If you are dabbling in KidLit, Co-Regional Advisors Lisa Lowe Stauffer and Melissa Miles want you to know about SCBWI.
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is the preeminent membership organization for children’s book creators. A global community of writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, librarians, advocates, and other industry professionals working to establish a more imaginative and inclusive world through the power of children’s literature. The SCBWI mission is to support the creation of an abundance of quality children’s books, so that young people everywhere have the books they need and deserve.
SCBWI offers free online workshops on a variety of topics as well as downloadable publications for those seeking both traditional or self-publishing information. Twice a year SCBWI hosts international conferences in NYC and L.A. or online.
The worldwide regions, including Southern Breeze (GA, AL, FL panhandle) are run by volunteers. At the regional level SCBWI offers members opportunities for networking and connection with fellow creatives, which may include online meetings, discussion groups, free or low-cost, in-person events, scholarships, book promotional opportunities, and contests.
Resources:
SCBWI
Southern Breeze SCBWI contest
Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest
Ruth's article "Best Practices for Writing 'Conferencing"
Symposium, presented by Pipeline Artists, is a year-round virtual conference empowering creatives with honest, no-nonsense guidance across the arts. Through seminars, industry panels, and Town Hall discussions on screenwriting, filmmaking, publishing, and career-building, Symposium offers grounded advice from working professionals to help you forge your own unique path.