SCBWI New Mexico
Welcome to the SCBWI New Mexico Creative Community!
SCBWI New Mexico is a committed community of children's book writers, illustrators, and translators located throughout the state of New Mexico and in the El Paso area of Texas. We are here to support one another on the arduous but joyful journey of creating children's books. Click through this carousel to see what's happening in the region, or scroll down the page to catch up on the latest news and resources.
Master Class in Characterization with USA Today Bestselling author Jade Lee / Kat Chen
Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. MDT ❖ Not the typical fill-out-this-character-sheet class! Explore Core Wounds, Key Strengths as they come from Trauma, Verbs, and Imagery Sets. You’ll finish with over a dozen different directions to explore your characters. Some techniques naturally lead to more plot, others inform the setting, and each makes your book rich with emotional resonance. Join USA Today Bestseller Jade Lee in her Master’s Class in Characterization and get the character solutions you need to bring your people to life. This webinar will be recorded and available to registered attendees for 30 days following the event.
Write Here, Write Now
Are you struggling to find dedicated time to write? Looking for like-minded folks and accountability? Our monthly writing group meets the last Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mountain Time at the North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center in Albuquerque and spends two hours writing. No prompts, required sharing, or critiquing– just writing.
Kidlit Community
Tackling the Imposter Phenomenon
The subjectivity of art and the low to non-existent financial rewards many kidlit creators reap creates a perfect breeding ground for professional fears. Does what I do matter? Will I ever get published? Am I good enough? For those who do achieve publication--and even financial and critical success--the fear lingers. This had to be a mistake. How long before people find realize I'm a fraud? Systemic barriers to people from marginalized communities amplify these emotions in creators who are already underrepresented in our profession, along with feelings of isolation. A frequently cited antidote to feelings of being an imposter is embracing community. Former literary agent Nathan Bransford writes, "If you find people who truly believe in you and your work: cherish these people like the articles of pure magic they are. Just as importantly: believe them." These may be people who create the same genre or style of art as you. They may be people facing similar publishing challenges due to life circumstances or identity. Connecting with people on a similar publishing journey can help you redefine your success as a creator.
Member News
Book Launch: Stories Are the Heart of the World by Laurel Goodluck
Help Laurel Goodluck celebrate the launch of her new picture book, STORIES ARE THE HEART OF THE WORLD at Bookworks (4022 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107) on May 9 at 1 p.m. The book is available for preorder on the Bookworks website.
Book Launch: What We Have Tamed by G.S. Harrington
G.S. Harrington will be at Books on the Bosque on May 23rd at 2pm to discuss her new YA sci-fi What We Have Tamed, which includes ties to New Mexico's space history. An ASL Interpreter is provided. Come out and bring a friend!
Book Launch: Camp Big Top by Alexandra Diaz
Help Alexandra Diaz celebrate the launch of CAMP BIG TOP! The Santa Fe book launch will include an aerial performance, reading, Q&A, snacks, AND all ages aerial silks and stilt-walking "try it" opportunities. May 30th at 2pm at Wise Fool New Mexico, 1030 Midtown Calle Central Suite 103, Santa Fe, NM 87505. The Albuquerque book launch will include a stilt-walking demo, reading, Q&A, snacks, AND all ages juggling opportunity. June 13th at 2pm at Books on the Bosque, 6261 Riverside Plaza Ln Suite A-2, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Come to one, come to both!
Keep in touch
To inquire about local events, awards, or opportunities, please email { [email protected] }