SCBWI:Iowa Conference

{Portfolio Display, 2009}

The SCBWI:Iowa (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrator's) conference was this past weekend. This was my first time attending, and WOW, it was so amazing. The wealth of information at this regional event is so vast! They had quite a bit of information for illustrators, even though of the 83 attendees, there were less than 10 of us. The guest speakers or this three day event included:

• Harold Underdown who has been an editor for several books within children's publishing and the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books". 
  
• Abigail Samoun, an editor at Tricycle Press since 2000. She had a lot of love for illustrators as well as writers. (very exciting to hear!)
  
• Amy Lennex of Sleeping Bear Press, which is in Michigan. I always get excited to hear about Michigan!
  
• Ruta Rimas, who is an editor for a brand new imprint of Harper Collins called Balzer + Bray. She was so witty and fun to listen to.
• Larry Day, an illustrator, who has illustrated several books, including "Not Afraid of Dogs", which I bought at the book sale, and he signed for me! He also gave me a portfolio review, which gave me some interesting things to think about, and revise.

There were also several published authors from Iowa in attendance (also presenting) as well as a few published illustrators. The next SCBWI:Iowa conference is the weekend of October 24, 2009 and will be held in Des Moines. (I am super excited about not having to drive three hours for that!) I can hardly wait to go again. SCBWI members are always very encouraging and engaging.

{Weekend Snapshots Collage, 2009}

From top left clockwise: Attendees enjoying portfolio displays, Canadian geese and goslings alongside the Mississippi river on the Iowa side, Attendee checking out fellow Iowa illustrator, Claudia McGehee's portfolio display, some John Deere equipment in Moline, Illinois, a few of the conference guests (from left to right: Abigail Samoun, Harold Underdown, and Ruta Rimas), and some lovely and fragrant blossoms.