The Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators will be hosting its annual holiday party from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at BookPeople (6th and Lamar) in Austin, Texas.

The event will include: short panels on writing picture books, middle grade novels, and YA novels (respectively); author signings; and door prizes!

Highlights include: Philip Yates–dressed as a pirate and reading his new release, A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas (Sterling, 2008)(author interview); book giveaways; and school-visit giveaways featuring:

picture book author Lindsey Lane (interview);

debut tween fantasy author P. J. Hoover (interview); and

YA author Jennifer Ziegler (interview)!

Note: limit of one entry per person for the school drawing and one entry per person for the other prizes; offer is only good for schools in the Austin (and surrounding) area.

Hope to see you there!