The Westside Writers Schmooze December/January Book-Tacular!

Happiest of Happy New Years, Schmoozers!

We’ve been a little remiss here at Schmooze Central.  Okay.  More than a little.  A LOT remiss.  It’s been three whole Schmoozes with no blog posts.  (We know, you’re crushed, right??) We have an awesome…or dare we say WAY COOL blog post on the November Schmooze, but that’s still a work-in-progress—

—and speaking of works in progress, did you know the SCBWI has a bunch of awesome Work-In-Progress grants?  Read all about the different grants and their submission guidelines on the "grants and awards" page at www.scbwi.org.  Applications are accepted between February 15^th and March 15^th – so don’t delay!!

Where were we?  Oh, right!  The Way Cool post is going to be Way Late but in the interim, we have this December/January recap which is all about AWESOME books!

First up, in December, we welcomed back the venerable Diane Applebaum, longtime bookseller (now retired) from Children’s Book World.  It had been a few years since Diane had come and schooled us on what’s hot, what’s not and what’s missing from the Kid Lit landscape – at least from a bookseller's POV.

Photo: Rita Crayon Huang

Here's a taste of some of the general tidbits she shared:

• Robots, superheroes, cowboys/cowgirls, mermaids, unicorns, fairies, knights, construction stories & dinosaurs simply never get old
• Kids love joke books – especially of the “knock, knock” ilk
• There can never be too many ballet books
• Middle grade readers need ADVENTURE
• The current trend for YA readers is fantasy, fantasy, fantasy
• Historical fiction often does quite well
• Non-fiction is HOT

Of course, Diane brought many wonderful books to “show-and tell” us about.  (She apologized for focusing primarily on picture books.)  She mentioned the following books that were both delightful and in high demand:

• Silly Doggie written and illustrated by Adam Stower
• Pluto Visits Earth written by Steve Metzger, illustrated by Jared D. Lee
• King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson written and illustrated by Kenneth Kraegel
• Vampirina Ballerina written by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
• A Kiss Means I Love You written by Kathryn Madeline Allen, photographs Eric Fultran
• Just Being Audrey written by Margaret Cardillo, illustrated by Julia Denos
• My Heart Will Not Sit Down written by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Ann Tanksley
• The Quiet Place written by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small

And perhaps most useful to us Schmoozers was Diane’s list of subject matter that seems to be in short supply and/or is always needed:

• Divorce (as experienced by little kids)
• Moving – kids or their neighborhood friends having to move
• Going to a new school (especially elementary)
• Family member going to the hospital for a non-life-threatening issue
• Death of a pet has been done well – but there is always room for more good stories about this (it’s like ballet and dinosaurs in that respect!)
• Alternative households
• Books on nutrition - but the trick is to avoid being didactic
• Timeless photojournalism books (babies love looking at pictures of babies!)

A couple of other cool things Diane mentioned were…

• Los Angeles has named its first Poet Laureate!  Check her out here: http://www.eloisekleinhealy.com/
• There’s a fun new movement in poetry for boys... Guyku – haiku for guys.  Check it out here:  http://www.hmhbooks.com/guyku/

In January, the focus was once again on Great Books.  And not just great books but  A Few Of Our Favorite Books!

Intros featured the standard “name and what you write” but also what book you’d like to have zapped from your memory so that you could experience reading it for the first time again (we all have them!).

Some titles mentioned were:

• Gone With the Wind written by Margaret Mitchell
• The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling
• The Giver, written by Lois Lowry
• Dune, written by Frank Herbert
• Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, written by Roald Dahl
• A Wrinkle in Time, written by Madeleine L ‘Engle

Then, the Schmooze kicked off with a very moving, highly personal and rather lengthy (some might say indulgent) story from Karol about how she’d come across the favorite book she’d brought to share, Newbery Honor book Incident at Hawk’s Hill, written by Allan W. Eckert and illustrated by John Schoenherr.  Karol had been introduced to the book, in a very round-about way, through her oldest sister, Jane.  The point – and Karol did have one – was that books that truly move and entertain us can sometimes come from unlikely places.

Charlie put the question to the group:  How do we come across our favorite books?  Answers varied.  Recommendations from friends, teacher etc., book reviews, our parents reading to us as children, new titles from our favorite authors and even book covers (by which, apparently, you sometimes can judge a book) were mentioned.

Charlie presented his favorite, The Book Of Lost Things, by John Connolly, a book about the power of stories and fairy tales, and asked the group, “What do we go to books for?”  Responses ranged from lighthearted escapism/wish-fulfillment to connection and inspiration, a desire to relate to “underdog” or marginalized characters, to feel community with others and even to help us figure out stuff in our own lives.  Unable to allow others to find joy in the lighthearted, Charlie sniffed that there was no such thing as escapism and that, in fact, those books were actually about deeper, darker and more personal issues than could be faced in more prosaic works.  Most Schmoozers smiled indulgently (not without a touch of pity), cleared their throats, and moved on…

Clearly, good books play an extremely important role in our lives – however we happen to come across them and whatever value we ultimately get from them. 

So what were a few of the Schmoozers favorite books?

!       The Girl Who Could Fly, written by Victoria Forester

!       Shatter Me, written by Tahereh Malfi

!       Obstinate Pen, written by Frank W. Dormer

!       For Love For Mother Not, written by Alan Dean Foster

!       The Magician’s Nephew, written by C.S. Lewis

!       Holes, written by Louis Sachar

!       Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, written by Douglas Adams

!       Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperrump-a-Zoo, written and illustrated by Mercer Mayer

!       The Magician’s Elephant, written by Kate DiCamillo

!       The Night Circus, written by Erin Morgenstern

!       Yips and Yankah (this is a very popular Dutch kids book series and we at Schmooze Central could not find the author – our apologies!)

!       Snark Out Boys and the Avocado of Death, written by Daniel Pinkwater

!       What My Mother Doesn’t Know, written by Sonya Sones

!       The Underneath, written by Kathi Appelt

!       Whale Talk, written by Chris Crutcher

!       The Silly Book, written and illustrated by Stoo Hample

Naturally, Dr. Seuss was an entity unto himself.  The Sneeches and 

Other Stories, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, McElligot’s Pool and My Book About Me were some of the Seuss favorites mentioned.

Feel free to add MORE favorite books in the comments!

Of course, we’re forgetting one very special part of the Favorite Books Schmooze – the SINGING!!!

As any of you who read the description of the January 2013 Schmooze know, the possibility (some would say threat) of the first-ever Schmooze Sing–Along was mentioned.  And we “made it so,” fine Schmoozers!   

For any of you who missed the Schmooze or came late (whether intentionally or not), here’s your chance to sing-along with the gang!

These Are a Few Of Our Favorite Books

Charlotte and Katniss and Christopher Robin

Bus-driving pigeons and bank-owning goblins

Thousands of pages of Edward’s good looks

These are a few of our favorite books

Picture book classics that signal our bedtimes

Colorful pictures and fanciful end rhymes

Middle-grade fantasies, YAs with hooks

These are a few of our favorite books

Stories that take us to new awesome places

Make us feel happy, put smiles on our faces

Hardbacks and board books and Kindles and Nooks

Each format works for our favorite books

When the muse leaves
Lost my car keys
Day job is a drag

I simply start reading a favorite book
And then I don't feel so bad

Schmoozers pose with their fa-vor-ite books!  Photo: Rita Crayon Huang

 Who knows?  Maybe we’ll have a Schmooze Sing-Along EVERY month!!  OK…maybe not.

Next up - just in time for the day-before-Valentine’s, join us on Wednesday, February 13^th for…Fifty Shades of Schmooze: The Sex Schmooze!

(Any Schmoozers caught tittering or blushing will be mocked ruthlessly.)

Until then, keep passing the open windows,

Charlie & Karol

Westside Illustrators (& Writers) BOOK CLUB!!

Hello Schmoozers!
A major thank you to our hostess Paula who allowed us the use of her home while she was tending to her hospitalized husband...we wish him well and hope he is doing better!!!Thanks to all that attended our January schmooze...
We missed those who couldn't make it!
We discussed the nature of creative minds... direction, focus, motivation, distraction...through the Stephen Covey Book,
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People". We tackled the 1st 3 habits and applied them to our creative lives... hoping to fortify our new year's goals by strengthening 'proactive' work habits and 'beginning with the end in mind.'

HEADS UP! Please join us February 18th for 

our next Westside Illustrators Schmooze...
This month will be a  BOOK CLUB meeting!
We will be discussing Steven Pressfield's book,
"The War of Art"....It is a teeny book with a huge footprint!

Available everywhere...
http://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026

No need to RSVP now...
The usual invite will be sent out the week before...
Thanks to all! xo suzy

come visit me...
http://SuzyEngelmanBlock.com

January 2013 -- Connect Yourself to your Reader

Hey Everyone:

This is my first blog post as co-coordinator with Rene.

I am honored to have the position now. And a bit daunted.

It’s more to take on than I thought – of course! I always do this…

But as a wise person once said to me:

“We are much wiser and greater than we think we are.”

Imagine your higher self-floating over you, capable of doing anything and everything, if just given the time . . . and the space . . .and  . . .what else . . . ah, yes, belief.

I’m not talking about anything religious (that’s a whole ‘nother kettle of fish.)

I am talkin’ about MAGIC and FAITH in MAGIC AND MIRACLES.

Kids love this stuff – they love reading books about this stuff too – need I mention Harry Potter.

But what does all this have to do with the first meeting of the Hollywood Schmooze of 2013? January’s Topic was on Connecting Emotionally with your Reader, ei. Emotional Writing. I would say that all writing that is good is emotional – even non-fiction must push some emotional buttons. Feelings connect us and keep us interested.

Rene presented a great writing exercise – to write about the moment that a child learns that Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy or some other mythical belief is NOT true. Wow! I wish I didn’t have to coordinate and could just participate. I could write a whole story on this – with this moment as the turning point.

Next, I led an exercise on accessing a scene from a painful childhood memory. A few people shared theirs – after sketching the scene or an object from the scene, as a way to remember it.

Everyone seemed to get a lot out of the evening!

See you next month for writing tools and tricks.

The Hollywood Schmooze meets the 3^rd Thursday of the month.

At Rhonda Hayter’s home at 1238 Meadowbrooke Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Call it Hollywood!

Schmooze News with Soooz

The Westside Illustrators
(& Writers) Schmooze !

  Please join us
WHEN: Monday evening, January 21, 2013
            7:00pm to 9:00pm
WHERE: 445 15th Street   Santa Monica CA 90402

Topic 1: "New Year, New Eyes"    
                      Time to assess our artistic progress
                 and tweek our goals...
             Let's discuss our strengths & stretches
              and make a plan for the coming year...           
             with baby steps...remember to
                            Dream Big & Start Small!

           DID you make a New Years or Holiday card
                    or piece of art? Please share it with us!  

Come prepared to participate, ask questions and be inspired!

Let's enjoy a fun creative evening together
& move forward in our common pursuit
of making a contribution to the world of
children's illustration and literature!

Next meeting ...February 18, 2013

RSVP???  YES...if you can...    SuzyBlock@gmail.com
                       or.... SoozyEB@aol.com

WHERE??? 445 Fifteenth Street, Santa Monica Ca 90402

    5 blocks north of Wilshire,  between Montana & San Vicente.  A two story Spanish-style private home.

    

DIRECTIONS???... http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&q=445+15th+st+santa+monica&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x80c2a4af8b9ee295:0x4d6f577225e2717f,445+15th+St,+Santa+Monica,+CA+90402&gl=us&ei=AAPQToqZAYniiAKg-fnPCw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CB8Q8gEwAA

PARKING???... Residential street parking

xoxo...suzy
 

Suzy
cell 818 389 1950

come visit me...
http://SuzyEngelmanBlock.com

The Hollywood Schmooze Wraps Up 2012

The Hollywood Schmooze is off for November and December, so our last meeting for 2012 was in October. Rene produced the original list of goals we’d made earlier in the year. For some, it was way back in January . . . the embarrassing moment (at least for me) came when we said how far we’d gotten in accomplishing our goal.

One thing I am learning is to set more realistic goals for myself – I never knew how long writing a novel would take and what an involved process revising is. But it is important not to rush.

Some people had surprises – I asked if it would be okay to report on specific members achievements. And they said, “yes!”

Rhonda Hayter reported that her historical fiction novel is being shopped around by her agent, after her success with The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams (Dial.) And she now has a new writing assignment – content for an ipad App FAFARIA. She provides 500 word stories and enjoys the puzzle aspect of fitting the words into the structural requirements set by the editors. It pays too, which is good!

Avi de Turenne reported that he is researching a new novel and needs to meet with other writers in order to connect and share and not feel alone, which is critical for keeping his spirits up. He is sending out one query letter a week for his completed manuscript. Go Avi!

Jane Rosenberg, who published several well received books of Ballet and Opera Stories for children (Thames & Hudson) in the 90’s has written a novel that teaches about music and is exploring possible audiences for it. One suggestion was the homeschooling network, micro learning academies and CAVA, the California Virtual Academy.

Richard Manning had finished the first draft of his middle grade novel and is researching agents.

Cheryl Manning shared an adorable illustration and her four picture book manuscripts that she is readying for submission.

Many of the other participants shared as well, but that is all we have time for now.

Keep up the good work everyone! Get out there and network and increase your web presence. One thing I noticed, fact checking for this post was that it is a lot easier to find out about a writer if they have current web listings.

Oh, and guess who is the new co-coordinator of the Hollywood Schmooze to work with Rene? Yours truly, Deborah Fletcher Blum. Melanie had to step down due to her busy schedule. Thank you Melanie for starting this Schmooze.

As for me, I am working on the final (ha!) draft of my middle grade novel to ready it for submission and researching the life of Carl Laemmle (my cousin three times removed who founded Universal Studios) for a biography.

I look forward to working with the wonderful Rene Rawls and having a great 2013 with SCBWI and all the Schmoozes, especially the very special Hollywood Schmooze.
Happy Holidays – Hanukah! Christmas! Kwanza! New Years! Etc!

Kick Off December With A Day Of Awesome Kid Lit Events!

Greetings Schmoozers!

December is right around the corner, and boy-oh-boy do we Kid Lit Folks know how to get a party started!  We have not one – but TWO – fabulous events coming up on Saturday, December 1^st.

First, at 2 PM:

SCBWI LA, the SCBWI Westside Writers Schmooze and the Santa Monica Public Library present a free screening of LIBRARY OF THE EARLY MIND.

This 2010 documentary is an exploration of the art and impact of children’s literature on our kids, our culture, and ourselves. The film features nearly 40 prominent authors and illustrators, including Chris Van Allsburg, Lois Lowry and R.L. Stine, talking about their work, its genesis and its impact.

Read more about the film here:  http://www.libraryoftheearlymind.com/index.html

The screening will be held at the SMPL Main Branch, located at 601 S. Santa Monica Blvd., in the MLK Jr. Auditorium.

Parking is available in the library's parking structure, levels P2 and P3, for $1 per hour.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS EVENT!

The screening is free and open to ALL!

We’ve created a Facebook event for the screening.  RSVPs are not necessary but ALWAYS appreciated!

Please click the link, join the party and invite your friends: https://www.facebook.com/events/376449599106059/

Second, at 4 PM:

KID LIT HAPPY HOUR AND BOOK DRIVE – 2012

**Please note – this is NOT an official SCBWI event.

Join other writers, illustrators, agents, editors, bloggers, librarians, educators, and people who just love children's and teen literature at a kid lit community holiday party!

- Cash Bar (pay as you order). Check out the Happy Hour menu: http://www.wokcanorestaurant.com/happy-hour/santa-monica/

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- Holiday Children's Book Drive (donate and feel holiday festive)!

Again, we’ve created a Facebook event for the Happy Hour, and while RSVPs are NOT necessary, we’d love for you to join the event and invite your friends. 

Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/513724875319004/?notif_t=plan_edited

A LITTLE INFO ON THE BOOK DRIVE

Photo credit: Rita Crayon Huang

Last year's Book Drive was such a smashing success (Lee Wind's jazzed expression speaks for us all), we decided we should do it again!

We'll be collecting new and gently used books, board books through YA, for the following worthy recipients:

- Children's Hospital Los Angeles / Literally Healing program

New books only, please.  Paperbacks preferred.  The hospital welcomes upbeat books for any age level.  Interactive board books are of particular interest.

Read more about the Literally Healing Program and download their “Wish List” here (scroll to the bottom for the Wish List):
http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.3579145/k.E976/The_Literally_Healing_Program_at_Childrens_Hospital_Los_Angeles.htm

- William Grant Art Center http://www.troubledisland.com/wgsartcenter/

Gladly accepts new and gently used book for all ages. All topics are welcome but a focus on arts or African American culture is especially appreciated.

- The Be a Santa Project http://beasanta.org/

Donates new and gently used YA books, all topics, to at-risk teens.

If you’d like to participate in the Book Drive but can’t make it to the Kid Lit Happy Hour – Boo!  We’ll miss you! – we’ll also be accepting book drive donations at the December 5^th Westside Writer’s Schmooze. 

Can’t make the Schmooze either?  Double BOO!!  E-mail Schmooze co-coordinators Charlie & Karol at westsideschmooze@hotmail.com to make other arrangements.

Spread the word….spread the cheer….spread the BOOKS!!

See you on December 1^st!