Giveaway alert!
If you stumble upon the capital letters, SCBWI, unexplained, this can
pose a puzzlement.
See Chicken Books Which Invigorate?
Smile
Cold Bears Wafting Icicles?
From the first time I heard SCBWI
spoken out in full length -
Society of Children’s Book Writers
& Illustrators
- the nourishing group has held my hand.
Maybe you have your own
glow from connecting with a SCBWI critique group,
from
attending a conference or, in gleaning a crucial tip at the national
website,
and from regional chapter sites.
And
then, consider the SCBWI Bulletin.
Many of us save paper version of the
SCBWI Bulletin. Each issue’s cover
shows
off the fabulous original art of one talented & lucky member artist.
You
can make a game of finding the SCBWI kite & tail on each cover.
You
can curate favorite covers in your office or at school.
One
of my topmost faves is the plant-bedecked
May/June of 2010 cover
created
by artist Lisa Desimini. A favorite kite hunt cover I like is the 40th birthday
celebration
cover by Priscilla Burris in May/June 2011. Many of us kept that issue, as it
featured a spiffy SCBWI chronology by Eileen Heyes. (And the cover kites were
small cupcake toppers.)
A
sweet use of old paper ones (some members receive the Bulletin online)
is
to gift them to SCBWI recruits. When the nascent SCBWI network launched in
North
Florida in 2001, our events with Eliza Dresang, a well-regarded children’s
literature
specialist,
award-winning author Adrian Fogelin, our showcase at the library, & monthly
meetings,
were
fun. But for newbies, it could be that our pass-along SCBWI Bulletin copies
(as
long as they lasted) were the most popular feature.
SCBWI is both safety net & tough
love coach for illustrators & writers worldwide.
These
are creators striving for nothing less than the best for young readers, to paraphrase
Newbery
Award author E.L. Konisburg, who said, “And writing for children deserves a
certain
kind
of excellence.”
We are lucky
to hear from Steve Mooser, SCBWI president since 1971.
Steve Mooser studied journalism & film-making in college & has lived on
both coasts,
but
prefers California. He founded SCBWI with jaunty author Lin Oliver, he has
published
more
than 60 books & has won many awards. He is a husband and a father, in
addition to being
president.
He is also was also, a
class clown. Now, some of Steve Mooser’s preferences or predictions.
7 Questions for Steve Mooser, President,
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
Favorite spots/places/times to read for
pleasure
In the evening before falling asleep—that’s usually in a bed
rather than in a canoe far out at sea.
Surfboard, paddle board,
kayak/canoe or…
basketball
What professional
writing/publishing/creative groups do you belong to, besides SCBWI?
For what reasons?
I belong to The Authors Guild because I support their lobbying
legislators and others for fair treatment of authors and illustrators.
Also -The Coalition Against Censorship, again, for supporting
authors.
What may be new for SCBWI national
conferences in the next 10 years?
Probably more on new publishing platforms, and perhaps some live
streaming of certain sessions. And if I have my way, perhaps stream the entire
conference using Google Cardboard or Oculus Rift technology, to give people
around the world the opportunity to experience the conference in Virtual
Reality.
Three legendary SCBWI members,
sadly no longer with us & why we should
commemorate/remember them (links at end of this column)
Sue Alexander, our first member
and a co-founder of the SCBWI.
Paula Danziger, whose enthusiasm
for writing, for interacting with young people, and for the SCBWI keeps her in
our thoughts every day.
Sid Fleischman, who along with Jane
Yolen, spoke at our very first conference. He never ceased advising and
mentoring us on everything from writing to magic. And he was master
of both.
Three current youngest SCBWI
members & something about them
We don’t ask for age other than over 18. I will say
this—we wish we could have members under 18 but COPPA (Children’s Online
Privacy Protection Act) laws prohibit us from collecting contact information on
minors. Over the years, however, some members have snuck their budding
author or illustrator son or daughter into a session or two at the conference,
and I have no doubt that mother’s stealth and their children’s desire will pay
off down the road with a career in the field.
(from Jan - I have always enjoyed meeting these junior talents at SCBWI
events...)
What are your visual art skills?
Zero –even my stick figures don’t look like stick
figures
Appreciations to Steve for flying
kites with us today & for his work on behalf of SCBWI.
Look for Resoruces/Links & Giveaway info, below.
RESOURCES
SUE
ALEXANDER
PAULA
DANZIGER
SID
FLEISCHMAN
.
. .
GIVEAWAY – A copy of one of
SCBWI member Lisa
Desimini's picture books
(random
title from Jan’s cache)
Comment TO
WIN
During
October at this day's blog -
1.
Create a fun substitute for what the capital letters SCBWI can mean
(see top of this article…)
OR
2. Leave a topical comment
3. Or, do both
Plus, if you want to win, make sure I know how to reach you.
As always, you may comment & opt out of the giveaway.
Persnickety
Ginger the Ginger Cat is often hired to perform
selection
honors & likely he will assist once more.
DEADLINE – Last day to comment to
win - Oct 31, 2015
As
close to Nov. 1 as possible, winner will be posted here in comments.
(You
need not be an SCBWI member to enter... but, why don't you join, n-e-how?)
