SCBWI Hawaii
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Conferences, Classes and Workshops
Each year the SCBWI organizes two international conferences, providing wonderful opportunities for those interested in writing and illustrating for children. In addition to networking, you can meet with professional authors, illustrators and editors and learn the tricks of the trade.
Free member meeting
April 28 — 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
SCBWI Members, come and mingle with “your people”; enjoy a Skype visit with Linda Sue Park, renowned author of both novels and picture books; and participate in critique groups. (For critiques, bring four copies of no more than five pages of your work; if you’re an illustrator, bring samples.) We have a number of new members, and if there’s enough interest we’ll also provide a session on “The ABCs of Writing for Kids.” To sign up, email Sue at niuiki@hawaiiantel.net, and also let her know whether you’re interested in “the ABCs of Writing for Kids,” and what kind of work you’ll be bringing for the critique groups—picture book, novel, illustrations. Directions provided to those who sign up.
Hawaii Book and Music Festival
May 5-6 – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
On the Civic Center grounds; free parking. For more information see www.hawaiibookandmusicfestival.com
National Children’s Book Week
May 12 — 11 a.m-12 noon
Activities and Book Signings with SCBWI Authors in Celebration of National Children’s Book Week at Barnes & Noble Kahala Mall.
Children’s Literature Hawaii 16th Biennial Conference: “Where Pictures Speak and Stories Paint”
June 21-23
Hawaii’s own James Rumford has been chosen as featured illustrator, the conference’s first Hawaii-based headliner. He will give keynote talks, lead professional sessions, and conduct a workshop for teen artists; an exhibit of his work is also being planned. Jim joins the ranks of past distinguished guests, including Jerry Pinckney, Barry Moser, Brian Selznick, José Aruego, Tomie dePaola, and Trina Shart Hyman. The conference’s featured author is Pam Munoz Ryan, winner of multiple awards, who will also give keynotes and professional sessions and will conduct a workshop for teen writers.
This year’s Honolulu event will be held at Chaminade University because of construction at its usual site, the UH Campus Center. As always, it’s free and open to the public. Several people with SCBWI–Hawaii connections will also present sessions: Tammy Yee will tackle the important question “But Is It A Picture Book?”; Scott Goto will put on an illustrator’s “reality show”; and Sue Cowing will talk about humor in middle-grade fiction.
A mini-version of the conference will be presented on Maui on June 20.
For more information, http://childrensliteraturehawaii.org (conference program will be posted soon) or email CLH@hawaii.edu.
Annual SCBWI International Conference, Los Angeles
August 3-6
An all-star line-up with a multitude of award-winning authors and illustrators—including Jon Klassen, Bryan Collier, Karen Cushman, Tony DiTerlizzi,, Dan Gutman, Deborah Halverson, Patricia MacLachlan, Gary Schmidt, Sara Shepard, Ruta Sepetys, Deborah Underwood and Eugene Yelchin—as well as numerous editors and agents. Early registration fee is $440, workshops and manuscript/portfolio consultations available at additional cost. Online registration opens on April 18. www.scbwi.org
SCBWI brings together top professionals in the children's publishing world to share their knowledge and expertise with attendees twice each year. The annual SCBWI Summer & Winter conferences are also excellent networking opportunities for those already established in the children's industry, and for those just starting to enter the world of children's book writing and illustrating.
How to Get the Most Out of a Conference
From Trade Winds, December 2010:
- Find out everything you can in advance about the guest speakers—look up their websites and go to the library or bookstore to look through or read the books they have written, illustrated or published.
- Come to learn, not to be “discovered,” and you won’t be disappointed. Though there’s a public perception that it’s easy to create a children’s book in your spare time, in fact it is quite difficult even working full-time, the learning curve is long, and the market is tough. At an SCBWI conference, professionals share valuable information about craft and the publishing industry that they would not have time to communicate in the submissions process or in personal correspondence. Take notes.
- If you can, take advantage of some conference extras like first pages or first look, manuscript critique, and portfolio critique, some of which require advance preparation and early registration. Again, these are chances to get more individual feedback than is normally available from swamped professionals.
- Do get to know the conference guests. The key here is courtesy and balance. Don’t shy away from approaching the guest editor, agent, art director, author, or illustrator between sessions to chat and mention what you’re doing; they expect to have that kind of contact. But don’t monopolize their attention and do not, do not hand them a manuscript or portfolio to look over. This is not the time. You will receive an information sheet that tells how you may send your work to them post-conference.
- Get to know your fellow attendees. Writing and illustrating are mostly solitary occupations, so this is a good chance to share experiences and pick up tips from others in a group who do what you do. Who knows? You may find friends to contact, exchange with, and learn from throughout the year. A great conversation starter? Ask someone what they’re working on!
- During discussions, ask questions that will be useful to others, too, and that don’t apply only to your own work.
- Relax and have fun, and be sure to bring a sweater. Though the conference atmosphere is warm, the room is often freezing!
The late Sid Fleischman, at our 2007 conference.
Other Upcoming Events
To be announced
