cleaning, and other "fun" tasks.

TXS&S: You’re a big proponent for innovation in publishing, even going so far as to teach students how to use QR codes to promote and learn about their favorite books. What’s next for you?

JS: My students are wild about Picture Book Month. They are connecting with schools in Budapest, California, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

They will :

-discuss picture books via Skype

-communicate with their virtual friends through a Google Form

-motivate each other to read picture books

-serve as Ambassadors for Picture Book Month

-Skype with picture book authors

-write essays about the importance of picture books

-read, read, read, read, read, and read picture books

-participate in a bookmark exchange

-explore iPad storybook apps

-meet Kate Messner and Linda Urban

TXS&S: What are your top three technological ways (website, device, application, etc) that parents and kids can connect with books?

JS: 1. I teach a popular unit during which first graders explore characters and series websites. They try to outrun Babymouse’s locker, travel with Jack and Annie, and color with Charlie and Lola.
2. Ummm....book trailers. My blog is dedicated to them. Book trailers are one of my favorite ways to connect kids with books.
3. I have friends on Goodreads who share an account with their children. I love when families write reviews and reactions together.

TXS&S: What are your top three non-technological ways that parents and kids can connect with books?

JS: 1. A child should read with an adult at least twenty minutes a day. Richard Peck says it best, “Read to your children. Twenty minutes a day; You have the time, And so do they.”
2. Children need to see that authors are real people. Take your child to author and literacy events at local bookshops and public libraries. Sometimes this gives them the confidence they need to become active readers.
3. Model good reading behaviors. Explore different formats, such as magazines, comic books, graphic novels, recipes, and newspapers.

TXS&S: What aspect of your job is the most rewarding? The most challenging?

JS: The most rewarding aspect of my job is chatting with kids about books. There’s nothing better than when a child stops you in the hall, or comes running into the library, shouting, “OH MY GOODNESS, MR. SCHU! YOU WERE RIGHT! THIS REALLY IS THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN.”
The most challenging part of my job is convincing parents and teachers that graphic novels are real books. They are! Please respect readers.

TXS&S: Thanks so much, Mr. Schu! The world can always use more librarians like you. :-)

A Jazzy Book Giveaway from a Texas Scoundrel

2011-10-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite (Charlesbridge, 2011), a new book illustrated by Texas Scoundrel, Don Tate, written by Anna Harwell Celenza, Don is giving away 10 free copies and a grand prize!

The grand prize: A signed copy of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite (signed by the artist), choice of a $25 iTunes or Amazon gift certificate (winner’s choice), DVD of Jazz Legends: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929-1943. And don’t forget, every book comes with a CD filled with Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite holiday jazz music!
Single prizes: Ten individuals will win one signed book.

Several ways to enter — Do one (1) of the following:

**Tweet this blog post. Let Don know that you’ve tweeted so he can enter you in the drawing. Here’s a suggested tweet:
Enter to win a copy of DUKE ELLINGTON’S NUTCRACKER SUITE, a jazzy holiday book, illus. by Don Tate (@devas_T): http://bit.ly/qOvwgH #kidlit

**Announce Don's giveaway on Facebook. Let him know so he can enter you in the drawing. Here’s a suggested status update:
Enter to win a copy of DUKE ELLINGTON’S NUTCRACKER SUITE, a jazzy holiday book, illustrated by Don Tate: http://bit.ly/qOvwgH

**Like Don on Facebook! Let him know that he's ‘liked’ so he can enter you in the drawing.

**Or you can simply comment on this post (or email him directly). Be sure to include an email address (formatted like: don at donate dot com), or you can send him a link to your email address.
The drawing will be held and announced on Friday November 5th, 2011 (Deadline: midnight CST Nov. 4). Don will put all the names in a hat. Those who have announced the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook will earn a double entry into the drawing. Let Don know if you are a teacher or librarian, you’ll earn a triple entry!
Due to the high costs of postage, Don limited the eligibility to folks in the United States and Canada.
Again, 10 signed books given away, in addition to the grand prize.
A special thanks to Charlesbridge Publishing, for donating books!
Thank you all for your support.

FEATURED SWEETHEART: John Stewig

2011-09-14T06:10:00.000-07:00

We're thrilled to be showcasing John Stewig today as our FEATURED SWEETHEART!

About John:
John Warren Stewig began writing professional books for teachers, librarians, and parents. He has presented lectures and workshops in over 30 states and two such professional organizations as the National Council of Teachers of English, The International Reading Association, and the American Library Association. He served on, and subsequently was chair of the Caldecott Committee.
His writing for children includes eleven picture books. Most recently published was The Animals Watched (Holiday House) an alphabet book which retells the tale of Noah. Forthcoming in 2012 is Nobody Asked the Pea, a retelling in several different first person voices.

*****

TXS&S: Can you tell us about the Center for Children's Literature and your role as the director?

JS: The Center bases its public programing for teachers, parents, and librarians on a collection of about 25,000 recently published books. We maintain a website http://www.carthage.edu/childrens-literature/ which includes reviews of recently published books as well as additional information about the center. A major effort is bringing authors, illustrators, and others involved in children's books to campus to speak about the nature of their work. A workshop "The Business of Children's Publishing" offered every other year, explores the nature of editing and art directing.

TXS&S: What drew you to the field of children's literature? What is your hope for the future of children's literature?

JS: My mother drew me in a wagon to children's books. We went to the Carnegie Library in the small town where I grew up every single week and hauled home a wagon load full of books. My love of books began even before I could read myself.
My hope for children's literature is twofold. 1) I hope we can convince more and more adults about the importance of reading to every child every day. There is no more effective way to enhance general literacy then immersion in books. 2) My hope for publishing is that imaginative and courageous editors can continue to produce books with wide child appeal, which do not necessarily follow the most popular trends. Enough of vampires already!

TXS&S: As a multi-published author, do you have any writing or marketing advice you can share with aspiring writers?

JS: Regarding writing, I'd suggest that every piece of writing can be improved by skillful editing, either the editing the writer does or editing by some other person. I have been lucky enough to publish children's books, books for adults, a language arts series, journal articles, and newspaper opinion pieces. Each is a very different format with different constraints. My experience has been that my work has always been improved by the editors with whom I have worked.
For marketing advice, you really must seek other sources. I was quite surprised when I talked with a published author at a recent ALA convention and she told me as a matter of course that to even get a manuscript considered, a writer must have their own website, blog, facebook, and other electronic avenues to promote their work. Clearly this is the wave of the future in marketing.

TXS&S: Also, as someone who has taught methods courses in the schools, plus conducted many workshops and author programs, any public speaking tips you could enlighten us with?

JS: Know your audience. I've worked with 3 year olds and done presentations in retirement homes as well as scores of public schools and libraries. Frequently I am bemused to discover when something doesn't go over well with an audience, that it's because I didn't learn enough about my listeners before I began. Still vivid in my memory is an experience I had in a small Midwestern town when I was to be the only presenter for an entire day. I opened with Karen Cushman's The Midwife's Apprentice and thought perhaps I was going to be run out of town by 11:00am, so intense was the negative reaction. Clearly it was a case of not knowing enough about who I was talking to. (If you want to hear the rest of the story, ask me when I see you at a convention.)

TXS&S: Lastly, would your friends and colleagues consider you a Sweetheart or Scoundrel, and why?

JS: To answer this, you need to talk to the many student workers who have helped me keep the Center running for many years. They undoubtedly have a much clearer answer to that question. But I'm not going to give you their names.

JS: Thank you Jessica for offering me this opportunity, a first of its kind experience for me.

TXS&S: Thank you for being here, John!

Featured Sweetheart René Saldaña, Jr.

2011-09-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

René Saldaña, Jr. is a fabulous writer, who focuses his work on Latino young adult literature but also moving in to middle grade mysteries. I vaguely remember being introduced to René by David Rice many years ago. It was probably at a Texas Library Association conference or some similar event. He was one of the most friendly and open guys I had met and I'm so happy that over the past two years we have become closer friends. He and I share a passion for mysteries, and his latest story is included in You Don't Have a Clue: Latino Mystery Stories for Teens, edited by Sarah Cortez. Although he calls himself a scoundrel, I have to disagree and say that I'm delighted to introduce him as a real sweetheart! --Jeanette Larson

TS&S: What was the first book you had published? Tell us about the book and your path to publication.

RS: The first book was The Jumping Tree, about Rey who’s growing up in deep South Texas. Think San Antonio, then imagine three hours south yet of it. In the novel, Rey must discover for himself what path toward manhood he should take. First, there’s the “manhood” proffered up by one of his uncles and one of his buddies in the neighborhood, Chuy. Both these examples are more in line with the Hollywood stereotype, though let’s not be fooled, it is a type that very much exists, exploited though it is by film. Second, he’s got another uncle, Tio Angel, his own father, and a couple of other solid role models.

I wrote the book while I was teaching E/LA beginning my second year in the classroom. I asked students to write personal narratives, tired as they were and I was of the overly-taught and therefore ineffective five-paragraph essay then the form of choice for the TAAS. I wasn’t literally writing these cuentitos down, but telling them instead. I gave them as examples to my students: I’d share a piece on a certain subject and then ask them to write something similar, putting to use all the stuff I introduced them to about writing: character, character development, action, description, dialogue, etc. After several years of doing this I finally put them to paper and started reading them at different cafes. To some success. I constantly revise based on student and audience reactions. I met Austin/South Texas writer and film maker, David Rice, around this time and he saw me read a few times. We became fast friends because both our visions for Valley youth are perfectly aligned: they need to read and write our Valley stories, they need to excel, they need to DO to attain that success. But it all begins with reading. Well, he’s the one who introduced me to Lauri Hornik, who was then a senior editor at Random House/Delacorte. He said I should submit to her what I had, he’d email her to let her know it was en route. About two or three months later, I had a message on my machine asking if I wanted to sell Random House my book, and if so to give her a callback, and the rest is history, so to speak.

TS&S: How much of your writing is based on yourself and your life?

RS: I can honestly say that much of The Jumping Tree is based on my life, or my friends’ and family’s, or even my students’. I didn’t rely strictly on my life or memories of my life from one era. It was a mix from various times and events, so that it’d work out as a story. That’s something about this book: Lauri bought it as a memoir, but then she let me change it to fiction. Then she left for Dial, and this other editor, Wendy Lamb, whoever she was, right? Well, she took over The Jumping Tree, and she and I worked on it, but by then it was already fiction, and so Wendy helped me shape it in that direction. I think that she never knew it as a memoir was the best thing to happen to the book because both she and I then allowed ourselves to craft a work of make-believe. Thereafter, the percentage of what’s based on actual events versus what’s not has dwindled, almost to nothing. I mean, I write truths, right, but they are not founded on real life events.

TS&S: Can you share a bit about your teaching career? How does what you teach and your interactions with students impact your writing?

RS: You know, aside from what I’ve already shared above, today not at all. I teach in a college of education, mostly children’s and YA literatures. In that sense, that I’m always reading the newer stuff out there, I do get some influence from them. Matt de la Pena, for example, shows me so much about writing when I read him. I’m reading his I Will Save You right now, and he’s a writer’s writer, especially in this book. Much in the same way that Ben Saenz is in Last Night I Sang to the Monster. These guys are making very intentional decisions about language (not just choosing the best word or the most lyrical, but something else completely different). The shifting in Matt’s novel from the past to the present to another time in Kidd’s head and memory all remind me of what Faulkner would do with shifting perspectives. So in that way, sure, my classes inspire me to do likewise in my own ways.

TS&S: Although you started out as pretty avid reader, I understand you became a non-reader (or at least a reluctant reader) as a teen. What changed you back into a reader? How does an aliterate person become a professor of language and literacy?

RS: You know, there are a couple of different answers to this question. In an upcoming article in The ALAN Review (fall 2011) I document for the first time the author who kept me reading on the sly, that is to say, reading material other than class-sanctioned stories. The author was Piri Thomas, though back then and for the longest time I had no clue of his name (the title of the book is Stories from El Barrio). I just remembered two of his stories, not by title but by character or subject matter. But that I found him in my junior high school library on my own kept me coming back. That my librarians back then and throughout high school knew enough not to bother me but to let me peruse the shelves on my own also helped me keep reading. So I was an aliterate reader in the classroom, did just enough of it to keep passing, but not ever to say, "Hey, I’m a reader,” because by classroom standards I wasn’t. Now I know that I was very much a reader, but back then, if it wasn’t part of school, then it didn’t exist, right? Anyway, in 11^th grade, my teacher, Ida Garcia, assigned Salinger’s Catcher.

A buddy and I decided we’d take religious stands and not read. Mine was not so serious a stand. I just wanted to buck the system. Go figure, I chucked reading a book about bucking the various systems and likely would’ve loved the book, but oh well, I chose The Count of Monte Cristo instead, because though my teacher let me off the hook with Catcher, I was still going to be expected to read something. But Dumas was solid. And he was in my teacher’s classroom library. The implication today is huge. I mean, the fact that it was her copy, in her room, put reading for me back into the classroom. It took a few years more for me to really get the hang of it again, but man, I was off and running.

TS&S: What has been your most rewarding experience as a teacher? As a writer?

RS: As a teacher, I love to be able to talk to my students at the college level today about my sons’ reading and writing habits. What we’re teaching our students about literacy I put to practice in the home, and it works. These government joes have no clue about what all is really taking place in our classrooms and in the public school classrooms across the nation. Kids get it, we (in the general sense) don’t. That is to say, kids are learning, in spite of what the government is requiring of them. My oldest son, Lukas, this past summer, read aloud to a group of ten students from his first favorite book: Broch’s Butterflies In My Stomach. How does that happen? Sure, his parents are reading to him and his brothers on a daily basis, but teachers are doing the same thing.

As for a rewarding experience as a writer: a few months back, I was down in the Valley again with Reading Rock Stars. I was reading with James Luna. He had just finished performing to the younger set of students and he’d begun handing out his autographed copies of his picture book Runaway Piggy. This one boy who used a walker to get from one place to another was in line, and I wondered how this transaction was going to take place. James later told me he’d wondered the same. You see, the boy needed both hands on his walker to move around. But when the time came, James stretched out his hand and the boy let go hold of his walker, he used his left hand to reach for James’ book, he managed to slip it under his arm, thanked James, and pushed off. An adult, I imagine she was a teacher, came up to the boy and asked if he needed help carrying the book. The boy stopped his walker, looked up at the teacher, and said, almost defiantly (or so I imagine it in retrospect; I so wanted him to have an attitude about it all that I’ve imposed my desire onto the actual action; or was the defiance really there? I don’t know, but that’s how I’ll tell it): “No, no, I’ve got it.” Man! That moment showed me what we write for, for readers who own what they read. I don’t mean literally that boy owned a copy of James’ book, though now he did. But that he’d heard James perform the story, he internalized it, made it his own, and I guarantee that kid along with the 300 plus other kids could do the same: they could go home and retell the story to their parents, grandparents, or younger siblings. The book was the boy’s now. That is so satisfying! I was overjoyed to share in James’ treasure that day!

TS&S: The second book in your mystery series comes out in October. What will be next for Mickey Rangel? Will you be writing other mysteries?

RS: Yes, the second in the series, The Lemon Tree Caper/La intriga del limonero will soon enough be out, and I am working on the third, which is under contract with Arte Público Press/Piñata Books. This one will be taking place out in West Texas, where I’ve been teaching for the last five years. It will be set in Post, where my two oldest sons and I go to watch, and soon to ourselves race our remote control cars. Well, my oldest, actually will be the one racing after he gets his 8^th birthday present in early September. Mickey will be visiting a cousin, who himself has his own version of Bucho, the bully. I’ve also been contracted by McGraw to write a three-act play. Interestingly, they wanted a Latino mystery for sixth graders, so I had already created Mickey, and they fell in love with him, so it worked out perfectly. But I hope the series sells well so that I can keep writing them for APP/PB. The first one has been recorded in both English and Spanish, my first ever audiobook. And Scholastic has chosen it for their READ 180 program, so I just might have to keep putting these out.

TS&S: What one question do you wish I had asked you? And, of course, what is the answer?

RS: Maybe something like: what kind of writing are you attracted to that could also be attractive to teen readers?

You know, I love reading stories that involve violence. Sure, it can’t be gratuitous. There’s got to be a solid reason for including it, but the more on the stage the better. I hate it when a writer shies away from writing ugly violence and instead opts for the off-stage violence: you know the kind: “And then they fought horribly.” And they leave it at that. Folks who do this really well are Markus Zusak in his early work, de la Peña, Saenz, A.S. King in Vera Dietz (although in this book and also in some of Dana Reinhardt, a lot of this violence indeed happens offstage, but not strictly). Ralph Fletcher argues that boys should be allowed to read stories of violence and be given the power to write the same stories. That they need models to do it right. But why make it a guy thing strictly? I think young women readers could also enjoy these kinds of stories. They already do.

TS&S: Are you a sweetheart or a scoundrel and why?

RS: I want to be a scoundrel. I’m a guy from Texas. What else would I be?

Learn more about René and his writing at his blog, On Writing, On Reading.

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Jill Bellomy

2011-08-31T06:13:00.000-07:00

We're thrilled to featured Jill Bellomy today as our first back-to-school Featured Sweetheart!

TXS&S: Can you share with us what you do and what keeps you motivated?

JB: This year I will be a full-time student again as I start my doctoral studies. Because I am involved with Lone Star and Librarians' Choices (and because I love it!), I am an AVID reader of young adult literature. I blog about my reading on www.jilliciousreading.com. I also volunteer at a local middle school to stay in touch with young readers.

My favorite thing about being a librarian is connecting kids with books. Even as a librarian without a library :) , I am constantly recommending books and trying to match the kids (and adults!) I know with the right book ... the book that will "hook" them or keep them reading. Wanting to always be prepared and to know the latest & greatest in books keeps me very motivated. I am constantly reading books and reading ABOUT books!

Another way I stay motivated is by striving to continually learn, grow, and take on new challenges professionally. This is what led me to pursue my PhD, and I am looking forward to this new adventure!

TXS&S: What (or who) inspired you to become such an awesome reading advocate?

JB: I am inspired by non-readers. Sometimes called "reluctant readers," I believe these are just kids who haven't found the right book yet. So, that's my challenge! To get to know these students and to work to find that book. My greatest joy is seeing the excitement of kids after finally finding the book they can't put down! When they come running in the next day wanting to tell me all about it and to check out something else, it just makes my heart sing! :)

I also believe our kids have rights as readers ... the right to choose what they want to read .... the right to like what they like and not what they don't! .... the right to read books outside their "reading level".... the right to just look at the pictures! My belief in these rights - the rights I enjoyed as a young, developing reader - inspire me to advocate for my students.

TXS&S: What are some things you're looking forward to?

JB: I am looking forward to starting classes and working with new colleagues.
I am looking forward to exploring Google+; I broke-up with Facebook last year and am wondering if I will fall for these Google Circles! Right now we are dating, and I'm definitely interested. :)

I am looking forward to a week in sunny Cabo San Lucas with my husband and lots & lots of books!

After that, I am looking forward to some cooler weather! Come on, fall! Come on, football season!

And, I am always looking forward to the next box of books that will arrive on my doorstep!

TXS&S: If you could make a wish for children and reading in the future, what would it be?

JB: It is my wish, that as wonderful as e-books are, that children will always have their first reading experiences with books they can touch, pages they can turn, and illustrations they can look at for hours (without needing recharging!) and that these books would be shared with them by people they love. I would hope these positive experiences would lead them to a lifelong love affair with the written word and that they would always treasure the feel & the power of a great book!

TXS&S: Would your friends and colleagues consider you a Sweetheart or Scoundrel, and why?

JB: I want to be a Scoundrel, because it just sounds so much more fun! But, I think my friends would consider me a Sweetheart. I enjoy people - especially the quirky! - and try to always look for the best in everyone. :)

JB: It is a true honor to be a part of the Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels Blog!

TXS&S: And we are honored to have you here!

BIO (In Jill's own words):

Most of my childhood was spent in Midland, Texas (except for a few years in Stavanger, Norway). After graduating from Texas A&M University, I taught elementary and middle school in the Dallas area. I earned my Master's of Library Science at the University of North Texas and then worked as an elementary and middle school librarian. I served as a member of the Texas Lone Star Reading List Committee and am now the committee chair. I also recently joined the Librarians' Choices Project. This fall I will begin doctoral classes at Texas Woman's University.
On a personal level, I have been married to my college sweetheart, Jason, for 18 years. We live in Dallas with our two very spoiled dogs. We love sports, art, live music, traveling, eating, and spending time with our family. We hope to someday live in the Texas Hill Country.

Featured Sweethearts: Brittney and Caleb Breakey

2011-06-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

We are positively delighted to feature Brittney and Caleb Breakey! They do so much to showcase authors and to spread the writing love. After reading this interview, you'll see why we adore them so much!

About Caleb Breakey
A former award-winning journalist, Caleb Jennings Breakey loves all things writing and is represented by David Van Diest of D.C. Jacobson and Associates. He was one of seven writers fortunate enough to sit at the feet of Left Behind author Jerry B. Jenkins, and he's also studied under wordsmiths Brock and Bodie Thoene. Caleb is always busy operating CalebBreakey.com—a site designed to encourage and equip the often ignored, yet immensely talented field of young writers. He teaches at popular writing conferences such as the Blue Ridge, Oregon, Colorado, and CLASS Christian writers conferences.

About Brittney Breakey
Brittney is a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature and the Christian Writers Guild. She’s currently working on a humorous middle grade mystery novel—and loving it. She also operates Author Turf, a blog exclusively created to showcase authors.

TxS&S: Can you tell us what motivated you to start your blog, Author Turf?

Brittney: The aim of Author Turf is to usher authors into the spotlight. The spillover, of course, is we readers benefit from their wisdom and encouragement.

TxS&S: What pleasant surprises have you had since starting the blog?

Brittney: When you start anything—a new book, a garden, a relationship—you don’t know what to expect. I wasn’t sure if Author Turf would flop or grow. I remember sending my first letter to Amanda Thrasher in January, asking her if she’d like to participate in something that barely existed. Five months later, I had over 180 interviews sitting in my inbox. That surprised me.

I was at a writers conference recently and a stranger walked up to me and said, “I just love Author Turf. I didn’t know about some of those authors and I’m always looking for a good book to read.”

Mission accomplished.

But really, the whip cream on the cake for me is, I get to interact with beloved and respected authors. Sometimes the interactions can be so surreal. For instance, today I was emailing Marissa Moss, author of the Amelia’s Notebook series. As a young girl, I adored her books, but thought she was dead. So, to be conversing with her a decade later is like, spooky cool.

TxS&S: Can you tell us the many different hats you wear and how you stay organized?

Caleb: Hats I wear: Teen writer mentor, inspirational speaker, thriller/urban fantasy fiction writer, Jesus lovin’ non-fiction writer, online media sidekick, and all-around visionary and out-of-the-box thinker.

Creative machine McNair Wilson talked about a four-quadrant piece of paper on which one of our presidents would write: 1) Urgent and Important; 2) Important but not Urgent; 3) Urgent but not Important; and 4) Not important and Not Urgent. He’d then rip off the side of the "not importants." This is a skill I'm trying to teach myself. Desperately.

Brittney: I own four big hats: Willow’s Night Manager, Church Secretary, English Tutor, and Writer. For this reason, I heartily embrace organizational doohickeys. Like excel spreadsheets, email labels, sticky notes, Desktop files, online bookmarks, To Do lists, car organizers, etc.

I’m also an active member of the Clean Desk Club. Can’t stand clutter. And the more hats I wear, the more organized I become. I’m sure it has something to do with keeping my brain intact. I think I’d forget to go to the bathroom if I didn’t have cell phone reminder.

TxS&S: What or who keeps you both motivated?

Caleb: The thought of doing something I’m meant to do. Contributing to this world. Writing the exact words I believe God wants me to write. I can get up in the morning and fight Resistance not only with my own will but with what I believe is the will of my heavenly father.

One of the key things I’ve learned is that motivation doesn’t produce words. Words produce motivation (thank you Tom Connellan, author of the 1 Percent Solution). It’s the doing--the writing of words--that kick-starts the part of our mind that says, “Yes, this is what I was meant to do.”

Brittney: I’m the type of person who loves surprises. So the more my story grows, the more motivated I am to keep momentum. I love searching in my email archive and realizing, “Whoa, a month ago I was on chapter four? Now I’m on chapter twelve!”

From spark to bonfire, I love the entire experience. The way it begins as a tiny thought in your head. You race home and create a word document with one line in it. Maybe it’s a question. And soon that question ignites into thousands upon thousands of words. Quirky characters pop up and say crazy things. Interesting settings construct themselves out of dust. The plot takes unexpected turns…maybe even off-road adventures. All because you pursued a tiny thought.

TxS&S What are some ways you support each other?

Brittney: Morning coffee dates. This is where we bounce off ideas, talk through plot problems, play the trombone, recite excerpts from Shakespeare, sing ballads, knit dish rags, polish our shoes, play tic-tac-toe….okay, so the last six were complete lies.

But really, just the simple act of sitting in the same room, day after day, quietly chipping away on our books is the most powerful boost. Writing means journeying into your own head, which can get lonely (and at times, dark and weird and blank) but when you have someone a desk a way who supports your mission one million percent, it’s so rejuvenating.

TxS&S: Would your friends and family members consider you Sweethearts or Scoundrels?

Brittney: Definitely both. On the sweetheart side, we sit in the same booth when we got out to dinner, we hold hands a lot, and strangers assume we’ve been married three days instead of three years.

The scoundrel side is more like the fun side. Our parents call us ding-a-lings. We have brutal tickle wars. We prank call people. We imitate voices. We spray water on each other. We enjoy little boy humor. We make dorky videos. We lock each other out of the house. We make up words, (like tote bag perf, delonchuss, apple chonk, perfonculated, and so forth.) The answer key is not provided.

When Caleb says, “I love you, honey,” I respond in my infamous man-voice: “I love you too, sugar butt.” And Caleb has five fictional characters in his head, including a dude named Jody who lives with his grandma, loves the color red, and works at Jody’s Bowling Alley.

We even robbed a bank once. Actually, while the real bank robber fled town with the loot, seven cop cars from three different counties nabbed our yellow Mustang on a freeway overpass during rush hour traffic. Three pistols and a shotgun, lying flat on the pavement, handcuffs, reading of rights, the offering of therapy afterwards, the whole burrito). P.S. We were on our honeymoon.

True story.

IT GETS BETTER -- The Video

2011-06-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

The Texas Sweethearts and Scoundrels are honored to be part of this amazing project put together by Phil Bildner. There are no words to describe what a great message it sends. Just watch the video. And pass it on.

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Lara Perkins, Publishing Manager for Laura Rennert

2011-06-05T22:09:00.001-07:00

Today I'm thrilled to feature someone I've worked closely with the last few months bringing my debut YA novel SOLSTICE into the world.

Lara Perkins works with my agent Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency as her publishing manager. Prior to that, Lara was Laura's assistant. (I know...the Lara/Laura thing can be confusing). Anyway...Lara's help editing SOLSTICE was priceless and really helped shape it into so much more that I could have ever imagined.

So anyway, I asked Lara Perkins some questions, and she was kind enough to take time out of her (very busy) day to answer them.

*****

PJH: So your title is "Publishing Manager for Laura Rennert." What does this mean and what does this involve?

LP: I'm delighted that this is your first question, Tricia, because I'm very excited about my new role with Laura. As Laura's Publishing Manager, I work closely with Laura as a part of her business, and my work combines some of the duties of an editor/agent with those of a business manager. On the editorial side, I work directly with Laura's very talented authors (like the brilliant author of SOLSTICE, for example!) to develop their manuscripts and story ideas. I also evaluate potential clients' work, make recommendations for representation, and draft pitch letters to editors. On the business side, I manage many of the financial and administrative aspects of Laura's business.

But one of the most exciting parts of this job, and something that's very relevant to SOLSTICE, is that I also help authors publish their works digitally and independently. In this capacity, I work with the author on the final line edit of the manuscript and then coordinate copyediting, cover art, and formatting. I put together the front and back matter and the jacket copy, and then I upload the book for the author, make it available for sale across all platforms, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Once the book is on sale, I help the author track sales and marketing efforts. I've always been passionate about editorial work, but helping authors publish their works digitally has been an amazing experience--and tremendous fun!

PJH: What are the plans for more titles coming out the same way as SOLSTICE?

LP: There will be more titles forthcoming, as some other ABLA authors have also made the choice to independently publish projects with ABLA's help. ABLA's goal is to help its authors independently publish very high quality works that are indistinguishable from traditionally published books in terms of the content and the whole package (cover, formatting, copyediting, etc.). The process is both labor and cost-intensive, so ABLA is beginning with just a few authors and projects, and it will grow from there. But you are the trailblazer! The first ABLA author to independently publish a frontlist title with the agency's help.

PJH: What changes do you foresee in publishing in the next year?

LP: What's happening in publishing now is very exciting, and authors, agents, and publishers all have some fantastic new opportunities. Authors in particular have been empowered by these new changes, and all authors, published or unpublished, should pay close attention to the changes happening in the industry because these changes have a direct bearing on what will happen to to their work in both the short and the long term. That's been one of the great things about working with an ABLA agent; ABLA is doing more than almost any other agency to adapt to the new realities of publishing and to focus on the long-term upside for their authors.

As the publication of SOLSTICE indicates, there's been a shift in just the last few months towards embracing these new opportunities. We've seen bestselling authors turning down big traditional deals to explore new publishing models, traditional publishers launching promising new online platforms, and new agency models that embrace independent/digital publishing as well as traditional publishing. I think that we'll see even more of this in the next year. Given the speed at which these changes are taking place, I think that in the next year or two, the dust will settle, and everyone will have a clearer sense of the industry's new landscape.

PJH: Having edited manuscripts, what advice would you give authors looking for representation?

LP: Most writers already know how important the first few pages of a manuscript are, and I'll reiterate that. Your query letter is very important, of course; an agent needs to know that your idea is unique and commercial enough to sell, and how you communicate your book's premise tells an agent a lot about your skill with pacing and your sense of story. But, in many ways, your writing sample is the most important part of your query--the make it or break it part. A killer query letter with a weak writing sample is a much bigger problem than a weak query letter with a killer writing sample. So let's say you've already made sure that your first chapter showcases your writerly skill and your individual voice. You've made sure that your pages are clean and that they've been vetted by at least 3 trusted readers. Is there anything else to look for before sending out your writing sample?

I think there is. In my experience, great first chapters--the ones that make an agent or editor sit up and take notice--are those that strike a balance between the unfamiliar and the familiar. I know that sounds a bit vague, so I'll explain. A writer needs to hook his or her reader in the first few pages by giving the reader a compelling reason to keep turning the pages--some kind of mystery or puzzle or unresolved tension that points forward to the rest of the book. This is true across the board, regardless of genre and age group. (Even self-help books follow this pattern, destabilizing your expectations in the first chapter--"I ate cookies all day and still lost 100 pounds!"--so that you'll want to read on and solve the mystery of how that's possible.) So in your first few pages, you want to (productively) destabilize your reader and engage his or her curiosity. In short, you want to give your reader something unfamiliar.

But your reader also needs a way into the story, a foothold in your world. This means that your reader needs someone to identify with, or a familiar emotion or situation, so that he or she has a reason to invest emotionally in your story and to believe in the world you're creating. So your reader also needs to recognize something familiar in your world and/or in your characters.

If the whole first chapter is unfamiliar, your reader has no way in to the story. If it's all familiar, your reader has no reason to keep reading. So you need to strike that balance right off the bat, and it can be a real challenge. I've seen many first chapters that have one but not the other, and it's almost always a problem.

Now, getting all of that into the first chapter can be a real challenge, but it's worth it. Because the truth is that when your book hits the shelves, a potential reader may not give you much more than the first chapter before he or she decides whether or not to buy your book anyway. Even with ebooks, a potential buyer can sample the beginning of the book before purchasing it. In short, those first pages will be your first impression to your reader at every stage.

The rest of the ms has to hold up too, of course, so before you query, make sure that your whole manuscript is as strong as you can get it. If you think that there may still be problems in your manuscript, there probably are, and you don't want to miss a chance at your dream agent because of flaws you could have fixed. Even agents who enjoy working editorially have limited bandwidths, and if it seems like a work needs a great deal of editorial work, they will be more hesitant to take it on, even if it is very strong in other ways.

A final note: make sure that you query agents whose literary interests and prior sales match up with your work's category. For example, querying an agent who specializes in commercial thrillers, and who has never sold an autobiography, in the hopes that he or she will represent your quiet, literary autobiography probably won't result in a request, even if your work is strong. The agent won't hold it against you, but why query that agent when there are agents out there who have actually sold similar titles? Who would be excited to read "literary autobiography" in a query letter? Unless you have a definite reason to believe that your work will be an exception, focus on querying agents who have successfully sold similar titles or who have said that they're looking to take on works in that genre.

PJH: Thank you so much, Lara! I'm so happy I am able to work with you!

FEATURED SWEETHEARTS: Dear Teen Me

2011-05-31T11:44:00.000-07:00

We're delighted to feature the gals who bring you DEAR TEEN ME, E. Kristin Anderson and Miranda Kenneally! They're both made of awesome as is DEAR TEEN ME!

*****

E. Kristin Anderson's Bio:

E. Kristin Anderson grew up in Westbrook, Maine and is a graduate of Connecticut College. She has a fancy diploma that says “B.A. in Classics,” which makes her sound smart but has not helped her get any jobs in Ancient Rome. Once upon a time she worked for The New Yorker magazine, but she decided being a grown up just wasn’t for her. Currently living in Austin, Texas, Ms. Anderson is active in her local chapter of SCBWI and as a poet has been published worldwide in around two dozen literary journals from the indie-queen Fuselit, to the prestigious Cimarron Review. She also has published work in recent and forthcoming issues of Hunger Mountain. She is in the process of querying a couple young adult novels and keeps herself busy writing and revising other novel projects. She wrote her first trunk book at sixteen. It was about the band Hanson and may or may not still be in a notebook at her parents’ house. Look out for Ms. Anderson’s work the forthcoming anthology COIN OPERA II, a collection of poems about video games from Sidekick Books.

*****

Miranda Kenneally's Bio:

Miranda Kenneally is the author of SCORE, a contemporary YA novel about football, femininity, and hot boys, coming from Sourcebooks Fire in late 2011. She enjoys reading and writing young adult literature, and loves Star Trek, music, sports, Mexican food, Twitter, coffee, and her husband. Follow her on Twitter or Facebook. Miranda is represented by Sara Megibow at Nelson Literary Agency.

*****

TXS&S: Can you tell us about Dear Teen Me and how it got started?

EKA: Dear Teen Me is an online anthology of letters from authors to their teenage selves. It was an idea that hit me like a stroke of lightning as I was walking out of a Hanson concert this past November -- I told my boyfriend that when I got home I was going to write a letter to my teen self about our first Hanson concert. I wanted to tell Teen Me about how amazing Hanson was, about how much fun we had, about how Hanson has changed over the years and about how she/I had changed. I wrote the letter. I put it on my blog. But then I thought, crap, I have so much to tell Teen Me. And I asked some of my writing friends if they wanted to write to their teen selves, too. And it exploded. Thank GOD Miranda volunteered to be my partner in crime.

MK: Ditto!

TXS&S: How has starting Dear Teen Me impacted you and others?

EKA: Personally, it's given my teen self a voice that she didn't have before. She's getting to tell teens out there things that they need to hear. I think the struggle of being a teen is universal -- it doesn't matter if you're Miss Popularity or a total outcast. Some might seem to have it better than others, but a lot of us have a lot of pain and fear. I've had teachers tell me they read the stories aloud to their students. Teens and adults leave comments saying "me too!" It's incredibly fulfilling to feel that sharing your experience is making a difference.

MK: Agreed. I have made many new friends through Dear Teen Me because we all relate to each other based on stuff that happened in high school! My favorite response to Dear Teen Me so far is that a group of teenagers crowded around a computer at a high school library in Virginia and read through all the letters together!

TXS&S: You both are huge advocates of young adult literature--what or who inspires you?

EKA: Any author who puts it out there, no apologies, with respect for her readers really makes my heart move. Laurie Halse Anderson, Lauren Myracle, Ellen Hopkins, and John Green come to mind. All of these authors are pioneers in their own way. And, heck, they've all had their books challenged in schools and libraries. I also am hugely inspired by Francesca Lia Block. Whenever I feel like I can't write, like I'm all dried up, I read FLB and my reasons for writing all come flooding back to me. Her lyrical prose style just blows my mind.

MK: I love reading books that are real and don't try to teach a lesson. To me, YA literature is all about relating and feeling a bond with someone else. I don't like heavy-handed writing and in my own stories, I try never to talk down to teenagers. Some of my favorite authors are: Jennifer Echols, CK Kelly Martin, Simone Elkeles, Carolyn Mackler, A.S. King, Kristin Cashore, Sarah Ockler, Kody Keplinger, Lauren Barnholdt, and David Levithan.

TXS&S: What is the most interesting or exciting thing you have learned while writing your books?

EKA: I've learned that when authors say that their characters talk to them, they're not crazy. Or maybe they are crazy, but in the artsy way. Because, holy crap, sometimes I wake up and my character has to say something, and I have to actually start writing, like, right now. I've also learned a lot about cryptozoology as research for a book I wrote last year. I might have to write more cryptid books, if only as an excuse to keep reading about this super cool area of science!

MK: Yes - my characters talk to me too! In every book I've written, the main love interest has just shown up out of the blue. Even if I go in with a love interest in mind, some random character will appear and sweep me and my main character off our feet. Also, I have two characters that call each other "bro" and "sis." In real life, I have never called my brother and sister "bro" and "sis" and find it way corny, but for some reasons my characters do that and I listen to them. :)

TXS&S: Any writing tips you wish you could share with your teen selves or others?

EKA: Keep writing. Even if you feel like the weird kid who's writing a novel about Hanson in study hall (uh, hi, I totally did that), keep writing. And save it! In a safe place! I have almost all of my teen journals, but I wish I could find the fiction I wrote back then. And, in general, as a writer, find your community! There are writing communities almost everywhere, and now with things like Twitter, and places Absolute Write and the Verla Kay Blue Boards, you can TOTALLY find some compatriots in your area.

MK: YES! Keep writing and keep trying to get published by putting in lots of hard work and you'll get there. I had plenty of people telling me that the market is too tough and people write for years without ever getting published... but I wrote the book I wanted to read and then agents wanted to read it and now I'm getting published. It can happen!

*****

Thank you so much!

FEATURED SWEETHEARTS: The Literary Lonestars

2011-05-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels adore and appreciate The Literary Lonestars! These ladies are incredibly passionate and do so much to plug authors and promote events. We're lucky to call them our friends!

And also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jen!

Stephanie and Jen!

******

Jen's Bio:

Jen was born in Oklahoma (don't boo, you look silly)
Jen has one husband and two kids that are taller than her.
Jen believes that reading is a first class ticket to freedom.
Jen owns too many books and they are all in piles all over her house.
Jen always has a camera in her hand.
Jen is a master cupcaker.
Jen needs a haircut.

Stephanie's Bio:

Stephanie wrote her first novel in second grade about a boy heart who falls in love with a girl heart, only to learn her “heart” is already taken. The school librarian posted it on the bulletin board and to this day Stephanie still wonders why none of her classmates asked for her autograph. When not working on her young adult novel (which has no love triangles involving talking hearts) you can find her consuming copious amounts of coffee and watching House Hunters. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband and is currently seeking representation.

******

TXS&S: You are both not originally from Texas, where did you two meet?

Stephanie: I moved to Texas in 2007 when my husband and I got married and he got a job here. I had made a few friends in the area, but not many. I was talking to Heidi Kling on Twitter one day in 2009 and she said, "Hey my childhood next door neighbor is @JenBigheart, she's a youth librarian in Austin, maybe y'all should hook up!" So I shot Jen a message and we met at Panera Bread the following week, and we've been friends ever since.

Jen: I think that's how it happened! I know Heidi put us in the same tweet and that was that. I think she said we both have the same sense of humor - - which is totally true!

TXS&S: Can you tell us about Literary Lonestars and what inspired this great group?

Jen: Everyone kept asking us when and where events were, or would be sad that they missed a signing that they didn’t know about. We started discussing what we needed to do to keep people informed of events in Texas at our holiday book blogger party.

Stephanie: For me I think it was more I was looking forward to getting to know other book bloggers and writers in the Texas area and networking with them, LL became a place we could keep in touch with one another easily.

Jen: Yeah, at the time I was compiling a list of Texas book bloggers, and was amazed at how many of us there were. I knew some of us knew each other, but I also knew that there were bloggers at events that I wouldn't recognize in real life. We needed one location for everyone to go to for info and event information.

Stephanie: We didn’t want LL to be just another blog for people to go to, we thought if we made it a Facebook page it might give people easier access to things, and have people be more involved in the group as a whole.

TXS&S: What are some pleasant surprises you’ve had since forming Literary Lonestars?

Jen: For me it was getting to know others who share our love of reading and literacy. I was also very surprised at the number of Texas book bloggers, we have over 50!

Stephanie: And for me it was how receptive authors were about LL. I remember being so excited when the first author ‘liked’ our page! We were also genuinely surprised at the support everyone showed for our book drive for the Austin Children’s Shelter. We were hoping to get 100 books and ended up with nearly 600 total.

Jen: Agree! We had books left over from our holiday blogger party and wanted them to go to a place that needed books. When we showed up with our 6 boxes, our hearts were called to do more. We reached out to bloggers, authors, and other readers, and they blew us away with their support. Today, the shelter is in much better shape and we are looking for another location in need. We are still taking donations to this day.

TXS&S: To what do you attribute your passion for young adult literature?

Stephanie: Honestly? Because I feel like I never actually grew up. I may be 25 on the outside, but internally I still feel 15. I feel like I identify more with teenagers than I do other adults my age.

Jen: Well I am not 25, but still feel young(ish)! About six years ago, I was volunteering at my daughter's school and lo and behold, there was a book fair. They were short handed, so I tried my best to help. I picked up a copy of The Giver by Lois Lowry and that was the beginning of my return to children's literature. I've been an addict ever since and turned that into a career when I went back for my MLS in 2009.

TXS&S: Any tips you can share for aspiring writers or librarians?

Stephanie: To me, networking was key. Once I found a group of writers (both online and in real life) that I could talk to about my writing with I got a whole lot happier. Being a writer is a hard road to go down, and I think it’s important to remember that it’s a journey that doesn’t have to be taken alone. Reach out to other writers, and don’t shun writers when they try to reach out to you.

Jen: Being a librarian isn’t just about recommending and checking out books, times have changed. Think outside of the box and get creative about drawing people to your library, department, and finally the bookshelf. You know, some people go to the library just to use the computer - that's okay, but we hope that books eventually make their way home. Use every tool possible, including social media, and reach out for support. There are fantastic library blogs out there that specialize in anything and everything.

TXS&S: What are some things you’re looking forward to?

Jen: Definitely ALA in New Orleans this June! We had a fantastic time at TLA with fellow TX bloggers, and can't wait to do it all over again in The Big Easy!

Stephanie: We had a Texas book blogger party around Christmas last year and had the best time! We’re hoping to do that again sometime this summer, I think it’ll be bigger (and possibly crazier) than our last party. We should have details soon!

*****

Thank you so much!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Alex Bennett

2011-05-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

It is an honor to introduce our newest super talented Featured Sweetheart, Alex Bennett!

Alex Bennett is the fourteen year old guy behind Electrifying Reviews, a popular young adult book blog. Along with reading and reviewing YA novels, he also writes them. Alex wants to be a published author when he gets out of high school, maybe even before that. He'd like to work in publishing, or be a psychotherapist. Maybe both. When not living in the world of books, Alex enjoys immersing himself in the other arts, including singing and acting.

TXS&S: Can you share with us what makes you so passionate about reading and young adult literature?

AB: I guess it's because I get to live out realities I could never experience in my own life. It's not like I'm trying to escape anything, but to live in worlds where anything can happen is like a breath of life.

TXS&S: As book reviewer, literary agent intern, and writer (just a few of the many different hats you wear!), are there any tips you could share with writers looking to break into this business?

AB: I think it's important to just...communicate. It's really not about knowing the right people, because if you are open and try to get to know lots of people, you may meet some people who can help you out. Then again, it's really about you writing something good that people think will sell. It's a complicated world, this writing business.

TXS&S: How do you see the future of reading changing, and what do you think writers/readers can do to stay current?

AB: I see reading changing in a lot of ways. Just like everything else, books go through phases. Before 2009, YA was all about contemporary, then in 2009 came the vampire phase, then angels in 2010, and now we are in a dystopian stage. And there will surely be something else next. I think people should just see what others are liking and see what looks best to them. It's not always about reading the latest and greatest, since a lot of the best YA books are ones that are already out and have been for a while.

TXS&S: What are some of your goals, and what or who keeps you motivated?

AB: A big goal of mine is to be published. And if I do, I'd like to be a writer full time. Besides that, I really want to be a psychotherapist. Another goal of mine is to keep reading YA long after I am a young adult. Oh, and to finish more books. I am usually the one to drive myself to reach my goals. My family isn't big on reading or writing, in fact I haven't seen my parents ever reading a book. Also, I have a lot of friends who are writers and just seeing how they were published after working so hard is inspiration to me.

TXS&S: Would your friends, family, and teachers consider you a Sweetheart or Scoundrel?

AB: Hmm... I'm always open to speaking my mind, and letting people know when they are annoying me. I don't take crap from anybody, and I can be very brash. But I'm totally not like that in the writing world, actually. I'm pretty nice to people online. I am well-behaved and caring to the people I do care about, but I am not afraid to be bold. So...I guess it just depends on who you ask.

TXS&S: Thank you, Alex! Best of luck!

*****

Please email us your nominations for Featured Sweethearts.

H-U-G-E Congrats to P.J. Hoover!

2011-05-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

The TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS send Texas-sized congrats to P.J. Hoover for the release of her red-hot young adult novel, SOLSTICE!

Here is the official announcement: P.J. Hoover and the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. are excited to announce the May release of P.J.'s debut young adult novel SOLSTICE, an intensely romantic story with an innovative mythological angle. SOLSTICE is set in a disturbing future of uncontrolled climate change -- a future that we might very well be facing. SOLSTICE is the first front-list novel to be independently published by an Andrea Brown Literary Agency author.

YEEHAW! WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU!

FEATURED SWEETHEARTS: Rita Painter and Rachel McInnes

2011-05-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

Photo above, library nerds, from left: Rita Painter, Don Tate, Rachel McInnes

This week, the SCOUNDREL of the TEXAS SWEETHEARTS (Don Tate) is thrilled to feature Rita Painter and Rachel McInnes. Rita Painter is the librarian at Menchaca Elementary school in far south Austin, Texas, and Rachel is the library clerk. Rita and Rachel are highly energetic and inspiring — the absolute best at what they do. Of course, as a Menchaca parent, I’m a bit biased.

Rita, in the age of Nintendo and Wii video games, The Cartoon Network and smart phones, how are you able to break through all the noise and motivate children to read?

Rita: Everyone likes to be entertained, especially kids. But it's easy to motivate children with quality literature. Students can soar with Amelia Earhart, cry with Travis in Old Yeller, and travel to distant lands to experience different cultures. I love introducing children to the exciting adventures that can be found in books!

What do you like best about your job? Highs and lows

Rachel: Helping the kids find that book they were looking for…it may be for a class project, a chapter book that their friend just turned it and they want to check out or a book about an animal they are obsessed with. I enjoy pulling books for teachers. They come in and ask for books to back up what they are teaching. They may have a few specific books but I enjoy perusing the shelves to find something else that might be helpful.

Rita: There have been SO MANY positive events in my career: the proud parent who is relieved that his or her child is finally hooked on reading, the excited students who can't wait to read the next book in a series (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, anyone?), or introducing authors and illustrators to my students so they can understand the importance of editing their work and can hear the stories behind the books and illustrations they create. The only lows I've experienced have all been budget-related: lower funding for books and technology, and the recent cuts to our library staffing. Librarians will continue to advocate for certified librarians in every school!

What were some of your favorite books as a child?

Rita: I absolutely loved all of the Dr. Seuss books! My Mom joined a monthly book club, and

we'd receive two of his books every month. My favorite was Green Eggs and Ham. I read it to my campus every year on Dr. Seuss' Birthday. I also enjoyed reading all of the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I still recommend Little House on the Prairie to my students as one book they should definitely experience!

Rachel: I can’t say I had a favorite author except maybe Carolyn Keene and Laura Ingalls Wilder, but I do have strong memories of certain books…. Miss Suzy by Miriam Young, How Fletcher was Hatched by Wende Devlin, Miss Twiggly’s Tree by Dorothea Warren Fox.

Who are some of your favorite authors and illustrators of children’s books?

Rachel: There are so many good authors these days it is hard to select just a few. My favorite authors are Phil Bildner, Laura Numeroff, Jackie French, Doreen Cronin, Laurie Keller, Kevin Henkes, Susan Stevens Crummel/Janet Stevens, Kate Dicamillo, Peter Reynolds, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. This only scratches the surface. The reasons these authors and books are necessary additions to my home library are about as varied as the authors themselves. Each one has a unique God-given gift for the written word and I have spent many hours with my own children pouring over the pages of these books…maybe that’s part of what makes them special to me. My children really enjoyed their books. My favorite illustrators (a whole different can of worms): Eric Carle, Kadir Nelson, Felicia Bond, Janet Stevens, Don Tate, Peter Reynolds, Laurie Keller. I am amazed at the diversity in styles and the beauty that is captured by paper and pencil.

Rita: Wow, I have so many favorites! I love the books by Jon Scieszka (humor), Kate DiCamillo (appeals to both boys and girls), Phil Bildner (historical fiction/sports), Rick Riordan (fantasy), and Dr. Seuss (rhyming). My favorite illustrators are Brian Selznick, Kadir Nelson, Don Tate, and Eric Carle. These illustrators draw the reader into the story with their beautiful artwork...no pun intended!

What are your thoughts about e-books?

Rita: I think e-books are another tool to get kids excited about reading. I don't think books will disappear because of e-books, but I do know that libraries and librarians have begun to incorporate the technology required to access them. But there will always be storytimes with books!

Rachel: I feel that young children need to get their hands on as many different books as they possibly can! The more the better!! There is something special about sitting with a child and reading them a book, turning the page to discover what happens next and having your eyes feast on the illustrator’s interpretation of the author’s words.
E-books will have their place, but in an elementary school the demand for some books is so high that the cost of e-books plus the technology to support them would make it almost impossible to maintain the same quantity. I think we are seeing the transition from paper to electronic but I am praying that the picture book never goes away.

What do you do when you're not library-ing?

Rita: I love to go to the movies, hunt for bargains at thrift stores, and spend time with my family at the many festivals that Austin has to offer. My husband and I enjoy visiting book stores (thank goodness he loves books as much as I do), and we both collect autographed copies of books from our favorite authors. My teens keep me busy driving them to various activities, so I always carry a book in my purse!

Rachel: My time away from school is spent with my family—my husband and 2 middle school children and their activities (which are many). I also love crocheting and photography.

Thanks Rita and Rachel!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Ryan Fennell

2011-04-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

This week, THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS are thrilled to be featuring librarian Ryan Fennell!

Short Bio (according to Ryan):
Ryan is a Young Adult Librarian for Harris County in Houston, Texas. Before becoming a librarian, he taught school overseas and in the States. According to him, despite his (alleged) lack of talent, he's always looking for ways to express his creativity. His wife keeps him grounded, and his two-year-old daughter is already smarter than he is.

TXS&S: Can you tell us a little about what you do and what or who inspires you?

RF: People who inspire me are the ones who make a living doing what they love.

TXS&S: What projects are you excited about?

RF: I'm excited about all of my projects. I have a really amazing group of volunteers who share the same goal of promoting libraries through the arts. We always have about three projects we are working on at one time. We just finished our art book cart, which you will be able to see at this year's Houston Art Car Parade. Right now we are collecting video of authors sharing what they would be doing if they weren't writing. Thanks to TXS&S for participating in that by the way.

TXS&S: How do you see reading changing for teens in the next couple of years? What challenges do you see for readers?

RF: If you can believe it, teens are going to have even more opportunities to read. Current technology has already sent chances to read into orbit, and right now there are a bunch of brilliant people developing things I could never imagine that will boost opportunities even higher. The only challenge I see for readers is them not having enough encouragement in their lives to pursue reading.

TXS&S: If you weren't a young adult librarian, what would you do instead?

RF: Why? Are you hiring? Seriously, as long as I am allowed to be creative, I'm fine with whatever. If I had my choice though I would just spend every second with my wife and daughter.

TXS&S: Would your friends and fellow staff members consider you a Sweetheart or Scoundrel, and why?

RF: My friends and fellow staff members would consider me a scoundrel, which makes perfect sense. They're a bunch of scoundrels themselves.

Libraries of Love—A Great Update!

2011-04-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

Last October, we brought you an interview with fabulous Austin librarian Trudy Marshall who started the whole Libraries of Love program to build libraries for kids in Uganda. I wanted to share with you a recent update from Trudy about this year's program.

*****

Our Libraries of Love shipment has arrived at one of our schools in Mbale, Uganda. It was an interesting weekend trying to clear it through customs at the Kenyan/Ugandan border. Every year their requirements change. This year they stated that our customs fees would be $1,300, and if we didn't produce their latest new document requirement, they would hold the container at a charge of $100 a day. Also, since it was Saturday, the earliest clearing would be Monday.

That same day, I requested a Ugandan friend, Wilberforce Okumu, (whom most of your children have met - at our school), to travel to the border to see if we could settle the problem. Later in the day, I received an email saying the truck had been cleared and already arrived at our Mbale school, as it is only about an hour from the border. Not only did it clear on Saturday, it was done with no customs fees, the first time that has happened in our seven years of shipping. Cheers!

Young men unloading the truck. In the container were over 900 boxes, weighting between 30 - 60 pounds. We used forklifts and a shipping dock. They unloaded by hand and carried the boxes on their heads!

Included in the shipment:

Reading textbooks for 15,000 students
24,000 library books to complete four new, large libraries
sports balls (mostly soccer) for the new schools, and some of the previous ones.
Paperback books so every student can choose a book to keep (approx. 5,000)
15 World Globes
15 World (wall) Maps
15 Maps of Africa (wall maps)

Your help over the past seven years has been an inspiration to the Libraries of Love team. Your endless kind words, inquiries about the status of the next libraries, funding through the Readathon, donation of books, and volunteer hours worked, make finding meaningful words to truly express our gratitude difficult. Just know that together we have made an enormous difference in thousands of children's lives. Over 25,00 children are now reading, with approximately 5,000 receiving new Laurel libraries this summer.

This year $7, 564 was raised through Readathon, and over 700 hours of reading took place - truly amazing! Again - 100% of your funding goes directly into the creation of Laurel Libraries. Simply - many, many thanks sent your way for your kindness and support.

A book is a handshake of friendship.

-Trudy Marshall

I went to the Rio Grande Valley and all I brought you was this blog post

2011-04-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

You guys! It's me, Kari! I know you probably thought I'd been abducted by aliens and enslaved on a ship with a bunch of other writers forced to write exceedingly high quality children's books for the kids of planet xl932, but that is UNTRUE.

I have been working on my very own books, trying to finish up a new one, work on some other new ones, and still maintain the facade that I am a present and attentive parent.

Hard.

But ALSO, I have been gallivanting around Texas visiting with librarians and teachers and students. Earlier this week, I spent three amazing days in the Rio Grande Valley as part of the Texas Book Festival's Reading Rock Stars program.

Gwen Zepeda is on the left, holding her book I KICK THE BALL, and that's me with MIKE STELLAR.

The program brings authors to economically disadvantaged public schools in the state of Texas. And not just that, each child at a participating school receives a signed copy of the author's book. During this latest visit, over 4,000 books were handed out!

I joined forces with authors from New York and Seattle and cities all over Texas. Split up between us, we visited 6 elementary schools in the Valley. My schools were Clinton Elementary in Penitas, TX and Kika de la Garza Elementary in Mission, TX.

It was very exciting to visit a school named after Bill Clinton!

Bill Clinton was the first president I was old enough to vote for.

At Clinton, Gwen Zepeda spoke to the Pre-K through 2nd grade kids about her picture book, I KICK THE BALL and then I spoke to 3rd-5th graders about MIKE STELLAR.

Those kiddos could not have welcomed us more graciously if we were JK Rowling and Dr. Suess.

The kids at Kika de la Garza held up signs!

Amazing Mike Stellar artwork by 4th grade students at Clinton

At Kika de la Garza, I had the pleasure of visiting the school with author Samantha Vamos. She spoke to the younger students about her picture book, THE CAZUELA THAT THE FARM MAIDEN STIRRED, and the older kids got a crash course on space adventures from me.

Samantha Vamos and I are posing with the Kika de la Garza Millionaire Readers - kids who have read a million words or more. Check out the beauty queen sashes they made for us. AWESOME.

During these school visits I had some of the most rewarding, exciting and emotional encounters with students I have ever experienced. When the kids learned they'd each get a book, the excitement in the room was electric with cheers and squeals. I haven't given so many hugs and posed for so many pictures since my own wedding, I think!

Presenting to a very attentive audience. Check out the posters on stage!

One very special moment of the trip occurred while I was passing out books. The students line up, and it's a bit of an assembly line, trying to hand out 300-400 books in a short amount of time. One little guy stopped, though, and handed me a note. He'd been paying close attention when I spoke about my own kids, and told them that my youngest son, Isaac, has a scar on his forehead just like Harry Potter.

"Hi my name is Isaac and I have four scares on my head"

He grinned at me as I read his note, and then I told him it looked like my Isaac wasn't the only Isaac with a Harry Potter head! Big smiles all around.

I am just so touched to have had this opportunity, and for that I thank Clay Smith of the Texas Book Festival and Blair Newberry, the outreach coordinator for TBF, who organizes the author visits for the Reading Rock Stars program. I also want to thank the amazing and gracious English department at UTPA. Not only are they partners with TBF in bringing authors to the Valley schools, they were wonderful hosts, who drove us around the towns and took care of anything little thing we could think of.

(Special shoutout here to Amy Cummins, of UTPA, who took me and Samantha fourwheeling in her Camry in order to avoid a road closure that would have made us late to our breakfast with the millionaire readers at Kika. She drove us over a yard and through a ditch to get around a wreck. A BEAST behind the wheel, that Amy Cummins.)

And, of course, I want to thank the students and faculty of WJ Clinton Elementary and Kika de la Garza Elementary. YOU GUYS ROCK.

Kids, books, new friends - and of course breakfast tacos. I don't think a children's book author could ask for anything better.

An Evening with Former First Lady Laura Bush

2011-04-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

While I wouldn’t describe myself as Young or Haute, I couldn’t have been more thrilled when I was asked to join the “Top Ten Haute Young Authors” party at the SMU 11th Annual Tables of Content fundraiser.

It was truly a delight to meet the other featured authors during the cocktail reception:

Amanda Alvarez

Will Clarke

Carrie Fountain

Alec Greven (who was accompanied by his lovely mother)

Callan Harrison

After the reception, we were ushered inside for a warm welcome and the presentation of the 2nd Annual Literati Award to former First Lady Laura Bush (which was followed by an interview). She revealed she plowed through the writing of her book, Spoken from the Heart, so her internal editor wouldn’t take over. Several archivists sat at my dinner table who were directly involved in researching materials for the book.

I cheered when the Former First Lady shared her love of children’s literature, and feel appreciative for all that she has done to promote literacy and the love of reading (such as creating the Texas Book Festival and the National Book Festival). What an incredible woman, and what an incredible evening! Thank you so very much, Colophon/Friends of the SMU libraries!

~Jessica

Featured Sweetheart--Pat Mora

2011-04-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Fifteen years ago poet, writer, and literacy advocate Pat Mora started a celebration of bilingual literacy called El día de los niños/El día de los libros. Generally celebrated by libraries and the education community around April 30, the celebration of bilingual literacy--in any combination of languages--celebrates its quinceañera this year. A native Texan and a real sweetheart, we are proud to feature Pat and honor her work on behalf of all children.

TXS&S: How did you get started in writing generally, and specifically, how did you get started writing for young people?

PM: My mom, my children and I were all born in El Paso. I became interested in children’s books when I was sharing picture books with my three little ones years ago. Those children’s books look so easy, don’t they? Not that many words and then the illustrators do so much of the work. Problem is thousands reach the same conclusion and submit and submit manuscripts.

TXS&S: Tell us a bit about El día de los niños/El día de los libros and why you started this celebration. What plans are in the works for the 15th anniversary of Día?

PM: I’ve written that I was zapped by “Día,” as we call it. In 1996, while visiting Tucson, I learned of the Mexican tradition of El día del niño (The Day of the Child) celebrated on April 30th. What a great notion, I thought, adding Children’s Day to our popular and important annual celebrations, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Immediately, I also thought, and what about combining the idea of celebrating children with connecting them with books? I’m going to be in Tucson for Día’s 15th Anniversary this April 30th, thanks to ALSC, and I hope to go back to the spot on the U of A campus where I was zapped.

Día, now housed at ALSC, a division of ALA, is a community-based, family literacy commitment whose goal is to connect all children with books, languages and cultures day by day, día por día. Culminating celebrations are held across the country in April.

Let me add that my friend and a great Día supporter, Jeanette Larson, quickly volunteered to help years ago and quickly got Día on the Web. Even her husband Jim helped by designing some art for a first Día booklet produced by Jeanette. This spring, she’s publishing a book on Día. Thanks, Jeanette!

TXS&S: Do you have a favorite or two from among the many books you have written?

PM: Audiences of all ages ask this question. I always answer, “My next book.” Right now, my daughter Libby, a lawyer, and I are revising a picture book about a special aunt of ours, the star of my first book, A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TÍA. This is our first collaboration. Such fun!

TXS&S: What is your relationship, if any, like with the people who illustrate your books?

PM: In the U.S., publishers keep authors and illustrators apart from one another. You know what terribly pushy people authors can be—right? After all, I’m a full five feet three inches. I’ve always enjoyed meeting the illustrators--post-publication. I’m deeply grateful to them of course.

TXS&S: Explain bookjoy and tell us where you find your own bookjoy.

PM: Thanks for asking! I coined the term years ago and have written and spoken about it. It’s also the theme of my blog, http://sharebookjoy.blogspot.com/ Readers immediately smile when I use the term bookjoy since they experience the private pleasure that makes us readers.

Thanks to my wonderful mom and to teachers and librarians in my life, I’ve always been a reader. I have wonderful childhood memories of reading in bed, of going to the Summer Reading Club. A favorite part of my day is the evening when I stretch out on the living room sofa and read. I do try to read in bed after that, but I’m usually asleep in five minutes. My youngest, Cissy, used I say I was going to be knocked out by a book.

TXS&S: Your website is quite extensive and you also host a blog. What do you hope to accomplish with these tools and what challenges have you faced with them?

PM: A wonderful team helps me with the site, blog and e-newsletter or I couldn’t have this Web presence since Día is a very time-consuming initiative. We recently re-designed the blog and are in the process of re-designing the site. At this time in my life and because of the literacy advocacy to which I am committed, I have a particular desire to reach out to educators—teachers, librarians, and professors which is why I wrote my last book, ZING! SEVEN CREATIVITY PRACTICES FOR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS. We’ll be hosting our second annual Díapalooza on the blog in April. In May, I’m changing the focus more toward creativity and will write more about my work and interview people around the country doing creative work.

TXS&S: How do you see reading changing for children in the next couple of years? What challenges do you see for readers?

PM: I’d be naive if I didn’t realize that media entertainment, or should I say distraction, makes it harder to lure non-readers and even indifferent readers to create the quiet and the habit of daily reading. When we started Día, we were focused on the children, but we quickly realized that we need to promote reading families. If everyone is watching TV or playing video games, how likely is it that children, teens—and even adults—will choose quiet, a necessary aspect of becoming and remaining a reader. Thanks to the amazing educators including librarians that I have the privilege of meeting and hearing from, I remain full of hope that together we can creatively share bookjoy. What’s at stake? Only a true democracy. Children’s books are great fun. They’re also serious business.

Pat Mora will be signing at the Texas Library Association on Wednesday, April 13 from 10:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m. in the author autographing area.

A Critique Workshop Coming Soon!

2011-03-31T19:09:00.001-07:00

THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS are thrilled to be leading a Critique Group workshop hosted by Austin SCBWI!

It's going to be fun, fast-paced, and informative, and there's even going to be role playing involved. Yeah, I know. Pretty cool!

Here are the official details:

Desire to take your writing to the next level? Can’t quite put your finger on what your manuscript needs to improve its marketability? Is your dialogue drab? Setting sloppy? Premise less than promising? Looking for partners on the road to publication?

Then this one-day workshop – Beyond the Basics: Applying and Analyzing Constructive Criticism - led by our very own Texas Sweethearts is for YOU!

When: From 10:00 to 4:00 on Saturday, July 30 (lunch on your own)

Where: REI Round Rock, 201 University Oaks Blvd, Suite 1100, Round Rock, TX 78664 – Phone: (512) 255-1938

Fee: $50.00

Program: Through discussion, role play, and demonstration of the basics of critiquing and literary analysis as it applies to your work and to other’s will be presented. Prior to the event, participants are asked to submit 6 copies of 5 mss pages they desire to have reviewed by a small group of fellow critiquers. More details to follow.

Registration opens on April 15th. Spaces are limited.

See you there!

Featured Sweetheart--Pamela S. Turner

2011-03-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Our newest Sweetheart had a library card as soon as she could write her own name! What's not for a librarian to love about that? Pamela lives in California but spends a lot of her time traveling around the world researching the fabulous science books she writes. She is also an animal lover, evident in the many animal topics she explores. When asked whether she is a "sweetheart" or a "scoundrel" Pamela indicated that she is by nature a scoundrel who likes to "stir the pot" but her family voted her to be a sweetheart. Readers, you decide! --Jeanette Larson

TS&S: Have you always wanted to be a writer? Have you had other jobs?

PST: When I was a little girl and people asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I always said I wanted to write children's books and draw the pictures. As I grew older I became more interested in medicine and international development. I have a Master's in Public Health and worked in Micronesia, Haiti, and the Philippines as well as in the U.S.

TS&S: To what do you attribute your passion for wildlife?

PST: I have always been fascinated by animals. My first memory is being in a playpen and trying to pull the family puppy through the bars by its ears. (I think my mother wisely intervened.) Most children are born with a fascination for animals, and I guess I never grew out of it.

TS&S: I love the story of Hachiko. Do you share your life with a dog? What other animals are in your extended family?

PST: We have two dogs: Tux is a poodle / terrier mix and Manchee (pictured right "reading" HACHIKO) is a yellow Labrador puppy named after the dog character in THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO. Our other Lab, Genki, died two summers ago. It broke my heart. I also have a White's tree frog named Dumpy F. Lumpy which my kids think is the stupidest pet ever. It is true she does nothing but poop and eat crickets.

TS&S: How closely do you work with the photographers on your books? Do you get much say in selecting the photographs?

PST: I worked very closely with photographers and, with their help, choose the photos that appear in my books. Assembling a photo-illustrated book is like being the director of a documentary. It's about the visuals as much as the writing.

TS&S: What is the most interesting or exciting thing you have learned while writing your books?

PST: That there are endless ways of telling a story, and endless stories out there to tell. This is a job that will never be boring.

TS&S: What tips to you have for aspiring science writers?

PST: #1: Don't worry too much about "writing what you know": write what you WANT to know. Related to that is #2: Don't become a science writer unless you love research, and are thrilled at the idea of the background work needed to understand a topic well enough to write about it. #3: Learn about photography and design. They are essential aspects of children's science writing.

Pamela S. Turner is presenting with Leslie Bulion and Jeanette Larson on the "Naturally Cool" panel at the Texas Library Association Conference on Thursday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. She will be signing after the program from 11:00 a.m. - noon at the Houghton Miffling booth (#2024). Learn more about Pamela S. Turner and her work at her website, http://www.pamelasturner.com/.

Featured Sweetheart Leslie Bulion

2011-03-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

Leslie Bulion will be joining me (Jeanette Larson) on a panel at the upcoming Texas Library Association conference and I'm delighted that she is our newest "sweetheart." Leslie teams a life-long love of poetry and her oceanography background in At the Sea Floor Café. Her first book of poetry, Hey There, Stink Bug! is an award-winning book of gruesomely humorous insect poems.

TXS&S: Why do you write poetry, generally, and specifically why science poetry?

LB: I’ve always loved the way a poem can evoke intense emotion and complex thought with few words. Although haiku is the quintessential example, all poetry encourages economy of expression. When I write poetry, I’m hearing music in its rhythm and meter, whether I’m working with rhyming poetry or free verse. And I’m playing with words—super fun! My science poetry was born out of a life-long interest in natural science and the rich lexicon science provides for a surprisingly humorous turn of phrase or rhyme.

TXS&S: Did you read poetry as a young person? Who are some of your favorite poets?

LB: When I was very young, I read and reread When We Were Very Young and Now We are Six by A. A. Milne. I still have to hurry past the last line of “Us Two” when I share it in poetry workshops so I don’t sob. Dr. Seuss is a favorite, of course. I also read Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verse, Carl Sandburg, Robert Frost, and as I grew up a bit, e. e. cummings, and many others. I was raised on folk music and Broadway show tunes, both of which predispose me toward rhyme, rhythm and the fun of making words dance to my tune. One of my very favorite poems is “The Blossom” by Eavan Boland, with its exquisite imagery of a daughter growing up. My current favorite children’s poets are those I’ve had the great fortune to meet. When poets read their poems aloud in their own voices, I feel as if I’ve been given an intimate gift.

TXS&S: What inspired you to start writing for young people? Were there any challenges you had to overcome as a writer?

LB: Although I’ve been writing poetry since I was young, I didn’t have any ideas of being a writer. I studied oceanography, then became a social worker. Years later, an old friend read a letter I’d sent her and invited me to write for the parenting magazine she edited. Ok! I thought. I’d been writing for the magazine for a while when I told my editor friend about something that had happened in my daughter’s class. She suggested that it would make a good children’s story, so I tried that, too. That was it—I was hooked!

But it felt scary and presumptuous to say I was writing a book. I didn’t talk about it with anyone for a long time. One day, while chatting with a friend, it just kind of fell out of my mouth. Blurt! Her response? My cousin is a children’s writer! You have to send her your work! I gulped, then sent my story to the extremely kind author, Malka Penn. She encouraged me to keep writing, and told me how to join SCBWI. Admitting that I wanted to write for children was a big challenge for me. Becoming part of an open, generous and supportive children’s writing community has been an important and life-changing facet of my adventure.

TXS&S: How easy or difficult is it for you to switch from writing poetry to writing novels?

LB: My novel process and poetry process are completely different. When I’m working on a novel, I’m completely immersed in the world of my characters. It’s a wonderful feeling. It’s also a struggle, sometimes, to move back and forth between my fictional world and the activities of my own daily life. If I have to be away from a novel for more than a few days, it can take me a week to get back into the voice of the story. That lost week used to worry me, but now I understand and respect it as part of my process, even if I don’t like it much.

I collect ideas and tidbits all the time for new poetry projects. When I start work on a collection, I launch into a hunter-gatherer research phase. Once I feel mostly organized, I can pick up and put down the research as I need to and not worry overmuch about interruptions and flow. Even when I begin writing, the poems are fairly discrete packages that lend themselves to a more flexible writing schedule and space. I always think of the old Kliban cartoon with a person pulling a giant piece of string between their ears: Mental Floss. In some ways, poetry projects serve as mental floss for me.

TXS&S: Do you always follow the rules?

LB: Ha-ha! Great question. I wrote a whole book about that—The Trouble with Rules. I have to admit, I’ve always been a bit of a rule follower. But I suspect you’re asking about poetry. I enjoy the challenge of working within the parameters set by the “rules” of a particular poetic form. I also really like the process of matching a particular form to a particular subject. When I’m working on a poem in a known form, I always work within the rules, that is, until I need to break them. But I have to have worked with that form and understand it through and through before I know which rules I can break, and how to break them, and still reap the reward the integrity of that form brings.

TXS&S: What are you working on currently?

LB: I’m just finishing up a collection of human body poems. In all of my science poetry I look for the juicy—and by juicy, I mean slightly disgusting—details that play for laughs. Body parts provide unlimited potential for gross-out humor.

In honor of National Poetry Month, Peachtree Publishers is inviting educators to post students' poetry on their facebook page. At the end of the month, Peachtree will hold a drawing. One winner will receive a skype visit with me, and five others will win a copy of AT THE SEA FLOOR CAFE. A link to the contest rules is available by clicking here.

Leslie is presenting as part of the "Naturally Cool" panel at the Texas Library Association Conference on Thursday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. She will be signing books in the author "corral" area immediately following the program and then at the Peachtree booth from 11:00 a.m. - noon and at the Charlesbridge booth from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Learn more about Leslie on her website, http://www.lesliebulion.com/.

A TEXAS SWEETHEARTS BOOK RELEASE DAY!

2011-03-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

The TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS want to offer a huge congratulations to sweetheart/scoundrel Jo Whittemore for the release of her brand-new, super-awesome, amazing, have-to-have book

ODD GIRL IN by Jo Whittemore (Aladdin Mix/Simon & Schuster, March 22, 2011)

From Amazon:
A loner tomboy learns how to be a success in a hilarious new MIX title!

Yay, Jo! We are so happy for you!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Clay Smith

2011-03-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to announce that Clay Smith is our latest Featured Sweetheart! Clay Smith is the literary director of the Texas Book Festival and a former journalist. He also works for the Sundance Film Festival, writing and editing for that festival’s website. Each year he brings us one of the best literary events in the country, the Texas Book Festival.

TXS&S: What is the mission of the Texas Book Festival?

CS: The Texas Book Festival celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas and imagination.

TXS&S: I can only imagine the amount of effort that goes into preparing such a phenomenal event. Can you share what that process is like? Does it involve year-round planning?

It does involve year-round planning with a staff of only five people (and we're doing more year-round events with various writers that are offered first to our members and then to the general public). There are many volunteers at the Festival - some 900 in total - but the ones we work with the most are the local writers and people involved in publishing who make up the selection committees - there's one for the adult program and one for the kid's program. We look at all the books that are submitted to the Festival and ask the writers we're most interested in to be a part of the Festival (Oct. 22-23 this year). The Festival staff and board members also go to New York every spring to meet with publishers to talk to them about writers they're touring. So part of my job is to be creative and invite writers to the Festival who are creating vital, unique narratives; the rest of my job, closer to the Festival dates, is to make sure all the writers know when and where they need to be during the Festival and organize the Festival weekend's logistical details that pertain to them.

TXS&S: Tell us a little bit about the Reading Rock Stars program?

CS: Reading Rock Stars is our organization's literacy program. It was borne out of the realization that we already had all of these great kids' authors here in town for the Festival who we wanted to share with the kids in our communities' low income schools. What makes RRS unique is that its focus is on the interaction between writer and student, and the impact that personal interaction can have on a child's passion for reading. We also get new, signed books into the hands and homes of these kids, which improves literacy and educational success. To date, we've sponsored more than 100 author visits and given away more than 35,000 books to children across Texas . RRS is just an example of the other kinds of programs the Texas Book Festival, as an organization, sponsors throughout the year.

TXS&S: Technology, more specifically eReaders, is certainly changing the literary landscape. How will technological changes such as these be incorporated into the Festival?

CS: We've done several panels over the years about the future of reading, and we're the first book festival we know of to have an app - it's free and available to iPhone users. We are also looking into making it easy for our audience to bring their e-readers to the Festival and have our writers electronically sign their e-readers in addition to traditional books. We want to support the creative process of writing and reach readers in whatever format they're reading and all of us at the Festival think that the proliferation of e-readers is an exciting development. Times are changing and we will continue to find new ways to work with authors and readers.

TXS&S: Each year you continue to bring the best authors to Texas, something we get to enjoy for free! How can individuals get involved to help support the Festival?

CS: As you know, the Festival is free and open to the public. It is our gift to Texas readers. This would not be possible without the generous financial and volunteer support we receive. The Festival works with numerous corporate and individual sponsors and members and volunteers, all who love reading and writers. The Get Involved tab on our homepage spells out a few ways to get involved as a volunteer or join the Festival as a member. Members receive invitations to special literary events and happenings year-round. Over our 15-year history, TBF has given more than $2.5 million to public libraries across the state and reached 30,000 children through the Reading Rock Stars program.

TXS&S: Most importantly, Clay, do you consider yourself a Sweetheart or a Scoundrel?

CS: Duh! A Sweetheart.

TXS&S: We couldn't agree more! Thank you, Clay!

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Kate Klimo

2011-03-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

This week's Featured Sweetheart is Kate Klimo, Vice President, Publisher, Random House/Golden Books for Young Readers Group!

I (Emma Virjan) had the opportunity to ask her to respond to all the chatter circulating about that the picture book is dead. Here's what she had to say:

TXS&S: Ever since the article "Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children", New York Times, October 2010, was published, much has been said about the picture book's demise. What is your take on the state of the picture book?

KK: That article was a whole lot of whooey. I can’t tell you how many people who are not in the business shook their heads in pity at we folks in publishing who were losing an entire format. There is no doubt that there is a Harry Potter effect, causing children to jump to older and more complex books earlier than they used to in the old days. But we at Random have seen plenty of evidence, in the way of sales data, that there is always room on the shelves for a new and wonderful picture book—both picture books with very brief text and picture books with more complex text geared to older readers (Dr. Seuss and Candace Fleming’s picture book bios coming most immediately to mind.)

TXS&S: The e book/E-reader situation. Some say it is a threat, while others think it's just another way for authors/illustrators to tell their story. Can you talk a bit about the role of the ebook in kid lit?

KK: Ebooks are the best news in the world for authors because, yes, electronic readers are a new and easily accessible way for readers to buy books now, when you think of it, or after you’ve read a great review, before the impulse slips away or gets forgotten in the frantic grind of daily life. E-books are, in many ways, the best thing to happen to books since the invention of the mass market paperback. It could be argued that, with the decline in recent years of the mass market paperback, ebooks may very easily replace this category as the preferred “disposable” reading format. Devices like the Kindle, with its wifi connection, make spontaneous purchase so easy. Since I got my Kindle, I buy easily three times as many books as I did when I had to find time to drop by the bookstore to browse. And it’s all so much more easier on the trees. Already, young adults and middle graders are getting the hang of using these electronic devices. And it’s just a question of time before devices more baby-friendly will deliver interactive picture books to the youngest book consumers. But there will always be— and obviously this is just one person’s opinion—a desire to own a physical book, especially if it’s beautifully printed and bound. The quality of the printed book has declined markedly in the last twenty years, owing to the need to keep prices down and bottom lines black—and it is my hope that we will be entering a new era of bookmaking. The size of the runs may not be very robust but the quality will be there.

TXS&S: You are a published author, most recently of the Dragon Keepers series - The Dragon in the Sock Drawer, The Dragon in the Driveway, The Dragon in the Library. What was your source of inspiration for the series?

KK: My sons came home from one of our vacation with a geode and wanted to crack it open to see the crystals inside. They tried various methods, including chisels and hammers and throwing the geode out the attic window onto the street below. They tried everything and, finally, gave up and tossed the geode into one of their sock drawers. Every time I went to put socks away over the years, I’d run in to that geode. Gradually, over time, I started calling it the dragon egg. When the boys went off to school, I finally finally got around to writing the story inspired by that geode which, incidentally, I still have, appropriately, as a paper weight on my desk at home.

TXS&S: What advice might you have for aspiring authors and illustrators?

KK: Take courses at colleges and college extensions, join a local writers’ group or, if there isn’t one, start one. Keep up with what’s being done by reading PW, School Library Journal, Horn Book. Browse the bookstores. Ply your trade even if you can’t find a market for it because practice makes you better and, therefore, ultimately more marketable.

TXS&S: Lastly, we call ourselves the Texas Sweethearts and Scoundrels. Would you consider yourself a Sweetheart or a Scoundrel?

KK: I am both. But if I have to choose, I think I am basically a Sweetheart.

TXS&S: Thank you, Kate! We're thrilled to have you!

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

Writers' League of Texas YA A to Z Conference!

2011-03-07T19:17:00.001-08:00

There's some huge stuff going on here in Texas! For those of you who adore conferences and the amazing networking opportunities and inspirations they provide, then the Writers' League of Texas has the perfect conference for you!

It's just after TLA (Texas Library Association) this April, and the schedule is packed full with authors and agents and editors! I mean, seriously, check out the schedule, because you won't believe all the awesome people coming!

The basic details are:

Writers' League of Texas Presents

YA A to Z Conference

Everything You Need to Know
About Writing for the Young-Adult Market

April 15-16, 2011
Hyatt Regency Austin
208 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704

At the Writers' League of Texas' brand-new YA A to Z Conference, you can focus on the craft of writing for teens and young adults, as well as meet agents and editors and get up to speed on the latest trends in publishing for this hot market.

Why attend?

Study with some of the country's premier YA authors
Meet top YA agents and editors
Learn the latest about this booming market
Position yourself to succeed as a YA author

Registration includes:

Admission to more than 20 panels and lectures on writing and the publishing business
Admission to the Friday Welcome Reception with agents and editors
Admission to the Saturday night YA A to Z Party
Admission to the exhibit hall featuring vendors specializing in services for writers
Access to top agents and editors throughout the weekend
Access to premier YA authors, publicists, marketing experts, and more
Register Now!

Register Now!

For details, visit the registration page.

You can also sign up for extra add-ons:

Keynote Breakfast, with Tim Wynne-Jones on Saturday, April 16 ($35 per ticket
Agent/editor consultations( $50 per 15-minute appointment)
"Ask an Author" consultations with professional authors ($50 per 15-minute appointment)
"Building Your Buzz" consultations with marketing/publicity experts ($50 per 15-minute appointment)
"Critique Me!," critique of 10 to 15 manuscript pages by an author or an editor ($75 per 30-minute appointment)
Saturday Night YA A to Z Party tickets for friends and family

And just for a taste of the faculty...

Agents & Editors:

Agent Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency
Editor Francoise Bui of Random House
Agent John Cusick of Scott Treimel NY
Agent Mary Kole of Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Editor Evelyn Fazio of WestSide Books
Agent Laurie McLean of Larsen Pomada
Agent Elena Mechlin of Pippin Properties

Authors:

Author (Texas Sweetheart) Jessica Lee Anderson
Author Cinda Williams Chima
Author Beth Fehlbaum
Author Gail Giles
Author Bethany Hegedus
Author Heather Hepler
Author (Texas Sweetheart) K.A. Holt
Author (Texas Sweetheart) P.J. Hoover
Author Varian Johnson
Author Uma Krishnaswami
Author Hope Larson
Author (Texas Sweetheart) Jeanette Larson
Author Cynthia Leitich Smith
Author Greg Leitich Smith
Author April Lurie
Author Mari Mancusi
Author Margo Rabb
Author Bettina Restrepo
Author Carrie Ryan
Author (Texas Sweetheart) Jo Whittemore
Author Tim Wynne-Jones
Author Brian Yansky

You can get all the details here! See you there!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Teri Lesesne

2011-03-01T06:56:00.000-08:00

We're absolutely delighted to announce that Teri Lesesne, aka "Professor Nana" is our newest Featured Sweetheart. She truly is a goddess of young adult literature, and does so much for our community.

Check out her amazing bio:
Teri Lesesne (last name rhymes with insane) is a Professor of Children’s and Young Adult Literature in the Department of Library Science at Sam Houston State University. Author of three professional books and numerous review columns and articles, Teri maintains a popular blog about books and reading at LiveJournal (http://professornana.livejournal.com/). She is the chair for the Standing Committee Against Censorship of NCTE and is the new Executive Director for ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolsecents of NCTE) and chair of the Morris 2010 Committee for YALSA. In 2007, she was awarded the ALAN Award for her contributions to young adult literature.

TXS&S: Can you tell us a little about what you do and how you got started?

TL: I think I have one of the best jobs in the world. I teach classes in literature for children, tweens, and teens in the Department of Library Science at Sam Houston State University. I have been doing this for more than 20 years now. I jokingly say that my job is basically reading books and then telling others about them. There is, of course, a bit more to the task of being a professor. But I do read a LOT and I do blog and tweet and post to Facebook and travel across Texas and the country talking about books and reading.

I began as a middle school teacher, a job I loved. I still enjoy getting to talk to middle school students when I can. I still have one teen left at home, too, so I stay connected to what this age group loves in books.

TXS&S: What is the biggest surprise you've had since becoming a librarian? (To illustrate what a sweetheart she is, see how gracefully she answers this question despite my confusion!)

TL: Though I teach in a library science program, I am not a librarian. Becoming a librarian was not something I ever considered since, when I was a classroom teacher, I had the world’s best librarian in Rosemary Smith. So, I decided to pursue a doctorate and teach at the university level. I was fortunate enough to be hired by SHSU to teach their literature classes. In my 20+ year tenure here, I have learned a great deal about school libraries and librarianship. I have also been fortunate enough to meet and can count as friends loads of Texas school librarians.

TXS&S: If you could make a wish for children and reading in the future, what would it be?

TL: I would hope that someone finds them just the right book that turns them on to reading for a lifetime. I would also wish that all of them had unlimited access to an unlimited selection of books in all of their forms and formats.

TXS&S: What is your hope for the future of libraries? Any suggestions on how to overcome the proposed budget cuts?

TL: AASL has a wonderful document available for download from their web site that discusses the research done about the effectiveness and importance of school libraries. I hope that this document will be shared with district boards. Public libraries have never been more important given the economic downturn. Where else can everyone find free materials?

TXS&S: Would you consider yourself a Sweetheart or Scoundrel, and why?

TL: It depends on the time of day. I think I am a Sweetheart when it comes to promoting books and reading. But I do have more than a little Scoundrel in me as well. Just ask my friends!

TXS&S: Thank you, Professor Nana!

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Ed Spicer

2011-02-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

It as an absolute delight to announce Ed Spicer is our newest Featured Sweetheart! He's got an enormous heart and lots of personality--check out his bio:

With Swim the Fly cap on

A Short Autobiography of Edward Allen Spicer
By Don't Make Me Tell You!!!

I hate clichés. I hate it when someone says, “Books saved my life.” Or, “Reading saved my life.” Or, “Libraries saved my life.” What? They blocked the deadly bullet? They padded the fall from the cliff? I hate these clichés because they rob me of the start of my short autobiography for Texas Sweethearts and Scoundrels.

As a young, homeless child my hours on the floor of a Federated Department store in California madly reading every single Nancy Drew mystery taught me to love reading, which is another way of saying this time began to teach me a way to love thinking. Thinking makes life worth living. In my college library, I memorized several hundred poems by dead white guys because I was afraid that people would think I was too dumb to live, in part because I was worried about all that time spent with Nancy Drew. Fortunately, I now embrace my inner knucklehead!

Once upon a time, I cut off the ponytail of the first grade girl who sat in front of me. I broke a gas line too, which forced the evacuation of the entire school. I broke the windows in the third grade classroom even though I was not aiming for them. I did not know what recess was until I was in the fifth grade. Consequently, my life now is paying back a whole host of psychic debt. I teach first graders and I ask to have the wigglers and squigglers in my classroom. My hours in the library in elementary school showed me that there was a bigger world than the one I knew, which didn’t often seem very worthwhile.

I run a reading group for high school teens, some of whom are former first graders. I coordinate a teen writing contest. I read a book a day and I write book reviews for the Michigan Reading Journal. I am an unapologetic author groupie. Volunteer work for any and every book related committee possible is my quest. One semester of graduate students explored young adult literature with me for my class at Grand Valley State University (adjunct). I have served on the Michael L. Printz Committee (2005), Best Books for Young Adults (2006-2008), the Randolph C. Caldecott Committee (2009), Notable Children’s Books (2009-2010), and, now, the Morris Committee (2012). I try to be faithful to my website (www.spicyreads.org).

I hate clichés! I love books so much that I want to marry them. I also love paradox.

Hometown of Allegan

Wife, Ann Perrigo, and Ed

*****

TXS&S: Can you tell us a little about what you do and how you got started?

My short autobiography will give readers a general idea of what it is that I do and how I got started, but I also need to credit my wife, Ann Perrigo. When I was working for my teachable major, I remember sitting in the library desperately trying to finish A Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson before class. I sat in the library just sobbing as I finished. That book inspired my new life goal: to be on the Newbery committee. When I got home, I told my library director beloved esposa that I wanted to be on the Newbery committee. “What do I have to do?” She told me that I needed to join ALA. So I joined in 1999 and waited two whole weeks and asked Ann why no one had called me yet. Ann informed that I also had to join the division that sponsored the award, ALSC. A few days later when I went to join the division, the 59 billion divisions and acronyms in the ALA world surprised me. I wasn’t quite sure what division I needed to join, so I joined both YALSA and ALSC. That is how I got started with ALA and reviewing and, eventually, with my committee work (but I still haven’t been on the Newbery committee yet).

Betsy the Reading Beagle Dog

Stephanie Hemphill reading to Ed's first graders

TXS&S: What has been one of the biggest surprises since becoming an educator and reviewer?

The biggest surprise is that I have become very good friends with people who share very different ideas about what distinguishes excellent literature for children and young adults. The youth book world is mostly filled with exceptionally smart and wickedly funny folks who share a passion for raising another generation of readers. I am blessed to be a part of this community. Even after all these years, I am still very surprised by the abundance of kindness and concern within the library world, regardless of whether or not we agree on the merits of any specific book.

Typical box and book delivery for Notables or BBYA

Rosemary Wells book dedication

TXS&S: You've volunteered on many different committees--what have those experiences been like?

I have been on single book selection committees and book list committees. The single book selection committees like the Caldecott and Printz can be very heartbreaking. Every committee member sees favorite books left behind and we can never discuss just how close some books came to making our list. That is hard. On the Printz committee I read every single one of our contenders multiple times—some as many as seven times (including several that did not make our list). For the Caldecott, I swear that we looked at every pixel about a million times. For both of these committees, I know the strengths AND the weaknesses of our selections better than just about anyone on the planet. That said, however, the list committees like BBYA and Notables, are much more difficult. The reading load is huge because members must read every book from beginning to end. We are not attempting to pick a single winner; we are picking a list of books. We cannot stop reading something because we know it is NOT going to be the Printz winner or the Caldecott winner. For BBYA I read more than 300 books each year; for Notables I read and annotated more than 800 books (including picture books). These meetings are also open to authors and publishers. Initially this was very intimidating. However, these committees helped me discover MANY books that I would never have read on my own. All of the committees are a tremendous amount of fun. I have made lifelong friends from these committee experiences and I have donated thousands of books to schools, jails, libraries, students, preschools, and other organizations. All of my committee work has added richness to my life that is difficult to verbalize.

Reacting to the news that Jerry Pinkney won the Caldecott

Ed with Neil Gaiman

TXS&S: If you could make a wish for children and reading in the future, what would it be?

Every single morning before I begin teaching, I begin by getting a mental image of each and everyone of my students. I pledge or pray or meditate on how to do at least one good thing for each student, each and every day. This ritual often involves my wishes for the students. My first wish is that I do a great job of teaching my students how to be kind, because I would rather be around kind people than smart people. However, I always hope for both and there is a good lot of research that suggests that those kind and ethical students are often the very smartest students. Consequently, much of my wishing involves teaching students to fall in love with reading and thinking. This involves helping them to see reading as an essential part of a happy life. We are better at being kind when we can envision beyond our own immediate environment. We are better at being smart when we are exposed to multiple points of view. Reading has made me kinder and smarter, even if I still have a long way to go. I want this for my students too.

Ed with the Printz women (except Kelly, KL Going--this shot is photoshopped from individual pictures of Ed with authors--and Kelly got lost somehow)

TXS&S: Would you consider yourself a Sweetheart or Scoundrel, and why?

This entirely depends on which personality comes out to play. I know beyond any doubt that I am both.

Thank you, Ed!

*****

At TLA,

Ed Spicer will present "Serving Homeless Children and Teens in the Library" on April 14, 2011. CPE#479

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Elizabeth Law

2011-02-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

We’re downright honored to announce that our newest Featured Sweetheart is the outgoing, smart, and savvy Elizabeth Law!

Elizabeth Law is Vice President and Publisher of Egmont USA, where “we turn writers into authors and children into lifelong readers.” Although she lives in New York City, Elizabeth is the proud daughter of two Texans—her dad was from Dallas and her mom is from Celeste, in Hunt County. Her great grandmother even pledged money early in the last century to help build SMU. Some of Elizabeth’s favorite books she has edited recently include Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can’t Have by Allen Zadoff, Bitter Melon by Cara Chow, and The False Princess by Eilis O’Neal.

Texas Sweethearts Jessica Lee Anderson & PJ Hoover with Elizabeth Law

TXS&S: What is something you've gained from your experience as an editor?

EL: One of the best things about being an editor is that it’s constantly surprising—authors come up with solutions to questions I raise about their manuscripts that are richer, deeper, and funnier than anything I could have imagined. And when art comes in for a picture book—that’s the most exciting thing in the world. It so surpasses what I envision when I read a picture book text. So to answer your question, a big thing I learned is that I don’t know everything—writers and artists bring a lot more to the table than I could ever picture.

Another thing I’ve learned is to always speak up, always say what I think, though as gently as possible, when I’m editing a manuscript. I’ve learned to ask about something, or to bring up an issue a reader might have, for a second or third time. Of course it is always the author’s book, and the author has final say, rightly, about everything that is in his or her story. But my only regrets in 25 years of working on books are the times I let something go, or didn’t raise something again, or didn’t go back into a manuscript one more time—even though I often made that decision because the book had to make a deadline. The only things that haunt me are the times I didn’t try hard enough.

The Egmont team with VORDAK THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE

TXS&S: We love how candid you are when you speak at conferences, Elizabeth! Is there any advice that you repeatedly give to attendees?

EL: I speak about this a lot, but the longer I’m around, the more I believe in persistence. I believe in just showing up, doing the work, and submitting your material. I saw a documentary on Joan Rivers recently where someone said “To get struck by lightning, you’ve got to be willing to stand in the rain. And Joan will stand in the rain longer than anyone.” I totally get that! It’s easy to be discouraged when we compare ourselves—someone else’s book is always selling better, or another publisher has a hit with a book that I wish we were publishing, but the important thing is to do your best work and just keep going. That always works in the end.

TXS&S: With publisher purse strings tightening in this economy, what is an effective, affordable way an author can promote him or herself?

EL: That is the million dollar question. We hear so much about social networking, and I myself do a lot of it, but I find it all a little unproven. I hope it goes without saying that the best thing you can do for your career is to write a really good book. Taking that as read, one tip I can give is, if you are active online, be sure to compliment and support other people’s work as well as your own—nothing is more boring than people who advertise relentlessly for their own work but don’t tweet or blog about anything else.

I look at the Shrinking Violets blog a lot—they have a lot of good ideas for promoting yourself and helpful interviews. That link is http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/

Also, authors in this field are very supportive of each other. If you are reading this blog, you probably know some writers or artists and maybe have attended an SCBWI conference. Ask other writers what they’ve done that has worked. I know that may sound lame, but there really is no easy answer here—if there was, I would share it!

The Egmont team with FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE

TXS&S: If you could make a wish for the future of publishing, what would it be?

EL: I would wish for a gloriously diverse and thriving field, where everyone could afford physical books and ebooks and know how to read them. Picture books, easy-to-reads, and chapter books would be selling just as strongly as YA novels, and I would be editing and publishing an author who made as much of an impact on generations of readers as Beverly Cleary did. And Stephenie Meyer would publish a new novel about Edward Cullen every couple of years, just so I could read it.

Edward Cullen in the shredder

TXS&S: Would you consider yourself a Sweetheart or Scoundrel, and why?

EL: A sweetheart! I’m a total pussycat. I can’t believe you even have to ask.

TXS&S: While we knew the answer, the question is too tempting not to ask.
Thank you, Elizabeth!

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Toni Buzzeo

2011-02-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

This week we're thrilled to feature Toni Buzzeo. In addition to being a fantastic librarian, Toni also wears the hat of author.

TXS&S: What interested you in becoming a children's librarian? What has been a special highlight in your career?

TB: I worked at the main public library in my hometown of Dearborn, Michigan while I was in high school and then continued as I put myself through college. During my college years, I had the good fortune to be transferred to the Snow Branch library where I worked as an aide in the children’s department and once again fell in love with children’s books. I began to read them, buy them, treasure them. From there, I took a circuitous route through graduate school in English Language and Literature followed by teaching writing at the college and high school level before I found my way back to the world of libraries. When I earned my masters degree in library science, though, I had no question that I wanted to work with children and their literature.

The greatest honor I experienced in my LIBRARY career was when the Maine Association of School Libraries honored me as the 1999 Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year. What an amazing tribute to my passion for children and their books!

One of the most fun experiences in my WRITING career, directly tied to my love of libraries, was the recent inclusion of 1.55 million copies of my picture book No T. Rex in the Library (illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa, McElderry, 2010) in Cheerios boxes through the Spoonfuls of Stories program.

TXS&S: What led you to writing books for children? Are there any writing tips you could offer?

TB: Literally, BOOKS led me to the writing of children’s books. As a librarian, I selected books, I reviewed books, I shared books. Finally, after years of all this, I knew that I wanted to WRITE them as well.

Inevitably, despite my years of knowledgeable interaction with contemporary children’s books, the first words I set on paper reflected not the style of those recent books but the style of the books I’d read as a child. It was only through a year of guidance and encouragement from my mentor, children’s author Jane Kurtz www.janekurtz.com, that I learned to model my own writing on current, published fiction. So my best advice is to not only read piles of current books in the genre you are writing but to consciously analyze what makes them successful in content, style, theme.

TXS&S: You've also been involved in Reader's Theater--could you share with us what your experience has been like?

TB: I am the author of stacks of Reader’s Theater scripts based on the texts of published children’s books (with formal author/publisher permission, of course). It’s absolutely delightful work to re-work stories to the requirements of a script. I’m a huge proponent of children’s reader’s theater because it has been proven to be the single most effective technique for improving readers’ fluency. Besides, kids love reader’s theater.

I have created a reader’s theater script for most of my published books, such as the two Adventure Annies, Adventure Annie Goes to Work and Adventure Annie Goes to Kindergarten, and have made them available on my web site www.tonibuzzeo.com. I encourage each of you with published books to consider doing so as well.

TXS&S: Toni, you do quite a few talks at schools, libraries, conferences, etc. Any public speaking tips you could offer?

TB: I have several suggestions for authors who speak in schools and libraries and at conferences:

Attend as many presentations by other author-speakers as possible and, when possible, discuss the content as well as the modes of delivery with the presenters.
Plan to spend many days (weeks, if necessary) to create excellent presentations with a logical progression, crisp, clear images, and all necessary props.
Practice, practice, practice. For school visits, plan to do several free presentations (with feedback) before venturing into paid presentations.
Read my book, Terrific Connections with Authors, Illustrators, and Storytellers, for loads of specifics about the details of school and library speaking.

TXS&S: How do you get children motivated about reading and writing? What are you looking forward to?

TB: My method of motivating kids to read is to share the stories behind my stories, to show them the connections between my life and my stories, to ask them to look for their own connections to my books as well as the other books they are reading. Of course, as a librarian, I also talk with them about other people’s books that I love as well as the books they are currently reading.

My method for motivating kids to write is to show them, in my presentations, that all stories come from our own experiences in one way or another, to encourage them to find the things in their own lives that call to them to be written. I also conduct workshops with young writers, giving them tools in “showing, not telling” in order to improve their own writing skills.

Right now, I’m looking forward to six more picture books that will be published in the next two years.

Penelope Popper, Book Doctor, ill. by Jana Christy (Upstart, Spring 2011)
A Lighthouse Christmas, ill. by Nancy Carpenter (Dial, Fall 2011)
One Cool Friend, ill. by David Small (Dial, Spring 2012)
Stay Close to Mama, ill. by Mike Wohnoutka (Hyperion, Spring 2012)
Inside the Books, ill. by Jude Daly (Upstart, 2012)
Just Like My Papa, ill. by Mike Wohnoutka (Hyperion, Spring 2013)

Beyond that, I look forward to writing many more picture books and continuing to work on the four novel-length manuscripts I have underway. Much of that writing will happen in my beautiful writing cottage which I invite you to visit by viewing the video on my web site www.tonibuzzeo.com or directly on youtube.

This is the fabulous writing cottage where Toni works.

TXS&S: Thank you so very much, Toni!

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

Congrats to Sweetheart Jeanette Larson!

2011-02-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS want to offer a huge congratulations to fellow sweetheart (or scoundrel) Jeanette Larson for the release of

HUMMINGBIRDS: FACT & FOLKLORE FROM THE AMERICAS by Jeanette Larson, illustrated by Adrienne Yorinks (Charlesbridge, February 2011)

Jeanette had an amazing book signing this past weekend here in Austin at Barnes & Noble!

From left to right: Jeanette Larson (the author), Chris Barton, Sweetheart PJ Hoover, Mark Mitchell, Sweetheart Jessica Lee Anderson, Julie Lake, and Donna Bowman Bratton

From Amazon:
Hummingbirds are fascinating little creatures that have captured the imagination of people for thousands of years. Since they are only found in the Americas, the myths and legends about this tiny bird originated from the peoples of North and South America. These native cultures wrote stories to offer explanations for the behavior and physical characteristics of this graceful species: Why does the hummingbird drink nectar? What accounts for its amazing flying abilities? Why is the hummingbird attracted to the color red? Jeannette Larson and Adrienne Yorinks have compiled facts and folklore about these intriguing fliers that will answer these questions and many more. Readers will also get a glimpse into the different cultures that have been transfixed for centuries by this bird, as well as learn many interesting scientific facts discovered by modern-day ornithologists. Adrienne s bold and unique mixed-media quilts illustrate the hummingbird in nature and the mystery of these birds in ancient folklore. Substantial back matter includes an index, a glossary of terms, suggested further reading and websites, a bibliography, sources, resources, and a list of hummingbird sanctuaries.

School Visit Tips

2011-02-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels P.J. Hoover, K.A. Holt, and Jessica Lee Anderson recently visited Baranoff Elementary for their annual Young Authors’ Conference.

We each had a wonderful time, and to top off the great experience, we received a packet of fan mail following our visit. What could be more special? In addition to sharing these gems, we also wanted to share our top three school visit tips.

P.J. Hoover’s Top 3 School Visit Tips:

1. Be prepared. For anything. The projector may not work. Your computer may not boot up. You might have to *shudder* wing it. Put your presentation on a memory stick in addition to your computer. Be able to talk even without PowerPoint. And most of all, bring your own water bottle.

2. For large groups of young kids, practice and enforce the "hand raising" thing. Ditto older kids. Crowd control can be flushed down the toilet in the blink of an eye without a plan in place. And even then you're walking on precarious ice. You don't want to have to be the mean author who tells the kids over and over and over they need to settle down.

3.Make it fun. This may sound obvious, but kids want to be involved. They want to have a chance to answer questions. They want to get excited. This is your chance to play-act being a kid again. Remember how cool you thought celebrities were when you were young? Be that celebrity.

K.A. Holt’s Top 3 School Visit Tips:

1. Engage. It's great to have a PowerPoint presentation and a speech prepared, but don't forget you have an eager, captive audience. Ask THEM questions, move around the group, offer help if you've given them a writing project... let them know that you're not just there as A Person Who Writes Books, but as a fellow writer who thinks they're just as cool as they think you are.

2. It's OK to deviate. Sometimes, no matter how prepared you are, something goes wonky. Computers crash, cables go missing, kids are added to your once small group, etc. You have to be able to be flexible with your presentation and cater it to the demands of the day. It's a good idea, while you're preparing for your visit, to run through some alternative scenarios. Sure, you can't plan for everything, but you can at least know what you'll do if the projector breaks.

3. Relax. Even if you hate public speaking more than anything in the world, realize that speaking in front of kids about your work is one of the most rewarding things you can do as an author. You have your book's audience right in front of you. They're eager to hear you speak, to ask questions, to see what you're like. There's some pressure to that, yes, but there's also freedom.

Jessica Lee Anderson’s Top 3 School Visit Tips:

1. Plan ahead. Know exactly where you need to go and what time you have to be there and how much time you have for the visit. Allow plenty of time for traffic, detours, parking, registration, a trip to the bathroom, etc. Know what is expected of you prior to the visit so you can come as prepared as possible. Create backup plans if you can.

2. Be professional, and be yourself. Just like you’re honest in your writing, be honest in your visits (without being inappropriate, of course). Your audience wants to learn about you and they want you to connect with them. Share your struggles as well as your successes. Know what works for you as a speaker and what doesn’t by practicing, and play up your strengths so you’ll feel calmer and come across as more natural.

3. Have a sense of humor. This certainly helps when a kindergartner sticks a finger between your toes while you’re speaking (tip 3.A—it is probably best to avoid wearing sandals), a middle school student decides to jokingly propose marriage to you during your presentation, or when you trip over a bundle of wires in front of a very, very large crowd. Laughing at these sorts of things will help you keep your cool and make the visit more fun.

Any school visit tips you’d like to share?

Five Soundrels in Cowtown

2011-01-30T15:22:00.000-08:00

Or maybe we were Sweethearts. Some days I can't tell.

This past week five of the Texas Sweethearts and Scoundrels had a blast when we headed up to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas for the ESC Region 11 Children's and Young Adult Book Roundup (aka The Cowtown Book Festival).

Five Sweethearts and Scoundrels in a row!
K. A. Holt, Jeanette Larson, Don Tate, PJ Hoover, and Jessica Lee Anderson

A bunch of the crew and supporting librarians

On the MG/YA panel...
Jason Henderson, PJ Hoover, Jessica Lee Anderson, K. A. Holt, Jennifer Ziegler, and Clare Dunkle

On the picture book panel...
Jeanette Larson, Chris Barton, and Don Tate

Hanging in the hotel room the night before: Jessica Lee Anderson, Mark Mitchell, Jennifer Ziegler, Jeanette Larson, Don Tate, Clare Dunkle, PJ Hoover, Chris Barton, and K. A. Holt (with Brian Floca taking the picture)

Clare Dunkle and Jennifer Ziegler

Jason Henderson, author of Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising

James Crowley, author of STARFISH

Brian Floca, Chris Barton, and Avi

PJ Hoover, Jessica Lee Anderson, and Bonnie Barnes

The Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels would love to send a special thank you to Pat Anderson, owner of Texas Overlooked Books for sponsoring us!

Cowtown, we loved it! We'll see you again next year!

Approaching Austin SCBWI Critique Contest Deadline!

2011-01-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

The deadline for the Austin SCBWI Critique Contest is Friday, January 21. See this post for the details. Good luck!

Signing at ALA

2011-01-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit behind on posting and sharing but I did the first signing for Hummingbirds: Facts and Folklore from the Americas at the American Library Association conference in San Diego. It was so exciting to be there as an author! In addition to seeing a lot of good friends from the library and publishing world, I met a lot of people who love hummingbirds. They each had interesting stories to tell! We sold out of hardcovers and almost sold out of paperbacks so hopefully this bodes well for the book.

My next signing is at Barnes and Noble, La Frontera in Round Rock on Saturday, February 5, 2:00 p.m. I hope to see a lot of local friends (new and old) there! Details are available at http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3081257 .

Featured Sweetheart-Elaine Scott

2010-12-29T07:52:00.000-08:00

I am honored to announce that our latest sweetheart is Houston writer Elaine Scott. I first met this very talented writer almost twenty-five (gulp!) years ago when she presented at the Mesquite Young Writers Workshop. I have to say she is a sweetheart in so many ways! We became fast friends and she has been an inspiration to me as a writer. Her newest book, Space, Stars, and the Beginning of Time, will be released in just a few days. It explains for us non-scientific types exactly what the Hubble telescope is seeing out in the vast universe. Elaine is also delighted to announce that Clarion will also be the publisher of Buried Alive, her book about the Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 69 days that will be released next year. Learn more about Elaine Scott on her website, http://www.elainescott.com/ --Jeanette Larson

JL: You've been writing for a long time. How did you get your start as a writer and having books published?

ES: It's kind of a long story, and it has a fairy tale quality to it. I was actually asked to be published the first time--and I was terrified. Back in the mid-70's, during the time of great emphasis on zero population growth, a friend, Guida Jackson asked me to write an article for her literary journal, and she wanted me to call it "The Myth of Motherhood." One of our daughters was adopted, and the other arrived in the more traditional way, and Guida thought I could write about the fact that one could become a parent without reproducing biologically. I was simply stunned at the invitation, but I took the challenge, and my essay was published. It just so happens that the publisher of the now-defunct In Houston magazine saw that essay and asked me if I had anything else. I gulped and said "yes" but I had no idea what I had. After scrambling around, I decided to write a light piece about learning how to ski downhill at the ripe old age of 35. She liked it, and I was on my way. I didn't have my first book published until 1980, and interestingly, it was a children's book about adoption, published by Franklin Watts. I've rarely written for adults since.

JL: How did you get the idea for Space, Stars, and the Beginning of Time , and what process did you use for writing the book?

ES: I have been a passionate fan of the Hubble Space Telescope ever since I followed the astronauts of STS61, as they prepared for the first servicing mission. I wrote about that experience in Adventure in Space. When I realized that Hubble was approaching its 20th "birthday" and the final servicing mission was headed to the telescope, the time seemed right to take a look at all the amazing science this fantastic instrument has facilitated through the years. I used my contacts at NASA and at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore to gain access to the latest information, and I am humbled that Dr. Mario Livio of STScI agreed to vet the manuscript for accuracy.

JL: You also wrote two fiction books. Share a bit about how the process of writing fiction differs or is similar to writing non-fiction.

ES: I like to write narrative nonfiction, so in that way my nonfiction is similar to fiction. The writing process, however, is vastly different. I outline ahead of time with my nonfiction, but I let my characters tell me their story in fiction. My first novel, Choices, was set in contemporary times, so I didn't have too much research to do on setting, etc. The second, Secrets of the Cirque Medrano, was set in 1904 Paris and Pablo Picasso figured into the story, though he wasn't the main character. Blending completely fictional characters with the well-documented Picasso, created quite a challenge. My imagination could run free with Brigitte, Henri, but Picasso and his "bande" of friends had to be accurate to the nth degree. And since I don't believe in putting words in a historical character's mouth, unless they have been uttered by the subject, it was a challenge to render the real Picasso through the eyes of others.

JL: What has been the biggest surprise to you about writing?

ES: The fact that, 30 some years into this career, it still feels fresh, it still brings me joy, and it's still scary to type the first words of the newest book!

JL: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

ES: Despite what I said at the beginning of this interview, getting published isn't easy, and I've had my share of rejections. I think the one piece of advice I would give to any aspiring author is to be persistent and to believe in yourself. Writing is hard work. The late Meredith Charpentier was my first editor, and I will pass on the advice that she offered to writers, as they struggled to get published. They often asked her, "Do you think I should quit?" Her answer was always, "If you can, you should." It's the perfect answer, for if you can't quit, then you will persist.

First Signing: My New Book

2010-12-27T09:13:00.000-08:00

I am so excited that I'll be signing my first children's book, Hummingbirds: Facts and Folklore from the Americas, at the American Library Association conference in San Diego. It's coming up soon and I hope some of our blog friends will be there to meet me. I'll be at the Charlesbridge booth (#1808) on Sunday, January 9 at 2:00 p.m.

As a librarian I've been on the fan side of the table many times but as an author I have to admit to some trepidations. I've been trying out different pens to find one that I can consistenly write "nicely" with. Also what do I say? The book is about hummingbirds and includes a lot of pourquoi (a hard word to spell!) stories. I'd love to hear some thoughts on what to write so speak up! I promise to share some photos and my thoughts after the fact. Now, if I can just keep my knees from knocking long enough to pack.

Holiday Signing…Texas Hill Country Style

2010-12-21T21:49:00.000-08:00

On Sunday evening, December 19, 2010, I had the privilege of signing at the 41st Annual LBJ Tree Lighting.

singing at the park store

This special Hill Country tradition was started 41 years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson. The evening was full of holiday cheer including a festive band, carolers, a live nativity, plus an opportunity to enjoy the Sauer-Beckman Living History Farm.

live nativity

Once the sun had set, members of the Johnson family arrived. I had the honor of sitting close to Luci Baines Johnson and her extended family. When Luci addressed the community, I admit to tearing up as she thanked her family members for being there for her when she was critically ill in April. She mentioned how especially grateful she felt this holiday season, and recited a few words from her father. ("Are we thankful? Yes, we are!")

cedar tree before the lighting ceremony

After the program and the lighting of the tree, Luci shook my hand and thanked the other participants including the lovely Cathie Gail and Donna Albus of Keep Texas Beautiful.

Keep Texas Beautiful ornament dedicated to Lady Bird Johnson

Before joining Santa for photos, Luci thanked us all again, saying her mother would want her to.

I'm so very thankful that I was invited to such a memorable event, and I truly appreciate the kindness of the staff and the volunteers.

I hope your holidays are rich in tradition and memories!

~Jessica

AUSTIN SCBWI Huge Critique Contest

2010-12-17T06:18:00.000-08:00

Guess what.

If you haven't already registered for the Austin SCBWI Conference, then you've missed the critique deadline. Missing an opportunity for a critique or a portfolio review can be a real bummer because these are one of the best things about attending conferences no matter what level you are.

So The Texas Sweethearts, along with some of the Austin SCBWI conference faculty, have put together a small contest for you.

Okay, it's a great big contest with author critiques and illustrator portfolio reviews.

Here's the deal...

1) You're not registered yet for the conference
No problem. Register for the conference and then email The Texas Sweethearts and let us know you've registered. You'll then be entered in the contest to win a free critique.
*This is the perfect opportunity to remind your loved ones what a great gift the conference registration would be.

2) You are registered for the conference but you still want a chance to win
No problem. Refer someone to the conference, and email The Texas Sweethearts to let us know. When they register, you will then be entered to win the critique. Make sure to let them know to email us, too.

Details:

Our email address is texas_sweethearts /(at)/ yahoo /(do)/ com (minus all the funny characters of course)
In your email let us know what you'd like to submit if you win a critique (MG/YA/Picture book/Non-fiction/Portfolio)
The contest will run through Friday, January 21st, 2011.

Portfolio reviews and critiques are up for grabs from the following awesome faculty:

David Diaz – Illustrator:
David Diaz has illustrated numerous award-winning books for children, including Eve Bunting’s Going Home; as well as Newbery Honor winner, The Wanderer, by Sharon Creech. Mr. Diaz was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1995 for his work in Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, and his colorful illustrations in Margaret Wise Brown’s The Little Scarecrow Boy lead to the book being named the New York Times Best Illustrated Book for 1998. Most recently, Mr. Diaz has teamed up with renowned author Joyce Carol Thomas, creating vibrant illustrations for The Gospel Cinderella, a soulful retelling of the classic Cinderella story.

Julian Hector – Illustrator:
Julian Hector was born in Los Angeles, raised in rural Texas, and received a BFA from Parsons the New School for Design, in New York City. His clients include Disney-Hyperion, Scholastic, Harper Collins, and Simon and Schuster Julian Hector is represented by Rebecca Sherman of Writers House and plans to make Austin, Texas his home!

Jessica Anderson:
Jessica Lee Anderson is the author of Trudy, which won the 2005 Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature, as well as Border Crossing. She’s published two nonfiction readers, as well as fiction and nonfiction for a variety of magazines including Highlights for Children. While her experiences have ranged from teaching to selling computers to coordinating a vision therapy clinic, her lifelong passion is writing literature for children. She lives near Austin, Texas, with her husband, Michael. Jessica is willing to critique fiction and non-fiction manuscripts.

Bethany Hegedus:
Bethany Hegedus has spent time above and below the Mason-Dixon Line. She cares deeply about kids, having once been a high school teacher and also a youth advocate. She serves as a mentor in the PEN Prison Writing Program and holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Bethany is Co- Editor of the Young Adult’s and Children’s section of the literary magazine, Hunger Mountain and is Austin Host of the popular website readergirlz.com. Her second novel, Truth, With a Capital T. releases Oct. 12, 2010. Between Us Baxters is her first young adult novel. Bethany is willing to critique picture books, middle-grade, and YA fiction and non-fiction.

Kari Ann Holt:
K.A. Holt is a writer, a terrible cook, and a mother of three (not necessarily in that order). When she’s not busy imagining how she would survive a trip to Mars or a zombie apocalypse, she’s busy imagining how she will survive the day. Kirkus and Publishers Weekly praised both her first book, Mike Stellar: Nerves of Steel, as well as her most recent Brains for Lunch. Kari Ann is willing to critique middle-grade sci-fi.

P J Hoover:
PJ grew up visiting museums and dreaming of finding Atlantis. She eventually married, had two children, shifted her dreams to reality, and began a writing career. PJ’s novels The Emerald Tablet, That Navel of the World, and The Necropolis are evidence of her talent, tenacity, and devotion to craft. PJ is willing to critique middle grade and YA novels.

Jeanette Larson:
Jeanette has been a librarian for more than 30 years. She is a frequent reviewer for Booklist and Book Links and has served on a number of state and national award committees, including the Newbery Award, the Texas Bluebonnet Award, Best Books for Young Adults, the Morris Award (for debut YA authors), the Writers’ League of Texas Teddy Awards, and the Audio Book Publishers Award. She is currently serving on the YALSA Excellence in Non-fiction Awards committee. Retired from Austin Public Library, Jeanette now teaches the Children’s and Young Literature course for Texas Woman’s University and is a freelance trainer and consultant. Moving to the other side of the book shelf, Jeanette’s first children’s book, Hummingbirds: Facts and Folkore from the Americas, will be coming out in February 2011. Jeanette is willing to critique non-fiction and fiction of any genre.

Brian Yansky:
Brian has a BA from The University of Texas and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College. He’s an Assistant Professor at Austin Community College where he teaches writing. He writes both young adult and adult fiction. His adult stories have appeared in the Crescent Review, Nebraska Review, Chiron Review and other literary journals. My Road Trip to the Pretty Girl Capital of the World was his first published novel. Wonders of the World, his second novel, came out in June, 2007. Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences, a YA novel, will be published by Candlewick Press on October 12, 2010. Brian is willing to critique YA novels.

Frances Yansky:
An author/illustrator, Frances is the author of The Bug Cemetery, published under Frances Hill, her maiden name. Frances has a keen eye for detail, intrigue, and the whimsical. Though Frances is currently working on a sensational middle-grade fantasy, she is willing to critique picture books.

GOOD LUCK, and we'll see you in Austin!

Kathi Appelt KEEPER Winner!

2010-12-17T06:13:00.001-08:00

A huge thank you to everyone who entered to win Kathi Appelt's latest novel KEEPER (Atheneum, May 2010).

The winner is...

TAFFY at Taffy's Writings!

Thank you all again!

Critter is Finally up for Auction!

2010-12-13T09:28:00.001-08:00

The big moment has finally come.
The darling Critter who has traveled the world and been signed by authors and illustrators aplenty is finally up for auction!
And the best part?

100% of the final sale price will support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

So bid now, bid often, and let that competitive spirit of support take over!

From ebay:

For over 14 months Critter has traveled the world visiting talented writers, artists, and authors: while exploring their world. Christy Evers sent out Critter after an interactive art project, directed by the cutting edge artist, Ian Sands.

Critter has visited (and was signed) by PJ Hoover (author of the Forgotten Worlds trilogy) and the Texas Sweethearts, in Texas. Beth Revis in North Carolina (whose debut novel, Across the Universe, coming out in January 2011, is expected to be a HUGE success!). Christina Farley in Korea, New England with Nandini Bajpai, Illinois with Kelly Polark, (who is frequented in Highlights magazine), MG Higgins in California, Rena Jones (author of multiple picture books) in Montana, Cynthia Leitich Smith (NY Times best-selling author) in Texas, Bish Denham in the Virgin Islands, Jacqui Robbins (author of “The New Kid and Me”, and “Two of a Kind”) in Michigan, Tina Ferraro, (author of “How to Hook a Hottie, Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, and The ABC’s of Kissing Boys) in California, Cynthia Chapman Willis, (Picture book author of “Dog Gone” and “Buck Fever”) in New Jersey, Jill S. Alexander, (YA author of “The Sweetheart of Prosper County”) in Texas, Ellen Oh in Virginia, Alberta, Canada with Angela Ackerman (the blog-genius behind the “Writing Thesaurus”. The World-famous artist, Robert Bateman, also signed Critter (on his backside) as an honorary host.

Critter’s Travels have caused him to be beaten around the edges and cracked just a bit, but I think that adds to his charm . . . scarred like a foam-board Indian Jones (for St. Jude) or something like that. It hasn’t taken away from the integrity of the signatures, though. He has traveled the globe in 14 months. He looks pretty good (for being handled by the U.S. post office) The signatures of fabulous people (in addition to his worthy cause) well makes up for his worn edges. Upon his return trip to me he was cracked a bit, but it was easily repaired with super glue.

The winning bidder will receive THE autographed (by the notable people mentioned above) Critter as well as a 20-page scrapbook documenting his travels.

He will be shipped in the flag-case, as shown in the picture, along with the 20 page scrapbook (designed by Snapfish).

You can view Critter's travels on the sidebar of my blog at http://ChristysCreativeSpace.blogspot.com

CLICK HERE TO CHECK CRITTER'S AUCTION OUT!

FEATURED SWEETHEART - Kathi Appelt

2010-12-06T19:54:00.000-08:00

We're honored to announce that Kathi Appelt is our newest FEATURED SWEETHEART. She's a gifted writer, talented teacher, and is about as generous and lovely as you could imagine.

The Fabulous Kathi Appelt

Stick around! There is a book giveaway at the end of the interview!

******

TXS&S: You’ve served as a mentor to so many people, Kathi! Who would you consider your mentor?

KA: I’ve had a number of wonderful guides along the way, but three stand out for me. The first is Elizabeth Harper Neeld. Dr. Neeld was my advisor when I was in graduate school at Texas A&M University. We’ve known each other for many years, and now she’s one of my very best friends. I’ve learned more about writing and life in general from her than just about anyone else. She’s my soul sister, my heartmate.

Elizabeth Harper Neeld

Another important teacher for me is Dennis Foley. A few years ago, I took an online course with him, and I felt like a rank beginner, but I also felt safe and encouraged with his guidance. I learned so much from Dennis about writing and also about teaching. I learned to be honest for one thing, and by that, I mean that I learned how to look between lines and underneath bridges to find things in my work, and in my students’ work, that was there but needed some sunlight, needed for someone to admit that it was there. Dennis taught me that.

Dennis Foley

And finally, I studied for many years in the Rice Continuing Education Department with Venkatesh Kulkarni. Nobody challenged me more than the Good Professor. He passed away several years ago, but I still hear him whispering in my ear whenever I’m working on a story. It’s not always a friendly whisper. Sometimes I want him to be quiet, but he’s persistent even from the other side. So, while I may not want to hear what he’s whispering, I listen anyways.

Venkatesh Kulkarni

There have been others too. I studied poetry with Paul Christensen at Texas A&M and Andrew Hudgins at Univ. of Iowa; Bruce Coville will always be a mentor to me. And I consider Jane Yolen a guide of the truest kind.

TXS&S: What has been the biggest surprise in your career thus far?

KA: I feel constantly surprised, especially by what I don’t know. Just when I think I know something, I discover that there is more to know. And I confess that I’m surprised by how much I enjoy teaching. I learn so much from my students and I love celebrating their successes with them. I think I’m better writer for being a teacher.

TXS&S: Congratulations on the release of KEEPER! Could you tell us how you got the idea for this novel?

KA: For a long time, I’ve wanted to write a story that was set along the coast of Texas. My grandmother lived in Galveston and I spent many happy days there as a child. She would take me and my two younger sisters and two cousins, all five of us, to the beach and we would camp there for several weeks during the summer. I’ve never had so much freedom than those beach campouts. We virtually roamed up and down the water’s edge, rather like a pack of puppies. It was exhilarating to be out like that, just us kids and the sand and the salt water. We slept out at night on old army cots, right under the stars, the sounds of the waves in our ears. It was a world unto itself.

Kathi in Galveston

So, Keeper started out for me as a place.
And then, one of my favorite plays is Ondine, by Jean Giraudoux, a classic mermaid tale that involves a romance between a sea sprite and a handsome knight.
And maybe because of that play, and also because of my experience at the beach, I wanted to write a story that included a mermaid.
At the same time that I spent the summers at the beach, my mother remarried, so we had all these changes in our family going on, and the beach was a sweet haven for my sisters and I, a place to be with our grandmother and with our cousins and the seagulls.

But we also had this new stepfather right along the margins. So there was that to consider too. And it was clear that my mother was very much in love.
And yet, the sea is not always friendly, is it. As idyllic as those days were, there was also danger and the prospect of danger, and we all knew it. The notion that one of us could be lost in those waves was always in the corners of our eyes. I remember thinking that if a rogue wave were to wash over one of us, maybe a merman would slip underneath us and carry us back to shore. And maybe he wouldn’t.
Which brings me to Jacques de Mer.
Many, many years later, after I married and had my own kids, they learned that one of their favorite relatives was gay. But no matter how many books I read to them, no matter how many they read in school, that relative never showed up in their stories.
My characters Jack and Henri are for boys like my own, whose beloved relative was always absent from the pages of their stories. I wanted to correct that, but I also didn’t want my book to be about having a gay relative. In Keeper, there’s nothing at all graphic, nothing at all sexual, just two boys holding hands. I wanted to offer up a sweet, very matter of fact relationship… for all those kids who have gay people in their lives, but who never see them in books for middle graders.
I do have to give a nod here to Cynthia Rylant who led the way in her ground-breaking, but underrated book The Van Gogh Café in which she did the same thing. But beyond that book, there’s just not much out there.

Cynthia Rylant

Like hers, I didn’t want my story to be a “gay story.” That wasn’t the point. And there are a growing number of gay stories being published, especially for the young adult crowd. Thank goodness. I just wanted there to be a gay couple who were part of my young hero’s life in an integral and innocent way, just as they are in millions of kids lives.

TXS&S: What is it like writing for a variety of ages?

KA: I started out writing for the very young, which I think is still my first love. But as my boys got older, I found myself wanting to write for older kids. I think this is fairly common with our crew, to see our writing grow older as our kids do. But then I sort of lost track of little ones. Fortunately for me, I now have a whole pack of great nieces and nephews and so I’ve found myself returning to picture books and that has been wonderful. I took a long break from them, but it feels sweet to be writing them again. The one age that has eluded me has been that early chapter book age—first and second graders. I’d love to write one of those compact, short novels, ala Barbara O’Connor. I don’t know how she does it, but her novels are perfect in their wonder and brevity. I’d love to write a Barbara O’Connor book.

TXS&S: How do you balance your time?

KA: I’m not sure I do, but I will admit to being a copious list maker. Whenever I find myself drifting, I make a list. Plus, I’ve learned how to work on the road. For years I had a hard time getting any writing done when I was away from home, but then it just got ridiculous because I travel quite a bit. So now I can get some writing done in a hotel room or on an airplane. I basically work all the time, and when I’m not working on a story or working with one of my students, I feel a little lost. And I also get a little lazy. If I have too much time on my hands, I resort to schlepping around in my jammies and eating bon bons. It’s not pretty.

TXS&S: Any writing tips you could share with us?

KA: My motto is to “write like your fingers are on fire.” By that, I mean to write a lot and write quickly. And I would also add . . . write what matters.

TEXAS SWEETHEART Jessica Lee Anderson and Kathi Appelt at the ALA Newbery Reception

TXS&S: You rock, Kathi! Thank you!

Kathi Appelt will be signing in Austin on December 11th at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center from 6-9 p.m.

To win a copy of KEEPER, here is what you need to do:
1) Follow this blog
2) Comment on this blog post

For extra entries:
1) Blog about this contest and leave a comment telling us
2) Tweet about this contest and leave a comment telling us

Source of book: Blue Slip Media

The giveaway will run through the end of the day Sunday, December 12th.

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

The Austin Kidlit Community Rocks!

2010-12-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, Austin had some amazing book goodness it put out in 2010. And the very cool Greg Leitich Smith has taken the time to round up all the awesome books that came out of our Austin Kidlit community this year, four of which are TEXAS SWEETHEARTS books!
2010 rocked here in the Lone Star State!

You can check out the entire post here!

Thanks, Greg! And if you didn't know it, Greg's next book, THE CHRONAL ENGINE: AHEAD OF TIME (Clarion) is forthcoming. So look for it!

Stealing the covers from his blog...

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Alison O'Reilly

2010-12-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

The Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels are pleased to announce that our newest Featured Sweetheart is the wonderful and energetic Teen Services Librarian, Alison O'Reilly!

*****

TXS&S: How did you get your career started and how has it evolved?

AO: When I was 16-years-old, I was offered a job at the Gap and a job at the Library. I chose the job at the library because a boy I liked worked there. I'm very glad I made that choice (I mean no offense to the people who work for Gap!) The boy is now a librarian and I am, too. He is my facebook friend and one day I hope to meet up at a library conference and swap stories from the stacks.

TXS&S: What have been some of the biggest surprises since becoming a teen librarian?

AO: The biggest surprise is how rarely I get to work with teens! Where are they?! Seriously, teens in Austin are very busy doing their thing, and I see a lot more 8-12 year olds who are eager to become teens and excited to participate in all the activities we develop for older youth. The teens I do work with are spectacular, and many of them volunteer for the library. One young woman job-shadowed with me when she was 11-years-old, and she is still a volunteer. I just had the pleasure of attending her Bat Mitzvah. Another teen has been volunteering every Saturday for the last two years. She knows when I ask her to volunteer at an event for teens I am really just begging her to come and bring her friends because they are so cool.

Alison with some of her favorite books: Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, Beloved by Toni Morrison, and Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye.

TXS&S: What are some ways that you get teens excited about reading?

AO: Many teens who walk into the downtown branch of the Austin Public Library are already jazzed about reading. Some of my co-workers, like Michelle Beebower, can always be relied upon to dream up fabulous programs that allow teens to indulge their passion for books (check out Fangs vs. Fur, which takes place later this month). As for the other young people out there: I believe that many teens who say they don’t like reading are either struggling with their image or need glasses. During my visits to Gardner Betts Juvenile Detention Center in Austin, I encountered teens who claimed they didn't like to read but had suddenly found themselves with little else to turn to for entertainment. Being away from their family and friends provided an escape from the stigma associated with reading in their neighborhood. I knew another teen on Long Island (where I hail from) who insisted she hated reading, and one day she finally admitted that reading gave her a headache. I asked if she’d ever had her eyes checked and she said no. She came into the library about a year later, wearing glasses. She said, “Ms. O’Reilly, you were right. I needed glasses and now I love reading.” (That's a true story, I swear.) Now, if you're following this closely, you may have noticed that I still haven't told you what I do to get teens excited about reading. That's because I actually can't make a teen get excited about reading. When it does happen - by some fortuitous interaction between a person and the printed word - I am ready to recommend some great books.

Alison singing at the grand opening of the Twin Oaks Branch of the Austin Public Library in August, 2010.

TXS&S: What is your hope for reading and libraries in the future?

AO: I have so many. One is that libraries become - or continue to become - part of a community wide effort to meet the needs of the people we serve. The library cannot offer much to a person who is in crisis. It can only serve its purpose as a part of the variety of services a healthy community provides. For instance, if you've been inside the main branch of the Austin Public Library, you know that many adults use the library as a safe and warm (or cool) place to spend their time. Meals are delivered to anyone who is hungry in the park just north of the library, but what's missing is a place where adults can shower and get medical care. To my knowledge, those facilities are on the other side of downtown. If all of those services were in the same area, the adults who come into the library would be healthier, physically and mentally. People need to have their basic needs met before they can fully take advantage of the library's offerings, and a library isn't designed to provide that kind of care. This is a complex problem, but I believe the library, through partnerships with other organizations in the community, can be part of a solution.

TXS&S: What do you do when you're not being a librarian?

AO: Lately, almost all my free time is spent listening to audio books, as I am serving on the joint ALSC-YALSA Odyssey Award Committee (part of the American Library Association.) This honor is awarded to the publisher of the best audio book for children and/or young adults. I especially enjoy listening to read-alongs: those picture books that are performed by reader, often with sound effects and original music. I am also a jazz singer. I study with a remarkable teacher here in Austin on Tuesday nights. There are nights when I literally drag myself to Mady's studio after a full day at the library, but I always leave refreshed and excited about the tune I'm learning. That same song will have me jumping out of bed in the middle of the night to try a different way to phrase a string of words.

32 pages or 32 bars: I love a good story.

TXS&S: Thank you so very much, Alison!

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

NCTE Texas Sweethearts Style!

2010-11-28T11:03:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure NCTE couldn't have been held at a better place. The conference area was gorgeous and all, but we're talking Disney World here! Love that place. I did manage to remember to take some pictures while there, and here they are for your enjoyment.

Our Texas Sweethearts panel was a blast. I solved the Rubik's Cube, Jessica Lee Anderson hula hooped Katniss style, and Jo Whittemore ate a cricket. (I think it was bacon flavored or something equally appetizing like that.) And we also talked about writing: our paths to writing, where we get ideas, and some exercises for the classroom. Thank you to everyone who came out to listen!

Aside from our panel, there were tons of fun conference things going on.

We seem to run into David Macinnis Gill at every conference we go to. He's always around. After seeing this photo, David complained about his head looking too flat and shiny. So I modified it. Which do you like better?

Before?

After?

We also ran into Kirby Larson signing right across from our Texas Sweethearts reception. She's such a doll, and it was great to see her!

Me, Kirby, and Jessica

And we saw Sara Lewis Holmes who asked us to take a picture for her current philanthropic endeavor.

Jessica, Jo, and Me

I scored some fabulous ARCS, including these from my Texas Peeps!

*ARC love*

And others like these.

*More ARC love*

So look for some awesome reviews and giveaways in the future!

And finally, we saw fellow Texas Sweetheart Jeanette Larson's upcoming book, Hummingbirds: Facts and Folklore from the Americas, in the wild!

Charlesbridge editor Randi Rivers and Jessica Lee Anderson

Me and Jessica Lee Anderson

Hope you all enjoyed the holidays!

NCTE, Here we Come!

2010-11-18T17:58:00.000-08:00

Texas Sweethearts PJ Hoover, Jessica Lee Anderson, and Jo Whittemore are off to DisneyWorld for NCTE! Hope to see you there!

Kidlit Critterpalooza!

2010-11-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

For over a year now, CRITTER, the creation of artist Ian Sands, has been traveling the world, meeting many talented writers and authors and exploring where they live. At each stop he learns more and more about KIDLIT and the importance of literacy and creativity. This journey was the brainchild of Christy Evers, who got her hands on Critter after an interactive art project of Ian’s, where 500 Critters were hidden all over her city for people to find.

Critter with his best friend in Austin (who misses him so much)

Critter has visited PJ Hoover (and the Texas Sweethearts!) in Texas, Beth Revis in North Carolina, Christina Farley in Korea, New England with Nandini Bajpai, Illinois with Kelly Polark, MG Higgins in California, Rena Jones in Montana, Cynthia Leitich Smith in Texas, Bish Denham in the Virgin Islands, Jacqui Robbins in Michigan, Tina Ferraro in California, Cynthia Chapman Willis in New Jersey, Jill S. Alexander in Texas, Ellen Oh in Virginia and finally, Alberta Canada with Angela Ackerman.

Critter relaxing with a favorite beverage

Critter has been to college, rock concerts, national landmarks, a palace, attended his first SCBWI conference, walked among giant redwoods, and met the world famous artist, Robert Bateman.

Critter with tortoise pal Nefertorti

Now that his journey is coming to a close, it’s CRITTER’S hope that you will help him celebrate over at The Bookshelf Muse. His new hosts, together with old hosts, have teamed up to create the Kidlit-inspired event, Critterpalooza! and you’re invited!

There are many AMAZING prizes to be won, all in the spirit of helping Critter celebrate the wonderful creativity & support within out KIDLIT community, and to also raise awareness for his charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

If you would like to donate a few dollars to Critter’s charity, just click on the I Love St. Jude button. Children’s lives are saved every day thanks to the support of people like you!

Critter toilet shopping

So what are you waiting for? Head over to The Bookshelf Muse right now to check out all the fun to be had!

It's ok to draw on the walls at the Bull Street Library in Savannah

2010-11-14T15:05:00.000-08:00

This weekend I had the honor of being featured in the Savannah Children’s Book Festival. I had a ball! What a fantastic, well organized and attended festival,
clearly one of the best. On Friday evening, there was an author’s dinner held at the Bull Street Library, and I was asked to draw something -- anything -- on the wall of the children’s room. My brain froze. I had no
idea what to draw. I needed an assignment, a story, a purpose.

I explained my dilemma to author Elizabeth Dulemba (a longtime blog buddy), who gave me that Mr. Stupid look, and then gave me an assignment: Draw your new puppy, The Animal that I so lovingly tweet about almost daily (Grrrr!). So that’s what I did.

And here's what others have done:

Elizabeth gets all elaborate.

Lane Smith add a bit of detail to a horse wall hanging.

Jeanette Larson is a Día Dynamo!

2010-11-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

To see why, check out her fabulous interview: http://sharebookjoy.blogspot.com/

Also, check out Jeanette's review of BORDER CROSSING in PARENTWISE (page 12): http://www.parentwiseaustin.com/sites/default/files/PWA_October-2010.pdf
On the same page, see the fab review of HOLLER LOUDLY by Featured Sweetheart Cynthia Leitich Smith.

Woohoo!

Kudos, Jeanette!

~Jessica

TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS Book Signing this weekend!

2010-11-03T06:33:00.000-07:00

Hey! If you live in or around Austin, and you happen to be not caught up in kid's sports or church or whatever else you do on Sunday afternoons, then please come by BookPeople. Here are the details:

WHAT: Writers' League of Texas sponsored Book Signing featuring a couple TEXAS SWEETHEARTS!

WHO:

PJ Hoover signing THE EMERALD TABLET, THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD, and THE NECROPOLIS
K. A. Holt signing BRAINS FOR LUNCH: A ZOMBIE NOVEL IN HAIKU?! and MIKE STELLAR: NERVES OF STEEL
Jacqueline Kelly signing Newbery Honor book THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE

WHERE: BookPeople, Austin, TX

WHEN: Sunday, November 7, 2010, 2:00-4:00PM

See you there!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Trudy Marshall & Libraries of Love

2010-10-26T19:37:00.000-07:00

This week's Featured Sweetheart is someone who is going so far above and beyond the call of duty to get books in the hands of kids. And best of all, I get to see her all the time seeing as how she's the librarian at my kids' school, Laurel Mountain Elementary!

Here is Trudy Marshall in her own words about her non-profit organization, Libraries of Love.

*****

Libraries of Love – Mission:

The purpose of Libraries of Love is to partner with Africans to create libraries in individual schools. Through reading, students will develop a love of literature, as well as strengthen their knowledge in each curriculum subject area. Lifelong readers become lifelong learners. Therefore, the libraries will serve as bridges to a better future for the children of Uganda.

Background ( Trudy Marshall – Founder/Director):

"If you can arrange a mud hut in which I can stay, I’ll go to Uganda,” was the email I sent to Rev. Robert Johnson, my former pastor.

Robert emailed me back that he had arranged it and jokingly said the owner’s wife would probably even let me milk their cow. My goal as I prepared to go in 2001 was to stay in Ugandan homes, since I wanted to truly experience the African culture. Three Ugandans who were living in Austin very generously arranged places for me to stay and visit in Kampala, the capital city. The kindness of the families I spent time with, as well as many other Ugandans, still touches my heart. When people who have very little are generous and welcome you into their homes, it changes your outlook on life.

While in Kampala, I visited Namirembe Primary School. A family I spent quite some time with had children who attended this school. The students and staff were delightful. I enjoyed visiting in many classrooms, as well as with the teachers and administrators. As I visited with students, many asked if I could possibly send them books from America. Those words would run through my mind many times in the next few years – resulting in the nonprofit organization, Libraries of Love.

Creating Libraries:

Books are extremely valuable in Uganda, because they are few. For students to be able to check-out books and take them home, an organized library must be established, and the staff and students need instruction on how to use their library to its fullest potential, and maintain it for future generations.

Libraries of Love does the following:

Collects new or very gently used books
Types and places spine labels on the books
Places a card and pocket in each book with the correct labels needed for check-out
Ships in February
Takes teams in June to Uganda
An empty room is provided by the school. Volunteers build bookshelves, organize thousands of books, and prepare a beautiful, inviting, organized library.
Throughout the year, Libraries of Love arranges for librarian meetings to take place and provides any supplies needed.

Present Libraries:

Libraries of Love now has libraries in nineteen public schools in Uganda, serving 25,000 students. Each library is a lifetime commitment for those involved with Libraries of Love. Volunteers and Board members return to each school during the summer. Contact with the librarian and administrator is maintained throughout the year, and libraries are restocked as books are lost or damaged.

Rewards:

Those in Uganda always thank the volunteers for blessing them with a library, but it is truly the volunteers who are blessed. It is hard to imagine that many of the students in Uganda have never held a book. There truly aren’t words to describe the excitement and beautiful, huge smiles as students stand in the doorway and outside the windows at each school and watch their library come together. It is an honor to serve, changing lives through literature for students who have so little – but deserve so much.

Needs:

Books, funding (shipping is the largest expense), and volunteers are continuing needs of Libraries of Love

Website / Contacts:

www.librariesoflove.org
Trudy Marshall is available for speaking engagements.

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

And now it's Don Tate's turn...Congrats, Don!

2010-10-20T19:01:00.001-07:00

There's a second TEXAS SWEETHEART & SCOUNDREL book released this week, one that is gorgeous and a must-buy, especially considering it's illustrated by Don Tate.

SHE LOVED BASEBALL: THE EFFA MANLEY STORY, written by Audrey Vernick and illustrated by Don Tate released yesterday!

Don't know who Effa Manley is? Here's the product description straight from Amazon:

Effa always loved baseball. As a young woman, she would go to Yankee Stadium just to see Babe Ruth’s mighty swing. But she never dreamed she would someday own a baseball team. Or be the first—and only—woman ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

From her childhood in Philadelphia to her groundbreaking role as business manager and owner of the Newark Eagles, Effa Manley always fought for what was right. And she always swung for the fences.

From author Audrey Vernick and illustrator Don Tate comes the remarkable story of an all-star of a woman.

And check out these reviews!

“Vernick employs a matter-of-fact tone and highly descriptive, accessible language that not only provides a great deal of information but also captures both the essence of the era and Manley’s compassion and strength of character. ...readers will cheer.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Tate’s energetic illustrations harmonize well with Vernick’s fresh and engaging text. History favors the individuals in the spotlight: here’s an entertaining portrait of a woman who made significant strides behind the scenes.” (Publishers Weekly )

“Vernick adds appeal to this straightforward biography with repetitive phrases that emphasize Manley’s activist spirit, while Tate’s slightly stylized acrylic paintings convey both the historical setting and the timeless excitement in the ballpark.” (Booklist )

Yay, Don! Congratulations! And just to further brag on him, I'm including a snapshot of the November 2010 issue of Highlights which features illustrations from Don!

Congratulations PJ! It's your book release day!

2010-10-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

Oh, wow, in all my excitement over the Texas Book Festival, I completely forgot to make a very important announcement: Today is book launch day for PJ's third book in her Forgotten Worlds Trilogy, The Necropolis, published by CBAY Books.

So listen up all, here goes: PJ's BOOK RELEASES TODAY!!! GO OUT AND BUY A COPY!!! NO, BUY TWO!!!

Kidding aside, you won't be disappointed. PJ's The Emerald Tablet was a Barnes & Noble best seller. And besides, you kinda-gotta get this one, it's the final book in the series — you'll want to know how how it all ends.

In honor of the release, PJ's publisher has offered up free books for a contest! Here are the details:

1) Spot the third book, The Necropolis, in a bookstore.*

2) Take a picture of the book on the shelf. **

3) Email PJ the picture.

Three easy steps and you'll be entered to win one of five signed sets of the first two books in the series, The Emerald Tablet and The Naval of the World. ***

So hurry up before I beat you to it. I'm a scoundrel, remember. I'm not disqualifying myself from the contest.

-- Don

Texas Book Festival

2010-10-17T06:12:00.001-07:00

It's Texas Book Festival and a number of Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels are involved or attending. Don Tate introduced Phillip Hoose, author of Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice and PJ Hoover introduced Ann Angel, author of Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing. These are two fabulous biographies.
Kari Ann Holt and I were spotted running around taking pictures and partying.

Wonder how we got our new name?

2010-10-13T07:12:00.001-07:00

If you're curious how the *SCOUNDREL* part of the name got added, check out Don Tate's blog from today. He's to blame!

Big Goings-On in the Lone Star State

2010-10-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS are so excited! We have news. Big news. News we've been dying to share and finally get to!

The first part of the news is easy. We have a new logo. And you might notice a slightly different name. Yes, we're now not just THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS. We're the THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS!

Why SCOUNDRELS you might ask. Well, that's the second part of our big news. We have new members. Four of them to be exact! So we'll introduce them one at a time...

K. A. HOLT

K.A. Holt wrangles words and three kids in Austin, TX. Once an aspiring chef, Kari accidentally blew up a ham, thus cementing the decision to stick with writing. As a writer for grown-ups, Kari published HAIKU MAMA (Quirk, 2006) and periodically contributes to McSweeney's Internet Tendency and Parents Magazine. MIKE STELLAR: NERVES OF STEEL (Random House, 2009), a middle grade scape adventure, was her first book written for kids (and to truly stave off the exploding hams). BRAINS FOR LUNCH, a middle grade zombie novel in haiku, illustrated by Gahan Wilson, was released in August 2010 by the Neal Porter imprint of Roaring Brook Press. So far, no books have exploded during the act of writing them. But there is still hope.

Check out K. A. Holt's Website for more information.

JEANETTE LARSON

Jeanette grew up wanting to be a detective but instead became a librarian, which is almost the same thing but you rarely get beat up by bad guys. As a librarian Jeanette Larson had read all of the books on the shelves so decided to start writing some books of her own. After writing a number of exciting books for librarians, she began to delve into books for children. Her first book, Hummingbirds: Facts and Folklore From the Americas, is being published by Charlesbridge but she also worked on Quilt of States with her Hummingbird co-author and illustrator Adrienne Yorinks.

Check out Jeanette Larson's Website for more information.

DON TATE

In kindergarten, Don Tate was hailed by his classmates as "the best drawer in class,"a title he carried proudly throughout grade school and college. Today, he's a published children's book author and illustrator. Don has illustrated more than 30 trade and educational books for children. A few: SAY HEY! A SONG OF WILLIE MAYS (Hyperion, 2000); SUMMER SUN RISIN' (Lee & Low Books, 2002); SURE AS SUNRISE (Houghton Mifflin, 2004); RON'S BIG MISSION (Dutton, 2009). SHE LOVED BASEBALL: THE EFFA MANLEY STORY (HarperCollins, 2010) is his most recent book. Don's first authored book, IT JES' HAPPENED: WHEN BILL TRAYLOR STARTED TO DRAW, received a Lee & Low New Voices Honor. It will publish in the spring of 2011. Don lives in Austin with his wife, Tammy, his son, Kolby, a dog and a hamster whom he fondly refers to as The Animals. He works part-time at the Austin American Statesman as an illustrator and graphics reporter.

Check out Don Tate's Website for more information.

EMMA VIRJAN

Emma J. Virján was born in Texas, under an Aries moon, on a Wednesday evening, her Dad’s bowling night. This might explain her attraction to shiny, hardwood floors and crunchy, snack bar French fries. Her career as a graphic designer and illustrator started when she gave everyone handmade business cards for Christmas when she was five years old. Nacho the Party Puppy is her first children’s book. When Emma isn’t drawing, she spends her time reading, making lists, cutting out images of the numeral 5, and collecting produce stickers.

Check out the NACHO THE DOG Website for more information.

*btw, thank you to Emma for designing the brand new logo.

*****

Thank you so much to everyone for all the support! THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS really appreciate it!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Jeanette Larson

2010-09-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS are thrilled to feature Jeanette Larson this week as our featured sweetheart! Jeanette lives here in Austin and makes every event more enjoyable with her vivacious presence.

Without further ado, here's Jeanette!

*****

TXS: That’s impressive you worked in the libraries for thirty years! Could you share some of your most rewarding experiences with us?

JL: There have been many. I think probably some of the most rewarding experiences have been when parents bringing their children to storytime would tell me that they had also come to my programs. Of course, that also made me feel kind of old! I also was thrilled to learn that two young people who had been my patrons and volunteers went on to library school. One young man stood in front of me at a library school program and asked if I recognized him. It took me a few seconds but I did! I can think of few other careers where I would have had the influence I've had on so many young people. I also have had so many personal rewards--meeting Maurice Sendak and Robert Ballard (who found the Titanic), becoming friends with many of my favorite writers--only a few other professions offer those kinds of perks.

TXS: In addition to your experience as a librarian, you also teach, write, and do freelance jobs. How do you structure your schedule and stay motivated?

JL: I'm probably one of the most disorganized librarians you will ever meet! I enjoy having a variety of tasks to attend to and I do love planning but I'm a bit of a slacker so I have to really keep motivated. The teaching is probably the most structured part of my week but I don't teach every semester. When I do, my students have to be the priority. I teach entirely in an online environment, which means my students can be anywhere in the world and they are on different time schedules themselves. So I usually try to check in on them first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. Other than that I work by deadlines and try to mix in some fun activities, like writing and answering questionnaires, with the more mundane stuff, like compiling bibliographies. Feedback from people who have read my articles, or used the information I provided them keep me motivated. I also love that I can take breaks to read a novel, walk my dogs, and do other fun things--like have coffee with writing buddies--when I feel like it.

TXS: Congrats on your forthcoming book, HUMMINGBIRDS: FACTS AND FOLKLORE FROM THE AMERICAS! How did you get the idea, and what was your writing process like for this book?

JL: It's a cliché that librarians want to be writers so I always said I didn't really have a book in me and had no interest in writing for kids. But...I had worked with my friend Adrienne Yorinks on her book Quilt of States (I wrote the Texas part and compiled and edited the entries for the other 49 states) and we wanted to do a book that would be a true collaboration. I wanted a topic that would work well with her fabric art. My husband and I were in Rockport, TX for a weekend getaway and it happened to be during the hummingbird migration in September. I walked out of the hotel and literally was surrounded by hummingbirds! Then I started thinking about some of the folklore I had heard while studying anthropology at the University of New Mexico. That led to some research where I learned that hummers only exist in the Americas. Many native cultures have stories about why hummingbirds do the things they do and why they are the way they are so I decided to mix facts and folklore in the book. It's a great opportunity to show the connection between facts and fiction and the birds are amazing little creatures.

TXS: Do you have any writing tips to share? What about tips to get kids and teens motivated to read?

JL: I think I'm too much of a novice at writing to have many tips. A lot of my other writing has been more technical, for librarians and educators. The research is important but I've also had to learn to stop researching and start writing. I guess one tip is to just write. You can edit and revise and refine later but get the thoughts and ideas down. Until I learned to do that I would often forget some of my best ideas before I could get them written out. Oh, also don't be afraid to ask for what you need. Experts want to share their expertise so pick up the phone and call them for the information you need for your writing. I also keep a notebook for ideas, thoughts, things to follow up on, and other things I don't want to forget. Going back through my notes can be very helpful in my writing.

As for helping motivate kids to read, it's important that adults show young people that reading is fun by talking about books and sharing books. Read children's and YA books if you want your kids to read. Ask for their recommendations. Kids are motivated by what the adults around them spend time and money on. So buy books for kids! Read books with them. Listen to audiobooks in the car. I also recommend that parents of teens surround them with books. Teens are so over-scheduled that reading may take a back seat for awhile. Check out books from the library and leave them around the house. When your teen has a little time to read, books are right there. The worst thing that happens is they go back to the library unread.

TXS: What is your hope for reading and libraries in the future?

JL: Reading will always be a part of our lives. We read for fun and for information. The format, and the ways in which libraries collect and share information, has always been changing. We've seen a resurgence of interest in libraries in the current economy. While many of us want to "own" all our books and information, we can't and that's where libraries come in. My local library prints out my "savings" on the date due slip. I can easily save thousands of dollars a year by using the library. It's the best bang for our tax bucks! I also hope that libraries continue to grow as meeting places and literary, cultural, and intellectual hubs for our communities. I'm thrilled to see young people wanting to be librarians--information specialists and professionals who help people find exactly what they need to know or want to read. The dean of a library school told me that I couldn't retire (nor could other librarians of my generation) until I had "replaced myself." It gives me great hope for the future of libraries that I have replaced myself with a couple of real hot-shot librarians! Now I'm looking forward to adding to their "work load" by creating more books that will hopefully land on the shelves and in the hands of readers.

TXS: Thank you, Jeanette!

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

TLA 2011, Here we come!

2010-09-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

Texas Sweethearts PJ Hoover, Jessica Lee Anderson, and Jo Whittemore are thrilled to announce they are going to be on a panel at TLA 2011 in April here in Austin, Texas!
We'll be on the panel with author Phil Bildner and two Texas librarians. Our session title is:

"Librarians+Authors+Students=A Great Writing Workshop!"

See you there!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Terri Clark

2010-09-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Our first featured sweetheart for the fall is not only a librarian, but an author PJ Hoover had the huge pleasure of working with during 2008 in The Class of 2k8. We're thrilled to feature author/librarian Terri Clark!

******
TXS: Can you tell us a little about your path to being a librarian? Did you know you wanted to write at the time? And how do the two balance together?

TC: I'd been writing for quite awhile when I started working for the Smoky Hill Library. Writing was always my first passion, but I hadn't sold yet and I needed to do something to help with the family finances. Over the last 6 years I've worked my way up through the library. I've been a receptionist, material handler and circulation assistant. Now my official title is Teen Patron Services Specialist II. I do reader's advisory, work with the YA collection, develop and host teen programs, lead the Teen Advisory Board and more, but I don't have my Master of Library Science. My two jobs melded together when a friend encouraged me to start reading and writing YA. I'd been trying to break in with romance novels and I got really close to publication, but something was missing and I didn't know what it was. For a year I read nothing but YA and then I started to write it. I'd found my niche! At the same time I told my bosses I wanted to work with teens and they let me make the switch. I'd found yet another passion. My two jobs work beautifully together. I adore my teens and they inspire me on a daily basis. I'm lucky because they say I inspire them too.

TXS: What is the biggest surprise you've had since you started working with teens?

TC: I was really shocked at how many people don't like teens and want to have nothing to do with them. They're often looked down upon and dismissed as trouble makers or unimportant. I know from my teens that they're amazingly creative, smart, candid, sympathetic, humorous, affectionate, giving and loyal individuals who've bettered my life and me as a person. Working with them is my favorite part of the job. They've brought so much laughter and light into my life. My goal is to write full-time, but leaving my kids will be crushing. I'll find ways to volunteer with them as much as I can when I finally reach that goal. People need to take the time to get to know teens and they'll see our future is in great hands.

TXS: What is one (or more) of your favorite memories of getting kids to love books?

TC: I had a mother come find me in the stacks and say her daughter was a reluctant reader who wanted to try some romances, but her mom wanted to be careful of content. I immediately introduced her to the sweet Simon Pulse romantic comedies. I handed her one of Jennifer Echols novels and a couple more romcoms. A few days later the mom called me and said her daughter had blown through all the books and wanted more. She couldn't believe it! She asked if I had any more books by Jennifer and I hooked her up. When she came in I also showed her how to recognize the SP covers on the shelf so she could find them herself when she came in. Her daughter hasn't quit reading since. In fact, she's working her way through the 3 page vampire bibliography I put together!

TXS: How do you think reading for teens has changed over the years? People talk so much about teens needing to share their attention with texting, TV, and video games. Is the challenge greater now for getting kids to read?

TC: I think today's teens are lucky because there's so much more available then there was when I was their age. The market is booming in a huge way and they can find books in any genre they're interested in. I'm actually seeing more and more adults gravitate to YA because they know what high caliber fiction there is. As for having to share their attention with the media, I still think you can get any kid to read if you match them up with the right book. Sometimes that's easy, sometimes it's more difficult. But I love that challenge and I feel like I've won the lottery when I get it right! Because today's teens are used to instant gratification I think fiction today is much faster-paced and immediate so it can grab their attention from the get-go. Movies are the same way. Watch the original My Bloody Valentine or Friday the 13th horror movies and then their recent remakes and you'll see what I mean. Big difference! To be honest, I sometimes think the greater challenge to getting kids to read is bypassing the burn-out from school. During the school year I see very few of my teens. They're so overloaded with homework they don't have any time for pleasure reading. When I compare what I was required to do as a freshman with what my son just had to do...I'm blown away. The work and pressure is intense. Some teens simply refuse to read for pleasure because they associate it with "work." I wish more teachers would encourage teens to read popular fiction in the classroom, because I think it would help them develop a greater love of reading. When I do school visits I see teen after teen say they hate reading and it's often because of the things they're required to do. Don't get me wrong I love and respect teachers and teens should read the classics. I didn't want to read to Kill a Mockingbird when it was assigned to me and now it's one of my favorite books. However, I'd really love to see classes offer a better blend of literature and what I call popcorn fiction. I know some teachers who've done this and they've cultured voracious readers.

TXS: If you could make a wish for kids and reading in the future, what would it be?

TC: That every child knows how to use a library and has a card they use for checking out books (not just DVDs). That they know what great programs, clubs and classes libraries offer for free, and even more, that there are librarians there waiting to help them find books they'll fall in love with. Lastly, it's my wish that every child knows how to read and finds the pleasure, escapism and knowledge books offer.

TXS: Thank you, Terri!

*****

Please email us your nominations for featured sweethearts.

Summer is Over (almost)!

2010-09-06T17:57:00.001-07:00

It's been a great summer here in Texas, and we've enjoying a brief hiatus from our Featured Sweetheart posts. But we're back and have some great sweethearts lined up for the future. And we're always looking for more. So please, if you know someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty in getting kids and books together, nominate them! We'd love to feature them!

Happy Labor Day, and hope your fall is filled with wonderful things!

The Kind of Review Authors Love

2010-09-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

We loved this review for BORDER CROSSING by Jessica Lee Anderson! Lisa Gibson has an amazing book review blog over at YA Literature Lover, and if her kiss rating system isn't the cutest thing we've ever seen, then we aren't sure what it.

You can read the whole review here. And thank you, Lisa!

AUSTIN SCBWI—The Best Darned Conference in the World!

2010-08-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

OMG, we can't believe the time is here already. Yes, you guessed it. It's time for registration for the annual Austin SCBWI Conference which is set for February 18-19, 2010. It's filled with great faculty, speeches, critiques, small intensive groups, wine and cheese receptions...the list goes on.

We know, you're thinking of a million reasons why you're not going to register right now, but here are some of your excuses refuted. So go ahead and click on the register button right now.

1) You're saying you don't live in Austin.
Yeah, we've heard this one before, and let us offer our sympathies. It is a sad thing that you don't live in the best city in the world, but there's no reason why you can't travel here. I mean people travel to China these days. You can be to Austin in the time it takes to assemble your basic 500 piece Lego set. Trust me, I know. I've done both many times.

2) Okay, you're thinking you might register, but you just aren't sure.
Yeah, there will be space in the conference, but the agent, editor, author, and illustrator critiques are filling up fast. Like as in if you don't send in that application pretty soon, a critique with fab editor Elizabeth Law will just be a dream. And an intensive workshop with Arthur A. Levine will be something the "other people" do.
Be one of those people.

Get a critique with her!

3) You don't know anyone is Austin.
Um, hello. Are you reading this blog post right now? Because we-re thinking you are. And that makes three Austinites you are very good friends with. And we love seeing friends. Seriously. Life is about the relationships, so let's hang out and catch up a little.

4) You're too shy to ever go to a writing conference.
Austin writers are special. There is just something about them that stands out. And I'll tell you what it is. They are the friendliest bunch of people you've ever met in your life. They go out of their way to make you feel welcome (trust me, they took me into the fold). And they'll do the same for you.

5) You don't like cold weather.
Have you looked at a map. This isn't an excuse. Austin is south. Maybe we hit the 20s and 30s from time to time, but I lived in Chicago for a year. I know cold (at least colder that Austin). So take that much-earned time in February and come see us. You hear, ya'll?

Have a glass of wine with him.

Right, so the conference is fab. And you are honestly a click away from being a part of it. Fill out the application and get it in the mail on Monday! That's today (or tomorrow if you happen to be reading this on Sunday). Do it now. If you wait, it will fill up and you'll miss out.

And in case we-re not persuasive enough, the list of our faculty includes...

Emily van Beek – Folio Literary Agency
Carolyn Coman – Author
David Diaz – Illustrator
Julian Hector – Illustrator
Kimberly Willis Holt – Author
Elizabeth Law – VP and Publisher with Egmont USA
Arthur Levine – Editorial Director with Arthur Levine Books
Gregory Pincus – Social Media Expert
Michelle Poploff – VP and Executive Editor at Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, a Division of Random House
Stephen Roxburgh – Editor with namelos
Jessica Anderson – Austin Author
Chris Barton – Austin Author
Bethany Hegedus – Austin Author
Kari Ann Holt – Austin Author
P J Hoover – Austin Author
Jacqueline Kelly – Austin Author
Jeanette Larson – Austin Author
Jane Peddicord – Austin Author
Liz Garton Scanlon – Austin Author
Jo Whittemore – Austin Author
Brian Yansky – Austin Author
Frances Yansky – Austin Author
Jennifer Ziegler – Austin Author

We'll see you there!

Jessica Lee Anderson on Teens Read Too!

2010-08-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

Today on Teens Read Too, Texas Sweetheart Jessica Lee Anderson is being featured! Head over when you get a chance, and if you comment on the post over there, you'll be entered to win a prize pack including a t-shirt and a copy of Jessica's YA novel BORDER CROSSING!

Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels

Happy 2012!

A Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels Holiday Signing!

FEATURED SWEETHEARTS: Patti Cook & Joanna Nigrelli

FEATURED SWEETHEART: John Schumacher

A Jazzy Book Giveaway from a Texas Scoundrel

FEATURED SWEETHEART: John Stewig

Featured Sweetheart René Saldaña, Jr.

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Jill Bellomy

Featured Sweethearts: Brittney and Caleb Breakey

IT GETS BETTER -- The Video

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Lara Perkins, Publishing Manager for Laura Rennert

FEATURED SWEETHEARTS: Dear Teen Me

FEATURED SWEETHEARTS: The Literary Lonestars

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Alex Bennett

H-U-G-E Congrats to P.J. Hoover!

FEATURED SWEETHEARTS: Rita Painter and Rachel McInnes

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Ryan Fennell

Libraries of Love—A Great Update!

I went to the Rio Grande Valley and all I brought you was this blog post

An Evening with Former First Lady Laura Bush

Featured Sweetheart--Pat Mora

A Critique Workshop Coming Soon!

Featured Sweetheart--Pamela S. Turner

Featured Sweetheart Leslie Bulion

A TEXAS SWEETHEARTS BOOK RELEASE DAY!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Clay Smith

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Kate Klimo

Writers' League of Texas YA A to Z Conference!

Writers' League of Texas Presents

Everything You Need to KnowAbout Writing for the Young-Adult Market

April 15-16, 2011Hyatt Regency Austin208 Barton Springs RoadAustin, TX 78704

Register Now!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Teri Lesesne

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Ed Spicer

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Elizabeth Law

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Toni Buzzeo

Congrats to Sweetheart Jeanette Larson!

School Visit Tips

Five Soundrels in Cowtown

Approaching Austin SCBWI Critique Contest Deadline!

Signing at ALA

Featured Sweetheart-Elaine Scott

First Signing: My New Book

Holiday Signing…Texas Hill Country Style

AUSTIN SCBWI Huge Critique Contest

Kathi Appelt KEEPER Winner!

Critter is Finally up for Auction!

FEATURED SWEETHEART - Kathi Appelt

The Austin Kidlit Community Rocks!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Alison O'Reilly

NCTE Texas Sweethearts Style!

NCTE, Here we Come!

Kidlit Critterpalooza!

It's ok to draw on the walls at the Bull Street Library in Savannah

Jeanette Larson is a Día Dynamo!

TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS Book Signing this weekend!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Trudy Marshall & Libraries of Love

And now it's Don Tate's turn...Congrats, Don!

Congratulations PJ! It's your book release day!

Texas Book Festival

Wonder how we got our new name?

Big Goings-On in the Lone Star State

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Jeanette Larson

TLA 2011, Here we come!

FEATURED SWEETHEART: Terri Clark

Summer is Over (almost)!

The Kind of Review Authors Love

AUSTIN SCBWI—The Best Darned Conference in the World!

Jessica Lee Anderson on Teens Read Too!

Everything You Need to Know
About Writing for the Young-Adult Market

April 15-16, 2011
Hyatt Regency Austin
208 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704