My Tribe (SCBWI Australia East/NZ)
Writing is such a solitary endeavour. Of course, we writers/illustrators/creators are no longer isolated or starving in a garret as in years or centuries past. (Forgive the aside, but is it only me who perceives ‘starving in a garret’ as somewhat romantic when transported to 20th century Paris? I could happily go hungry in such company as F. Scott-Fitzgerald, Stein, Hemingway.)
Alas, in reality, I like my food/wine and comfort too much to suffer such deprivation. But I do look to the company of like-minded hearts and creative souls.
Writers/Illustrators are a tribe, co-joined by our aspirations and drive to create and share our stories. We want readers to thrill and thrall to our tales and to see our work in print. Often it can be a long road to publication and the initial marks of ink, publishers’ cruel rebuffs. So we look to our peers to commiserate, communicate, collaborate and coalesce. What better way than at a writers’ conference?
I am privileged to be part of the warm and welcoming team of SCBWI Australia East/NZ and to serve as Assistant Co-ordinator of SCBWI Vic. Every two years we gather under the banner of the bi-annual conference in Sydney and mentorship of Regional Advisor, Susanne Gervay. The warm, funny, all embracing Susanne inspires all to believe their publication dream is possible. Of course, adding in a little luck, perseverance, industry savvy, research and a measure of talent too.
The 2016 SCBWI Australia East Conference was a fantastic gathering of the tribe in September at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney and a great chance to catch up with friends and peers and meet many new members attending. It was brilliant too, post-conference, to hear of all the wonderful outcomes in contracts, representation and requests that came out of SCBWI 2016.
Fantastic, detailed conference reports by Dimity Powell and her roving reporters plus lots of pics can be found on the SCBWI blog. But here are a few tips and tweets from the conference: Be poignant. Bestow ideas. Don’t give up the day job. Never risk starvation. Unless you’re in Paris, sharing a garret with F Scott-Fitzgerald. Pre Daisy days, of course!
Dimity Powell
Fabulous round up Chris and equally fabulous to see you there. A celebration, reunion, revelation to the nth degree – #SCBWISyd. 😀
christinemareebell
It was fabulous to see you too, Dimity. You and your team did an incredible and mammoth reporting job. Loved reading the posts. x Chris
Dimity Powell
Thanks Chris! The RRers were out of this world.
ejcorbett2013
Glad to be part of your extended tribe, Chris.
christinemareebell
And I am very lucky to have that extended and supportive tribe, Liz. Including you, of course. 🙂
Corinne Fenton
A lovely post and great report Chris.
christinemareebell
Thanks, Corinne. Missed you not being there. x
flyingscribbler
I’ve just attended the British Isles SCBWI conference, so it’s great to hear about another one. Really is one big family.
christinemareebell
The British Isles Conference sounded great in your blog post, Justin. Congrats on your pitch win and good luck. Welcome to the wonderful, global SCBWI family.