Aug 13, 2013

Why I ♥ SCBWI and Information about the SCBWI Carolinas Fall Conference Sept. 27-29

For anyone serious about writing and/or illustrating for children and teens, membership in the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators   (SCBWI) can be very helpful. The SCBWI is an international organization that provides resources and support for children’s writers and illustrators on every step of the journey to publication. Membership in the SCBWI provides opportunities for networking with industry professionals; connections to other writers and illustrators through critique groups, conferences, and discussion boards; access to THE BOOK (the organization's comprehensive publication and market guide); the support of a professional guild for children's writers and illustrators; and much more (to read more, click here).

I have been a member of SCBWI since 2004, and have been active in the North Central/Northeast Texas chapter in Dallas/Fort Worth as well as the Houston, TX chapter. Currently, I am active in the Carolinas SCBWI chapter. I met the ladies in my wonderful online critique group at a SCBWI conference years ago in Texas, and discovered my in-person critique group through the Carolina chapter’s list serve. I have found some of my closest writing friends and supporters through this wonderful organization, and am thankful for the doors the SCBWI has helped open for me!
All of this is a prelude to my focus today--the upcoming 21st Annual SCBWI Carolina’s Fall Conference, which will be held in Charlotte, NC September 27-29. This year’s conference includes writing and illustrating Intensives by industry experts, general and breakout sessions that cover everything from authors’ first ideas to editors’ first impressions, an Autograph Party and Portfolio Showcase, a Saturday Social, an Author’s Round Table, late night critique groups, and much, much more! For full conference details click here!  

The opening keynote speaker for this year’s conference in the amazingly talented author Cynthea Liu, and author/illustrator Dan Yaccarino will deliver the closing keynote address. Other conference faculty includes the following authors and industry experts: agent Stephen Barr, author Vijaya Bodach, author John Claude Bemis, agent Sarah Davies, author Donna Earnhardt, publishing director Emily Easton, author Alan Gratz, author Gretchen Griffith, art director Patti Ann Harris, agent Susan Hawk, author Lisa Williams Kline, editor Emma Ledbetter, author Stacy McAnulty, author Megan Miranda, editor Joy Neaves, author Monika Schröder, and author Chris Woodworth (if I have omitted anyone, I apologize).
This is a fabulous lineup, and I can already tell that my biggest dilemma will be deciding which breakout sessions to attend! I am also looking forward to reconnecting with friends I only see once a year, and making new author/illustrator/editor/agent/etc. friends. (Can you tell how excited I am?!?)
 
If you are not a member of the SCBWI and are interested in writing and/or illustrating books for children and teens, do yourself a favor and find your local SCBWI chapter here. Membership is well worth the investment!
 
There are several other great organizations out there for writers, and many of these also present great conferences each year. Please stop by next Tuesday, August 20 for a related post discussing other conference opportunities for children’s writers, and how to get the most out of your “conference experience.” Happy Writing!

9 comments:

  1. Hi Becky,

    Great article for a wonderful conference! I'm excited to be attending my first, so I'll see you there...

    Write on, dude!

    Derick

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    1. I am so glad you are going to make it to the conference this year, Derick! You will love it! = )

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  2. I am so excited to see you again! If you see me walking around looking dazed and confused, just punch me in the arm and say, "WAKE UP, GIRL!!" :)

    hugs,
    Donna

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    1. I will make sure to flag you down, Donna! (And I promise not to get stuck on a train track again this year...I am STILL shuddering from that experience!)

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  3. Conferences are a lot of work for the organizers, but also a lot of fun. Seems you are a veteran organizer Becky, from your Texas days. Enjoy!

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    1. I can't take credit for organizing any conferences so far, Mirka, but am definitely a veteran attender/supporter. Now that my boys are older I hope to become more involved in that aspect, as well. Our leaders work SO hard each year to make each conference great, and deserve HUGE appreciation! = )

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  4. Sounds like it'll be so much fun(and educational- that's important, too!) =)

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  5. Great article and it sounds like a fabulous conference!

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  6. Sounds great that Dan Yaccarino will be closing the event. He writes/illustrates the most brilliant books!

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