Important dates:
August 31, 2024 – Last day for full refund
September 30, 2024 – Last day for partial refund
September 30, 2024 – Last day for discounted early-bird pricing
September 30, 2024 – Last day to book hotel for discounted price
November 1, 2024 – Last day for online registration
November 1, 2024 – Conference Kick-Off on Zoom
November 2, 2024 – In-Person Conference Day
November 3, 2024 – Online Conference Day
Pricing and Registration
How much does the conference cost?
The conference kicks off on Zoom Friday, November 1, 2024 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm and continues Saturday, November 2 from 9:00am to 5:00pm (for in-person attendees) or Sunday, November 3 from 11:30am to 6:30pm MDT (for online-only attendees). All attendees will have access to session recordings for 30 days following the event. Get a discount with early-bird pricing if you register by September 30, 2024.
Prices are:
Early Bird (by September 30, 2024)
Full Conference: $180 (members)/ $210 (registered users)
Online Only : $150 (members)/ $190 (registered users)
From October 1, 2024 until the conference date;
Full Conference: $195 (members)/ $225 (registered users)
Online Only : $165 (members)/ $205 (registered users)
What are my payment options?
You may pay via credit card with Stripe.
I’m registered. How can I access my registration?
After you have logged in to our website, you can access your registration details by clicking on the MEMBER HOME button in the top right corner, then clicking My Events in the menu on the left side of the page. A list with all the upcoming SCBWI events that you have registered for will appear. Choose the SCBWI-NM Handsprings Hybrid Conference 2024 to view your registration details.
I’m registered. How can I add to or change my registration?
You can change or add to your registration on the in-person registration page or online registration page. If you have technical difficulties, contact Susan Metallo Olivier at newmexico@scbwi.org
What if I have to cancel?
We understand that situations change and things come up. If you have to cancel your reservation for the conference after you’re registered, you may get a full refund up to August 31, 2024 minus a $15 processing fee. After that, you may receive a 50% refund until September 30, 2024 (minus a $15 processing fee). There will be NO refunds for critiques, portfolio reviews and pitch packages.
In-Person Logistics and Details
Where is the conference being held?
The SCBWI-NM Handsprings Hybrid Conference is being held at Santa Fe Community College, 6401 Richards Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87508.
I’m coming from out of town. Where should I stay?
SCBWI New Mexico has a block of discounted rooms at the Courtyard Santa Fe by Marriott, 3347 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87507 priced at $119 a night, not including tax and fees. Go here to book a room. The last day to book rooms at the discount price is October 1, 2024.
Is food included at the in-person conference?
Light breakfast baked goods, coffee, tea, water, and snacks will be provided on Saturday at no extra cost. When you register, you will have the option to select a box lunch for $15 or opt to bring your own bag lunch.
What should I do if I have special dietary needs?
In the interest of your safety and comfort, if you have food allergies or severe sensitivities, we encourage you to bring your own lunch as we cannot guarantee that the catered box lunches have not come in contact with ingredients that are problematic for you. If you have a vegan or vegetarian diet, select the appropriate option on the box lunch menu.
What is your COVID policy?
We recommend attendees check current CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 and/or any public health concern.
Sessions
What’s the difference between the Full Conference and the Online-Only conference?
Because all of the sessions on Sunday will be prerecorded, the opportunity to interact with the presenters and ask questions live will only be available during the in-person conference day. Zoom chats will remain open throughout the sessions on Sunday, however, and Online-Only attendees will have access to all of the sessions via recording.
What is the "Optional Agent Panel"?
The agent panel on Sunday evening features three agents who will answer questions about the industry, their agencies, and their wishlists. All three will be open to queries from attendees. The session costs an additional fee to attend.
Is there time for socializing and reflection?
Yes! We have reserved a block of time in the middle of the day on Saturday for socializing, reflecting, or sketching and writing. The Zoom Kick-Off on Friday evening will also be informal and allow for socialization.
Will the conference be recorded?
Yes! Almost every session will be recorded and be available for viewing through December 3, 2024. This will be available to every registered attendee regardless of whether you registered for the Full Conference or Online Only. There are critique and pitch options for all attendees, but some critique and pitch options are exclusively open to in-person attendees.
Critiques, Pitches, and Submissions
How do I submit to conference faculty?
Both in-person and online attendees will be invited to submit to all five of our agent faculty. You will receive submission instructions over the conference weekend.
What are the critique options for authors?
Attendees will have the option of purchasing a written-only manuscript critique from author Lesa Cline-Ransome or Quressa Robinson of Folio Jr. You will receive your critique in writing the day of the conference. There will be NO meeting. Manuscripts are limited to 10 double-spaced pages OR one picture book manuscript. Manuscripts must be delivered via email (newmexico@scbwi.org) by September 30, 2024. Written-only critiques cost $60.
What are the critique options for illustrators?
Any attendee may purchase a portfolio Critique and Feedback Session from Christie Megill of The CAT Agency. This includes BOTH a written critique, to be delivered via email the day of your feedback session registered, and a follow-up feedback session on Zoom, scheduled in 15 minute time slots either Friday, November 1 12:00 p.m. MDT - 2:00 p.m. MDT or Monday, November 4 11:00 a.m. MDT - 1:00 p.m. MDT. Portfolios are limited to 10 images or illustrated dummy pages. Portfolios must be delivered via email (newmexico@scbwi.org) by September 30, 2024. The Portfolio Critique and Feedback Session costs $80.
Attendees may purchase a written-only portfolio critique from James Ransome. You will receive your critique in writing either the day of the conference or 30 days after the date you registered, whichever is later. There will be NO meeting. Portfolios are limited to 10 pages/images. Portfolios must be delivered via email (newmexico@scbwi.org) by September 30, 2024. Written-only critiques cost $60.
What are the pitch opportunities at the conference?
Any attendee may purchase a Pitch Feedback Session from Susan Hawk of Upstart Crow Literary. This includes a one-on-one Zoom session with Susan, 10 minutes in length. The pitch is verbal only. Immediately following your pitch, Susan will provide feedback on your content and delivery. There is no written feedback. This is an opportunity to hone your pitching skills, not a guarantee of manuscript acceptance. All conference attendees will have the same opportunity to query Susan Hawk for 3 months following the event.
Miscellaneous
I’m published. How can I get my book in the conference bookstore?
All attendees with published books are eligible for the conference virtual bookstore, regardless of whether their books are traditionally or self-published. Email a list of your published works with cover photos and purchase links for each title to newmexico@scbwi.org.
Can I blog about and/or record parts of the conference?
By registering for this conference, you acknowledge that audio taping, video-taping and/or transmitting or aiding in any of the foregoing of any part of the conference (including, but not limited to, presentations, individual sessions, and networking events) is prohibited. Additionally, the material in all handouts and presentations is copyrighted and may not be reprinted, blogged, written, orally transmitted, and/or reproduced without written permission of the copyright holder only. If you are found in violation of the above, SCBWI reserves the right to remove you from the conference and bar you from attending future conferences.
While we love when bloggers share thoughts about their overall experience, offer a personal anecdote, and/or briefly talk about something that resonated with them, it is equally important that bloggers not give away that which is not theirs to give. The fair use policy issued by SCBWI above refers to speakers’ rights, authors’ rights, and illustrators’ rights, under any circumstances, and it pertains to the content of our speakers’ talks, workshops, and/or handouts. This falls into the category of protecting intellectual property. Again, personal impressions, a quote that is cited, and/or a general overview would be considerate. However, it would be a breach of copyright law to give away a detailed report of a presenter’s material. Thank you in advance for taking this policy into account. Your professionalism is greatly appreciated.
Is there an anti-harassment policy for the conference?
Yes! SCBWI has an anti-harassment policy that ALL attendees, volunteers, and faculty must agree to before they can attend. You can read it here. Additionally, if you have any issues during the conference, please see our conference Anti-Harassment Monitor, Sandra Aguirre-Magaña or Regional Advisor Susan Metallo Olivier and they will help.
Are weapons allowed at the conference?
It is the policy of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators to maintain an environment that is safe for all persons. To achieve this objective, it is the SCBWI’s policy to maintain a firearms and weapons free environment at all of our events and prohibit the possession of firearms and weapons regardless of any license or permit that an individual may have which would otherwise authorize the individual to carry firearms or weapons. Weapons are defined as anything that is intended to cause harm to another person.
This does not answer all my questions. Who can I ask for more information?
If you have any other questions, please email SCBWI New Mexico Regional Advisor Susan Metallo Olivier at newmexico@scbwi.org.
We look forward to seeing you in November!