Hugs and Hurrahs

Our last edition of Hugs and Hurrahs was published nearly six months ago in the May newsletter, which means we're overflowing with good news to share! Congratulations to all of our SCBWI-MI members who are striding toward goals, winning awards, signing contracts, hosting events, creating and having fun. You are an inspiration!

Lisa Wheeler sold EVEN MONSTERS NEED TO SLEEP to Balzer and Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins. The book will be illustrated by Chris Van Dusen and will come out Fall 2016.

And there's more: her 7th book in the Dino-Sport series with CarolRhoda was released on Oct. 1st. DINO-BOARDING features dinosaurs competing on surf boards, skate boards and snow boards. Whee!



Continuing with the "dinomite" news: Neal Levin's poem MY DINOSAUR, MY FRIEND was published in the May/June 2014 issue of Fun For Kidz Magazine.

Lisa Rose has another book deal! THE HUNGRY LATKE MONSTER will be published by Kar-Ben in 2016. Mazel Tov, Lisa!

Congrats to Sandy Carlson on the release of her newest book, WAR UNICORN. Isn't the cover gorgeous?

Monica Harris's new book with TunTun Publishing (Korea) has arrived! I LIKE MY BODY is a nonfiction book for early learners of English to identify the parts of their bodies and what they do. It even includes a digital portion with songs.











Who recently signed with an agent? Deb Gonzales! She's thrilled to be working with Melissa Nasson of Rubin Pfeffer Content. Way to go, Deb!

Have you heard about the delegation of Michigan authors descending upon Vermont? That would be Jennifer Whistler, Anita Pazner, and Diane Telgen (yes, Diane now lives in Chicago, but she will always be one of us). This talented trio was recently accepted to the VCFA MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. They join Katie Van Ark in progress, and alumni Deb Gonzales and Kelly Barson. Keep us posted on your journey!

Speaking of Katie Van Ark. Here's the cover reveal for her debut YA novel THE BOY NEXT DOOR to be released on February 3, 2015. Swoon!

Three cheers for three Michigan members winning SCBWI international awards:

Wong Herbert Yee won the Martha Weston Grant, and Deb Pilutti was the runner-up.

Lori McElrath Eslick received a 2014 Magazine Merit Honor Certificate for Illustration for her painting GULLS AT SUNSET which appeared in the September 2013 issue of Cricket Magazine.

The Brighton District Library’s 2014 Local Author Showcase was coordinated by SCBWI-MI’s own Sarah Perry. Here she is with Jean Alicia Elster, author of THE COLORED CAR. 

Even snakes like visiting the library. Meet Kenny who travels with author/illustrator Lori Taylor.

If you missed Jean Alicia Elster and Sarah Perry at the Brighton event, here's another opportunity. They'll join author Shutta Crum and many others at the 2014 Leon & Lulu Books and Authors event on Sunday October 26th in Clawson, Michigan. 

Janet Heller will join other poets and teachers to lead a Poetry Writing Workshop for Teachers and Teens on Tuesday, October 21st at the Portage District Library. Open to teachers, teens, and community members.  

Nancy Shaw covered two great events on her blog.  Stop by to see photos from The Kerrytown Book Festival and the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City with a parade of book-themed floats including Nancy’s SHEEP IN A JEEP and Leslie Helakoski’s BIG CHICKENS.

Who made it to ArtPrize in Grand Rapids this year? Did you see Lori Eslick's art?

Cecily Donnely and Kevin Kammeraad were there, too. See their amazing projects here:

 http://www.artprize.org/cecily-donnelly/2014/botanical-dreams

 http://www.artprize.org/kevin-kammeraad-and-friends/2014/numbers-everywhere

Get comfy and settle in for a few minutes of watching and listening: 

Babies, babies, and more babies! Shutta Crum's sweet, fun video features photos of young children interacting with books. http://blog.shutta.com/2014/10/howtochooseagoodbook/  

The new book trailer from author DL Price will give you shivers: The Trahe Chronicles Trailer

TEN RULES OF BEING A SUPERHERO is Deb Pilutti's newest book - the first she has written AND illustrated!  See the book trailer here.

Deb Pilutti was also recently interviewed for Matthew Winner's Let's Get Busy podcasts. Matthew is a kidlit librarian who interviews authors, illustrators, and educators in the industry. Deb is on episode #88, and you'll find Matt Faulkner on episode #50. Enjoy!

In 2013, Carrie Pearson received an SCBWI WOOP grant to pursue a writing project involving coast Redwood trees. See her brief video from her visit to Redwood National and State Parks.

And finally, the 2015 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market is available. Grab a copy and find Kirbi Fagan's interview on page 192! This is an indispensable guide by Chuck Sambuchino and Harold Underdown.

Yes, that's the same Harold Underdown who wrote The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, and we had a giveaway last week to win a free copy. Congrats to Suzanne K! Look for an email from me so I can send the book to you.

Hugs and Hurrahs is an ongoing feature on The Mitten blog. Do you have good news to share? Do you have a friend who's too humble to share his or her good news? We're inspired by your success, whether it's a small step toward a goal or a glowing accolade. Please send good news for our next edition of Hugs and Hurrahs to kristinbartleylenz AT gmail DOT com.

Cheers!
Kristin