SCBWI Western Washington

Welcome to SCBWI Western Washington–a vibrant region nestled between the volcanic Cascade Mountain Range and churning coast of the Pacific Ocean. Volunteers design a calendar full of educational and social events for you to connect with other children's book creators, in-person and online. Join us to grow your career in children's literature!

We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for SCBWI WWA’s Together in Story Conference! Spend May 2 at South Seattle College learning from top agents, editors, authors, and illustrators -- all in one inspiring day. Save with early-bird pricing through February 28. Don’t miss this chance to build community and grow your KidLit craft.

No matter the genre or age range in which they work their craft, writers wield language as a composer organizes tones or a painter mixes pigments. Our word choices shape the way those who behold our art think and feel about the worlds we create, the characters who inhabit them, and the hardships they endure. Sound and rhythm play a huge part in the unconscious perception of our stories and can make a huge impact on how we, as artists, captivate our readers. While this lecture frames the use of word choice, rhythm, and sound around its use in horror fiction, its techniques can be applied to any genre across any age range. From picture books and early readers, through middle grade, to YA and New Adult. No matter what age reader you write for or what genre you prefer, this lecture will give you a new way of thinking about the tools of your craft and have you revising your manuscripts in exciting ways you may not have ever considered.

The Visual Hook: Storytelling with Composition - Jen Betton Composition is the foundation of visual storytelling. Composition helps us identify with the protagonist, emphasizes the focus, draws us in, creates drama, and provides information. Where should the viewer look first? What emotion does the image need to convey? How do compositions affect pacing? We will discuss taking flat compositions and adding excitement, matching the viewpoint and focus to the story, as well as key compositions to include in a portfolio. Examples will be shown from animation, comics and illustration. Suitable for beginners or advanced students, as well as writers who would like to understand the visual components of storytelling. Will include short exercise (so bring a pens/pencils and paper!).