Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Sussex
Cynthia Huijgens received her MEd Art Education from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and uses the tagline 'art educator exploring write ideas'. In 2016, she was selected for AWP’s Writer to Writer Mentor Program and the following year graduated from Simon Fraser University's The Writers Studio. Cynthia has published two children’s illustrated picture books, A Fish Called Andromeda (2022) and Polar Bear and the UFO (2020), along with two middle grade fiction novels as part of an ongoing series. When she’s not assisting SCBWI members in the SE, she’s organizing socials for Society of Authors members living in the same region, or gardening. Mostly gardening. As Co-Network Coordinator Cynthia looks forward to meeting members and helping them get the most of their SCBWI membership.
Zoe Kear writes middle grade, YA and chapter books. Whilst studying for her MA in creative writing at RHUL she began her fantasy trilogy. Zoe teaches English at an international school. She has experience in increasing students’ interest in reading through initiatives at school, including book clubs, book lists and creating in class activities to support author visits.
When Cynthia and Zoe began their role as South East co-coordinators in September of last year, they set out to discover what support and activities members in the South East would like to see on offer. After querying local group leaders, they came up with a plan. In March 2024 they launched weekly writing sprints for all SE members and monthly support sessions for local group leaders. Social events and day retreats are currently in the planning stages for this summer. Watch this space!
Please contact: southeast@britishscbwi.org
Active Groups
Opportunities
Critique Group Leader
If you are interested in running a local critique or social group for writers and illustrators, please get in touch. Areas in particular need of leaders are:
If you would like to join a group, let us know at southeast@britishscbwi.org
Writing Sprints
Critique Group Leader Support Sessions