SCBWI Eastern NY is local.
We are the local SCBWI Region for Eastern NY, which includes the geographical area from Rockland and Orange county to the Canadian border. We are a welcoming group of aspiring and published kidlit authors and illustrators.
We are a resource and a community for both the prepublished looking for guidance and classes and the professionals looking for support and marketing. We normally have four Shoptalk meetings around the region: Plattsburgh, Albany, Poughkeepsie, and New City, but because of Covid 19, we are meeting online.
SCBWI has many benefits, as listed below in the FAQ section, but you do not need to be a member to attend our free Shoptalk meetings.
SCBWI is international.
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, is the only professional organization specifically for individuals who write and illustrate for children and young adults. Our mission is to support the creation and availability of quality children’s books in every region of the world.
Through our awards, events, and publications, we give established writers and illustrators the tools and resources to manage their careers, as well as educate those just starting out. SCBWI is also proud to serve as a consolidated voice for our members within the publishing industry.
Membership in SCBWI is open to anyone with an active interest in children’s literature, from picture books to young adult novels. We welcome aspiring and published writers and illustrators, as well as librarians, educators, translators, artists, students, dramatists, musicians, filmmakers, and others. A passion for children’s literature is our number one criterion.
FAQ
Whether you are taking your first step on your path to publishing or whether you are an experienced and professional author or illustrator, here are some common questions about SCBWI Eastern NY.
Member Benefits if you are just starting out:
SCBWI members have access to a host of professional development events, marketing and promotional opportunities, online and print resources, and awards and grants.
Professional Development Conferences and Events
From large international conferences to small, intimate retreats, events are a key benefit to SCBWI membership. Award-winning authors, esteemed illustrators, editors, agents, and publishers present lectures, conduct workshops, and give individual manuscript and art consultations at SCBWI events around the world. These gatherings are excellent networking opportunities for those both already established in and new to the fantastic, demanding world of children’s book writing and illustrating.
Networking and Community
Being a writer or illustrator can be a lonely profession. With SCBWI you’ll have colleagues around the world to support your career, whatever the stage. When you become an SCBWI member you automatically become part of one of 82 SCBWI regional chapters worldwide. Opportunities to network with other members and industry professionals exist at SCBWI regional and national events, or online through our discussion boards and affinity groups. Marketing and Promotion SCBWI membership comes with unique opportunities to market and promote your work. Whether you’re a published author or illustrator and need people to find your book so you can create a fan base, or you’re just starting out and need editors, art directors, and agents to see your work, SCBWI will help increase your visibility in the market.
The Book
When you become an SCBWI member you have instant access to The Book: The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children. We update The Book throughout the year so that you always have access to the most up-to-date information in the field. The Book is filled with up-to-the-minute market surveys as well as information on maximizing social media, creating book trailers, enhancing your career though school visits, best practices in independent publishing, grassroots promotion, and much more. Members can also order a hard copy of The Book for the cost of printing and shipping.
The Bulletin
The SCBWI Bulletin is a quarterly publication containing comprehensive and current information in the field of children’s literature. In addition to features each month, regular departments include the latest market reports, information on school visits, book reviews, art tips, information on contests and awards, information on the illustration market, news of SCBWI members, and information about ongoing SCBWI activities throughout the world. Two hundred and fifty issues of SCBWI’s Bulletin, representing forty-two years of articles and advice, are now archived and easily searchable on the SCBWI website. Insight — SCBWI’s INSIGHT is a monthly digital publication featuring current children’s book news, hot topics, helpful hints, exclusive interviews, and monthly contests. Members receive the SCBWI INSIGHT in their inbox on the first of every month as a supplement to our quarterly Bulletin.
Awards & Grants
SCBWI presents several annual awards to recognize works by SCBWI members that exhibit excellence in writing or illustration, and genuinely appeal to the interests and concerns of children. In addition, SCBWI provides grants and scholarships to encourage continuing excellence in the creation of children’s literature. Grants are awarded throughout the year and provide financial assistance to members to finish works-in-progress, polish portfolios, attend conferences, market published books, and more. . Discounts In addition to discounts at SCBWI events and conferences, members of SCBWI also receive discounts for services such as Nielsen BookScan, Scrivener, Scapple software licenses, and Publishers Weekly subscriptions. Discounts and coupon codes for members only.
Member Benefits if you are already published:
Speakers Bureau
Traditionally or independently published authors and illustrators can advertise in our Speaker’s Bureau, an online database used by teachers and librarians to find speakers for school visits. Illustrator Gallery — Illustrators can feature their online portfolios in our Illustrator Gallery, which is visited by art directors and others looking to hire illustrators. Each month we select an illustrator member to feature. Art Spot — Illustrators can also submit their art to the quarterly Art Spot column of the SCBWI Bulletin. The Bulletin is seen by our 22,000 members, including top industry professionals.
Recommended Reading List
Traditionally published authors may opt to have their books listed on SCBWI’s Recommended Reading List, which is distributed to independent bookstores and libraries across the country, as well as conferences such as ALA and NCTE.
SCBWI BookStop
Published authors and illustrators can promote their books at our online SCBWI BookStop event. Once a year in October through November, members are given the opportunity to create a special sales page on the SCBWI website for a newly published book. SCBWI BookStop pages are available online for six weeks. Visitors can browse, purchase, and enjoy learning about you and your book.
Happy Book Birthday
Celebrate and promote your new book the month it is released through our Happy Book Birthday program. On the first Monday of each month, we will display all the books released that month from both PAL and independently published members on our beautiful Happy Book Birthday page.
SCBWInvite
Invite the SCBWI community to your next reading, workshop, or event by filling out an SCBWInvite on your member profile. All the approved invitations will be listed on the Invite Page so local SCBWI members and visitors to the region can add your event to their calendars.
Pro-Insider
The PRO-INSIDER is a digital publication for PAL (Published and Listed) members. This quarterly newsletter is filled with information on building and maintaining a successful career as a professional writer or illustrator. The PRO-INSIDER features articles about contracts, royalties, marketing, school visits, taxes, and everything a professional writer or illustrator might need to know. Podcasts — SCBWI releases regular monthly thirty- to forty-five-minute podcasts, with interviews from leaders in the field of children’s literature—from editors and art directors to authors and illustrators. SCBWI members can download the podcasts for free.