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| Marty’s book will be free on Amazon this weekend. |
I never know how to say that, so I try to rattle off — Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. People sometimes still look at me confused. Others just know that the mouthful of words and letters means something to children’s writers.
I love the resources offered by SCBWI, especially the discounts. I joined in 2011, so I could get a discount for a local picture book retreat. Bonus: I can attend the local SCWBI critique sessions organized by two wonderful writers — Marty Mokler Banks and Anne Eliot.
The local meetings are critical for me. While the 12 x 12 in 2012 challenge has me writing. I always need a kick in the pants on the revision part. A critique group date forces me to get my work in shape to share with others, so the group helps me on several levels.
SCBWI is my only time for picture book critique. I’ve avoided an online group due to other time commitments. Now, the local SCBWI writers are beginning a monthly in-person group. I hope to hire a babysitter for a few hours and participate. My participation depends heavily on how my class schedule treats me.
At our last meeting, we discussed many issues plus ate jam bars made by Vivian Kirkfield from Postivite Parental Participation. Vivian and I shared many of our online resources with the group like Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 in 2012, Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book, Rate Your Story and The Meter Maids.
Marty Banks shared she’s published her chapter book The Adventures of Tempest & Serena. It’s free this weekend through an Amazon promotion. She wants people to check it out and review it. I haven’t read the book yet, but look forward to it. I enjoyed Marty’s picture book The Splatters Learn Some Manners.
Anne has a young adult novel Almost: A Love Story published.
I appreciate both Marty and Anne for organizing this group of writers to meet, to share work and to talk about writing.
The Rocky Mountain SCBWI will host its fall conference Sept. 22-23 in Denver. I’m excited about this event, especially the two-part workshop on picture book revision by Jean Reidy.
While it does cost an annual fee to join SCBWI, I definitely get my money’s worth from the organization.
Don’t forget, grabbing a copy of Marty Mokler Banks’ book won’t cost you a single penny this weekend (Aug. 24-26).
Happy plotting, writing and revising!
SCBWI is wonderful, isn’t it? I still remember the first local conference I went to. I felt like an intruder, walking around among the real writers, but it was such an eye-opening experience to realize how many other writers there were, and I learned so much. Glad you had a good time 🙂
The meetings always offer fun “writer talk.”
You are right about SCBWI, Stacy, it’s well worth the annual fee. Good luck with the new writer’s group, it sounds like a great opportunity!
Heather, I believe it will. Of course, I woke up this morning and discovered a conflict for September. At least, I’ll have conference time.
I am glad you have the SCBWI. Sounds like a great group. Have fun at the September conference! I love a great writer’s group. They are hard to find, especially up here in the upper midwest. I am usually more hard pressed to work on edits/revisions when I have to “report” to a group.
Karen, While in Texas, I was too far away from organized groups. Thank goodness a woman moved to town and said, “I will have a writers group.” She organized it and we all showed up.
It’s so wonderful you belong to SCBWI. There are so informal writing-related things in our area of CO, but we don’t get the good stuff like all of you up north. I hope you get a lot of our your new writers’ group.
Susan, I am fortunate to be near the hub of some of these activities. I’ve been in your shoes in the past. Thank goodness for internet connections, right?
I feel so bad I haven’t been to a conference yet. I said I’d do Niagra this year and didn’t. Holiday season is full of guests here, I don’t really know when a good time will be. Canada is so spread out, it’s hard to have a small local gathering without driving 4 hours.
I’m excited for you and thrilled you like your critique group. It must be so different face to face.
Catherine, I’ll probably write some about the conference, but the registration material cautions not revealing copyrighted work, etc. We’ll see what observations I can share following the workshops.
Hey, you must be in my SCBWI group! I haven’t gone to a meeting in a long time (with kids come time commitments that always seem to conflict with the meetings), but I met Vivian at the last one I went to and I went to the conference last year. Cool enough~ maybe I’ll be able to make a meeting soon and be able to say hi in person!
Jess. Sounds like it. Hope to meet you.
SCBWI events are always great! The yearly dues are so worth it.
Happy writing Stacy. 🙂
Coleen, The dues are worth it. Of course, as I looked around fro the SCBWI links, I realized I under utlize the website resources. 🙂
The Tempest and Serena looks like a fun read.
Will check it out.
I love SCBWI. Meeting for me are a 90 minute drive to Columbus, so I can’t participate in the groups. NE Ohio is holding their 10th annual conference the same weekend you’re attending, but I can’t go because of a commitment.
Patricia, Please check it out. I understand the long commute for some meetings. Thank goodness for online connections and networks, right? I wasn’t able to do the conference last year, so this is my 2012 splurge. 🙂
Love the cover! I am going to get a copy this weekend!
Erik, It’s a great cover, isn’t it? Looks inviting.
I just joined… like two weeks ago. I’m going to my first ever conference in October. So excited. Can’t wait to take advantage of all SCBWI has to offer!
I’m sure you’ll have fun Kelley Lynn.
What a great post, Stacy! I appreciate the mention…I really look forward to seeing the familiar faces…and Sunday’s meeting was great because there were a few new ones! I also have not taken advantage of anything SCBWI…silly, I know. Next year I will DEFINITELY be coming to the fall conference if I can hitch a ride with you. 🙂
I just posted my review of “The Adventures of Tempest and Serena”…I LOVED IT! I’m sure Marty will be happy to have the links for the free download posted in as many places as possible. That was great that you mentioned it!
I’m looking forward to our Thursday afternoon critique group…I’m glad Sheri put forward the idea. She is really so sweet…she is actually taking me to my TV interview spot on Monday…we are meeting at 5:50am (Ugh!) in town…and she will drive me into Denver. 🙂
Note to Jess…hope you will be able to come to the next meeting…do you get emails on them?
Vivian, The Thursday afternoons will be fun. I can’t make the September one.
So you are coming to the conference? Me too! If you want to share a room (with three others, including me), it’s looking like our fourth person won’t be able to make it. Since one of us got Saturday’s room free, the others only need to split the cost of one room. Let me know if you’re interested.
~Debbie
Debbie, Thanks again for this offer. I sent you an email to explain I found a roommate through the 12x group. 🙂
Hi Stacy:
The book looks wonderful.
I tried downloading it, but I don’t have a Kindle, boo hoo.
I wish I lived where you and Vivian do so I could attend a SCBWI meeting or conference.
Tracy, Do you know you can get a kindle app and read books on your computer. I did this before I had the real ereader. Amazon smartly wants to give you ways to read the books.