Who We Are

The Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is the local chapter of an international organization offering a variety of services to people who write, illustrate, or share the passion for children’s literature. The SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators and booksellers.

What We Offer

During the months that we do not have a formal event, we host a monthly meeting at BookPeople with special guest speakers. See Calendar of Events for details. Meetings are open to the public.
We help members find a critique group for giving and receiving feedback on your work in a peer group. Visit the Critique Group section to find out more.
Our Member Directory section showcases our members talents and successes.
Community outreach includes book signings and readings at local bookstores, working with public libraries and schools, and hosting a booth at the Texas Book Festival. We also judge writing contests for the adult writing community and schools in the Austin area.

You can find more about our organization and how to join on our About Us page.

Austin SCBWI News

Promotions and Events

June 20, 2009 at BookPeople 603 N. Lamar, Austin

Book People Event Cordinators, Alison Nihlean and Mary Brooks, will discuss how to have a successful book event. It’s a collborative effort that when performed creatively and apporopriately fabulous events happen. They’ll share success stories and not so successful stories about their years as BookPeople’s event organizers. Then the floor will be open for questions

Posted in Events

Upcoming Events – To Help You Meet Your Publishing Goals

October 10th Writing Workshop - The Main Elements of Story: Plot, Characters, Setting, and Theme

If you can’t make it to Los Angeles this year for the National SCBWI conference, you’ll have a chance to spend a full day in Austin with one of the presenters. What a great opportunity to learn how to revise your manuscript to catch the eye of an editor or agent at the January conference. Keep checking this site for more details as they become available.

Conference – January 30th

Mark you calendar now and then stay tuned to this site for more details about the great line-up that is currently being confirmed.

Posted in Events

Upcoming Member Signings

The Delacorte Dames and Dude will be signing books at BookPeople on June 13th at 1:00.

Chris Barton will celebrate the release of his first book, The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors (illustrated by Tony Persiani, Charlesbridge, 2009) at BookPeople on July 11th at 1pm.

Barbara Frances will have a book signing for Lottie’s Adventure: A Kidnapping Unraveled on April 25th at 2pm at the Hyatt Regency Patio on Lady Bird Lake.

Posted in Member News

Current Opportunities

The Writer’s League of Texas invites SCBWI members to register for their agents conference scheduled for June 26 – 28. Click here for more information. WLT also offers information on entering their Texas Book Award Contest. The deadline for entering is April 30th.

Sisters In Crime will present Go Green! Read (or Write) an e-mystery and save a tree on Sunday, May 3rd, For more information about this panel discussion, visit www.hotxsinc.org or contact Joyce Arquette at (512) 266-6543

Posted in Opportunities

Austin SCBWI