General Information
New Regional Advisor
It was a pleasure to answer the call to serve as Regional Advisor for Caribbean South for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
I spent over six years in the communications field managing the strategic development of Trinidad and Tobago’s Employer Association. At the beginning of 2012 I began putting things in place to take the bold step out of the 8-4 working world and dedicate myself to two of my life-long objectives; a magazine which is dedicated to exploring the depth of Family Matters in the Caribbean and to becoming a published author of a series of children’s books.
This opportunity although not foreseen was well timed and I look forward to working with each of you, and to contributing positively to the development of Caribbean South’s writers and illustrators on the international stage.
Caribbean South
Caribbean South was launched in 2005, and over the last seven years Joanne Johnson carried the chapter, for this we are grateful.
Even though our region itself is daunting when it comes to children publishing it is not impossible. The market has opened up not just creatively but also in self-publishing and e-books. The internet has been able to revolutionize the market; bringing the author closer to readers and letting our readers experience the written word more interactively. Even though we intend to take full advantage of all new mediums we know that print is here to stay. The joy of opening a book, smelling the pages and being enchanted with each page that’s turned, is a gift that our parents gave us and one that we will give to our children.
Our goals remain:
1. To draw out and encourage our Caribbean talent.
2. To expand awareness of SCBWI among new and established writers/illustrators — and in the broader communities
3. To develop a resource and support system for all writers, including those who are not familiar with the publishing world
4. To attract and actively solicit Caribbean writers who are already published in the field; with the intention of unifying a vital resource in the region for networking, mentoring, sharing knowledge and encouragement.
4. To create opportunities to collectively present our region as a resource to publishers for first class, international talent.
5. To set up funds/grants/awards specifically for Caribbean writers and artists in this field.
Marsha Gomes-Mckie
Regional Advisor, Caribbean South
http://scbwicaribbean-south.blogspot.com/