Donna Bowman Bratton

I am very fortunate to be part of a dynamic community of children's writers in Central Texas. Many of the photos on this page were taken at recent social events. Some, however, are of authors I've had the pleasure to meet in other parts of the country, while a camera was handy.

Check out the works of these writers for some really great reads. 

from rear: Isabel Arana, Jessica Anderson (jessicaleeanderson.com), Jennifer Coleman, Donna Bowman Bratton 

I had the honor of attending the 2008 Highlights Foundation Writers' Workshop in Chautauqua, New York. A week of magic! Imagine the coincidence of meeting three other attending authors who live a mere 1/2 mile to 8 miles from me. We had t-shirts made especially for the occasion. www.highlightsfoundation.org

Apparently, my other Chautauqua friends didn't get the memo about wearing purple to meet Newbery award winner, Jerry Spinelli.

My critique partner, author Carmen Oliver, and I worked as pages during an intense author workshop in Austin. We get a little goofy when we work together. Don't all best friends?

Brian Anderson, author of the Zack Proton series. He's another talented goofball. Check out his work at www.zackproton.com

The most amazing writing couple, Cynthia and Greg Leitich-Smith. Cynthia is known as the grand dame of children's writing in Texas and has the most generous and encouraging spirit imaginable. You must check out their individual websites and their wonderful books.

www.cynthialeitichsmith.com

www.gregleitichsmith.com

More Texas inspiration.

Lindsey Lane (left)  www.lindseylane.net

Chris Barton www.chrisbarton.info/blog/blog.html

Don Tate      www.dontate.com

Varian Johnson has two books out. www.varianjohnson.com

Margo Rabb www.margorabb.com

Brian Anderson is lurking in the back www.zackproton.com

             Lila  Guzman  www.lilaguzman.com 

Carmen Oliver (right) www.carmenoliver.com

Mark G. Mitchell

www.markgmitchell.com

 Jerry and Eileen Spinelli July 2008

www.jerryspinelli.com

www.eileenspinelli.com

Tom and Janice Shefelman  www.shefelmanbooks.com

and author/illustrator Frances HIll Yansky

Remember that work thing?

           Nuff said!

      see Carmen's site                 www.carmenoliver.com

Me (on right) with two of my favorite non-Texan authors, award winner Mary Casanova (left) www.marycasanova.com and Sibert Award winner, Sally M. Walker (center) www.sallymwalker.com

Author and overall nice guy, Robert San Souci at a school visit in Texas 2007. www.rsansouci.com

Chautauqua, New York sunrise. I just loved this picture I took.

Novelist Helen Hemphill (left)www.helenhemphill.com

Debbie Gonzales (center)

Jane Anne Peddicord (right)www.janepeddicord.com

Anne Bustard www.annebustard.com

Jerry Wermund (background)

www.jerrywermund.com

 Jo Whittemore

www.jowhittemore.com

Greg Greg Leitich Smith with Frances Hill Yansky.

Tricia Hoover www.pjhoover.com

Debbie Gonzales

Carmen (left), Debbie Gonzales, Donna (right) at a Halloween party hosted by Cynthia and Greg Leitich-Smith. What fun!

Donna with Patti Gauch July 2008

www. patriciamnewman.com/gauch

 Shana Burg, April Lurie,

Varian Johnson, Jennifer Ziegler, and Margo Rabb

(June 2009)

Many Austin SCBWI members with Laurie Halse Anderson (first row of chairs- third from left.) That's me n the floor holding her book.  (2009)

 With the fabulous Kathi Appelt (L) and pal to all writers, the great Cynthia Leitich Smith (r)

2009