Meetings & Events

SCBWI Western Washington hosts a number of events throughout the year that support your career writing or illustrating children’s books:

Professional Series Meetings

SCBWI WWA hosts monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month from September through April. These Professional Series Meetings include a 30-minute "mini-session" followed by a brief business meeting, then a 60-minute main program. We bring in at least one professional speaker for each mini-session and main program, and sometimes several panelists. January’s meeting follows a unique and popular format, where we host "The Great Critique"–the ultimate critique experience where seasoned writers and illustrators lead small groups to provide you with feedback on your work. For complete details about meetings being held during the 2007-2008 program year, see Monthly Meetings.

Annual Conference

Every year SCBWI WWA hosts a conference dedicated to growing the careers of writers and illustrators by providing craft-related workshops and marketing opportunities for publishing their work. Growing in size each year, our conference now attracts more than 400 attendees, making it one of the largest regional conferences within SCBWI. For complete details and to register for the upcoming conference, taking place April 26-27, 2008, please see Annual Conference.

Professional Retreats

SCBWI WWA professional retreats for writers and illustrators offer intermediate and advanced writers and illustrators who are published or close to publication a chance to hone their craft and work. Retreats are application-based and usually screened. For information about the upcoming retreat, taking place November 7-9, 2008, please see Professional Retreats.

Inside Story

Inside Story is a twice-yearly salon to celebrate the new books of local authors and illustrators. SCBWI WWA works with local booksellers to host one event each spring and another each fall. During the event, presenters share the “inside story” about their books with local booksellers, librarians, and teachers. For information about the next Inside Story event, taking place May 18, 2008, please see Inside Story.

Bellingham Events

Throughout the year our Bellingham Network offers SCBWI members living in Skagit and Whatcom Counties a variety of “Schmooze: events – gatherings of children's writers and illustrators who are looking to share knowledge, great news, and companionship. Schmoozes are free events – usually roundtable discussions about various topics of interest to children's writers and illustrators. Guest speakers are occasionally featured, as well. For information about upcoming events in the Bellingham area, please see Bellingham Events.

Master Classes and Special-Interest Workshops

SCBWI WWA offers at least one master class or special-interest workshop each year. Typically held in the fall during daytime hours, these workshops are taught by esteemed industry professionals (e.g., faculty for MFA programs, editors) and geared toward advanced writers and illustrators who are either published or close to publication. For a summary of the November 2007 master class with David Gifaldi, please see Workshops.

Other events that you might be interested in include the following:

SCBWI International Events

Twice a year SCBWI International brings together top professionals in the children's book industry to share their knowledge and expertise with attendees. These conferences are also excellent networking opportunities for those already established in the children's industry and for those just starting to enter the fantastic (yet demanding) world of children's book writing and illustrating. To learn more about upcoming SCBWI International events that take place in New York and Los Angeles, visit www.scbwi.org.

Community Classes

Several SCBWI members from our chapter teach writing and illustrating classes in the Western Washington region. See Community Classes for a listing of upcoming classes that are available to enhance your children’s writing and illustrating career.