Member Services
New England Regional Services:
Critique Groups: SCBWI Critique Groups are held, usually on a monthly basis, in communities throughout each region. Some groups meet in libraries; others, in homes. Each group is unique, shaped by the talents of the Critique Group Representitive and the participants. An online list of SCBWI Critique Groups is updated frequently, and the New England Critique Groups Coordinator is available to help and advise prospective representatives on adding new critique groups to our network.
CONNECTIONS Directory: CONNECTIONS is a database of New England SCBWI authors and illustrators who are available for school and library speaking dates. This list of names, descriptions of school visit programs and contact information will be emailed to subscribers twice a year, in September and June. There is no cost to either the authors/illustrators listing with us, or the subscribers receiving this information.
Newsletter: The New England NEWS is a bi-monthly newsletter of the three New England Regions. Each issue of The New England NEWS carries pertinent articles, announcements of classes, art shows, competitions, publishers needs and activities throughout the area. The achievements of our members are also highlighted, and your contributions are welcomed and encouraged.
NESCBWI Email List: Members may subscribe to our New England SCBWI Email List, a great way to keep in touch with other members of the region who have similiar interests. It's also a great way to network, to find out about upcoming events and opportunites and changes in both SCBWI and the publishing industry in general.
Conferences: New England SCBWI offers an annual conference in the spring. Members receive reduced conference tuition. The content of the conference is a mix of presentations and workshops, designed to assist the novice and encourage the established professional. In addition, New England SCBWI organizes smaller events and workshops for writers and illustrators.
Workshops: Each New England region occasionally sponsors area workshops that give members opportunities to learn and to network with peers. These get-togethers range in scope from workshops on one aspect of producing children's books, to day tours, to "teas" hosted by bookstores for published New England SCBWI members.
Jan's Weblog: Since September, 2000, Jan Kozlowski has maintained New England SCBWI's Weblog, a combination diary and bulletin board with a wealth of information, tips, and links galore! Be sure to check back often for new entries.
National Services:
A Professional Guild: The SCBWI serves as a consolidated voice for professional writers and illustrators across the world. As a unified body, the SCBWI acts as a powerful force to effect important changes within the field of children's literature. In recent years, the SCBWI has successfully lobbied for such issues as new copyright legislation, equitable treatment of authors and artists, and fair contract terms.
Advisory Functions: The SCBWI serves an advisory function for all of its members. Individual advice, information and counsel are gladly provided. The SCBWI prides itself on taking a personal interest in the careers of its professional membership.
The Bulletin: The "SCBWI Bulletin" is a bimonthly publication containing comprehensive and current information in the field of children's literature. Features include the latest market reports, articles on issues in writing, illustrating, and publishing, information on contests and awards, reports of events in the field, news of SCBWI members, as well as information about ongoing SCBWI activities throughout the country. The "Bulletin" is an invaluable source of information and inspiration to writers and illustrators of children's literature.
The Golden Kite: Four Golden Kite Statuettes--one for fiction, one for non-fiction, one for picture-illustration, and one for picture book text — are awarded each year to the most outstanding books written and/or illustrated by members of the SCBWI. Honor Book Certificates are awarded in each category. The Golden Kite has become one of the major national awards in the children's book field.
Magazine Merit Awards: Four plaques--one for fiction, one for non-fiction, one for illustration, and one for poetry--will be awarded each year for outstanding original magazine work for young people published during that year and having been written or illustrated by members of the SCBWI. Honor certificates will be awarded in each category.
Sue Alexander Award: The Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award is given annually at the SCBWI Annual Conference in Los Angeles to the manuscript submitted for individual critique that is deemed most promising for publication. Manuscripts must be submitted for critique at the time of the conference. There are no prior application processes for this award. Critiquers at the Los Angeles conference determine the finalists, and Ms. Alexander makes a final selection after the conference. The recipient receives an expense-paid trip to New York to meet with editors.
Portfolio Award: The Portfolio Award is given annually at the SCBWI Annual Conference in Los Angeles to the best art portfolio submitted for display in the Juried Art Portfolio Display. Portfolios must be submitted for display at the time of the conference. Only full-time conference attendees are eligible for the award. There are no prior application processes for this award. Portfolios will be judged by a panel of top professionals at the conference. The jury determines the one grand prize award winner and also finalists in four different categories: Realistic, Humorous, Quirky modern, and Sci-fi/Fantasy (participant does not need to select a category -- judges determine this). The winner of the Portfolio Award receives an all-expense paid trip to New York to meet with leading art directors.
Work-in-Progress Grants: Four grants--General, Contemporary Novel, Nonfiction Research, Previously Unpublished Author--to assist individual members complete specific projects.
Don Freeman Memorial Grant-in-Aid: The Don Freeman Memorial Grant-In-Aid has been established by the SCBWI to enable picture-book artists to further their understanding, training, and work in the picture-book genre.
Barbara Karlin Grant: The Barbara Karlin Grant has been established to recognize and encourage the work of aspiring picture-book writers.
The Kimberly Colen Memorial Grant: The Kimberly Colen Memorial Grant has been established by the family of the late Kimberly Colen along with the SCBWI to honor Kimberly's memory by helping unpublished authors and illustrators achieve their goal of getting their first children's books published by awarding monetary grants for projects, materials, services, and other related expenses.
Annual Conference: Los Angeles, August. Each year, the SCBWI sponsors the only international conference devoted entirely to writing and illustrating literature for children. Luminaries in the field provide lectures, workshops, and individual manuscript and art consultations. SCBWI members receive considerable discount on conference tuition.
Annual Mid-Year Conference: New York, February. Each year, the SCBWI sponsors the only international conference devoted entirely to writing and illustrating literature for children. Luminaries in the field provide lectures, workshops, and individual manuscript and art consultations. SCBWI members receive considerable discount on conference tuition.
Regional Events: Regional Advisors coordinate SCBWI events and activities for members in locations all over the country. Meetings and workshops feature well-known writers, illustrators, and others involved in literature for young people; critique groups, shop-talk groups, newsletters containing regional information of interest to writers and illustrators and social events enable members to share experiences and make friendships. Members receive substantial discounts on admission to regional events.
Publications: Several different publications, designed to aid both published and unpublished writers and illustrators, are available to SCBWI members for the cost of postage only.
Manuscript/Illustration Exchange: The SCBWI sponsors a free manuscript and illustration exchange among its members. Through the Exchange program, SCBWI members can obtain criticism and feedback on their works in progress.
Insurance: Major Medical, Hospital Indemnity, and Life Insurance are available to SCBWI members through participation in TEIGIT, The Entertainment Industry Group Insurance Trust. The insurance coverage is geographically limited -- for more information on areas covered, please visit www.teigit.com. We are no longer offering information on the AETNA insurance.
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