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 second Tuesday of every month (a new day of the week this year) from September through May, excluding April (when we’ll hold our annual conference instead). These Professional Series Meetings typically include two 45-minute sessions or a 30-minute “mini-session” and a 60-minute main program, with a brief business meeting between. We bring in at least one professional speaker for each program, and sometimes several panelists, such as the writers on the YA panel planned for December. At January’s unique and popular meeting, we host “The Great Critique”—the ultimate critique experience. For complete details, 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. Our conference now attracts more than 400 attendees, making it one of the largest regional conferences within SCBWI. Details about next year’s conference, which will be held in April 2010, will be posted soon on our Annual Conference page.

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. Information about the upcoming retreat, which will take place on November 6-8, 2009, will be posted on the Professional Retreats page as it become available.

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, 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. 

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.