Off to SCBWI in NYC!!
Time to focus on improving my writing skills and making connections!
I’m pretty excited as I’m off to my first nationwide SCBWI (Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators) conference!
Over the past three years I’ve been writing picture book manuscripts that are girl-in-STEM themed. I’ve been learning a lot along the way and have three manuscripts that are ready (I think) for querying agents and working towards getting published. I’m going to try to get them traditionally published (meaning they go through a publishing house and are not self-published which is what my coloring book is).
It’s a VERY challenging and competitive process and STEM agents/publishers are even more difficult to find. I’m hoping this weekend brings inspiration and connection and moves me forward in this process. Normalizing women in STEM is my end goal and getting books about women in STEM, girls in STEM and inspiring girls about STEM is my (hopeful) contribution towards this.
As an introvert, heading to a conference filled with all people I don’t know, in an industry I’m very new to is quite intimidating. I’m going to channel my inner Winnie Klick who once told me that she views conferences where she doesn’t know people as an “opportunity to meet new people”. Here’s to a weekend of meeting new people, developing my writing skills, and making new connections!