Texas Center for the Book seeks applicants for 2017 Literacy Award

Austin — The Texas Center for the Book is seeking nonprofit organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in Texas. Qualifying organizations must be nominated by September 1, 2017.

The winning organization will receive a $1,000 cash award to assist in its future work promoting reading and combating illiteracy. This year as well, an honorable mention recipient will receive an $500 cash award. These awards provide public recognition to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations committed to addressing the continuing need for literacy services and that increase public awareness of the importance of literacy. The 2017 Literacy Award winner will be announced during the 2nd Annual Texas Author Summit at the Texas Book Festival on Nov. 2, 2017.

Nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is to support and encourage literacy are eligible for the 2017 Literacy Award. Organizations may self-nominate for the award, or nominate partner nonprofit organizations. While this award promotes partnerships with libraries, please note that library friends organizations, public, school and academic libraries or other library entities are not eligible for nomination. These entities are highly encouraged to nominate literacy organizations within their local and/or regional communities.

Nomination forms must include one letter of reference and a statement of 500 words or less on the nominated program’s value and impact. Nominators are strongly encouraged to include examples of the nominated organization’s partnerships with libraries.

For more information on submitting a nomination, please visit the Texas Center for the Book’s website at www.tsl.texas.gov/literacyaward.

Nominated organizations are encouraged, but not required, to produce a two-minute video that highlights the impact of the nominated programming.

All nomination forms become the property of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and may be used in whole or in part as informational or educational materials. The winning organization must provide documentation proving 501(c)(3) status. Inspired by the Library of Congress Literacy Awards, funding is made possible by The Friends of the Libraries and Archives of Texas.

For more information, contact Rebekah Manley, Texas Center for the Book Coordinator, Texas State Library and Archives Commission at rmanley@tsl.texas.gov or 512-936-2505. For more information, visit www.tsl.texas.gov/literacyaward

(Information and photo from organization’s press release)

2017 Top ELEVEN Readers’ Favorite Texas Bookstores

In case you missed it last week . . .

Texas readers have spoken. Nearly 2,500 of Lone Star Literary Life’s readers have cast ballots in 3 rounds of our statewide contest during May 2017 to recognize Texas’s favorite bookstores. Their final selections are as diverse as the state itself, and honorees include big indies, small indies, chain stores, used bookstores, and new bookstores in every corner of the state. And in the process, we were pleased to learn about places to buy books that we hadn’t even known before.

From the major cities of Dallas and Houston, to our state’s capitol city, from the historic Hill Country to the Piney Woods of East Texas, from the burbs to the beach, Texas bookshops are connecting with their communities. (Note that there was a tie for #6!) We are thrilled to showcase them in our second annual Lone Star Literary Life Readers’ Favorite Texas Bookstores — all 11 of them. >>READ MORE

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Dallas Author Expo announced for June 24; registration is now open for free event

Dallas — The Dallas Author Expo has been announced for Sat., June 24, 2017, at the Holiday Inn Plano–The Colony, 4301 Paige Road in The Colony, Texas, from 1 pm to 6 pm. Registration is now open, and admission is free with advance registration. The expo will feature several interactive speaker panels, free food, networking, free prize drawings, and much more.

“Many busy would-be authors assume that there is not enough time to sit down and write a book. That’s untrue. If you cannot find fifteen minutes in your day to dedicate to your project, you need to fire something from your schedule,” said Rekesha Pittman, publishing strategist and founder of Get Write Publishing. “Publishing comes by discipline, not by inspiration. You may not always feel like writing, but you will love the way finishing feels,” she added.

The expo will offer engaging and enlightening sessions for authors such as “Money on the Books,” “Amazing Apps for Authors,” and the “Contains Graphic Content” panel, moderated by sponsor Colab Creative Group’s founder, Kevin Vain.

Vendor booths are available along with speaking, advertising and sponsorship opportunities. For more information or to register as an attendee or vendor, visit

www.dallasauthorexpo.com or contact info@getwritepublishing.com.

(Information from event press release)