Purple Dragonfly Book Awards Competition

FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS UNVEILS NEW LITERARY CONTEST:

PURPLE DRAGONFLY BOOK AWARDS TAKE FLIGHT

CHANDLER, Ariz. — May 21, 2010 – With nearly 25 years of experience under its belt, Five Star Publications knows award-winning books. Its own titles recognized in numerous national writing contests, the Arizona-based publisher is taking its industry expertise to new heights by honoring the work of others. Preparing for its first annual
Purple Dragonfly Book Awards competition, Five Star Publications is raising the bar for children’s books in 19 categories—from stories about families, hobbies and pets to tales about the environment, religion and health.

Submissions must be received by Five Star Publications by June 14, 2010. Winners will be announced at the Arizona Literary Awards Banquet on November 6, 2010 in conjunction with Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest and Book Awards.

“Five Star Publications is proud to announce the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards,” said Linda F. Radke, Five Star founder and president, “because we want to help parents give their children only the best in reading excellence. Geared toward stories for children between the ages of four and 10, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are designed to bring families together with great children’s literature, and a Purple Dragonfly seal on a book’s cover lets parents choose new titles for their bookshelves with confidence.”

The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are currently open to children’s books published between the 2007-2010 calendar years. Exceptions include titles by Five Star’s employees and their immediate family members; contributing editors and writers;
affiliated authors; and close acquaintances and relatives of contest judges. Participation is open to authors of both traditionally published and self-published books from any press except Five Star Publications. A Grand Prize winner and First and Second Place Winners in each category will be selected based on content, originality and overall readability, with emphasis on innovation and creativity.

The Five Star judging panel will include experts from the fields of editing, reviewing, bookselling and publishing. “Being honored with a Purple Dragonfly Award will confer credibility upon each winner, as well as provide extra positive publicity to further their success,” said Radke.

 

Based in Chandler, AZ, Five Star Publications has been publishing and promoting award- winning fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, children’s literature and professional guides since 1985. For more information, visit www.PurpleDragonflyBookAwards.com.

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University of Hawai‘i KIDS FIRST! Film Festival

The award-winning University of Hawai‘i KIDS FIRST! Film Festival returns with four summer Sundays of free family films. KIDS FIRST!, a project of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media, is the largest traveling children's film festival in the world.

Curated locally by Outreach College and free to the public, the UH KIDS FIRST! Film Festival includes an entire program devoted to animations adapted from children's literature by esteemed authors and illustrators and are free of gratuitous violence; race, gender, or religious bias; inappropriate content; and condescension towards children. Age-appropriate groupings of films entertain through a balance of animation and live action, plus varied themes from different cultures. To add to the festivities, door prizes are awarded at all screenings.

What: University of Hawai‘i KIDS FIRST! Film Festival
When: Sundays • June 13 & 27, July 11 & 18 • 3:00pm
Where: UH Manoa Art Auditorium • FREE!
http://www.outreach.hawaii.edu/summer/kidsfirst.asp

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Southampton Children’s Literature Conference

July 28 to August 1, 2010
 
The Southampton Children’s Literature Conference provides a unique forum in which to
study and discuss the craft of writing for children. World-renowned authors, illustrators
and editors offer inspiration and guidance through workshops, lectures, group discussions
and special presentations. Open to both established and aspiring writers, the Conference
is located in the Hamptons on the East End of New York’s Long Island—a resort area of
natural beauty.

WORKSHOPS
The Children’s Writing Workshops are led by authors and editors of the first rank. The
distinguished faculty includes:

• Caldecott Medal-winning author/illustrator Ed Young
• Award-winning middle-grade author Tor Seidler
• Accomplished editor and novelist Cindy Kane
• Best-selling author/editor Emma Walton Hamilton
• Award-winning YA author Margaret McMullan

GUEST SPEAKERS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
In the afternoons and evenings, participants choose from a wide range of elective sessions
presented by notable authors, editors, publishers, and agents. The schedule of formal and
informal gatherings is rich—from author receptions to open-mic night—with a few
surprises, too.

Among the guest presenters scheduled to appear this year are Arlene Alda and Lisa
DeSimini, Jim and Kate McMullan, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Catherine Creedon,
and Whiting Award-winning poet Julie Sheehan.

We’re pleased to offer three graduate credits to eligible students.

Workshop size is limited; some scholarships still available. Apply now!

http://www.stonybrook.edu/writers
http://www.facebook.com/SouthamptonWriters?ref=ts

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Peachtree Publisher's Blogspot: The Development of a Book Cover

My dear friend and colleague, Shan Correa, just came out with her middle-grade novel, Gaff, and I am so proud of her!

As an author and illustrator, I am well aware of the challenges faced in developing a book cover, and have sometimes wished I could "do-over" a cover.

Peachtree's Blog, Judging a Book by its Cover, features Shan's novel as a demonstration of how a cover was selected:

"When creating anything, especially book covers, changes are going to happen and first ideas will become third ideas or even sixth ideas.  But, with every change or every new idea comes a more polished and a more cohesive cover, so that the end result is something that we are all proud of and something that highlights the story."

Congratulations, Shan!

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Cool Video of the Day: Water Droplets and Surface Tension

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Poetry advice to lighten your day

"I have a new method of poetry. All you got to do is look over your notebooks...And think of anything that comes into your head, especially the miseries...Then arrange in lines of two, three or four words each, don't bother about sentences."

~Allen Ginsberg, American Poet

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National Children's Book Week Art Display

May 6 to June 16, 2010
Kapiolani Community College Library

To celebrate National Children’s Book Week in May, SCBWI-Hawaii will put on its first-ever exhibit of children’s book art by Hawaii artists.  All members and friends are invited to the opening on May 6, 2010, from 4 to 6 pm In front of the Kapiolani Community College Library.

Artists exhibiting will be Scott Goto, Yuko Green, Jeff Langcaon, James Rumford, Esther Szegedy, and Tammy Yee.  David Behlke of Koa Gallery will curate.  The exhibit will be up in the library gallery until June 16 and will be open during weekday hours (for specific times, see http://library.kcc.hawaii.edu/libraryinfo/hours or call 808-734-9268)

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SCIENTISTS DISCOVER NEW ELEMENT

Oxford University researchers have discovered the heaviest element yet
known to science. The new element, Governmentium (symbol=Gv), has one
neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons and 198 assistant
deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which
are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called
pillocks. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert. However,
it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it
comes into contact.

A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would
normally take less than a second, to take from 4 days to 4 years to
complete. Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2 to 6 years. It
does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganisation in which a
portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places..

In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since
each reorganisation will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming
isodopes. This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists
to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a
critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as a
critical morass. When catalysed with money, Governmentium becomes
Administratium (symbol=Ad), an element that radiates just as much
energy as Governmentium, since it has half as many pillocks but twice
as many morons.

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2010 Lorin Tarr Gill Biennial Writing Competition

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Rock-n-Roll Workshop to benefit Waldorf School

Forwarded from a friend:

ROCK-N-ROLL THERAPY!!

What if you could change your life through music?
What if you could break though life's fears and
limitations with songs?
What if you could have a wild, fun, deep, powerful time doing Rock-N-Roll Therapy?

Breakthrough Performance Workshop takes you on a journey deeper into yourself using the vehicle of music and your voice.  Yes, YOUR voice - not the voice you think you should have - not the voice you think others will approve of - but YOUR voice -  the voice you were born with -- YOUR authentic sound. And by extension opening up to more joy, presence, confidence, passion, aliveness and much more! Breakthrough Performance has been transforming people's lives all over the mainland for the past 15 years.  Now it's here in Hawaii!

If you love to sing... if you're terrified of singing.... If you secretly want to sing but don't think you can carry a tune.... ...Breakthrough Performance can launch you into the next level of growth - open up doors of possibility that you thought were locked & bolted shut. Everyone on this planet was meant to sing and be fully expressed. Everyone on this planet has a unique, authentic voice.  Unleash your power.  Liberate your voice.  Discover the freedom of being You.


DONT MISS THIS EXTRAORDINARY EVENT

Sunday, March 21

Breakthrough Performance and Dance Party
A BENEFIT for the Honolulu Waldorf School

6:30 Performance
8:00 Dance Party
$15, Gordon Biersch Restaurant

Aloha Tower

Call 888-3768 for tickets

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF

FREE INTRO WORKSHOPS

• Friday, February 19 ~ 7-9pm
  3020 Hibiscus Drive, Diamond Head ~ 388-4308
  
• Sunday, February 21 ~ 12:45pm-2pm
  Windward Center for Spiritual Living
  King Intermediate School
  46-155 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe
• Wednesday, February 24 ~ 7-9pm
  3670 Kalihi St. Honolulu ~ 284-2345
• Thursday, March 4,  7pm-9pm
  Unity of Hawaii
  3608 Diamond Head Circle
• Wednesday, March 10 ~ 7pm-9pm
  2507 Rainbow Drive, Manoa

Breakthrough Weekend Workshops

• February 26-28
  Honolulu Waldorf School
• March 26-28
  Manoa / Honolulu

Breakthrough Performance 8 week Workshop

• March 6 through May 2
  (check website for details)

Call for more information -808-888-3768 or 805-450-0919
Mick and Tess Pulver
www.bigembrace.com
info@bigembrace.com

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SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Hawaii Annual Conference

Saturday, February 27, 2010, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Ala Moana Hotel, Garden Room

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll benefit from this banner program. Polish your skills and hone your talents as you plunge into the world of children’s books!

Featured speakers:

Nancy Siscoe

Kathi Appelt

James Rumford

Margaret South

Tammy Yee

Scott Goto

• Nancy Siscoe: Associate Publishing Director and Executive Editor, Knopf & Crown Books for Young Readers

• Kathi Appelt: multi-award-winning author of both picture books and novels

• Margaret South: Hawaii-based writing teacher

• James Rumford: multi-award winning picture book author/illustrator

• Tammy Yee: author/illustrator of numerous picture books

• Scott Goto: illustrator of several picture books, and now an author/illustrator

Sessions:

For all:

• general session with Nancy Siscoe, executive editor at Knopf on character development in both text and illustration.
• after-lunch panel with representatives from Mutual Publishing, Island Heritage, and Bess Press who will talk about what kinds of manuscripts they are looking for and how to submit to them.
• optional manuscript and portfolio critiques.

For writers:

• hands-on session with Newbury honoree Kathi Appelt on “Endowed Objects–What’s in your Character’s ‘Magic Box?’”
• first-pages session
• session on “The Art of Story” with Margaret South, who wowed us all at last year’s conference.

For illustrators:

• hands-on session with James Rumford, “Now That’s Another Story: the Art of the Picture Book”
• presentation with Tammy Yee on “The (Happy) Marriage of Illustration and Technology”
• presentation with Scott Goto “Working from References and Other Tricks of the Trade”

And, for conference attendees,

Kathi Appelt Fiction Workshop: Friday, February 26, 2010
On the day before the annual conference, author and teacher Kathi Appelt (THE UNDERNEATH) will lead an all-day, limited-attendance fiction workshop at a location to be determined.

For more information, visit SCBWI-Hawaii's Website or contact Lynne at lwikoff@lava.net

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8th Annual Big Sur Writing Workshop for Adult Fiction, Young Adult and Middle-Grade Fiction

Writing Workshop for Adult Fiction, Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction, March 12-14, 2010.

A weekend packed with experts in publishing to help writers polish their manuscripts.

Special Saturday evening program with New York Times bestselling thriller author, Barry Eisler!

Congratulation to Vanitha Sankaran who attended the Big Sur Writer's Workshop in 2008. Her book, Watermark: A Novel of the Middle Ages, will be coming out from Avon this April.


Testimonies from the last workshop:

"This is the first conference I have walked away thinking this was worth every penny. I actually feel like I have something of value, and I am a better writer for going."

"The critique groups were amazing. The editors, agents, and authors were very approachable, and their comments/edits were invaluable. The writers in both critique groups shared fresh/unique perspectives, with an uninhibited ear/eye for what was and was not working. I stayed up nearly all night on both nights to create a revised first chapter that's both immediate and evocative...
...kick your butt in a good way workshop. It was inspiring."

"The best part was the intensity. The editors/agents are so down to earth & accessible. I like that serious writers were here to discuss work. It raised the standards for people!"

______________________________

The Henry Miller Library is a non-profit arts organization.

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2010 Biennial Writers' Conference: Write Where You Are

When:

Friday, April 9, 7:30-9:30 pm
Saturday, April 10, 8-5 pm

Where:
Punahou School

1601 Punahou Street
Honolulu

Workshops that inspire discussions that stimulate...a conference for all writers and aspiring writers.

Keynote Address and Special Workshop by Lisa Yee, award-winning young adult author.

See flyer below.

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Another Opportunity for Writers: July 12-16 and July 19-23, 2010

Passing along info about the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop...sounds like a great reason to travel to the Northwest!

OREGON COAST CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS WORKSHOPS, SUMMER 2010
www.occbww.com

Next summer, July 12-16 and July 19-23, 2010 we proudly will present the eighth Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshops, www.occbww.com, in the exquisite Oregon coast town of Oceanside.  The instructors for each workshop will include five established children's book authors (between them, specializing in YA and middle school novels, picture books, non-fiction, magazine pieces, and poetry), two children's book editors from major houses, and one children's book agent.  Summer Workshops 2010 promise to be our best yet because

- The instructor-student ratio will be a maximum of one to six,
- Each day, you will meet with an instructor for at least one comprehensive consultation, and
- You can have one-on-one informal meetings with instructors each day as well, and
- Every student who wishes can have an anonymous first page manuscript critique by all eight instructors in front of the class, and
- We will offer at least twelve instructional lectures on various aspects of writing and publishing, and
- There will be two evening readings/discussions by instructors, and
- Out-of-class consultations with instructors are available, and
- There will be at least three guest lectures, and
- There will be two wonderful parties (quite appropriate for friends, partners, spouses, children)

If you are ambitious to publish a children's book (or simply adore children's books), this is the workshop for you.   It will allow you to connect directly with authors, editors, agents who are active in the children's book business. If you go to the website and look under Evaluations, you'll see that it's received extraordinarily high praise (some listed below).

The course is available for graduate credit.

For complete information we welcome you to visit our website at www.occbww.com

We always tend to fill up early and turn many people away who wish to attend simply because there isn't space.  So, if this is of interest, you may want to register sooner than later.  There's a generous refund policy (described at the website) if you decide not to attend.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop
www.occbww.com

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Editing/Revision Workshop for Honolulu Writers

Here's a workshop I would advise Honolulu residents and visitors to look into. I've known Lynne Wikoff for years. In addition to being the Co-Regional Adviser of the Hawaii Chapter of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), Lynne is a gifted writer and editor whose support and advice I have come to respect and cherish.

Edit my own work? Me??? Revision Secrets of the Pros

When: Saturdays, February 6 and 13, 2010, 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Where: Honolulu, Hawaii
Cost: $60 Enrollment is limited.
Contact: lwikoff@lava.net

Instructor Lynne Wikoff:

"Over the past three decades, I’ve written columns in both the Advertiser and Stat-Bulletin, published several articles in national magazines, worked in corporate communications and PR, and been a free-lancer editor and writer. I’ve had two books published by Island Heritage and currently have a completed novel under consideration by agents."

Workshop Description:

Today’s harried editors are demanding close-to-perfect manuscripts. That means the task of revision falls to writers. (Yes, you.) Whether you’re ready to refine a completed novel draft or you want to temporarily switch from writing to editing, I can help.

In two 3-hour sessions, I’ll reveal the tricks of the editor’s trade—revision techniques sure to make your manuscript stronger. (Maybe even strong enough to sell!)

• Session 1 – The Best Story: Overview Editing
  Structure/plot/scenes; character inventory; believability; where to expand, where to contract; timelines; format
  
  
• Session 2 – The Best Words: Content Editing
  Tighten and strengthen; dialogue; description; a good start; Q & A

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