The New Jersey Children’s Writer’s Guild

NJ CWG members: If you are writing a chapter book, middle grade novel, or Young Adult (YA), please contact Michele or Sheila to learn more about our new Summer Spin-Off program.  It is an opportunity for members with longer works to have their manuscripts critiqued in their entirety.  The first meeting for this new group will be on Saturday, May 25th, BUT it is a planning meeting only on this day and group members will decide all future meeting times.

More information is available upon request.

My thanks to all who participated in World Book Night yesterday.  It was a great success!  We gave out 140 books (all that we had), made bookmarks and flip-flop books with the children in attendance, and promoted the cause of literacy.

My special thanks to Kathi Kurz, Jennifer Troulis, Jennifer Ali, Mary Lahutsky, and Carmella Battoglia for volunteering their time and energies to help us man our station.  We could not have done it without you.

Thanks also to Kathi Kurz for securing our venue again this year and to Michele Blood for making our lovely NJ CWG logo stamp–the kids loved it!

I am also grateful to all NJ CWG members who took the time to request WBN books for us to give away.  It is much appreciated.

Until next year…Happy Reading!

Our hearts go out to the people of Boston, their families, and friends.  May peace soon reign over the entire city and our world.

Sunday April 21, 2013 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

We are excited to announce that the awesome Linda Sue Park (Newbery winner, no less!) will be visiting Princeton in April and we have snagged her for a Wine & Cheese evening with NJSCWBI - yay! Registration is now open, just click the link below. Only $35 a ticket (scbwi members), $45 (non-scbwi members). Linda Sue will be talking about her process of writing across genres, sharing tips and tricks of her trade — and there will also be an opportunity to ask questions and have books signed. Space is limited and you must be registered to attend. This event is NOT to be missed folks!  

TO REGISTER FOR LINDA SUE PARK, CLICK HERE!
 

If you want to write fiction that inspires and encourages, join Paula Morrow and Kristi Holl for “Sharing our Hope: Writing for Religious and Inspirational Markets.” This Highlights Foundation workshop will be held at The Barn, outside of Honesdale, PA, May 30 through June 2.

Paula has been involved with children’s literature all her life. She was a long-time editor of children’s books and magazines at Cricket Magazine Group and Cricket Books. She currently has an independent editing service and is an instructor with the Institute of Children’s Literature.

Kristi is a children’s choice award-winning author, and has written 42 books for children, and much more. She taught writing for children and teens for the Institute of Children’s Literature for twenty-five years.

To secure your spot, or for more information, contact Jo Lloyd at 570-253-1192, e-mail jo.lloyd@highlightsfoundation.org, or request an application online.

To view more 2012 Founders Workshops, which take place near Honesdale, Pennsylvania, please visit www.highlightsfoundation.org.

March is National Reading Month, and NJCWG would like to invite its members to give some thought to a favorite children’s book that you might share with a little one.  To read is to open up one’s mind to new places, new people, and new ideas.  It is the gift that lasts a lifetime!

Happy Birthday to NJCWG’s Web Site Director Ed Kowalski!

May you live long and prosper!

Thanks for the great job that you do for us, Ed!  You are most appreciated!

Just a friendly reminder to our NJCWG members that voting for the BookRemarks contest ends January 31, 2013 at midnight EST.  Please take a moment to vote for your favorite story and enable some lucky member to attend BookExpo or a writer’s workshop.

Your vote should be sent to both Danielle and Sheila.

Thank you for your support!

From 10:00 AM to 5:00PM on Saturday and Sunday, Jan.26 & 27,
the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters will hold their annual Winter
Train Show at the 4-H Center at 310 Milltown Road in Bridgewater.

The show features a large, operating, O-Gauge layout with now four
tracks of trains (expanded from last year’s 3 track loops) running all
day, an operating multi-track yard, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.

Hot and cold food concessions are available all day long.
Admission is $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for children from 3 to 12.

Proceeds benefit the Trainmasters’ scholarship fund.

Directions can be found on:  http://somerset.rce.rutgers.edu/directions

-submitted by Tony S