Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators: San Francisco North & East Bay Region and Around.
As the former Co-Regional Advisor and Assistant Regional Advisor for twelve years for this region of the outstanding worldwide organization, check out my tips, suggestions and organization links!
Whew! The conference team has been working on the preparations for months and we are so excited about this workshop-based conference. Be prepared to work, be inspired, and meet new colleagues on October 19th, 8 - 5, Preservation Park, Oakland. The masthead illustration is perfect! Alice Feagan is the winner of our masthead contest. I am an autumn girl and…
On May 18th, we held 2 local region meetings, one for illustrators in Oakland, and the other for writers in Walnut Creek. It was just one of those scheduling things where one speaker could only do that day and we had already scheduled the other event. We weren't sure if there would be torn allegiances -- the desire to attend…
I have completed 2 chapter book manuscripts. I've been submitting both a bit to agents and editors. Then I rewrite, then a new critique, then a new rewrite, then I submit. I've received complimentary rejections (which is way above a postcard, or check- the-box-of-no-suitability) and also postcards or crooked copies of "no thanks" form letters or just no response. So…
Even though I have spoken nationwide and consulted with firms around the world, children's writing is a totally different animal. It has taken me awhile to absorb and take to heart the wonderful advice and experiences from other published writers. It's not that I don't believe them, nor didn't understand how to implement their good advice. I think there was…
I am bringing Ginger Wadsworth, author of First Girl Scout, and Yosemite's Songster, to our SCBWI Marin County April 18th Marin Meeting at the Depot Bookstore & Cafe in Mill Valley. It seemed that if we're having her for an evening meeting, perhaps she could do a book signing earlier. The Depot thought that was a good idea, so now…
SCBWI is a wonderful organization of talented volunteers. I am biased. I think our region has among the best. We have some terrific programs starting off the year for writers and illustrators to learn, hone their craft, and get inspired to keep on plugging (as we all know that there is not a lot of money in children's lit unless…
It's been pretty crazy since our terrific, super crowded conference in October, 2012. I think it took the conference team a month or more to recover. We ended the year with two more fun events in December, one free for members at the lovely, historic Depot Bookstore & Cafe in Mill Valley, and the other event in Walnut Creek featuring…
We have a great region and I have had a blast working with Margaret Speaker Yuan as her assistant regional adviser for over 4 years. She is a super hard worker, like I am, and we have got a region of terrific volunteers. When a SCBWI region reaches a certain size (like pretty big in membership) the region may split…
The Conference held in Los Angeles is nearly a week long series of meetings, speeches, networking, workshops, parties, eating and possibly chatting with 1,200 great people. You have to enter this conference with a plan, like I posted earlier. Otherwise you can get caught in conference nervosa: the various stages of exhilaration, depression, exhaustion, frustration and giddiness that can kidnap…
There are so many good reasons for writers to attend conferences. But go with a plan, though. The national August SCBWI conference in Los Angeles is amazing. Even with an economy that stumbles along, this conference continues to grow. The speakers, peer camaraderie and critiques of your work all can give you a big kick in the rear. But your…