So I’ve made the leap and joined SCBWI. This is the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Based in the USA is has a couple of chapters in Australia so I’ve joined the Australia East/New Zealand. How this works in today’s social distancing environment is anybody’s guess, but I’m giving it a go regardless.
SCWBI Logo: Australia East andNew Zealand
I have long looked covetously at their website and it’s been at the top of the list of any person I speak to about children’s publishing. I’d even made the decision to do it two or three times over the past few years. Why I hadn’t joined sooner was all around time. I just couldn’t get to the meetings. My geographic location and the demands on my time meant it was a (very) convenient excuse.
They’ve all evaporated with our move closer to the city and I actually have no external demands on my time anymore. The kids are all adults now... In short, I have no excuses. I have to take my own advice and be brave. Make some new connections and maybe even friends. It’s strange how the older you get, meeting new people is just as hard as starting at a new school or job or party. So here I go, making new connections.
Hopefully the advice and support this group may give will help in getting my illustrations under the right noses. Although I won’t be putting carts before horses as I have been wont to do. I have to let this stuff just work the way it works and stop vacillating between forcing and hiding at any opportunity that presents itself. And, I can’t stress this enough, no leadership positions for me. NO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS EVER AGAIN . It’s just exhausting.
Chin-chin,
