✍️ (Writing) Community Focus: Why I Love SCBWI--the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
There is no substitute for this amazing professional organization.
This is the fourth in a series of posts about various writing communities I am a part of, both free and paid. Each has unique features, and I hope by showing you why I’m a member of each, you might find one (or more!) that fits your needs and interests. It is not meant to be an all-encompassing list and only reflects my own experience(s). I am not being paid or renumerated in any way for these opinions.
When people ask when I started writing, there are two correct answers I give: one, I have written as a hobby my whole life; and two, I consider my “actual kid lit writing birthdate” to be November 2019, when I finally joined SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Fun random fact: I was living in Australia then, so I became a member of the SCBWI Western Australia chapter, which, at the time, also included New Zealand; how fun is that?
That’s why whenever someone asks me how they should go about learning how to write, getting an agent, or selling their book—my go-to answer is always the same: join SCBWI; if you want to become a children’s book creator, IMHO, there is NO BETTER INVESTMENT than to join (and most importantly, actively participate in!) this fantastic, 20k-members-strong organization.
Here are some of the things I ❤️ about it.
Unique and Authoritative Professional Development Resources: With local chapters all around the globe and a plethora of activities and opportunities for feedback from industry professionals, there is simply no beating SCBWI as a one-stop-org-shop for jumping into the children’s literature field. When you join SCBWI, you join both your local chapter and the international organization, all for one reasonable annual fee—currently U.S. $95, or $65 for students.
On a personal note, I can thank SCBWI for both of my previous mentorships (one in picture book writing, one in writing children’s poetry), countless learning opportunities, and one VERY exciting new connection that I can’t wait to talk about (as soon as I can 🤐)!
In addition to your local group—which will no doubt have a variety of fantastic networking, craft, and social opportunities that will appeal to you—SCBWI headquarters itself also provides ongoing professional development opportunities through their free-with-membership digital workshop Zoom series, resources (like The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children and The Essential Guide to Self-Publishing a Children’s Book), and their monthly digital publication, INSIGHT, which includes interviews, tips, and organizational news—almost always with a monthly submission opportunity to either a kid lit agent or an editor.
Awards and Grants: There are grants and awards at both the local and worldwide levels for writers, illustrators, and even translators! When my manuscript Bearly Asleep won first place for picture books at SCBWI San Diego Mayfest in 2022, it was a lovely addition to my writer’s bio on query letters, since children’s literature agents and editors are well aware of the organization.
Marketing and Promotion Opportunities: Whether you publish traditionally or self-publish, once you have a book, SCBWI offers additional opportunities (awards and workshops) specifically for Published and Listed (PAL) or self-published members.
In short: I have joined a LOT of professional organizations of all stripes over the years, and I've never been a member of one that was so vibrant, proactive, and thoughtful as SCBWI!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I plan to be a lifetime member—and heartily invite you to do the same.
Yours in paying dues to society,
Elayne
See others in this series:
✍️ (Writing) Community Focus: Why I love Julie Hedlund's 12x12 Challenge
✍️ (Writing) Community Focus: Why I Love Twitter — NOTE: written before Elon made it weird (and not in a good way)
My posts are always free, but my focus isn't; if you found this post interesting or useful, please consider ♡’ing it so I know. Thank you!
What a nice wrap-up of SCBWI! SCBWI was the first membership group/organization about kidlit that I joined when I started my journey in April 2020! When I first googled how to write kidlit, they were the first ones to pop up! And I figured, what the heck, let me join the professional organization and see what I can learn. Definitely enjoy the membership— it’s how I met my critique partners and learned so much about the field. Highly recommend! Especially now, as they seem to be growing and moving in all sorts of important ways.