By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

Last weekend's highlight was "Kick It Up a Notch," the 2013 regional conference of Austin SCBWI.

Authors Katherine Catmull and Greg Leitich Smith at the Friday night reception at the Austin Children's Museum

Agent Erzsi Deak of Hen & Ink Literary Studio

Illustrators Amy Farrier & Emma Virjan (Amy in the chapter's incoming illustrator chair)

Me with my fellow Cynthia -- YALSA Nonfiction Award finalist Cynthia Levinson

VCFA MFA grad Sean Petrie & my former (incredibly talented) student Vanessa Lee

Children's novelist K.A. Holt & Dear Teen Me anthologist E. Kristin Anderson

John Gonzales & Chronicle editor Tamra Tuller

Triple author photo -- Karyn Henley, me & Helen Hemphill

Children's author Bethany Hegedus, incoming ARA Samantha Clark, Sean & Vanessa

Outgoing illustrator chair Mark G. Mitchell, former RA Tim Crow & author Brian Anderson

Award-winning illustrator E.B. Lewis at registration on Saturday morning

Tween author Jo Whittemore, author-illustrator Jeff Crosby, E. Kristin, debut author Nikki Loftin & Greg

Authors Shutta Crum & Lindsey Scheibe

Jeff studies the illustrator portfolios & leaves comments

Authors Jessica Lee Anderson & P.J. Hoover

Bethany & Samantha

Authors P.J., Joy Preble, Cory Putnam Oakes & Jessica

Fresh faces -- illustrator Erin McGuire & Jillian S. Tinsley

Lester Ferguson of NEWAVE Studio & successful auction bidder Gene Brenek

Cynthia & her Peachtree editor Kathy Landwehr

H. Scott Beazley -- soon-to-debut YA novelist with Hyperion/Disney!

First pages panel with Tamra, E.B., Erzsi, literary agents Rubin Pfeffer and John Cusik & Kathy

John (of Greenhouse Literary) & illustrator/web guru Erik Kuntz -- kudos to Erik for coordinating thank you gifts for the outgoing chapter leaders!

Glamorous Amy

Jo & outgoing RA Debbie Gonzales

Austin SCBWI founder Meredith Davis won a web-platform critique from me.

Newly agented Donna Bowman Bratton, author Anne Bustard (to whom Eternal: Zachary's Story is dedicated) & me

Cynsational Notes

Mine! author Shutta  & illustrator Patrice

Austin illustrator Patrice Barton was presented a Crystal Kite Member Choice Award. Peek: "The Crystal Kite Awards are given by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators each year to recognize great books from 15 regional SCBWI divisions around the world. ...the Crystal Kite Awards are chosen by other children’s book writers and illustrators, making them the only peer-given awards in publishing for young readers. Each member of SCBWI is allowed to vote for their favorite book from a nominated author in their region that was published in the previous calendar year." Last two photos courtesy of Shutta.

The winners of theBetty X Davis Young Writers Award were celebrated, and children's author Liz Garton Scanlon joined me on the local author critique faculty.

National faculty also included editor Neal Porter of Neal Porter Books/Roaring Brook.

Incoming RA/author-illustrator Shelley Ann Jackson formally assumed leadership of the chapter.

Thank you to Austin's own independent bookstore, BookPeople, for handling book sales at the event!

From a fashion perspective, the colors purple, red, black and white appeared to be all the rage.Women embraced black tights, while artistic men were all about red fezzes and bowling shirts.

Don't Tweet That! by Shelli Cornelison from Shelli's Soliloquy. Peek: "...the brevity of Twitter makes it a particularly perilous place for conference presenters."