On Saturday, Feb. 1st, a bunch of SCBWI Tampa Bay group members met at Nancy Cavanaugh's home. Cavanaugh's the author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, published by Sourcebooks, and the group was meeting for a Pajama Party Schmooze. Yup, you read right. Not only was it great fun and time to relax and talk with other authors, but the event had a charitable purpose too.
Each member brought a new pair of children's PJs and a new children's book to be read at bedtime. The stash of sleepwear and books were to be donated to a program that delivers those goodies, or should I say, necessities, to children in need. Children who wind up in shelters, live in temporary housing facilities and others children in need who have few comforts at a time when they need comforting the most.
The Pajama Program (www.pajamaprogram.org) is a national organization, but has 62 chapters in 32 states. Check out one in your area. If there isn't one, maybe you could start one. Or maybe donate money or even one pair of PJs. And, don't think you need to be an author to throw your own PJ schmooze. Create the schmooze that works for you. Make it as unique as you are.
Our schmooze was a lovely brunch and Nancy and her daughter were the perfect hostesses for the event. We came in sweats, robes, PJ's, socks and slippers. We ate fruit, crumb cake, yogurt and sipped coffee, tea and juice. We talked about writing, publishing and how great it was to spend time together when we all dedicates so much time to writing alone in front of our computers. We schmoozed for hours. What better way to spend a Saturday morning?
Check out Nancy's first book This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, on her website. Get ready for her next book too, Always Abigail . It's due out in October.
Check out the Pajama Program at www.pajamaprogram.org
See what Sourcebooks offers at http://www.sourcebooks.com
Check out Nancy's website and info on her books and school visits at www.nancyjcavanaugh.com
Monday, February 10, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
It's almost time for the Florida SCBWI Conference held in Miami. I wish I could say I was going this year, but I can't. I've been attending for at least seven years and it's always the best conference. This year I just can't make it. And of all years it stinks because, well...
What's so special about this year, is one of my critique group members, Augusta Scattergood is being presented with the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award.
YAY!
For anyone who isn't familiar with the award, the SCBWI website says, "The annualCrystal Kite Award is a peer-given award to recognize great books from 15 SCBWI regional divisions around the world."
Augusta is receiving it for her book, Glory Be. She wins for the entire Southeast region and we members of the Skyway Writers and all of the Tampa Bay Children's Writers are so proud of her.
Here's to Augusta and to Glory Be.
Check it out! http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/glory-be#cart/cleanup
What's so special about this year, is one of my critique group members, Augusta Scattergood is being presented with the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award.
YAY!
For anyone who isn't familiar with the award, the SCBWI website says, "The annual
Augusta is receiving it for her book, Glory Be. She wins for the entire Southeast region and we members of the Skyway Writers and all of the Tampa Bay Children's Writers are so proud of her.
Here's to Augusta and to Glory Be.
Check it out! http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/glory-be#cart/cleanup
Monday, January 13, 2014
WELCOME
This is the first post of my new site. Thanks to Augusta Scattergood for helping me to create it and to my husband, Butch, for his photograph of one of my favorite Florida places.
Facts, Fiction and Folk Tales will allow me to share all things writing and more. By that I mean the trials, tribulations, joys and successes that pop up in a writing life. Writing tips. Writing discoveries. Writing greats and writing everything.
My only promise is to write about whatever catches my attention, tugs at my heart or speaks to me. Mostly about the ups and down of having a computer as your only co-worker. Sometimes about Florida, since I'm a native.
I like an eclectic range of things and of people and I like to write about them all. Being a writer is a blessing and a curse. You writers out there struggling to write the first paragraph on a blank page get it. Those of you struggling to be published understand. Journalists who want to write fiction for a living and people who think they must leave their day jobs to become a real writer, you know what I mean.
Sometimes it's a hard-luck life, but mostly, it's a life filled with the love of words.
How cool is that?
Facts, Fiction and Folk Tales will allow me to share all things writing and more. By that I mean the trials, tribulations, joys and successes that pop up in a writing life. Writing tips. Writing discoveries. Writing greats and writing everything.
My only promise is to write about whatever catches my attention, tugs at my heart or speaks to me. Mostly about the ups and down of having a computer as your only co-worker. Sometimes about Florida, since I'm a native.
I like an eclectic range of things and of people and I like to write about them all. Being a writer is a blessing and a curse. You writers out there struggling to write the first paragraph on a blank page get it. Those of you struggling to be published understand. Journalists who want to write fiction for a living and people who think they must leave their day jobs to become a real writer, you know what I mean.
Sometimes it's a hard-luck life, but mostly, it's a life filled with the love of words.
How cool is that?
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