Contributed by Jena Lasley
Once upon a time, I dreamed of writing and illustrating my own picture books. It was always going to be something I did “someday.” But then I woke up one morning and realized that “someday” was never going to happen if I didn’t start somewhere, anywhere and now.
That was probably the same day I got an email from Writer’s Digest telling me they had a class about writing for children and I signed up to take it. It was through that class (and my first horribly written picture book manuscript) that I learned about SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). They are an international non-profit organization that helps people interested in writing or illustrating kids’ books. They have chapters all over the world and provide workshops, conferences, retreats and webinars, that help not only teach people about the industry (or learn how to write a picture book), but also bring the agents and editors to those locales.
I have been involved with many writing organizations over the years and I admit that I’d never heard of one helping writers to succeed as much as SCBWI. And of course, living in Alaska I felt isolated from the business world of agents and editors a million miles away. The idea of somehow getting closer to my dream right from where I lived? That sounded amazing!
I looked SCBWI up on the internet and was surprised to find out that Alaska had its very own Chapter. I joined as soon as I could afford it and went to one of their meetings. I learned so much from that group alone, but I shortly attended my first conference and met with my first agent for a one-on-one critique of a story I’d written. No, I didn’t sign with her. In fact, my first encounter was dismal. But still! I got feedback from an agent without traveling away from home to do it!
I plugged in over the next few years, learning as much as I could and writing many picture book manuscripts that got better and better over the years. That was how I came to be offered the volunteer position of Illustrator Coordinator for the Alaska Chapter. Then I went to the National conference. I met some of my literary heroes and saw many dreams come true (some of mine and some of others’). No, I don’t have a book published yet, but that will happen soon. I’m sure of it. Why? Because I keep meeting with agents and editors in one-on-one critique sessions at our local conferences and retreats, and the feedback keeps getting better and better.
I meet many people that have the same dream I do, and I would love to tell them all about SCBWI. In fact, we have a Spring Retreat in April, in Talkeetna with Agent Fiona Kenshole of Transatlantic Agency coming up to Alaska. She will be presenting a couple of workshops and will be offering critiques of work as well. I hope many more dreamers will join us there and take advantage of these opportunities here at home. For more information, go to: https://alaska.scbwi.org/
