Conferences for writers and Illustrators
I have spent many weekends and days at Conferences, Festivals and Workshops for writers and illustrators. What a blast! ! Amongst the features are appraisals, publishers, editors, case studies, fine food and wine, trend-spotting, trend-setting, 2 min pitches, new voices, experienced voices, sunshine (and sometimes rain) and laughter. Two-day events with hundreds of participants or two hours with four authors, benefits abound.
Best things about Conferences
What is the best thing about a conference? The chance to be with people who share your passion, to learn how to improve your craft, to take a break from the solitude that is so necessary for creating, to see new books. They reinvigorate, re-enthuse, recharge and totally exhaust you. I’ve come home with lots of books, many business cards and a number of opportunities to follow up. They are fantastic!
Conferences- Large and Small
The Programs
Programs vary from event to event. Most programs are designed to facilitate plenty of chat time. This also allows delegates to absorb the content of each presentation without feeling like heads might explode. I meet several people I previously only ‘know’ via email. It’s always good to match the faces with the names. Interesting too, who is like their on-line self, and who surprises.
The Speakers
Presenters are drawn from all facets of the publishing world. Each speaker gives us their perspective on the children’s book industry, sharing experience and providing insight.
The CBCA Conference is Biennial. This gathering of writers, illustrators, publishers, editors, teachers, librarians and others involved in, or interested in the world of children’s literature moves around the states.
I have attended a number of CBCA Conference panel sessions including ‘Real Girls or Dream Girls’, ‘What Version of History Do We Give Our Children?’, ‘Toddlers or Teens: Who are Picture Books For?’ and a session moderated by a publisher discussing the relationship between editor and writer. So many conversations and ideas to absorb. Poor old brain!
At a SCBWI afternoon, there was a representative from the Society of Editors. By the end of the afternoon, I had heard more on manuscript and concept rejection. My experience is that no, rejection doesn’t get easier. What has changed is the time it takes to bounce back
Displays
Some conferences include representation from “ The Trade”.
It’s always fascinating to watch others as they check out displays and meet-and-greet. I’m not ever very comfortable pitching spontaneously but even if I were, for me conferences are the wrong time and place. I did have some conversations with various people about opportunities but they’re always very general. I like watching publishers, editors and publicity people working. I eavesdrop on conversations, and often the questions I’ve not been able to formulate are answered.
Its great to have the chance to sit and just chat with interstate colleagues and friends. It took me most of the conference to get around all the trade displays as each time I’d begin or continue, I’d be sidetracked by friends, colleagues, launches and more. Wonderful stuff.
The Participants
The audience comprises members and non-members of the Organisers, from experienced creators to those starting out.
I enjoy each conference more than the last. That’s partly I think because I know more about how they work but also because I know more people.
Locations
Most conferences are held in capital cities across Australia. SCBWI Victoria also aims to provide one regional event each year to give regional members a break. It’s easy for us inner city dwellers to get to things – much more difficult for those living outside the city. And really, it’s a great excuse to leave the city especially on a lovely sunny day. And the attendance numbers confirmed that others felt much the same way.
What I enjoy most is the chance to talk to people who also work in this wonderful, frustrating, challenging industry of children’s books. Each conference there are presentations on the challenges faced by the book in a changing world. Some are upbeat, others downright gloomy. But other speakers inspire by sharing their own creative experiences.
Small informal gatherings
I occasionally host a writers and illustrators morning tea at my house. There is no agenda, and it’s not a crit group. There is no prerequisite publication history to limit attendance.
We talk about the industry and various projects. We talk about marketing and how to do it better. It would be challenging to measure ‘outcomes’ but it’s always great fun. I think it’s the sense that we’re all doing the same thing, and that so many of our experiences are similar.
I like to think it’s the writer and illustrator equivalent of gathering to sew a friendship quilt.
I don’t measure the success of the conference by the quality or variety of the program. It’s much less tangible than that. Poetry describes it well when it says that the power of poetry is as much in the white spaces as in the words. Conferences are wonderful, not just for the program, but for all the ‘stuff’, planned and unplanned, that fits in between.
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