It’s Back! Vote for your Favorite Texas Bookstore
Lone Star Lit’s second annual Texas Readers’ Favorite Bookstores voting will be held May 1 through May 18, 2017. Readers, vote as often as you wish for your Favorite Texas Bookstore.
We’ll announce the Top 40 finalists on May 7; then, the Top 20 finalists on May 14. Voting begins May 1, 2017!
Countdown to Readers’ Favorite Bookstores, May 21 and May 28
Like our claim-to-fame feature — Top Ten Bookish Destinations — Texas's Top Ten Favorite Bookstores counts down Number Ten through Number Six on May 21, and Number Five through Number One on May 28.
The Texas Readers’ Favorite Bookstores winners will be determined by reader vote via:
• Our website
• Our e-mail newsletter
• Our social media
• Direct ballots upon request
Watch for details in next weeks issue.
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Texas Mountain Trail Writers to hold 25th annual retreat, Sat., April 29, at historic Indian Lodge
The Texas Mountain Trail Writers group invites both beginning to advanced authors to join them for a one-day retreat at the Indian Lodge in the historicDavis Mountain State Park in scenic Big Bend area, Sat., April 29, 2017. It will mark the group’s twenty-fifth year of hosting the retreat.
Presenters of this year’s retreat are Barbara Brannon and Kay Ellington of Lubbock, Texas, editors of Lone Star Literary Life and coauthors of the Paragraph Ranch series of novels. The novels have been praised by readers for realistic characters, authentic West Texas settings, and interesting plots.
Brannon holds graduate degrees in American literature and book history. She has taught creative writing and is widely published. Ellington is a graduate of the Kenyon Review Writers’ Workshop and founder of Lone Star Literary Life. Both women combine more than five decades of experience in teaching, book publishing, editing, and marketing.
The theme of this year’s retreat is “Write Inspired: Fiction.” In keeping with this theme, the presenters will expose attendees to techniques that will help them to create believable characters, enrich character interactions, enhance dramatic tension, and develop realistic plots. Some practical aspects of marketing, publishing, and editing will also be addressed.
Dr. Brannon and Ms. Ellington will give attendees the opportunity to complete writing exercises that will enhance their understanding of the writing craft. Free workbooks will be provided. In some sessions, participants will be able to join discussions.
Check-in before morning sessions will begin at 8 A.M. A free continental breakfast will be served from 8 A.M. until 9 A.M. Check-in and breakfast will take place in the meeting room below the Black Bear Restaurant. The retreat will start at 9 A.M. and end at 4 P.M. A lunch break is scheduled for 12 noon until 1 P.M. Attendees can eat lunch at the Black Bear Restaurant or drive four miles into Fort Davis to eat at establishments there. After the retreat ends, participants are invited to join other attendees for a 5 P.M. meal at the Black Bear.
The cost of the event is $70 per person. Individuals paying their registration fees will automatically become members of the Texas Mountain Trail Writers. They will be eligible to be published in the TMTW’s annual anthology. Other than the continental breakfast, meals and lodging are not included in the registration fee. Early registration is encouraged because of limited space.
Participants planning to stay overnight at the Indian Lodge can call Texas Parks and Wildlife, Indian Lodge, Fort Davis, Texas. The reservation number is 512-389-8982. Reservations should be made early. Spring is coming, and the rooms are booked quickly.
For other lodging information, contact the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce (www.ftdavis.com or 432-426-3015). This organization has a list of area vacancies (including RV campgrounds).
If you have further questions about the retreat, contact Jackie Siglin, Registrar, at ten.dnebgib@1aksaladekab.
Half Price Books to match donations of children’s books in April
The Half Pint Library program is a book drive hosted each year by Texas-based Half Price Books to collect and distribute children’s books to those in need. Books donated through the program provide an escape from the challenges faced by children, while helping to boost literacy skills outside of school. In many cases, children are getting their first book through the Half Pint Library program. The drive accepts any type of children’s book, including Spanish language books, as long as they are in good condition. The program is celebrating its nineteenth year in 2017 and has collected more than 2 million books for pediatric patients, community centers, special schools and many more children in need.
Why donate a book?
Studies by the Institute of Education Sciences and related research show significant correlations between children’s access to printed materials in the home and literacy, as well as performance in school. Unfortunately, when money is tight, buying books can’t always be a priority for families struggling to make ends meet. Half Price Books feels that every child deserves a book of their own and is hosting the book drive to benefit local children who may otherwise not have access to books. Simply donating books that a child has outgrown provides the tools to create the leaders of tomorrow.
About the annual Half Pint Library Book Drive
From April 1 to 30, all Half Price Books locations serve as drop-off sites to collect new and used young children’s books. Half Price Books employees then sort through the books to make sure that children will receive only quality new and gently-used books, and will match each book donated. The “giveaway” events will be scheduled shortly after the conclusion of the drive, and Half Price Books will invite local nonprofit groups to come pick up the books.
The “Giveaway” event
Once a date and venue are set, local agencies and media will be contacted to announce that free children’s books donated by the community will be available for pick up at event time. Agencies must arrive with their own transportation to pick up books, and depending on the number of books collected, and number of agencies coming for pick up, boxes may be limited. The books will be an assortment of kid’s books in manageable boxes ready to be loaded.
For more information, visit hpb.com/half-pint-library-book-drive/
(Information from organization’s press release and website)
Texas Book Festival Announces 2017 Library Grant Recipients
Organization Awards Largest Amount to Date to 44 Public Libraries Across Texas
AUSTIN — The Texas Book Festival announced the winners of its 2016-17 Texas Library Grants at the Texas Library Association conference in San Antonio today. Forty-four public libraries across 35 Texas counties received grants totaling $100,450 — the largest amount the organization has awarded in its 21-year history of giving.
The TBF’s Texas Library Grants support collection enhancement to help public libraries meet the needs of their diverse communities. Out of the 44 public libraries awarded, 15 are first-time Texas Book Festival library grant recipients. The grants targeted a mix of needs across Texas’ libraries including grants specifically for children’s books, Spanish and bilingual books, large print books for seniors, and to create and enhance Young Adult sections.
“Public libraries are an invaluable resource throughout our state,” says Lois Kim, executive director of the Texas Book Festival. “We are proud to support the important work they do and help them continue to adapt to meet the needs of our communities.”
This year, TBF awarded the following libraries:
1. Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library - $2,500
2. East Bernard Branch Library - $2,500
3. City of Hutto Public Library - $2,500
4. Converse Public Library - $2,500
5. Abilene Public Library, Mockingbird Branch - $2,500
6. Leon Valley Public Library - $2,500
7. Salado Public Library - $1,000
8. Reeves County Library - $2,500
9. Wolfe City Public Library - $1,530
10. Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library - $2,500
11. Carl and Mary Welhausen Library - $2,250
12. Medina Community Library - $1287.33
13. Judy B. McDonald Public Library - $1,500
14. Taylor Public Library - $2,479
15. Gaines County Library - $1,869.95
16. Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library - $2,500
17. Jonestown Community Library - $2,500
18. Llano County Library System - $1,500
19. Castroville Public Library - $2,500
20. Balch Springs Library-Learning Center - $2,500
21. Grapevine Public Library - $2,500
22. Krum Public Library - $2,336
23. Little Elm Public Library - $2,500
24. Davis Library - $2,500
25. Chico Public Library - $2,500
26. Cooke County Library - $1,500
27. Arlington Public Library - Southeast Branch Library - $2,500
28. Amarillo Public Library - $2,500
29. El Progreso Memorial Library - $2,500
30. West Public Library - $1,425
31. Betty Foster Public Library - $2,300
32. Lake Dallas Public Library - $1,999
33. Tatum Public Library - $2,500
34. Patrick Heath Public Library - $2,491.69
35. Henderson County Library - Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library - $2,500
36. Pearland Library - $2,500
37. Clute Library - $2,500
38. Martin Luther King Jr Library - $2,488.07
39. Natalia Public Library Foundation dba Natalia Veteran's Memorial Library - $2,500
40. Electra Public Library - $2,500
41. Richland Hills Public Library - $2,500
42. Aransas County Public Library - $2,500
43. South Waco Library - $2,499.17
44. Longview Public Library - $2,495.15
Since the Texas Book Festival’s founding in 1995, part of its mission has been to promote Texas libraries and literacy. Each year, proceeds raised at the annual Festival through book sales and individual, corporate, and foundation sponsorships fund the Festival’s Texas Library Grants. Nearly $3 million has been awarded to more than 600 libraries across Texas.
Applications for the 2017-18 public library grant cycle will be available in November 2017. For more information, visit http://www.texasbookfestival.org/library-grants/.
(Information from organization's press release)
Two Texas publishers snag Ippy Awards
In the 2016 IPPY awards announced last week, presented by the Independent Book Publishers’ Association, two Texas books have garnered awards.
Fiction With Characters Or Topics Addressing Religion
SILVER: Foy: On the Road to Lost, by Gordon Atkinson (Material Media)
Travel Essay Books
SILVER: Vagabonding with Kids: How One Couple Embraced an Unconventional Life to Work Remotely and Show Their Kids the World, by A.K. Turner (Brown Books Publishing Group)
(Information from The Independent Book Publishers’ Association)
The Long Center, Austin, Presents An Evening with Neil Gaiman July 6
AUSTIN—The Long Center for the Performing Arts will host internationally acclaimed author Neil Gaiman at the Long Center stage for one night only, July 6 at 8 pm in Dell Hall.
“I make things up and write them down” is the way Neil Gaiman describes his varied art. Today, as one of the most celebrated, best-selling writers of our time, Gaiman bends genres while reaching audiences of all ages. In this live event, “An Evening with Neil Gaiman,” he will tell stories and read stories, answer questions, and in his own words “amaze, befuddle and generally delight. It will be fun and odd and not like any other evening with Neil Gaiman.”
Gaiman’s best-selling contemporary fantasy novel American Gods took the Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, and Locus awards—as did his bestselling young adult story, Coraline. Another children’s novel, The Graveyard Book, is the only work to win both the Newbery (US) and Carnegie (UK) Medals, awarded by librarians for the most prestigious contribution to children’s literature.
Tickets for Neil Gaiman will be available at TheLongCenter.org or by calling (512) 474.LONG (5664); they are also available at the Long Center’s 3M Box Office located at 701 West Riverside Drive at South First Street. For groups of ten or more, call (512) 457-5150 or email groupsales@thelongcenter.org.
About the Long Center
The Long Center is an iconic, world-class performing arts center right in the heart of downtown Austin that serves more than 450,000 individuals annually. As “Austin’s Creative Home,” the Long Center hosts the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, and Ballet Austin, and was built “by the community, for the community.”
For more information, please visit TheLongCenter.org or call (512) 474-LONG (5664) for ticket information.
(Information from organization’s press release)
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