I joined SCBWI! Now what?

[ArtistErin]

@Valerie-Light Thank you Valerie! This was super helpful. You laid out a great framework here and it helps to hear how you are widening your range, I'm thinking I'll start by reaching out to my local chapter and join some critique groups.

[ArtistErin]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz This was my question too, thank you for answering! I'm seeing how it would be beneficial to join the conference.

[ArtistErin]

@Melissa_Bailey Thank you for this Melissa, I really appreciate all this info. I have a to-do list now! It's so great to hear from all this experience, and lessens the anxiety so much. Sometimes seeing it all written out breaks down the steps in bullet points which makes it so much easier to digest.

[ArtistErin]

@Asyas_illos I thought so! I figured if anything I can just start with the simple stuff and see where it leads me. @Melissa_Bailey created a good list to start. I am anticipating a great year getting my feet wet this year!!!

[ArtistErin]

@kirsten-mcg Thank you- this is inspiring and helpful! I'm gathering from this it's beneficial just just submit submit and submit again. With the gigantic sea of competition there is only one Me! And eventually something will stick will be my MO ha ha That's great this is how you found your agent. Crossing my fingers this will be a successful path to one for me as well. I bought the 2007 and 2008 editions of the Children's Writers and Illustrators Market in their respective published years and dreamed of how to develop the queries, finding an agent, knowing my niche, conferences, marketing and such, way back then. I'll definitely get The Book!!! So much information my head is spinning...

[Melissa_Bailey]

@ArtistErin you're welcome! So glad it was helpful.

[Mimi Simon]

@ArtistErin so I did some research about the portfolio showcase and and it seems with the conference back in person they are no longer accepting portfolio showcase submissions digitally like they did the past few years. I wish I had know this earlier or i might have been able to plan to go up to New York this weekend. Way too last minute now though.

[ArtistErin]

@Neha-Rawat This is so encouraging, the fact that you are remote in the world as far as limited local region and chapter connections yet you still have managed to develop such great success nonetheless. I have decided to join this month's virtual conference.

As I write this I have already received an inquiry through the SCWBI website, an author found my work through the illustrators gallery! Incredible. I might be checking with you guys about how to negotiate a contract!!

[ArtistErin]

@Mimi-Simon Thanks for the heads up! It's interesting how Covid changed the landscape so much and now we are having to re-adjust our methods and approach for these things... I am hoping I can join the virtual conference in New York, just asked my boss if I am on the schedule that day.

[Melissa_Bailey]

@ArtistErin just FYI if you have to work -- those that sign up for the virtual NY conference will have access to the videos for a while (I think it's at least a month). So even if you have to work for part of that day, you could catch what you missed.

[ArtistErin]

I just registered for the Virtual Conference! Made sure I have the weekend off! I'm so excited

Also have a zoom call with a potential job! An author saw me on the SCBWI and is interested in my style for his first children's book. He is an establish YA author, and this is his first Early Reader book, so we have a meeting set up tomorrow.

I love the manuscript, it is something I could envision myself illustrating. I'm scared I think that I won't have that confidence I want, I'm just feeling all the things.

Ok one: I think this conversation will be just getting to know what he is wanting for his book, and so I just take notes? Trying to anticipate knowing what to go into this conversation with ... maybe list what to say?

[ArtistErin]

@Melissa_Bailey Whew! Thank you. I am still navigating the website! LOL
I also found a critique group I'm interested in joining here in Littleton CO. So it was so helpful to listen to one of the 3PP podcasts when the topic was around critique groups and be careful who you join up with, and get terms in writing to protect our work.

Thank you for your golden advice!!! I greatly appreciate it

[Melissa_Bailey]

@ArtistErin you’re so welcome! Sounds like you’re off to a great start with SCBWI. Hope you and your critique group is the perfect fit for you — critique groups are SO helpful!

[MirkaH]

I am a longtime member of SCBWI. Get to know your local chapter, volunteering at events is always fun. You meet people, make local friends that you can team together with for critiques or cheering up, and have the perks of often getting to chat with the faculty. In the beginning I did a lot of the webinars, because they are affordable and got a lot of the agent and editor critiques. I found those really helpful in figuring out how I was doing and which way to develop my work. They also have free webinar series, that come in between the big conferences. So keep an eye out for those. If you are getting ready to query, check out the Handbook. It is updated multiple times a year, and has great advice, best practices, agencies, and publishers listed.
Make sure you are getting your regional emails, to know whats happening in your area, and if you are close to an edge of a region, you could see what the neighboring region is doing too.