SCBWI | Cathy C. Hall Writes

So, I just got a notice, reminding me that my membership to SCBWI would run out soon, and I thought Cath, you better ger ‘er done!

And then I thought Hmmmm. Should I renew my membership? I mean, economic times being what they are, can I afford to spend money on something I’m not utilizing?

Ah, now there’s the rub. I joined SCBWI to meet other children’s writers (which I’ve done and thoroughly enjoyed the meeting of such!). But I don’t think I’m really utilizing all that SCBWI offers, getting my money’s worth, so to speak. So, what are the benefits? What are the aspects of SCBWI that you use the most? What about SCBWI has made a difference for you, as a children’s writer?

Why do you keep your SCBWI membership? Inquiring minds want to know…preferably before their membership runs out!

I’ve just now dashed back from the post office, capping off a 15 hour writing frenzy! And what, you might ask, possessed me to go into maniac writing mode?

*Springmingle, of course! Or rather, the deadline for manuscripts to be sent to Springmingle. Last year, the deadline snuck up on me, if you can count me whiling away the hours, playing online games, till one DAY before the manuscript was due and yelling, “Egad! Is that calendar right?!”

So, this year, I was determined not to wait till the last minute. Why, I still have three days to go. So if you have a scathingly brilliant manuscript that you’d like formally critiqued at the Springmingle conference, you’d best start writing like a maniac (and send it Express Mail)!

*Springmingle is the annual spring conference sponsored by the Southern Breeze chapter of SCBWI. Early registration (and manuscripts for critique) are due on January 22nd. But you can send in your conference registration anytime before February 26th. See you in Atlanta!