[Sarah SCBWI Posts: 28 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hi Blue Board users and SCBWI members,

We’ve heard from you that the Blue Boards are a valuable resource and we have decided to keep them running. We are building a new SCBWI website and investing in newer technologies and better ways for you to connect with other SCBWI members and publishing professionals, and I hope in the future those will be helpful and valuable for you as well. For now, you have spoken up and communicated the value of this platform with us at SCBWI Headquarters, and we are listening.

I apologize for the short notice and timing of my announcement on Friday, and for any disruption it caused. I hope you will all continue to take advantage of the Blue Boards, and I hope all of you have a peaceful and joyful holiday season.

In community,
Sarah Baker
(she/her)
Executive Director
scbwi.org

[Ree Posts: 377 Status: Offline No Boxes]

So happy it will continue!

Thank you,
Ree

[Hopeful Posts: 227 Status: Offline I love kid books!]

I'm glad to hear that SCBWI has reconsidered its decision and will be keeping the Blueboards.  It's wonderful to see that its members' voices count.  That's the best present one could receive for the holiday season.  Thank you!

[JodyJS Posts: 1,319 Status: Offline Available for preorder! Out 12/12/23]

YAY, Sarah!! Thanks so much for reconsidering! 

[Becky Posts: 65 Status: Offline]

I am so happy to hear this news! For those of you doubting the value of SCBWI, please don't give up yet--change is often difficult and is always a process, and I do know that our leadership is trying. Again, thank you to everyone who helps to keep this board going. It truly is a treasure.

[Mrs. Jones Posts: 1,311 Status: Offline]

I am relieved to hear this news and hope the renewed commitment and decision to keeping the Blueboard alive (and growing) is permanent!

Thank you for letting us know, Sarah.

[AnnH Posts: 1,462 Status: Offline I love to read and write!]

 

[Pons Posts: 2,482 Status: Offline]

Thank you.

[dewsanddamps Posts: 2,320 Status: Offline]

That's terrific news! Thanks so much. 

[Vonna Posts: 1,669 Status: Offline]

I was devastated when I saw the announcement that the Blueboard was being cut. To me, it has always been the most valuable part of SCBWI. Many writers, myself included, sometimes take a break from writing for months or years, but when we are ready to come back, the Blueboard is here for us. Being informed about writing for the children's market is not something that can be learned from archives alone. Publishing is a constantly changing business and the daily input from writers and other publishing professionals is what makes this board so important.

Thank you for reconsidering!

[Vijaya Posts: 7,104 Status: Offline Encourage]

I'm so glad HQ listened to keep the Blueboards up and may they stay up permanently as a resource for us all. I just checked my stats: 131+ days since June 2004. I've learned so much here as a newbie writer and stayed to learn more and give back to this wonderful community Verla built.
         

[andracill Posts: 5,726 Status: Offline Worlds within...screaming to get out!]

I too am thankful that SCBWI leadership listened to the members and realized the invaluable resource and connection provided by the Blueboard.

[217mom Posts: 1,153 Status: Offline "Keep the child in view"- Charles Dickens]

  for listening.
It was a (seriously) ill-advised move to begin with, and one that should never take place without consulting the members.
You have shown you still are *OUR* organization by reversing course.
 

[HaroldU Posts: 859 Status: Offline Exec. Editor, Kane Press]

Thank you! So glad to hear this.

[Ev Posts: 3,374 Status: Offline Making learning fun!]

I'm SO thankful to hear this news!!!! The Blueboard is such an important resource. I'm glad you've decided to continue it! 

[Sue Ford Posts: 34 Status: Offline I write under my maiden name, Susan Uhlig]

Thank you!

[C. Louise Donovan Posts: 33 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you for listening.

[JulieM Posts: 996 Status: Offline]

I am relieved and grateful that the decision has been reversed. This is a wonderful resource that is caring, informative, and diverse. It is a big part of what makes SCBWI great. Thank you for listening to your members' voices, Sarah and team.
To us all, happy holidays...and happy writing and illustrating!!!

[G.R. Posts: 634 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

  Outstanding!    for listening to us.

[KathyC Posts: 16 Status: Offline I write because I have to.]

What a blessing. I visit this board every single day like clock work to read, learn & the community. I don't know what I'd do without it. That's just wonderful.

[jojocookie Posts: 334 Status: Offline]

Thank you!

[217mom Posts: 1,153 Status: Offline "Keep the child in view"- Charles Dickens]

This morning I posted about this whole whirlwind that we have endured, happy to come out with this reprieve~ 
https://mirkabreen.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-week-i-got-to-mourn-digital-death.html

[ButterflyGirl Posts: 546 Status: Offline @kidlitSarah sarahfloydbooks.com]

Phew! What a relief to know that this safe, supportive community will continue. 

I'm glad to know that the leadership at SCBWI hears its members and is sensitive to their wishes. I believe the love and loyalty of so many of us, and the security and relevance of the information here, will continue making the Blueboard a valuable asset to SCBWI. I hope we never experience this kind of despair and sense of impending loss again.

I am relieved to hear this news and hope the renewed commitment and decision to keeping the Blueboard alive (and growing) is permanent!

Thank you to the moderators and admins who have worked so long and hard on behalf of all of us, and to Verla, whose vision and hard work remains a lasting legacy. 

[jojocookie Posts: 334 Status: Offline]

I hope we never experience this kind of despair and sense of impending loss again.

 

[Tori Posts: 711 Status: Offline Don't we all wish we could get the last word?]

A HUGE relief! I cannot imagine life without the Blueboards --joined in 1989---and I join everyone else's voices in thanking you for being willing to continue this special community!

With much grateful aloha,
Tori

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,068 Status: Offline Language is so cool!]

As a mod and daily user, I want to thank everyone who spoke up on the BB's behalf.

[JFriday Posts: 582 Status: Offline]

I'm glad to see the Blueboards will continue, but I have to say my trust in SCBWI is badly shaken. Verla gave this over in good faith in order to ensure it would keep going. I truly hope it does.

[Nora Posts: 94 Status: Offline]

Thank you!

Hi Blue Board users and SCBWI members,

We’ve heard from you that the Blue Boards are a valuable resource and we have decided to keep them running. We are building a new SCBWI website and investing in newer technologies and better ways for you to connect with other SCBWI members and publishing professionals, and I hope in the future those will be helpful and valuable for you as well. For now, you have spoken up and communicated the value of this platform with us at SCBWI Headquarters, and we are listening.

I apologize for the short notice and timing of my announcement on Friday, and for any disruption it caused. I hope you will all continue to take advantage of the Blue Boards, and I hope all of you have a peaceful and joyful holiday season.

In community,
Sarah Baker
(she/her)
Executive Director
scbwi.org

[cinda-chima Posts: 1 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I'm glad to hear this! So many people seem to find this to be a useful information exchange and sounding board that exists nowhere else, especially with in-person events disrupted by the pandemic. With regional conferences in abeyance as well, the value of membership has declined.
Thank you for listening and responding.

[AnnH Posts: 1,462 Status: Offline I love to read and write!]

I'm glad to see the Blueboards will continue, but I have to say my trust in SCBWI is badly shaken. Verla gave this over in good faith in order to ensure it would keep going. I truly hope it does.