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By: Kathy Temean,
on 12/25/2012
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This Christmas card was sent in by Gwen Connolley.
Even before the recent nightmare in Connecticut, the spirits of many seemed a bit dampened for the holidays this year. Sometimes it can require effort, at least for us grown ups, to see beyond our troubles and discover that simple joys can be found even in dark or stressful times. I think most holidays were created by and for those who need to find reason to be joyful in otherwise dire times. I would like to encourage others to seek and to find that life and light and love perpetually surround us. You can find more of my illustrations at www.gwenconnolley.com
Best wishes to you for the holidays and in the coming new year!
Names All Children’s Writers Should Know How To Spell: A Tribute to Kidlit Greatness
Though the below descriptions/explanations are mine, this list is from a lecture by Shelley Tanaka, an award-winning nonfiction children’s author, Canadian children’s book publisher and editor (link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelley_Tanaka).
In preparation of starting my studies at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in pursuit of an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults in less than a month from now, I came across a handout from one of my teachers, Shelley Tanaka, which, with her gracious permission, I would like to share with you. This list is more than a checklist of names with tricky spellings – although it’s that too. It is a reminder of our roots as children’s writers. These are the names of the great kidlit warriors, whose shoulders we are all trying to stand on.
(Note: Don’t feel bad if you don’t know all of them. I had to look up a couple!)
- Newbery Medal. Named after an English bookseller John Newbery, the medal aims to recognize excellence in young people’s literature.
- Hans Christian Andersen. Yes, we all know the wonderful andwhimsical storyteller from Denmark – author of numerous fairytales, novels, poetry and more — but some of us sometimes confuse his name with Anderson, as in M.T. Anderson, another name to know in young people’s literature, by the way).
- Noel Streatfield. A Carnegie-medal winning English author.
- Katherine Paterson. The beloved author of many young adult and children’s novels, including my personal favorite, Newbery-winning “Bridge to Terabithia.”
- Stephenie Meyer. Some in kidlit circles like to look down on this author of the wildly popular “Twilight” saga. But she has definitely proved herself a force to be reckoned with, luring millions of girls to her romance with a vampire. Did you know that in addition to writing, Meyer is a film producer? Her production company is behind a movie based on Shannon Hale’s adult work, “Austenland.” (Yes, Shannon Hale’s another great one.)
- Kate DiCamillo. Best known as theNewbery-winning author of sometimes tender, sometimes whimsical fiction for children, DiCamillo has also written picture books, early chapter books and published stories for adults.
- Diana Wynne Jones. Born in London in 1934 and having passed away just last year, Jones was best known for her numerous fantasy novels for children and adults.
- Ursula K. Le Guin. This author of several popular children’s series (as well as standalone stories), was a huge influence on many of the fantasy and science-fiction novels we read today.
- Kenneth Grahame. This Scottish author wrote such children’s classics as “The Wind and The Willows,” and “The Reluctant Dragon,” both of which became Disney films.
- Rosemary Sutcliffe. This British novelist was best known for her exciting historical fiction for young readers – especially her Arthurian stories (some of which were for adults).
- Arthur Ransome. Another Englishman, considered one of the classic children’s authors, best known for his “Swallows in Amazons” adventure series set in between two world wars.
- J. R. R. Tolkien. Though he didn’t write for children specifically, one could easily call him one of the founding fathers of fantasy, influencing such modern works as the “Harry Potter” series by Tolkien’s fellow Englishwoman J. K. Rowling (and yes, I trust we’ve all heard about her, and know her name’s spelling). Though of course fantasy was written before his time, it seemed his “Lord of the Rings” series resurrected the once-dying genre.
- Madeleine L’Engle. Much beloved and missed, this American Newbery-winning author passed away in 2007. In her obituary, the New York Times described her work as “childhood fables, religious meditations and fanciful science fiction” that “transcended both genre and generation, most memorably in her children’s classic ‘A Wrinkle in Time.’”
(link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/08/books/08lengle.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0)
I love the quote on her website: “You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
- Horn Book. This magazine publishes articles about trends in children’s and young adult literature in print and online, including its influential reviews. Each year, the staff chooses a list of what they considered to be the very best titles from among 500-plus books they have reviewed. (link: http://www.hbook.com/2012/12/choosing-books/recommended-books/2012-horn-book-fanfare/)
There are two more I’d like to add to this list:
15. Laurie Halse Anderson. Another great author name with literary spelling, this versatile YA giant writes books on difficult subjects spanning from rape and anorexia, to slavery.
16. SCBWI! Founded in 1971, by several Los Angeles writers, including the versatile Stephen Mooser, author of more than 50 works, including picture books and chapter books, and the middle-grade series author Lin Oliver, our beloved Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators is a source of knowledge and support, organizer of conferences and forger of great ties, and a promoter of children’s literature all around the world.
Of course this list only barely scratches the surface, and if she chose to Ms. Tanaka could probably have come up with a book filled with names of importance. But if there is anything you’d like to add to the list, please post a comment, below.
Katia Raina is the author of “Castle of Concrete,” a young adult novel about a timid half-Russian, half-Jewish teen in search of a braver “self” reuniting with her dissident mother in the last year of the collapsing Soviet Union, to be published by Namelos. On her blog, The Magic Mirror, http://katiaraina.wordpress.com Katia talks about writing and history, features interviews, book lists and all sorts of literary randomness.
Katia will start her MFA program in January 2013 at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, pursuing a degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults. (link: http://www.vcfa.edu/wyca)
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
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By: Kathy Temean,
on 7/29/2012
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Gwen Connolley sent in this “Out of This World” illustration for July. It was created for an article on The Wonderful World of Jet Lag, with an effort to make a difficult situation appear fun (which it usually isn’t) and fantasticly mysterious (which it is). Day and night and sleep and play–in this twisted game of space and time and swirling geographical lines the truly jet-lagged child doesn’t know or care what’s right; it’s all just part of the fun. To see more of my work, please visit www.gwenconnolley.com
WOLFoundation runs an annual competition looking for the best non-technical, English language writing on any subject related to environmental issues.
Entries will be judged by the members of our Advisory Board.
The winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1,500. A further $500 will be awarded to the second placed entry.
The shortlisted entries will be published as a book of collected essays.
What we are looking for
Our judging process will reward two main attributes in the submissions received: fresh thinking and a clear, compelling writing style. We are looking for entries that everyone will want to read.
All viewpoints welcome
Any and all views are welcome and encouraged. We would like to see entries that address all perspectives – whether for or against any particular stance. Just avoid giving us tired ideas that have been hashed out many times before.
Fact or fiction?
Entries should be written in prose in the English language. You can submit essays or short stories, factual commentary or fiction – whichever way and whichever writing style you choose to communicate your ideas. Just make it compelling.
Who can enter?
Everyone is welcome. Any one individual may submit up to three entries.
What to submit
Essays should be aimed at a general readership and should be non-technical. No footnotes or citations are allowed.
Submissions should be no longer than 2,000 words.
Essays may have been published before provided you have the necessary permissions to re-publish.
But English is not my first language!
Don’t worry. We are mainly after clearly presented ideas not language perfection. If your essay reaches the finalists, we will help with editing the language.
When to submit
Submissions for the 2012 competition should be submitted by email no later than September 30th, 2012.
Entry to the competition is free of charge.
Copyright
Copyright for all submissions remain with the authors. In submitting their work, authors grant the Web of Life Foundation an irrevocable license to print, publish, distribute and publicize the submitted work.
http://www.wolfoundation.org/competition/ Good Luck!
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
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By: Kathy Temean,
on 2/28/2012
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On February 3rd, I asked illustrators to submit an illustration inspired by the month itself. Most of you chose Valentines Day, but we had one Groundhog’s Day illustration and one President’s Day inpired illustration. Here are the illustrations submitted in no particular order:
MONSTER’S LOVE by Aaron Anderson’s : Aaron’s love of drawing covered his walls as a young boy and lead to a major in illustration at Utah Valley University. During his college years he worked for editorial and educational companies doing illustrations for their publications. After earning his BFA, he worked as a concept artist for a children’s video game publisher. His style lends itself to adventurous, humorous and lively fun themes. Aaron currently resides in Austin, Texas with his beautiful and loving wife. He is most grateful and pleased to be able to live his passion bringing life to his visions with his illustrating. http://aaronillustration.blogspot.com/
LOVE FAIRY (my title) by Virginia Allyn: Virginia has illustrated multiple trade and educational books internationally with a specialty in classic nursery tales. Her recent projects include Little Red Hen (Ladybird), The Three Little Pigs (Ladybird), The Gingerbread Man (Ladybird), and The Elves and the Shoemaker (Ladybird). She lives in sunny Florida with a red-headed snippet, the meanest cow kitty in the West, and lots of manila paper. http://www.mbartists.com/cgi-bin/iowa/artists.html?artist=84
NATURE LOVE (my title) a watercolor by Gwen Connolley: Gwen has a degree in Illustration from Syracuse University and early experience as an advertising art director and illustrator. A class taught by Lena Shiffman at the Center for Contemporary Art kindled her interest in children’s book illustrationand lead her to study at the School of Visual Arts under Monica Wellington and Elizabeth Sayles. She hopes to illustrate picture books, early readers or middle grade books. www.gwenconnolley.com
VALENTINE’s RED HEART by Susan Drawbaugh: Susan has been a commercial freelance illustrator for many years, and enjoys putting subtle humor into her work. Her creative ventures are put to work in her home studio off the coast of San Pedro, California where she resides with her husband. Much of her inspiration comes from their two grown daughters and very funny grandkids. www.susandrawbaugh.com.
STRAWBERRY KISSES by Donald Ford: This illustration was commissioned for the grand opening of a new Gertrude Hawk Candy Sto
I made a mistake when I said I only received one illustration for the January’s Illustrator’s Prompt. I was so busy with all the conference stuff that I only checked the e-mail that I had posted to illustrators to use and forgot to double check to make sure someone hadn’t sent something to one of my other e-mails. It works out for the best, since this illustration by Gwen Connolley below and other one I posted by Traci Van Wagoner on Feb. 2nd are both special enough to stand on their own.
Gwen Connolley has a degree in Illustration from Syracuse University and early experience as an advertising art director and illustrator. A class taught by Lena Shiffman at the Center for Contemporary Art kindled her interest in children’s book illustration, so she studied at the School of Visual Arts under Monica Wellington and Elizabeth Sayles. She hopes to illustrate picture books, early readers or middle grade books. Gwen works in watercolor and particularly enjoys illustrating all sorts of wild, natural creatures like people, animals and plants.
Backyard Blunder Contest
Win $500!
DEADLINE: March 15, 2012.
Do you have a funny birding or gardening story to share from your backyard? We want to hear it! Send us your best “backyard blunder,” and the winning story will receive $500.
To enter, email your true story to [email protected]. Please put “backyard blunder contest” in the subject line. All Entries must include your full name, address, city, state, zip, telephone number and email address (if you have one), in addition to your essay which may not exceed 400 words.
The winner of the Contest will be determined by judging all the entrants’ submissions based on the follow criteria: originality 20%, quality 60% and personality 20%.
http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Contests/Backyard-Blunder-Contest
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
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Wow, all of these illustrations are either precious, funny or sweet in their own way. Thank you for sharing your beautiful artwork with us, all you talented artists
These are all fabulous, but I’m kind of in love with that groundhog. And Abe ain’t bad either. Can I get an amen?
I’m very fond of several of your cute artists! and what a month for the images! including today…. check out our blog for one for today!
Christina, can you give a link to your blog? (Unless it’s here on Kathy’s…)
Donna,
I knew people would ask for the link and have already looked it up. Here it is: http://catugeau.wordpress.com/
Kathy
Thanks, Kathy…I found it on your blog roll I figured it’d be there!
I really should have entered this contest. I’m so humbled by everyone elses fine work, I was hesitant to show my own. So, while not a part of the contest, Olivia and Oscar(my little orple characters) did send everyone a Valentine. If anyone wants to check it out, by all means, please do.
http://orples.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/a-valentine-for-you/
Other illustrations are in my general Orples Overview Category.
http://orples.wordpress.com/category/orples-overview/
I am really impressed with those drawings that were submitted in this contest. Next time around, I hope to be a little more organized. Kudos to all that entered, your drawings are lovely.
Orples, this wasn’t a contest, as far as I know. Kathy just likes to show the beautiful artwork here
I am new at all of this. Hopefully, next time around, I won’t miss the boat. Thank you for responding though. The art Kathy posted is charming.