Monthly Meeting: January 2026 – Anna Alsup, ATX Regional Advisor

At January’s Monthly Meeting, SCBWI Austin’s Regional Advisor, author Anna Alsup, led us through a goal-setting workshop, complete with actionable advice. After spelling out some new goals for our chapter and what’s coming soon on the calendar, we broke into pairs to brainstorm our own goals for the year.

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:

-  Focus on what YOU can control

-  Avoid Outcome Goals = goals that are out of your control: 

• Getting an agent
• Signing a book deal
• Winning awards

-  Focus on Output Goals = goals that are under your control: 

• Sending 50 query letters
• Writing 3,000 words/Illustrating a manuscript
• Submitting to 3 contests

-  Set small and long-term goals:

• Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Annually

-  Ask yourself:

• Am I taking on projects that align with my values?
• Am I challenging myself with a new skill?
• Am I avoiding hustle and burn-out?
• Am I celebrating little wins?
• Am I sharing my struggle or journey with others/a support group?
• Have I helped another creator feel welcome at an event?
• Have I reflected on the recent year?

Sample Goals for Authors/Illustrators:

DAILY:

• Before breakfast: Write 500 words/sketch 
• During lunch break: Delete 500 words/revise sketches
• Read/View a book as a mentor text
• Plan out a character arc/Practice illustrating one character in different poses

WEEKLY:

• Read/View a book that may be a comp title
• Write 2,000 words per week/Illustrate 5 concepts per week
• Create a plot outline/Create a dummy
• Beta read for a fellow author/Critique a fellow illustrator’s work
• Strengthen chapter beginnings and endings/Strengthen illustration concepts/style

LONG-TERM:

• Set your own deadlines to: Complete a first draft/Complete a set of illustrations 
• Write a query, logline, and synopsis/Complete a portfolio