Hello, fellow writers and illustrators. There are some wonderful events coming up soon, and I mean REALLY soon:
Tonight, May 12: PAL Meet-up in Ellicott City.
PAL members – what’s on your mind? Don’t just update your status – drop in and have a refreshing chat at the White Oak Tavern Restaurant, Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, 10030 Baltimore National Pike. If possible, RSVP to PAL Coordinator Kathy Macmillan at kathymacmillan@gmail.com If not, come anyway!
This Saturday, May 16th: The Gaithersburg Book Festival!
Stop by the SCBWI booth to meet and buy local from a variety of member writers and illustrators. It’s our first-ever Gaithersburg book booth so please pop by to show your support and pick up a few trade secrets. The festival features many acclaimed authors, who you can see for free – no admission fee and free parking. For more information, go to their website!
The schedule for our regional authors
Here’s some more information about each author!
Shirley Menendez is the author of picture books, including B is for Blue Crab: A Maryland Alphabet. She’s a librarian and she and her husband have written several books together.
Kathy MacMillan is the author of Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together. She is an American Sign Language interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer and signing storyteller and a librarian. Kathy serves as our region’s PAL Coordinator.
Also check out her Stories By Hand site and Coffee & Conversation interview!
Karen Leggett is the author of picture books; Malala Yousafzai: Warrior With Words was published in 2014. She also has had a successful career as a broadcast and print journalist.
Be sure to also check out her Hands Around The Library website!
Laura Bowers is a writer, runner, reader, runDisney addict, and the award-winning author of YA novels, including Just Flirt. She’s an important part of our region’s blog team.
Check out her Coffee & Conversation interview!
Ann McCallum is the award-winning author of several picture books, the most recent of which is Eat Your U.S. History Homework. She’s a teacher and is currently at work on a novel and other projects.
Ann has also been another Coffee & Conversation guest! Check out her interview here.
Jane Matyger has published four magazine non-fiction articles and four fiction picture books, including The Spaghetti is Missing.
For more about Jane, go to her Pages of Wonder!
Laura Gehl is the author of several award-winning picture books, including One Big Pair of Underwear. She also writes about science for kids and adults and has many projects in the works..
Here’s an interview with Laura at Books My Kids Read!
Erin Hagar is the author of children’s books including the middle grade non-fiction Julia Child: An Extraordinary Life in Words and Pictures, which has been very well-received. She has another book due out next year.
Here’s an interview Erin did at Jama’s Alphabet Soup!
Elaine Allen is the author of several picture books with the theme of nature and the Chesapeake Bay, including Olly the Oyster Cleans the Bay. She explores her environmental interests through her writing.
Cheryl Holloway had Elaine on her blog for a guest interview!
Gail Piazza has illustrated over 30 children’s books and countless other cool projects, including Buddy, a picture book about LGBTQ acceptance written by her daughter Rachel.
Check out Gail’s Facebook page!
Timothy Young is a designer, animation model-maker and author/illustrator of several picture books, including I Hate Picture Books. He actually never hated picture books.
Tim has also been a guest on Tara Lazar’s Writing for Kids website!
Hope to see you at the book festival!
Saturday, May 30: Annapolis Sketch Crawl!
All are welcome – including those who sketch with letters. Buy your first sketch pad on the way or bring your portfolio along for instant feedback. Starts at 11 at Market House by the Waterfront. Click here to register or email Illustrator Coordinator Rebecca Evans for info: rebecca@rebeccaevans.net
Wendy Mays, owner and art rep of WendyLynn & Co. and a member of SCBWI has graciously extended an invitation to anyone who wants to continue the sketch crawl into the afternoon to come and sketch at the garden of her bed and breakfast, Meadow Gardens, 504 Wilson Road, Annapolis MD 21401. There will be tea and cookies!
There is also new Baltimore critique group starting up!
- Where? At Ukazoo Books at the Dulaney Plaza Shopping Center, 730 Dulaney Valley Rd, Towson, MD 21204
- When? The last Thursday of each month; 1st meeting May 28 at 6:30 pm
submit ms to be critiqued at least one week in advance of meeting to google docs folder
Contact Bruce Field at bbfield@verizon.net to be added to the group and get link.
And our last bit of Member news: Andy Calloway has a fascinating “day job” at Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, and sent us a link to a recent event.
Have a great day and be sure to let us know here at As The Eraser Burns of any more upcoming events or news!
As the Eraser Burns 
Reblogged this on Kathy MacMillan and commented:
Check out all the great local authors and illustrators (including yours truly) who will be signing at the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators MD/DE/WV booth this Saturday at the Gaithersburg Book Festival!
Pingback: Gaithersburg Book Festival tomorrow!
Pingback: Gaithersburg Book Festival! | As the Eraser Burns
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