Come and join us at the SCBWI British Isles conference in London! Children’s book creators at all levels will find unique opportunities to meet and network with industry professionals and fellow creatives at our vibrant in-person event. This is NOT a free event! Once Bookings Open, please BUY YOUR TICKET below to secure your place for the conference, including lunch and evening networking event. Programme subject to change without forward notice. NO REFUNDS.
* No Drawing Skills Needed!* Join renowned illustrator Helen Stephens into the enchanting world of visual storytelling, creating narratives that resonate deeply with your own childhood memories. In this hands-on workshop, Helen will show you how to use visual thinking to transform your storytelling and enhance your writing process, making your stories personal and heartfelt, ensuring they connect with readers of all ages. You'll learn innovative techniques to craft entire stories, and explore how some simple doodling can help you visualise your narratives and generate fresh ideas. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, Helen's expert guidance will help you unlock new ways to bring your imagination to life on the page. * Please bring along a favourite soft toy from your childhood, or something you keep on your creative shelf. *This workshop is all about creativity, not artistic skill.
This engaging and interactive writing workshop, designed specifically for authors who want to master the art of writing for boys, will delve into the unique interests, challenges, and perspectives of young male readers, providing you with the tools and techniques to create compelling stories that resonate with them. Understand Your Audience: gain insights into the preferences and reading habits of boys, including popular genres, themes, and character types that capture their imagination. Craft Relatable Characters: develop strong, relatable protagonists and supporting characters that boys can see themselves in and root for. Master Action-Packed Plotting: discover how to create dynamic, fast-paced plots that keep young readers on the edge of their seats, with plenty of twists, turns, and excitement. Incorporate Humor and Adventure: Explore ways to infuse your stories with humor, adventure, and the kind of fun that boys love, making your writing both entertaining and meaningful.
If you have trouble finding your voice or deciding which story to write from a multitude of ideas and directions, this workshop is for you. If you are setting out to reinvent yourself by writing in a completely different genre or age group, likewise. And if you’re already well on your way and know your story inside and out, but an indefinable something just doesn’t feel quite right, this workshop may help you hone your focus and make it work . . . or you might find yourself wanting to write something completely different. Be prepared to delve into your psyche and figurative bookshelves.
Leading Industry Professionals Provide Insight into WHY they Bought or Sold a Bestselling Title and Share their Top Tips for how to HOOK them in. Following the Panel, Attendees will have the opportunity to ASK THE PANEL ANYTHING!
Ken Wilson-Max, Alanna Max and Kumusha Books (HarperCollins)
Becky Bagnell, Lindsay Literary
Tiffany Leeson, Farshore
Helen Boyle, Pickled Ink
Linas Alsenas, Penguin Random House
To Be Confirmed
There are slams for poetry, hip hop and tennis ... why not school visits? Calling all school visiting authors! Have you got a 5-10 minute tidbit from your school visit that children love, teachers rave about (and copy) and is guaranteed to bring the house down? Share it with other authors and illustrators at our hugely entertaining SCHOOL VISIT SLAM. Five minutes of inspiring school visit performance excerpts to inspire and spark new ways to connect with young audiences. Game on!
Have you got five minutes of absolutely inspirational school visitology you can share at this year's SCBWI conference School Visit Slam? Then fill in this form!
How in the world are we going to pick from all you brilliant people?
• Yes, you have to be a conference attendee
• We are capping each tidbit at 5min
• The tidbit must be on a specific theme or a single activity (examples: a poetry warm up, a how to draw activity, a storytelling game)
• We are hoping to represent a broad variety of ages, genres and ideas (from preschool to young adult!)
• We are hoping to fit as many of you in as possible
• If we get an outsized response, we might organise another event during the year (and why not invite teachers and librarians?)
Want to Participate and Showcase Your School visit?
DEADLINE for pitching: 10 October 2024
Join us for an exciting opportunity to network with Conference Faculty, special Industry Guests and Attendees in an evening social event. Celebrate the launch of fellow SCBWI members' books published in 2024 and the Crystal Kite Members' Choice Award for the British Isles. Bring fancy hats! This opportunity is included in your conference ticket. (Please see separate instructions belowfor how to participate in the MBL if you are a paid-up SCBWI member with an eligible book, and how to purchase an evening only ticket).
Most of us join SCBWI before we’ve ever had a book published, hoping desperately that one day we’ll get that email, call, meeting from an agent or editor saying “Yes! Your book is going to be published!” Watching your story or sketches evolve from a rough idea, through countless revisions and edits, into an actual book is something that many pre-published (and published!) writers and illustrators dream about. Come and join us in celebrating members' books published this year!
ELEGIBILITY: You are eligible to take part in the MBL if you are SCBWI Premium Member (you can check your status or become a premium member by logging into your SCBWI account) and have had a book (or books) traditionally published between November 2023 and November 2024, or self-published during that period and the book has sold more than 500 copies- and you are planning to attend the launch in person on the night. Is that you? If so, you need the details below!
DEADLINE: The last day to confirm your participation is WEDNESDAY 9th OCTOBER 2024 (due to time constraints there will be no exceptions to this deadline, so please get the form filled in ASAP!).
You will need to complete a form with details of you and your books, please
CLICK HERE TO FILL IN THE FORM
If you are not attending the conference AND are eligible for the MBL, but wish to come just for the evening celebration, you must book a SEPARATE ticket. Sorry, no guests, numbers are limited.
If you have any questions about the MBL please get in touch with Anna by emailing
conferencembl@britishscbwi.org