The power of conferences
I applied for the Fairy Godsisters' SCBWI Summer Conference grant yesterday, and it got me thinking about conferences. I am a big fan of SCBWI conferences. I've been to a number of the excellent SCBWI Florida and SCBWI MD/DE/WV ones, and this February I went to my first Winter SCBWI conference in NYC. Each one has a different vibe and focus. But I always learn something to improve my craft and career, and inevitably make new friends and renew old connections.
I leave recharged and with stars in my eyes from the amazing people who speak at, and attend, the conferences. How amazing to hear Richard Peck, Paula Danziger, Susan Patron, Libba Bray, and Lisa Yee speak (and that's just a FEW of the wonderful authors I've heard at conferences). My mother always comments on how "bouncy" I am afterwards! (I think I am making conferences sound like a dryer sheet now... soften your clothes with just one application of Lisa Yee!).
Conferences are also a great way to get a feel for certain agents and editors. You'll never see them all, of course, no matter how many conferences you go to. But editors and agents end to stay in our field for a long time, so after enough conferences, you'll get a good sampling of the industry.
If you haven't been, and you're writing or illustrating books for kids and teens---come on, now. Go find a good one and try it out! At a minimum there will probably be cookies. Isn't that incentive enough to try anything?
If you have been--to SCBWI conferences or others--what are your favorites? Leave a comment and let me know. I'm always looking for a new one to try.
I think my overall favorite is the SCBWI Florida Mid-Year workshop, which has small sessions split by speciality and offers lots of hands-on opportunities to improve your craft. It's the first weekend in June and they're still taking registrations! I'm sorry I'll be missing it, but my sister's wild (read: nice girls mixing mild margaritas and shopping in Williamstown) bachelorette weekend conflicts. Next year, Florida!
I leave recharged and with stars in my eyes from the amazing people who speak at, and attend, the conferences. How amazing to hear Richard Peck, Paula Danziger, Susan Patron, Libba Bray, and Lisa Yee speak (and that's just a FEW of the wonderful authors I've heard at conferences). My mother always comments on how "bouncy" I am afterwards! (I think I am making conferences sound like a dryer sheet now... soften your clothes with just one application of Lisa Yee!).
Conferences are also a great way to get a feel for certain agents and editors. You'll never see them all, of course, no matter how many conferences you go to. But editors and agents end to stay in our field for a long time, so after enough conferences, you'll get a good sampling of the industry.
If you haven't been, and you're writing or illustrating books for kids and teens---come on, now. Go find a good one and try it out! At a minimum there will probably be cookies. Isn't that incentive enough to try anything?
If you have been--to SCBWI conferences or others--what are your favorites? Leave a comment and let me know. I'm always looking for a new one to try.
I think my overall favorite is the SCBWI Florida Mid-Year workshop, which has small sessions split by speciality and offers lots of hands-on opportunities to improve your craft. It's the first weekend in June and they're still taking registrations! I'm sorry I'll be missing it, but my sister's wild (read: nice girls mixing mild margaritas and shopping in Williamstown) bachelorette weekend conflicts. Next year, Florida!