SCBWI 2023 Winter Conference

[baileyvidler]

Hi there! Is anyone attending the SCBWI conference in New York in February? Alternatively, anyone who has had experience at an in-person conference before, what were your thoughts on the experience?

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to go, considering it's not exactly cheap.

I've been informed that the Summer conference in Los Angeles won't be in-person at all, virtual only.

Love to hear your thoughts!

[ArtistErin]

I saw this is open to registration, would love to go but I can't this time. I saw there is a virtual option which I may still do.

Anyway, I'm curious! Preparing anyway, as you never know when you could meet that one person...

[Eric Castleman]

@baileyvidler I’ve gone to two SCBWI events in Los Angeles. They are good if you get the most out of them. I’d really look through the talks and plan out your time there to so that you feel it was worth it. It’s very easy for a day to pass by if you accidentally planned for certain talks that overlap. I’ve wasted an entire day where I only heard one speaker because I didn’t plan accordingly.

Also, make sure you reach out to people and say hello. Let them know who you are and what you do. It’s a mistake I’ve always made. One of my friends gets a lot of work because they shake hands, get contact info and follow up with emails stating “we met at X”

[KevinTreaccar]

@baileyvidler I would check out the presentation schedule. Make sure you’re satisfied with the lectures. If yes, then great. If not, then you’re not going to be satisfied going.

I’ve done a handful of conferences in person and virtually. I fill chunks of pages through the lectures so I always get value.

I would also see who the agents/editors/authors are. If you have any favorite agents or editors, then it’s a great chance to network and get on their radar. Put a face to your name for communications down the line. I’ve made friends at even the virtual conferences.

You’ll also get the conference excuse/cover to contact some of them.

And then I’d pay attention to anywhere you want to vacation or visit family/friends, too. Can be two birds with one stone.

[KevinTreaccar]

@KevinTreaccar I will add, though, that I’ve only done local chapter SCBWI conferences. But I’ve never had a portfolio ready for one, so I was mostly going to learn and network. Sometimes get feedback and query manuscripts as author-only.

[Pamela Fraley]

@baileyvidler Following this thread. I’ve been wondering if it was worth it to travel for these too. I haven’t actually even joined SCBWI yet because I’m in Alaska and they don’t have much to offer up here. It would be a lot to go to an event out of State, but I’ve been thinking about doing it.