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Letter from yourRegional AdvisorBy Linda Tripp

On May 2, the Enchantment Show opened at Los Griegos Library. The show features art work by SCBWI illustrators paired with stories by writer members who used the art to spark their writing. Thus we have wonderful examples of collaboration between writers and illustrators. The resulting pairings indicate how cross-pollination can give birth to new ideas or open up fresh ways of seeing things. The Show continues through May 31st.

The Enchantment Show offers another kind of example also. SCBWI-NM member, Bonnie Bryant, identified a wonderful idea

from another region and was willing to organize and manage the show, together with the help of other volunteer members, to bring forth a similar event for our chapter. This is grass roots development at its best. Special thanks and kudos to Bonnie Bryant and Mary Sundstrom, who stepped forward to help make this event happen.

As noted in our April Schmooze discussion, New Mexico SCBWI (like all local chapters) is an all-volunteer organization. The more people who are active in seeking new kinds of events and activities, the more likely we are to meet

SCBWI-NM | NEWS MESSENGERSP

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IN THIS ISSUELETTER FROM YOUR REGIONAL ADVISORNM Regional News & Updates Pg 1-2

BOOKSELLER’S CORNERPlant, Read, and GROW Pg 2

SCBWI-NM VISION CASTING SCHMOOZE RECAPBy Michele Hathaway Tuton & Caroline Starr Rose Pg 3-4

HOW TO WRITE A STORY USING THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCEBy Sally Blakemore Pg 5

POEM GETTING INSPIRATION FROMWILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMSBy Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D. Pg 6

THE EVOLVING PAL GUIDELINESBy Lin Oliver Pg 6-7

SCBWI-NM REVISION WORKSHOP RECAPBy Caroline Starr Rose Pg 7-8

2014 SCHMOOZES LATE SPRING EVENTSILLUSTRATOR LATE SPRING EVENTS Jun-Jul-Aug Pg 9

ANNOUNCEMENTSAll the Good News & More from Our Members Pg 9

(cont.)

Monica Barela

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the needs of our diverse membership.

Do you have an idea for a great event or new offering? You can work toward making it happen in three ways: First, check with our regional RA (me) to be sure that any activity is consistent with national SCBWI guidelines. Second, determine the costs that would be involved. Some events can be developed with no associated costs and can be offered free to members and the public. Others involving industry professionals will likely have high costs and we must have reasonable assurance that the event can pay for itself. Third, find other volunteers that might be interested. Our SCBWI-NM Regional Team can help with any or all of these steps.

And, while you are thinking of events and offerings, watch for more information about our upcoming October 24-25, 2014, Handsprings Conference. Agents and editors are already in place. The venue is the Ramada Inn near I-40 and Eubank. Critiques and portfolio reviews will be available and registration will open August 1.

In the meantime, happy writing and illustrating.

Linda Tripp is the Regional Advisor for the New Mexico region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.ra@scbwi-nm.org

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Plant Read Grow is the theme for a small summer reading program at Bookworks for 2014.

I had put a summer reading program for children on hold for this year but then along came Rudolfo Anaya's latest book How Chile Came to New Mexico. The opportunity to pair gardening and reading was too much to resist. Anaya's chile book partners well with his previously published work, How Hollyhocks Came to New Mexico.

Additional gardening books for children by New Mexico authors include, Don't Bug the Bugs, by Deborahlise Mota and It's Our Garden by George Ancona.

We will start off our first meeting (June 7, 10:30 a.m.) planting chile and hollyhock seeds. We will then sample a bit from Anaya's books. We will also create dual log books to chart both the progress of the plants and to keep a record of books read during the summer.

I will recommend books but the choice of what to read will be up to the child and his or her family. We will meet once a month in June, July and August.

For families, Plant Read Grow could lead to visits to the Botanic Garden, neighborhood walking tours to see how other gardens are growing, and periodic visits to growers' markets to see how produce offerings change throughout the growing season.

Summer holds promise because of the time it frees up. Books hold the promise of intellectual and emotional growth. Gardening holds the promise of beauty and bountiful harvests. Bookstores hold the promise of information and inspiration. Here's hoping Plant Read Grow will be a seed of creativity and successful reading for many children and families in Summer 2014.

Connie Griffin is a Children’s Book Specialist at Bookworks.kids@bkwrks.com

Bookseller’s CornerPlant, Read, and GROWBy Connie Griffin

Veronica Bartles gives the SCBWI-NM membership an invigorating and informative presentation on the value & how-to’s of social media

Schmooze, March 2014

photo by Melinda Beavers

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In April, we focused our schmooze on the state of our current SCBWI chapter and our dreams for the future.

When Caroline Rose began last year as New Mexico’s assistant regional advisor, several members came to her sharing comments such as “we don’t have a cohesive group.” Our chapter includes people at varying levels of the publication process. A group discussion felt like a good way to bring us all together and let all members be heard.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is 42 years old. Its purpose is to exchange information among librarians, agents, teachers, writers, illustrators, and editors and to educate and support the children’s literature community. SCBWI boasts 22,000 members with 80 regional chapters around the world. The entire organization has approximately 10 paid positions; the rest are volunteers.

Chris Eboch, our former regional advisor and currently RA Emeritus, gave us an overview of the New Mexico chapter. She shared that a region / new chapter is formed when it’s an area big enough to support and there are sufficient volunteers. Our chapter has different programs,

but we must go for the topics of most interest as far as events go, as each event needs to have the farthest reach possible. A region our size (approximately 200 members) can’t support a lot of activities.

Currently, our retreats are craft-based. Professionals, such as editors, agents, and sometimes published authors, present at our conferences. Both retreats and conferences are scheduled every other year.

Melinda Beavers, our Illustrator Coordinator and Newsletter Creator also gave us feedback.

Traditionally illustrator turn out has been fairly low, but things are going well this year. Melinda has arranged for a dinner and meeting time for the illustrators that corresponds with the pre-schmooze dinner, both at Flying Star. After the illustrator meeting, participants are encouraged to attend the schmooze.

The newsletter is a quarterly publication and a great way for authors and illustrators to share their work. Members can consider submitting by contacting Melinda directly.

Linda Tripp, our Regional Advisor, next shared that when considering possibilities of events, we must think of three things:

SCBWI-NM Vision CastingSchmooze RecapBy Michele Hathaway Tuton & Caroline Starr Rose

“If you stuff yourself full of poems, essays, plays, stories, novels, films, comic strips, magazines, music, you automatically explode every morning like Old Faithful. I have never had a dry spell in my life, mainly because I feed myself well, to the point of bursting. I wake early and hear my morning voices leaping around in my head like jumping beans. I get out of bed quickly, to trap them before they escape.”Ray Bradbury

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(cont.)

Sarah Wells

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• Does this meet SCBWI guidelines?• Can it pay for itself ? (We receive no membership

dues from national headquarters. All events must pay for themselves.)

• Volunteers: who will step up and make this happen? It must be a group effort.

Caroline talked about the things our chapter currently offers:

• Monthly schmooze• Monthly critique groups in Albuquerque and Santa Fe• Quarterly newsletter built on submissions• The Handsprings Conference (currently every other

year; this one will be 24, 25 October: Editors: Julie Ham of Charlesbridge, Diane Muldrow of Golden Books/Random House; art director: Patti Ann Harris of Little, Brown; agent: Sara Megibow of Nelson Agency)

• fall retreat (currently every other year)

In addition to the standard offerings, our chapter has tried new things in the last few years:

• One-day event with agent Linda Pratt• Chris Eboch’s half-day workshop on voice• Several years ago we had a three panels paid for by an

SCBWI grant: one on picture books, one on MG, one on YA

• Caroline Rose’s novel revision class (developed so we’d have options for those who have moved beyond the just-starting-out stage)

• Joint author and illustrator event: Enchantment Show

The evening ended with an open discussion. Attendees were asked the following:

• Why are you a part of SCBWI?• What do you get from being involved? • How can SCBWI support you?• How do we meet the needs of a diverse community

(authors and illustrators at different phases of the publication process)?

Overwhelmingly, people said SCBWI is about relationships, that it doesn’t matter what the schmooze or conference topic happens to be about, it’s more about the people.

A PAL (published) member mentioned supporting fellow PAL authors by attending book signings. This also is a way to support our local bookstores.

On member pointed out “new writers don’t know what they don’t know” and asked for a chapter-generated list of good craft books or perhaps written reviews in the newsletter.

The evening closed with this encouraging observation: “We are a room with hundreds of years of expertise. We could have an Ask a Question section in a blog or on the elert. Send in a question, and anyone who is able to answer can answer.”

It’s this kind of support that has come to define our chapter. Here’s to many great years ahead for SCBWI-NM.Michele Hathaway Tuton is the current e-lerts editor for SCBWI-NM and writes middle-grade fiction. She is also a freelance editor and library assistant in Albuquerque.

Caroline Starr Rose is an Author and Assistant Regional Advisor for the New Mexico region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.carolinestarr@yahoo.com www.carolinestarrrose.com carolinebyline.blogspot.com

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N"Before they read words, children are reading pictures."David Wiesner

Lee Lee

“Ultimately literature is nothing but carpentry. Both are very hard work. Writing something is almost as hard as making a table. With both you are working with reality, a material just as hard as wood. Both are full of tricks and techniques. Basically very little magic and a lot of hard work involved."Gabriel García Márquez

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*A spread is two pages of a book when open.

1  2  3  5  8  13  21  Formula

1  +  1 = 2  +  3  =  5 +  8 = 13 + 8 = 21

Each number in this formula equals the sum of the two numbers preceding it, which I use to combine concepts in the story. Mozart, at seven, wrote his first little emotional piece of music using this development, so I thought it would be a great way to construct a story.

By using this formula, the writer consciously adds concepts or events together in the telling of the story, to produce a resolution. I call it “folding” a story.

First Spread  1   The place. Describe any environment in detail, at random or an environment you know and like. This description sets the scene for the story. Examples: The Jungle, A Foreign Country, A Historical Home, Another Planet, Vacation.

Second Spread   2   The character. Introduce your character. Tell us what the character likes to do. What interests does the character have? What flaws and strengths does the character have? How does the character spend time during the day? And at this point you can give “hints” as to what might attract the character to the place in the first spread that is described.

Third Spread   3   The place + character = Discovery. Combine the environment with the character. What happens to the character in the environment? How does the character “get there?” What does the character discover about the new environment through interacting and observing?

Fourth Spread  5   The experience = the character + the place + discovery... and what happens? What magical or amazing knowledge or object does the character take out of the new environment? How are the character’s strengths and flaws tested or how do they become apparent? How does the experience or the object change the character? (TIP: There is a lot of humor to be found in the revelation of human flaws; a lot

of wisdom can be found in the character using the flaws or gifts that he/she expresses.)

Fifth Spread    8    The knowledge = the experience + the character + the place + discovery. What challenge or test comes to the character once the knowledge is taken back home? Did it change the character’s perspective or authority in daily life? Does the character have to defend the knowledge experienced in the new environment?

Sixth Spread   13    Transformation + the knowledge + the experience + the character + the place + discovery. How does the character change because of the new environment and the experience of his/herself in that place? Does the transformation magnify his/her knowledge of his/her internal workings?

What is the outcome of telling the experience to family or friends? How do they understand the change in the character? Was it a traumatic experience of finding fear, or an exuberant experience of finding joy?

Seventh Spread   21    Resolution = transformation + knowledge + experience + character + place + discovery. All the events of the story combine in the resolution. Tell how the character’s curiosity in going to a new place, plus how the experience changed the character and made the character see him/herself more clearly. How did the transformative character’s story change the audience?  The change in the character’s world comes through the resolution; self acceptance is achieved, no matter what the flaw or strength that is revealed in the transformation.

This exercise in “folding” the story is like adding the whipped egg-whites into a great meringue cookie recipe. It adds insight and a lightness to the story.

Arty Projects Studio, Santa Fe, Ltd.www.artyprojects.com

How to Write a Story Using theFibonacci SequenceDeveloped By Sally Blakemore.

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“Summer holds promise because of the time it frees up. Books hold the promise of intellectual and emotional growth.”

Connie Griffin

Melinda Beavers

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First of all, we totally sympathize with those of you who are still struggling with the sticky problem of the rules about PAL book sales at conferences.  We have spent countless hours here trying to come up with a consistent and fair and currently relevant solution.  Here is what we’ve decided for now.  This policy may shift in the future as the winds of self-publishing change and it becomes more and more legitimized. 

For now:

1. Self published members may list their books on our online store and have book launches and be on the speakers bureau.   This policy emanates from our belief that the customers will be able to appropriately decide what they want, and we are only listing---not endorsing---these works and authors.

2. At conferences, anyone who is on the faculty has the right to have their books sold and signed, whether the books are self published or not. 

3. Other self published books that have not been approved by the PAL committee  cannot be sold at the conference, as we feel displaying them at the conference is an implied endorsement from SCBWI.  The Spark Award books are an exception, and winners and honor books are permitted to be sold at all conferences---because they have been curated by SCBWI as to their maintaining a high standard.

4. As far as backlist goes, if a book is self published but was originally published by a PAL publisher, it remains PAL forever.  Similarly, if a book in a series is self published, but it is a continuation of a PAL published series, then it too may be considered PAL.  In other words, the entire property is PAL.

The Evolving PALGuidelinesFrom Lin Oliver.

Getting Inspiration from William Carlos Williams

So much dependsupon a laptop computer

touched by sweatand tears

beside themorning mail.

So much dependsupon a moment of inspiration

an idea sparkinga story

that blends intoa reader's heart.

Editor's Letter

I have finished readingthe manuscript you sent me

which you were probably expectingto be returned.

Forgive me for falling in love with the characters,for falling into your imagination.

Susanna E. Henshon, Ph.D.

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(cont.)

Bonnie Bryant

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5. As far as Inside Story is concerned, we leave the decision of whether or not to sell a non-PAL book up to the bookseller.  They know their business and their market.

6. As far as mentioning non-PAL books in your regional newsletters, we think it’s okay to do.  We are not reviewing, endorsing or recommending books, only stating that they are now available.

We hope this clarifies an admittedly muddy situation.  Publishing is changing, and we’re trying to uphold the traditional standard of excellence while adapting to the new realities.  For the moment, we hope this does it.  Next year, who knows? 

Lin Oliver is a leading children’s book author and writer-producer of family films, television series, and movies for children. She is also the co-founder of the SCBWI, with her life-long friend Steve Mooser, and serves as the organization’s Executive Director.  Every aspect of the SCBWI gives her enormous pleasure and satisfaction.

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Lois Bradley

SCBWI-NM Revision WorkshopRecapBy Caroline Starr Rose

In March I led a four-session class on novel revision. We had seven members sign up, and while numbers were small, they're probably a good reflection of those in our community who currently have completed novel-length manuscripts. 

The idea for this course came while I was listening to Cheryl Klein and James Monohan's  Narrative Breakdown podcast on Revision Techniques, and it struck me how perfect this podcast would be as a starting place for a revision class. From there I developed a course for members who'd drafted a middle grade or young adult manuscript but weren't quite sure how to go about revision.

Those who signed up for the course received copies of Darcy Pattison's NOVEL METAMORPHOSIS and Cheryl Klein's SECOND SIGHT. Because so many already had Cheryl's book, I gave those participants Mary Kole's WRITING IRRESISTIBLE KIDLIT. Members paid $125 (this included the price of the books).

Participants exchanged manuscripts with partners who had similar genres. I joined in, sharing a draft of my own. They focused on big-picture changes (character growth

instead of punctuation, for example) and wrote a letter to their partner which focused on three things:

• What works• What needs work• What stuck out

Participants also wrote "letters to a sympathetic reader," a technique Cheryl Klein sometimes uses with her authors when they begin the editing process together. The sympathetic letter focuses on

• The real thing / key ideas / effect on reader the author is aiming for

• Where the novel started from / idea came from• Big ideas the author is exploring• The things the author loves and wants to keep• The things the author knows are not working

• How the author sees their main character (their purpose, journey, etc.)

• What the book is now and where it should be

• Mission / vision statement for the book

A sympathetic letter helps a writer to get back in touch with their initial ideas. It can also show how ideas have

(cont.)

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changed over the course of the draft. Though partners exchanged letters, its primary function is to teach a writer about his/her own work.

Much of our class centered around tips I gleaned from the Revision Techniques podcast and from Cheryl, Mary, and Darcy's books, including classes on plot and character as well as time to meet with partners for feedback. There was a lot of at home reading, both of manuscripts and "text books," and attendees really kept up with the work. I asked Cheryl in advance if it would be okay to use her podcast as a class opener and was sure to let her know we'd be buying her book, as well. She was happy to let us do so.

NM RA Linda Tripp has suggested a similar course for those with completed picture books. Perhaps I'll try and tackle this next year!

Caroline Starr Rose is an Author and Assistant Regional Advisor for the New Mexico region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.carolinestarr@yahoo.com www.carolinestarrrose.com carolinebyline.blogspot.com

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NWE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SUBMISSIONS!The News Messenger is looking for New Mexico illustrators and writers to feature in its upcoming issues. It is not necessary to be published and it is free! You must be a member of SCBWI and you must be willing to believe in yourself ! Submission is open to all SCBWI members.

Artwork Submissions: Digital format, web resolution (72 dpi), and 8.5x11 (612x792 pixels) or smaller. Include your name, title of the piece, and medium/media used. Send artwork with any theme related to or appropriate for children. If you have questions about preparing digital images for submission, please contact me.

Writing Submissions: Please send me your 400-800 word articles for consideration. Share your knowledge and experience!

Please send submissions to:newsmessenger@scbwi-nm.org

Questions? Contact Melinda at the above email and she will talk you through the process.

LEFTNeecy Twinem gives the SCBWI-NM illustrator membership a fascinating presentation about licensing characters

Illustrators Meeting, February 2014

BELOWAMAZING turn out for out SCBWI-NM meeting on vision casting for our region! See the recap on page 3

Schmooze, April 2014

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June 10:Kimberley Little presents Revision 201: Kim will share an actual revision she did – and why – on the first chapter of When the Butterflies Came, to follow up on the May discussion.

July 11:The Writing Life: How do you balance writing what you want to write with writing for the market? How do you decide it’s time for a change, versus hanging in there on the same path? Chris Eboch leads a discussion. Bring your questions and opinions.

August 12:Writing Process with Betsy James.Most fiction emerges as a first draft that's blobby and disorganized. Fortunately it's best if early material is not logical, organized, or in any way "perfect." What you're after are almost-images, near-metaphors, glimmers and hints and tugs. How do we evoke those hunches? Strategies that link visual and verbal not only invite metaphor and team intellect with the senses, but suggest natural methods of organization and follow-through. Bring your disorganized blob!

SCHMOOZE INFORMATION: Schmoozes meet in Albuquerque at 7:00pm on the second Tuesday of each month at Alamosa Books, READING ROOM located at 8810 Holly NE, near Paseo del Norte & Ventura.

For questions, please contact the schmooze coordinator at schmooze@scbwi-nm.org.

These events are free.

*Please note Alamosa Books will be closing this summer and event locations are subject to change.

Blooming to Schmooze…upcoming schmooze eventsfrom Chris Eboch

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June 10:Local illustrator Meg Hellwig will lead a discussion on website basics. As always, bring works-in-progress to share and/or group critique.

July 12:SPECIAL DATE & LOCATION. Local members will meet at local illustrator & SCBWI Illustrator Coordinator, Melinda Beavers’s, Studio for a broad discussion & demo on digital artwork techniques. All attendees are encouraged to bring portable

laptops and/or tablet to share their own preferred programs, apps, tips, & techniques.

10am-1pmMelinda Beavers’s StudioAddress & directions will be provided to attendees that RSVP.

August 12:No official meeting, but you always have the option to join the schmooze and pre-schmooze dinner!

*SCBWI Summer ConferenceAUG 1-4 (Los Angeles, CA)

MEETING INFORMATION:Illustrators generally meet in Albuquerque at 5:00/6:00pm on the second Tuesday of each month at varying locations.

5pm: Flying Star Café at Paseo del Norte and Wyoming.

6pm: Alamosa Books original location

7pm: Alamosa Books Reading Room for local Schmooze. Optional

For questions, please contact the Illustrator Coordinator at illustrators@scbwi-nm.org.

These events are free.

*Please note Alamosa Books will be closing this summer and event locations are subject to change.

Spring Illustrator Calendarupcoming illustrator eventsfrom Melinda Beavers

“A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special."Nelson Mandela

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ANNOUNCMENTSall the good news & more from out members

Sally Blakemore’s new book, HUMAN BEINGS Ordinary Meetings with Extraordinary People, was released on February 27th

from Balboa Press. Congrats, Sally!

Local member, Janie Chodosh, celebrated the release of her debut, Death Spiral, A Faith Flores Science Mystery with The Poisoned Pencil (new YA imprint of The Poisoned Pen Press) on April 1st. Congrats Janie!

Veronica Bartles’ debut novel Twelve Steps was released on March 25th! Congrats Veronica!!

Harper Collins has released the cover reveal for Kimberley Griffiths Little's Forbidden (due out November 4th). There is also an awesome trailer to go with it!

Congratulations to local illustrator Melinda Beavers who was awarded a Portfolio Showcase Honor Award at the SCBWI Austin Conference in February!

CURRENT AND UPCOMING EVENTS:MAY 1-31, 2014 SCBWI-NM ENCHANTMENT SHOWWriters and illustrators join forces to display original illustrations and the written pieces inspired by them, together in what is a truly magical show!

In a fun turnabout, local New Mexico illustrators have created an illustrated piece first, sparked by the theme “enchantment”. Then New Mexico writers were randomly paired with one of the illustrations, and created a one page written piece inspired by the illustration.

Location:LOS GRIEGOS LIBRARY1000 Griegos Rd NWAlbuquerque, NM 87107

OCTOBER 24-25, 2014HANDSPRINGS IS BACK!

Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Handsprings Conference on Oct. 24 and 25 of 2014 at the Ramada Inn, Eubank and I-40. Faculty will include the following publishing professionals:

• Diane Muldrow, Senior Editor, Random House

• Patti Ann Harris, Senior Art Director, Little, Brown

• Sara Megibow, Agent, Nelson Literary Agency

• Julie Ham, Associate Editor, Charlesbridge

The conference will include a Friday evening social, First Pages Panel, and Overview Presentations, as well as breakout sessions from each faculty member.Written manuscript and portfolio critiques will be available at an additional cost.

Registration will open on-line at www.scbwi.org on or before

August 1, 2014.

LocationRAMADA ALBUQUERQUE EAST 10300 Hotel Avenue NEAlbuquerque, NM 87123

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REGIONAL ADVISORLinda Tripp

ra@scbwi-nm.org

ASSISTANT REGIONAL ADVISORCaroline Starr Rose

ara@scbwi-nm.org

ILLUSTRATOR COORDINATOR &NEWSLETTER EDITOR:Melinda Beavers

illustrators@scbwi-nm.orgnewsmessenger@scbwi-nm.org

ELERTSMichele Hathaway Tuton

elerts@scbwi-nm.org

SCHMOOZES (ABQ)Chris Eboch

schmooze@scbwi-nm.org

SCBWI-New Mexicovolunteers