The list is out! The winners and honorees of the American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards books for 2019 is out! Here is the link to the American Library Association: ALA Book Awards.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. I feel honored that I know some of the authors and illustrators on those lists. I’ve read some of their books. The others I shall have to read. Absolutely fantastic!

If you are writing picture books, take a peek at this post, “The Wonderful Rule of 3”  by Natascha Biebow, on the Picture Book Den blog.

Visit the Susan Uhlig blog if you are interested in writing for kids’ magazines. Very useful information on that topic.

Keep writing!!

Our San Antonio SCBWI-SWTX chapter had the pleasure of featuring the awesome twosome, writer Xelena Gonzalez, and illustrator Adriana M. Garcia, at our monthly meeting.  They spoke of their experiences bringing their award-winning picture book, All Around Us, (Cinco Puntos Press) to fruition.  

To get you started on your writing and publication for 2019, here are a few publishers who are taking submissions:

Penny Candy Books – Hurry on this one. Deadline is from March to April 2019.

Lantana Publishing

The Old Farmer’s Almanac   Hurry on this one. This essay contest of only 200 words has a deadline of January 25, 2019.

And I’m sure you need no introduction to famous author Judy Blume. Here’s a link to her advice for aspiring writers. Great read!