South Africa now has its own Chapter of the international Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. The SCBWI was formed in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based writers for children. It is an international organisation that acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. There are currently more than 20,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regions, making it the largest children’s writing organisation in the world. And South Africa now has its own Chapter of the SCBWI, run by local children’s book writers and illustrators — all volunteers.

The South African Chapter of the SCBWI was formed in October 2003, and our primary aim is to provide a network for our South African members to interact locally and internationally with others who have an interest in children’s literature.

The benefits of membership in SCBWI are many. The SCBWI sponsors two annual International Conferences on Writing and Illustrating for Children as well as dozens of regional conferences and events throughout the world. It also publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, offers awards and grants for works in progress, and provides many informational publications on the art and business of writing and selling written, illustrated, and electronic material. The SCBWI also presents the annual Golden Kite Award for the best fiction and non-fiction books and the Sid Fleischman Humor Award.

[For more information or to join the SCBWI, visit the Society’s website: www.SCBWI.org]

The South African Chapter of the SCBWI aims to create opportunities for our South African members to gain and exchange knowledge and to be well-informed about the industry we work in, locally and internationally. We share and exchange insights about the creative and artistic facets of children’s literature, as well as knowledge about the business aspects of the industry.

The SA Chapter provides opportunities for our SCBWI members to communicate regularly with their peers, to compare notes and, being a member of a society, never having to work in creative isolation. We share with and we learn from each other. We strive to create a community of South African children’s book writers and illustrators, who are each a member of a worldwide society of children’s literature people, with direct access to each member of that society.

In the South African context, and within our local industry, we find it valuable to share ideas with each other and to compare notes about career planning and management. Many of us want to make a contribution to education in the New South Africa, but we need to balance that with our focus on other creative work, such as trade books, in the form of picture books and other literature for our multi-cultural youth.

The SA Chapter organises get-togethers, talks, workshops, publishers’ days and themed events for its members. Non-members, who have an interest in children’s literature, are welcome to attend these events and can add their name to our e-mailing list.

The SA Chapter uses an electronic e-mailing list to distribute updated information about our events, activities and other children’s book-related news to interested people who voluntarily add their names to the list (used exclusively by the SCBWI). It is a free service and does not carry any advertising. You do not need to be a member of SCBWI to be on the electronic e-mailing list and you can add your name by simply sending an e-mail to list-subscribe@scbwi.za.org. For more information, send an e-mail to list-help@scbwi.za.org.

Note:
If your name is on the SCBWI SA e-mailing list, you are NOT automatically a member of the SCBWI. To become a member, go to: http://www.scbwi.org/members/join.htm and follow the HOW TO JOIN instructions.

On the Internet, the South African Chapter provides the following links (listed on the left of this page) with information of interest to our members and other children’s book people:

  • SA news about children’s books and related matters
  • SCBWI and other children’s book events in Cape Town
  • SCBWI and other children’s book events in Gauteng
 
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