Summer Conference Opportunites for Illustrators & Published SCBWI Members

Registration for the 39th Annual SCBWI Summer Conference is well under way and there are a few great opportunities still available for both illustrators and SCBWI members who are published or have books under contract. These classes and tracks offer specialized instruction with great teachers and are a steal at $100. Check them out (and if you're interested, act fast).

FOR ILLUSTRATORS there are still a limited number of spaces open in two pretty awesome Master Classes:

Writing and Illustrating Children's Graphic Novels, with Mac McCool

Mac McCool freelanced for a decade for the likes of Disney and currently teaches illustration and sequential art at Cal State, Fullerton. His class, which has a couple of homework assignments that much be completed prior to attending, helps those interested in creating graphic novel to expand their stills, sharpen dialog, create great characters (over and over) and more. The class is also open to writers, too, and participants will both write and illustrate, even if one is not their forte. Click here for more information and to register.

Pushing Pixels: Picture Book Illustration in the Digital Age, with William Low
William Low has been working as an award winning painter and illustrator for more than 23 years with a long list of impressive clients, and is the author of, among others, MACHINES GO TO WORK (2009) and the upcoming CITY MACHINES GO TO WORK (2011). His class offers hands-on instruction in digital techniques (check out this video) that will teach illustrators how to create digital art that doesn't look so, well, digital! (No cold, flat, computer-y looking images here.) Participant requirements include a laptop and Adobe Photoshop. Click here for more information and to register.


PUBLISHED SCBWI MEMBERS can still registers for the Summer Conference Pro Track with special sessions and events just for them:

Pro Track Series Luncheon & Book Sale

Participants in this track must be P.A.L. SCBWI members, that is they must have a book under contract with, or published by, a publisher listed on one of the the SCBWI Market Surveys. There are eight targeted courses offered (including a couple of sessions with yours truly), plus Friday’s lunch for PROtrack attendees offering a tasty conversation on “Staying Afloat Financially.” PROtrack conference-goers also have the opportunity to sell their book in the PROtrack Bookstore at Friday night’s wine & cheese reception honoring published attendees. And in addition Website Consultation, Author Photo, or SCBWI.org “Find A Speaker” Video Shoot options are also available. Click here for more information and to register.