Spotlight: SCBWI: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

If you write for kids of any age, SCBWI is an organization you should look into. I found it after I'd gotten my agent, but my journey to that point would have been easier had I found them sooner. It's an international organization, and the largest of its kind in the world. I found out later they also have regional chapters, so odds are there's a group in your area. For the Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi area (my chapter), that's Southern Breeze.

I met a member of Southern Breeze, at one of my first book signings. We chatted for hours and she told me all about the chapter and what they did, and it sounded like a great group to belong to. And it is.



They attend book festivals, displaying member books for sale and helping to promote their chapter's authors. They have conferences several times a year, and special writing retreats, and other events to help educated and network and just enjoy each others company. I imagine my chapter isn't that different from the others, and that every region is just as wonderful. (Okay, I might think mine is extra special, but I'm allowed to be biased, right?)

Of course SCBWI has a ton of events and conferences as well, plus online resources and helpful information for writers. Worth looking into if this is a market you're interested in writing in.

From their website:
Founded in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children's writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is one of the largest existing organizations for writers and illustrators. It is the only professional organization specifically for those individuals writing and illustrating for children and young adults in the fields of children’s literature, magazines, film, television, and multimedia. Several of the most prestigious children’s literature professionals sit on the SCBWI Board of Advisors.

The SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. It serves as a consolidated voice for professional writers and illustrators the world over. As a unified body, the SCBWI acts as a powerful force to effect important changes within the field of children's literature, promoting new copyright legislation, equitable treatment of authors and artists, and fair contract terms. There are currently more than 22,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regional chapters writing and illustrating in all genres for young readers from board books to young adult (YA) novels, making it the largest children's writing organization in the world.

The benefits of membership in SCBWI are many. The SCBWI sponsors two annual International Conferences on Writing and Illustrating for Children as well as dozens of regional conferences and events throughout the world. The bi-monthly magazine, SCBWI Bulletin, offers thousands of dollars in Awards and Grants for writers and illustrators, and provides vital market information on the craft and business of writing and selling books for young readers. The SCBWI also presents the annual Golden Kite Award for the best fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, and the Sid Fleischman Award for Humor.

SCBWI website
Southern Breeze website (AL, GA, FL)
Listing of Regional Chapters (with links to their local sites)