SCBWI Annual Conference 1 & 2 November 2014, University of Winchester

The SCBWI Annual Conference is available for booking now to SCBWI members, details below:

The British Isles Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
 announces its 7^th Annual Conference November 1^st and 2^nd 2014

to be held at the University of Winchester

Keynote speakers this year are Cathy Cassidy, Nick Butterworth and, for the all-new PULSE strand aimed at published children’s authors, Sally Gardner. Adhering to the theme of Riding the Waves of Change, this year’s SCBWI conference will focus on the changing face of children’s book publishing, offering on the Saturday specialist industry panels with speakers from the very largest houses to representatives of vibrant indies. Additional panels for illustrators and non-fiction writers cover developments in the world of picture books and educational publishing. Published members will be able to participate in a discussion on self-promotion best practices. Saturday evening’s exclusive party will give delegates the chance to celebrate new members’ 2014 publications and network with a stellar list of industry professionals.

Sunday will open with PULSE keynote, Sally Gardner. The rest of the day is devoted to craft intensives and a new PULSE track for published authors and illustrators.

The craft intensives will feature: For writers, everything from how to plot your novel, led by Melvin Burgess, to writing for reluctant readers, led by Anthony McGowan and his Barrington Stoke editor, Mairi Kidd, to crafting a picture book, led by Erzsi Deak and Mike Brownlow, to an intensive for beginners on how to get your precious manuscript published. Illustrators can join in a hands-on craft session on pop-up books. One-to-one manuscript and portfolio reviews with agents and editors will be offered.

The PULSE track will feature a workshop on interview techniques, hosted by BBC presenter, Claire Bolderson, a Twitter Triage, hosted by social media guru, Michelle Goodall, a panel on how to reach schools, hosted by educators and librarians and finally, a workshop on building your online presence with website designer and author, Candy Gourlay.

The SCBWI Annual conference has never before offered such incredible opportunities to both published and unpublished authors to develop their craft, raise their profile and market their work!

Admission to the entire conference is £210 for SCBWI members and £240 for non-members, with a charge of £120 for those members only attending the new PULSE track on the Sunday (£180 for non-members who opt for Sunday-only PULSE).

There is an optional critique meet on the evening of Friday 31^st October, an open portfolio exhibition on Saturday 1^st November and various other competitions for authors and illustrators. Delegates and invited industry guests will be celebrating our members’ 2014 publishing successes at our exclusive party and Mass Book Launch on Saturday night!

For more information about the conference programme visit: http://britishisles.scbwi.org/conference2014/programme/

Booking deadline is midnight, 17^th October 2014. We hope to see you there!



SCBWI British Isles hosts a number of events during the year, from a professional development lecture series to masterclasses and a writing retreat.

For more information:

SCBWI:  www.scbwi.org

SCBWI British Isles: www.britishisles.scbwi.org

2014 Conference: http://britishisles.scbwi.org/conference2014/programme/

Contacts: 

Bookings:

·         Sean Noonan, conferencebookings@britishscbwi.org

Conference and Press Enquiries:

·         Marnie Riches, Conference Chair, conference@britishscbwi.org

·         Natascha Biebow, Regional Advisor, ra@britishscbwi.org