EDGE
Author Sara Grant owes a debt of gratitude to SCBWI and its Members
I
wouldn’t be published if it wasn’t for the Society of Children’s Book Writers
and Illustrators (SCBWI). This year the British chapter of SCBWI turns 20. I
thought I’d take this opportunity to express my gratitude to this organization
and its amazing members and volunteers.
The
SCBWI is a network for the exchange of knowledge among writers, illustrators,
editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others
involved with literature for young people. SCBWI boasts more than 22,000
members worldwide in more than seventy regions, making it the largest
children’s writing organization in the world.
In
1994 I attended my first workshop on writing children’s fiction, lead by the incredible
Elaine Marie Alphin. I left inspired with a notebook full of ideas. She said
that if I was serious about writing for children I should join SCBWI -- which I
immediately did.
From
then on, I have regularly attended events and volunteered for this organization
on both sides of the Atlantic.
Here
are 20 reasons I’m grateful for SCBWI.
Thanks to…
1.
Natascha
Biebow. She’s served the British SCBWI as its regional advisor (RA) for more
than
18 years. The British Chapter started with twenty members and under her
leadership has grown to nearly 1,000 members. She is the longest-tenured
international RA with the fourth largest chapter worldwide.
2.
Natascha
again because she handed a copy of the British SCBWI’s Undiscovered Voices 2008 anthology to literary agent Jenny Savill at
the Bologna Book Fair in 2008. Jenny read the extract from Dark Parties, which was included in the anthology, and gave me a
call. I signed with her a few months later.
3.
My
US Writers Group. At an SCBWI event around about 1995, I met three Indiana
writers who would become my critique and support group until I moved to London
in 2003. They survived my early kids stories, which I hope they have long-since
forgotten. A regular critique group was key to establishing a habit of writing
and an ability to take feedback.
4.
My
UK Writers Group. One of the first things I did when I moved to the UK was
connect to the local SCBWI and join a writers group. The group members changed
and the monthly meetings have dwindled to periodic one-to-ones, but those
writers introduced me to the British SCBWI and were my first friends in the UK.
5.
Lin
Oliver and Stephen Mooser. They are the visionaries who started SCBWI in the US
in 1971 and continue to guide its progress.
Thanks for…
6.
Lifelong
friends. I have many cherished friendships with the writers and
illustrators I met through SCBWI.
7.
Encouragement.
Whether its face-to-face at an event, email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. SCBWI
members understand the highs and lows of publishing and never fail to offer
encouragement.
8.
Knowledge.
I never leave an SCBWI event without a notebook full of ideas, facts and
to-dos.
9.
Inspiration.
I’ve met almost all of my literary heroes at SCBWI events. I have shelves full
of signed books and a head full of inspirational quotes to keep me going.
10.
Community.
What could be better than gathering with people who love what you love?
11.
Industry
News. Through regular emails, newsletters and a yahoo group, I keep up on
what’s happening in the publishing world.
 |
| The Mass Book Launch Celebration |
12.
The
Annual Conference. It’s one glorious weekend in November that’s action-packed
with speakers, celebrations, networking and fellowship.
13.
Networking.
Whether at the agent’s party or the mass book launch, you have an opportunity
to meet folks from every aspect of the publishing world.
14.
Networks.
No matter where you live in the UK, an SCBWI group is never far away.
15.
Worldwide
Connections. And no matter where you go in the world, you can find SCBWI
chapters.
16.
PULSE
(SCBWI’s resources for its published members). SCBWI grows with its members,
offering nuts and bolts sessions for those just starting out to PULSE events
for writers and illustrators who have new challenges and opportunities once
they are published.
 |
| The 2014 Undiscovered Voices writers, illustrators & planning team. |
17.
Undiscovered
Voices. It was my stepping stone to finding an agent, a publisher and
ultimately readers.
And finally…
19. Volunteer!
Volunteer for SCBWI because it’s what makes the organization so amazing. The
British chapter hosts so many events a year. It has a web site, Facebook group,
newsletter and much more. Everything is run by volunteers. Volunteer because
it’s a way to give back to an organization that will give you so much.
20.
Volunteer!!
If not for a philanthropic reason, volunteer because it’s a great away to
network. You can host an event with an author you admire or set up critiques
with your dream agent.
Thanks SCBWI -- for all of the above and so much more.
About Sara…
Sara Grant has worked on both sides of the editorial
desk. She has inspired and edited nearly 100 books for children. Her two YA
novels – Dark Parties (SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner, Europe) and Half
Lives – are futuristic thrillers. She also writes a funny magical series
for young readers – Magic Trix. Sara is currently developing a new
action-adventure series for tweens with Scholastic. Chasing Danger will be published in April. She leads writing
workshops in the US, UK and Europe as part of BookBound and
lectures at the University of Winchester and Goldsmiths. Website: www.sara-grant.com Twitter:
@authorsaragrant
Book
Bound is
now accepting applications for its 2016 retreat for adults who are interested
in writing novels for children and teens. It’s an intensive weekend of
workshops, one-to-ones, and camaraderie. Visit the Book Bound web site for more
details: www.bookboundretreat.com
Hooray! Frances Hardinge has not only won the Costa
Children's Book award but also the Costa Book of the Year award for her novel The Lie Tree!
Over the years, teen and young adult fiction has been seen
as unliterary and lightweight, and because it caters for children, it therefore
cannot be deemed worthy of winning a 'proper' prize. Writers of teen fiction
are often asked whether they think they might be the next JK Rowling, or
whether they might eventually write a 'proper grown up' book, so for a book
like The Lie Tree to become part of
mainstream literary fiction will open hearts and minds to the fact that
children's fiction is eminently readable, as enjoyable, and as good as other
'grown up' books is great.
