The purpose of SCBWI-Oregon is to provide you with information, events, and opportunities for networking so that you can learn how to improve your writing and illustrating, find the right publisher, and get your work into the hands of children. And you will make a lot of friends in the process!
As Regional Advisor, I am always happy to help SCBWI members with their specific questions, but my (volunteer) time would be better spent if you know the basics before you contact me or anyone else in the business for help.
With input from other regional advisors, I wrote a list of the ten most common questions and answers about children's book publishing. It's called Just the FAQs!
Meanwhile there are lots of useful sites on the web that can help you. Here is a list of some of the ones I recommend:
Editor Harold Underdown's Page Here you will find basics on getting started, updated news in the publishing world, helpful articles, links to related sites, and more...Be sure to check out The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books A revised and updated third edition is now available - May 2008!
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators of which SCBWI-Oregon is a chapter. This site includes articles from the bi-monthly SCBWI Bulletin, member sites, location of chapters throughout the world and how to contact them, an events calendar, and an online store!
Preditors and Editors ™A guide to publishers and publishing services for serious writers (I always look here before querying a new publisher)
JacketFlap is a social networking community with a large database of children's book publishers, authors and illustrators
AuthorLink About Writers, Writing, Editors, Literary Agents: The award-winning marketplace where editors and agents buy and sell rights to unpublished and published manuscripts, and screenplays. Plus industry news, information, and marketing services for editors, literary agents, and readers.
Write4Kids, by Children's Book Insider Also a helpful site full of resources for writers, including a free catalog of books and tools you can order online.
Author and longtime SCBWI Oregon friend Margot Finke puts a lot of time into her very helpful website, and is available for critiques at a very reasonable rate. We highly recommend Margot, mate!
Our Friend Jo Nelson This is a page of helpful messages from Jo. She was a natural mentor and we miss her.
Ooligan Press Through the Center for Excellence in Writing at Portland State University, Ooligan Press serves as both laboratory and classroom for the Masters in Writing Publishing Program with courses related to Children's Book Publishing.
Fun, Free and Honest Critique! Click here for support!