The Literary Social Calendar
The 2012 WLT Summer Writing Retreat will be held July 22-27 at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, the perfect summer escape.
You Don’t Have to Choose: Balancing Playful Picture Books with Rigorous Research
A hands-on picture book workshop for both the non-fiction and fiction author led by the award-winning, bestselling author Chris Barton!
Workshop Synopsis: Creativity and professionally alike, authors can enjoy big benefits from letting the silly stuff cross-pollinate with the seriously researched. In “You Don’t Have to Choose,” we’ll use the examples of picture book authors who have done both fiction and nonfiction as a springboard for discussing and honing skills and techniques applicable to both types of writing. We’ll examine the benefits – and potential drawbacks – of that sort of career cross-pollination with a goal of having each student leave the workshop inspired and equipped to create books in both realms, with some newly gained practical experience under their belts.
Workshop Details
Date: Saturday, June 30th
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Place: The Wyndham Gardens Hotel
3401 S I-25
Austin, TX 78741
Fee: SCBWI Member – $65, Non-member – $80
Click HERE for more information!
Samson and Delilah (1949) BIBLICAL FILM SERIES THURSDAY, JULY 12, 7 P.M.
The Biblical Film Series continues at the Harry Ransom Center with Cecil B. DeMille’s Samson and Delilah (1949), starring Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature, on Thursday, July 12, at 7 p.m.
Based on the Biblical account found in the Book of Judges, this film tells the story of Samson (Mature), the strongest man in the tribe of Dan. After a confrontation takes the life of Samson’s betrothed, Semadar (Angela Lansbury), her sister Delilah (Lamarr) vows to avenge her by seducing Samson, learning the secret of his strength, and betraying him to the Philistines. The film runs 131 minutes.
This program is in conjunction with the exhibition The King James Bible: Its History and Influence, on display through July 29 (closing this Sunday). Four hundred years after its first printing, the King James translation of the Bible remains a vital work whose language permeates contemporary music, literature, and everyday speech. The exhibition tells the little-known story of one of the most widely read and printed books in the history of the English language.
The event is free, but donations are welcome. Seating is limited. Line forms upon arrival of the first patron, and doors open 30 minutes in advance. Mark your calendars for the final film in the series: Solomon and Sheba (1959) on July 26 and visit HERE for more events!
Summer Literary Festival Courting Bliss – San Antonio
Brought to you by Gemini Ink!
Saturday, July 7
Young Adult Novels with Brian Yansky
How do you bring order to a Young Adult novel, or for that matter, any novel? In this course, we’ll tackle this very difficult question of structure, focusing particularly on Young Adult novels where a strong story is absolutely essential. We’ll cover strategies for pre-writing, first drafts, and revision. There will be in-class writing exercises as well as discussion, lecture, and YouTube videos.
Sunday, July 8
Lucha Libre Day with Xavier Garza
Join author, illustrator, and storyteller Xavier Garza as he brings the world of “lucha libre” and its masked heroes and villains to life for both children and parents alike. Discover your inner hero, and dive into the process of bringing your character to life. Garza will share stories from his books, Lucha Libre – The Man in the Silver Mask and Maximilian & the Mystery of the Guardian Angel. Afterwards, in an activity that is sure to be great family fun, children and their parents will work together to design and create their own lucha libre masks. Please note: each registration includes one parent and one child.
Adventures of Motherhood and Blogging with Tunette Powell
From celebrating your baby’s first steps, to giving advice to new parents, sharing stories is how parents learn. This four-hour course takes parents from changing diapers to changing minds, as it dives into the art of storytelling via blogging. Through in-class exercises, lecture and discussion, this class will demonstrate how to use blogging and short story structure to share memorable parenting experiences. This interactive, hands-on course is ideal for new bloggers or seasoned vets looking to rejuvenate their site.
Wednesday, July 11
Adult Spelling Bee! 7 PM!
Join us, along with the publisher and editor of Wings Press, Bryce Milligan, for an evening of friendly competition and poetry. Words will be pulled from San Antonio poet laureate Carmen Tafolla’s Curandera and Sonnets and Salsa. The winning speller will receive a special prize. Please call 210-734-9673 to reserve a spot! This event is free and open to the public.
Young Writers Camp
Finding Ferdinand with Derek Delgado and Donna Peacock
While all the other little bulls jump and butt heads, Ferdinand prefers to sit in the pasture and smell the flowers. “He is very happy.” (Munro Leaf, “The Story of Ferdinand”) Whether it’s blindly leaping into a cold pond, blowing the threads of a dandelion into the wind, or having an idea so powerful that it gives you goose bumps. This simple act of embracing the beauty around you can be extraordinary – the feeling of transforming the everyday into a truly blissful experience. It’s at the heart of much music, art, and literature, and, in this workshop, students will explore all that inspires bliss in their own lives and ways to celebrate their discoveries in words. The playful environment will nurture and honor each student’s perspective and voice, encouraging sharing within a supportive writing community. Finally, on Sunday, July 22, all participants are invited to share their work at a public reading at Gemini Ink.
For more information on Fees and Deadlines click here!
Fiction500 Writing Contest!
Enter our June-July contest and take us somewhere we’ve never been. Fiction500 has combined the June and July contests into one. The same rules apply: each entry must be an original work of fiction, 500 words maximum. We will accept no more than 500 entries. The winner will receive $500, second place $200 and third place $100. The entry fee is $12. Here’s the prompt for the June-July contest, from our judges, the Kilgore Trout House for Wayward Writers in Brooklyn, New York.
The great American story does not exist in any fixed place. It’s often a hero’s quest down blue highways, bruise colored with sunsets–in a school bus.
Take us for a ride in your school bus: cheese-colored, warden-driven, Kesey-laced, or otherwise. Be fearless. Take us somewhere that we’ve never been. Click here for more information!
Humanities Texas – Summer Opportunities for Teachers
Middle and high school teachers interested in expanding their understanding of Texas history and folklore can enjoy two professional development opportunities this summer funded in part by Humanities Texas.
From July 23–25, 2012, San Antonio’s Institute of Texan Cultures and the Texas General Land Office will provide teachers with an in-depth exploration of immigration and migration to Texas in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. While examining the factors that drew various cultures to Texas, teachers will use primary source materials such as maps, land grants, letters, oral histories, images, and artifacts to develop interactive and technology-driven lessons that compare and contrast experiences of immigration and migration and that bring the stories of Texans to life.
Stories from Deep in the Heart
Texas Folklife’s 2012 summer institute will take place in Austin from July 30–August 10, 2012. Over the course of this intensive fellowship in radio documentary production, professional producers, journalists, and folklorists will guide participants through the production of short radio documentaries and oral histories on themes related to folklife. The “Stories from Deep in the Heart” summer institute is part of an ongoing series of workshops for teachers and students in Central Texas schools intended to strengthen ties between members of the community and establish ongoing dialogue on diverse cultural traditions.
Read the Summer Days Away
Whether you’re looking for an engrossing novel, a fascinating historical read, or something else entirely, we hope you’ll discover a few new books to while away the summer days in our annual summer reading issue. As in previous years, we have invited friends and board members of Humanities Texas to recommend summer readings in the humanities. The result is a wide-ranging list, encompassing fiction and nonfiction both new and old. Click here for reviews!
READERS’ RALLY
Friday, August 3, 2012 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Readers’ Rally provides an opportunity for authors to connect with their reading audience. Authors and readers come together to enjoy books and literary culture. Our first Sun City Book Fair launched in 2010, serving our Sun City community and those in surrounding areas with a day of literary delight. This year’s focus will highlight Texas authors participating in our Literary Program. Past years’ successful programs have included traditional author readings, book signings, lectures, etc. These programs are provided in a lecture settling enabling face-to-face interactive time with the attendees. Readers’ Rally! Will be advertised in the July and August issues of the Sun City monthly magazine Sun Rays. Over 6000 households (11,000 residents) receive this publication. We will also publicize this event on the Sun City Website www.sctxca.org. Additionally, the information will be distributed to local area media. The Participation cost is $50 – one 45-minute time-slot for your presentation in a seminar setting. This includes seating for approximately 40 attendees, podium, laptop, projector, microphone and product table. If desired, you may purchase two time slots. For important details and registration information online here!
Book People
Being Unique is the Jam! Storytime!
* Children’s Event
Start: 06/30/2012 11:30 am
Being the same as everyone else is no fun! Here at BookPeople we think that being unique and different makes people really cool. But at the same time, we all sometimes have trouble appreciating ourselves for who we are. That’s why we love reading Edward the Emu and other special stories all about learning to see that being yourself rocks! This morning at 11:30 AM.
MysteryPeople Presents JAMES ROLLINS – Bloodline
* Adult Event
Start: 06/30/2012 5:00 pm
MysteryPeople Presents
JAMES ROLLINS – Bloodline – Speaking and Signing
A yacht bearing a young American couple is attacked by Somali pirates, leading to bloodshed and the violent kidnapping of the pregnant woman on board. To aid in her rescue from the lawless and war-torn jungles of coastal Africa, Sigma Force enlists a unique search team: former Army Ranger Captain Tucker Wayne and his military war dog, Kane. But what appears to be a straightforward mission turns into a fiery ambush and betrayal—for this most-valuable hostage is in fact the president’s daughter.
James Rollins is the author of seven thrillers in the bestselling Sigma Force series; six individual adventure thrillers; the blockbuster movie novelization, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; and the Jake Ransom middle grade series.
Keep WLT posted if you attended any of the events, leave a comment!
