{"id":1184,"date":"2018-12-31T16:06:50","date_gmt":"2018-12-31T16:06:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/?p=1184"},"modified":"2018-12-31T16:06:50","modified_gmt":"2018-12-31T16:06:50","slug":"1-7-18-news-briefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/?p=1184","title":{"rendered":"1.7.18 News Briefs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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North Texas Teen Book Festival 2018 confirms 76 authors confirmed for one of the nation\u2019s largest teen book fests, April 2018<\/h1>\n

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<\/span><\/span>IRVING \u2014 The North Texas Teen Book Festival has announced 76 rock-star and debut authors<\/span> attending the fourth annual event. April 20 and 21, more than 12,000 students, parents and educators are expected to pack the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas for the massive event. The festival began as a dream of an Irving Public librarian, and in 2017, the festival earned the distinction of becoming the nation\u2019s largest educator- and librarian-run book festival for teens and tweens.<\/p>\n

Presenters include the world-renowned Dav Pilkey,<\/span> famous for the \u201cCaptain Underpants\u201d franchise; Cassandra Clare,<\/span> author of the Mortal Instruments series; and Angie Thomas<\/span> (above), whose meteoric rise to fame began with her 2017 debut novel The Hate U Give.<\/span> The 2018 event includes a wide assortment of new and returning bestselling authors appealing to the young and the young at heart, such as Jenny Han<\/span> (Always and Forever, Lara Jean<\/span>), Jennifer and Matthew Holm<\/span> (Babymouse<\/span>), Leigh Bardugo<\/span> (The Language of Thorns<\/span>), Nicola Yoon<\/span> (The Sun is Also a Star<\/span>) and local favorite Michael Merschel<\/span> (Revenge of the Star Survivors<\/span>).<\/p>\n

With keynote speeches, publisher activities, signing lines, book sales, and dozens of author panels, fans should come prepared for anything, except boredom.<\/p>\n

April 20, Educator Day, is reserved especially for teachers, administrators, and librarians. The Festival\u2019s goal for the day is \u201cteaching the teachers\u201d ways to get their students excited about reading. The day is packed with sessions on writing and audiobooks.<\/p>\n

The purpose of the festival is not just to attract those teenagers who already enjoy reading, but also to engage those students who have not yet discovered everything reading has to offer. Ultimately, the North Texas Teen Book Festival strives to connect the area\u2019s reading community, adding dimension to the reading experience through diverse author panels and dynamic discussions in a safe and fun environment. A full list of authors and the 2018 event schedule are posted at nttbf.org.<\/p>\n

(Information from organization’s press release and website; photos provided)<\/p>\n

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Texas Writes at the Alvarado Public Library in Alvarado Jan. 13, 2018<\/h1>\n

Texas Writes is a statewide program that brings accomplished authors to rural libraries<\/span> for a half day of presentations and panel discussions. Each event is free and open to the public.<\/p>\n

This event will feature presentations from authors Jeramey Kraatz<\/span> and Karen Witemeyer<\/span> at the Alvarado Public Library in Alvadaro, Texas, Jan. 13, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. More information on the presentations will be posted prior to the event. To pre-register for this event, contact the library at (817) 783-7323.<\/p>\n

KidLit: Writing for Children and Teens<\/h1>\n

Writing for kids is a terribly rewarding endeavor, but can be tricky; How do you know what age group your story is for and ensure that your work is resonating with your audience? In this talk Jeramey Kraatz breaks down the differences between Middle Grade and Young Adult novels and focuses on strategies to make your kidlit stories as dynamic as possible.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span>Jeramey Kraatz<\/span> is the author of The Cloak Room series and The Space Runners series from HarperCollins. He lives in Texas, where he writes scripts for the cartoon industry and teaches.<\/p>\n

Tapping Into Personal Emotions to Create Unforgettable Characters<\/h1>\n

No matter what genre you write, the key to creating a memorable experience for your reader is to tap into that universal element that makes us all human\u2014emotion. The good news is that you\u2019ve already done all of the necessary research. You lived! This workshop will teach you how to take personal emotion and turn it into powerful prose that will grab a reader\u2019s attention and capture their heart by developing a genuine author voice, utilizing a deep point of view with your characters, and mastering the aspects of narrative pacing.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span>Karen Witemeyer<\/span> is a life-long bookworm, living her dream by writing historical novels. Her books have consistently hit bestseller lists and garnered numerous awards. She lives in Abilene with her family. www.karenwitemeyer.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

(Compiled from organization\u2019s press release)<\/span><\/p>\n

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TLA anounces Steves, D\u00edaz as keynoters for April 2018 conference<\/h1>\n

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<\/a><\/span><\/span>The Texas Library Association (TLA) is proud to announce that Rick Steves and Junot D\u00edaz<\/span> will deliver keynote presentations at the 2018 TLA Annual Conference in Dallas, April 3-6, 2018.<\/p>\n

The organization invites paritcipants to broaden their your global perspectives at General Session I. Libraries and travel have much in common; both expand our understanding by exposing people to different cultures and perspectives. Rick Steves,<\/span> acclaimed for his bestselling guidebooks and public television series, believes there\u2019s more to travel than good-value hotels, great art, and tasty cuisine. Americans who \u201ctravel as a political act\u201d can have the time of their lives and come home smarter with a better understanding of the interconnectedness of today\u2019s world. In this provocative presentation, Steves will explain how travel, whether overseas or through libraries, can be truly transformational, providing the greatest souvenir: a broader perspective.<\/p>\n

TLA\u2019s General Session II speaker is Junot D\u00edaz,<\/span> who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New Jersey. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Drown; The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,<\/span> which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award; and This Is How You Lose Her,<\/span> a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist. A graduate of Rutgers University, he is currently the fiction editor at Boston Review and the Rudge and Nancy Allen Professor of Writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. D\u00edaz will discuss his debut picture book Islandborn,<\/span> which captures the universal immigrant experience while celebrating the human imagination’s boundless ability to connect us\u2014to our families, to our past, and to ourselves.<\/p>\n

The General Sessions are free for all individuals registered for the 2018 TLA Annual Conference. Registration will open before the end of December. More information, registration rates, and the link to book your hotel are posted on the Annual Conference webpage<\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

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Events That Echo: Photos by Jim Bones and poets\u2019 responses to Museum of the Big Bend\u2019s first book publication, Jan. 13<\/h1>\n

by Marilyn Westfall<\/p>\n

The Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, will host an exhibition of photographs and a poetry reading<\/span> celebrating the publication of Echoes of the Cordillera: Attitudes and Latitudes Along the Great Divide<\/span> Sat., Jan. 13, 2018.\u00a0 It is the first book published by the museum. The poetry reading is also a first.<\/p>\n

The anthology features photographs by Jim Bones,<\/span> whom Texas Parks and Wildlife called \u201ca visual evangelist with a mission to help others understand, enjoy and become stewards of this world.\u201d Bones\u2019s photographs are gathered from a lifetime of work chasing perfect light that falls on natural wonders from Alaska to Mexico. The images are accompanied by poems composed by thirty-nine poets, including Texas poets laureate Jenny Browne<\/span> and Larry Thomas,<\/span> both interviewed in previous editions of Lone Star Literary Life.<\/p>\n

Co-editor (along with Sandi Stromberg<\/span>) Lucy Griffith<\/span> says that the venture to create the anthology began when Bones wrote to compliment a poem she\u2019d created in response to his photographs. He asked her how the two of them might develop \u201csomething about picture-maker and poets bouncing echoes off each other\u2019s work.\u201d According to Griffith, Bones\u2019s kernel of an idea grew into a volume featuring \u201ca startling diversity of voice, perspective, form, and language. Each poem resonates with its sister image in a distinctive way. There is a bit of Jim in each poem, echoing his tender love for our fragile Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The exhibit of Bones\u2019s photographs will open for viewing at the Museum of the Big Bend on January 13, 2018, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Poets will read their poems included in the anthology from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

In addition, on Sun., Jan. 14, at Alpine\u2019s Quarter Circle 7 hotel pavilion, 2800 US-90, there will be a happy hour poetry reading and book sale from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The pavilion features superb views of Alpine\u2019s hills. The space is heated and glass enclosed.<\/p>\n

Mary Bones,<\/span> interim director of the Museum of the Big Bend, says in extending an invitation to the public: \u201cTo say the least, we are thrilled beyond belief. We hope that you have the same experience as you take this poetic and photographic journey along the Great North American Continental Divide.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more information about the museum and the exhibit, visit http:\/\/www.museumofthebigbend.com<\/span><\/a><\/span>\/<\/p>\n

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Bess W. Scott Scribes Scholarship open to applications Feb. 1<\/h1>\n

Application deadline is March 25, 2018<\/h1>\n

The Bess W. Scott Scribes Scholarship was established in 2000<\/span> to honor Bess Whitehead Scott, a pioneer Texas journalist and writer who died at age 107. She had a long career as a newspaper reporter and editor, publicist, teacher, ad agency manager and magazine writer. The $2,000 award (as of 2018) is granted annually to an individual age 40 or over pursuing study or a degree in journalism, writing or a related field. The scholarship program is intended to provide financial assistance to further educational objectives of individuals either employed or making career transitions in these areas.<\/p>\n

All scholarship applications are submitted online. Applications are accepted from February 1 to March 25, 2018. Instructions and tips for making online submissions (PDF) may be downloaded from http:\/\/www.bwsfund.org\/scribes-scholarship\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Eligibility requirements<\/h1>\n
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  1. Current resident of the State of Texas.<\/li>\n
  2. Demonstrate interest in pursuing study toward degree or career advancement in journalism, writing or a related field.<\/li>\n
  3. Age 40 or over on day, month and year of application deadline.<\/li>\n
  4. Demonstrate financial need<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Fields of study<\/h1>\n
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    1. Journalism\/Mass Communication<\/li>\n
    2. Creative writing<\/li>\n
    3. English composition\/writing skills<\/li>\n
    4. Public relations\/advertising<\/li>\n
    5. Accredited course work for professional development\/career advancement in journalism\/writing\/related field, including Internet-based activities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Use of Scholarship<\/h1>\n

      Work toward accredited college\/university degree, continuing education, writing residencies\/internships, college\/university accredited online or liberal studies programs not requiring on-site attendance. Winner may use the award in stages for classes, seminars, workshops, etc., so long as all funds are expended within 24 months of the Committee\u2019s selection of Scribes recipient.<\/p>\n

      The Bess W. Scott Fund is affiliated with the Austin Community Foundation. For more information visit<\/p>\n

      http:\/\/www.bwsfund.org\/scribes-scholarship\/<\/p>\n

      (Information and photo from organization\u2019s press release)<\/p>\n

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      North Texas Teen Book Festival 2018 confirms 76 authors confirmed for one of the nation\u2019s largest teen book fests, April 2018 IRVING \u2014 The North Texas Teen Book Festival has announced 76 rock-star and debut authors attending the fourth annual event. April 20 and 21, more than 12,000 students, parents and educators are expected to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1184"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1184\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.etypegoogle10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}