How a Virtual Summer Conference Changed My Life!

 How a Virtual Conference Changed My Life!

As we approach the Virtual Summer Conference on July 31st, I wanted to share a little story of how a Virtual Conference changed the trajectory of my career and my life.

So as we all know...2020 was a YEAR! 

We all had to isolate and staying indoors in a tiny NYC apartment made it EXTREMELY difficult an a professional dancer with limbs like a giraffe. 

But what was I to do if I couldn't dance?! 

As most of you probably feel and can relate to, making art is like breathing and I needed to MAKE something. Bad! So I dusted off that old sketchbook, and started doodling. 

Doodling morphed into detailed work which evolved into finished works and soon, I was purchasing a drawing tablet, paints, canvas, color pencils, markers- you name it. Thus, the first portfolio was born!

And almost like fate, a friend of mine suggested SCBWI to me at just the right moment as I always had ambitions to write stories, and learning more about publishing interested me. With the lockdown, the winter conference was to be held virtually and after purchasing my membership with SCBWI (thanks, Mom!), I looked into the conference. Being new to the children's publishing world, I was nervous but I took a chance on myself, paid for the conference and dove right in.

And what an adventure it was! I remember being so shy and cautious at first, but that went away almost immediately. The community was so bright and welcoming. From the keynotes to the breakout rooms, I felt like I was in the room with them and I enjoyed being immersed into the KidLit world. 

Plus I met so many people, from ALL OVER THE WORLD. The special thing about the virtual conference is the ACCESS. Access is so important and this made it possible for us to share collective knowledge. Not everyone can attend the In-Person conferences, but being able to connect with the broader community has fostered very meaningful friendships. 

That is when I met the talented, and fabulous Lee Wind, in a virtual LGBTQIA+ social, which lead to the Queer KidLit Creators community that meets once a month, and has been since 2021. In my book, the cost of the conference has paid for itself three, four, five times over , because it gave me the tools, support and community I needed to find my way, create obtainable goals, and share my experiences and joy with others. 

I am now not only a professional dancer, but professional author/illustrator, working on a big project (more on that soon) that I wouldn't have been able to do if I didn't begin my journey during that one virtual winter conference. 

So, if you are on the fence about attending the conference, whether a newcomer or a seasoned author/illustrator, let this be a sign that there might be magic just beyond that screen, waiting for you!

Registration is still OPEN! Read more about the virtual conference at www.scbwi.org

https://www.scbwi.org/events/virtual-summer-conference-2025/register-info

Ready to take your children’s book career to the next level? Wherever you are in your publishing journey, the Virtual Summer Conference provides an opportunity for growth, creativity, and connection. Dive into every aspect of the children’s book world, from writing and illustrating to translating, marketing, and self-publishing. Put your art in front of industry pros in the career-launching Portfolio Showcase. And get inspired by sessions tailored for illustrators, picture book authors, nonfiction writers, graphic novel creators, and more—no matter your path or publishing background. Best of all? You’ll have access to all 50+ sessions until September 14th, so you can learn and grow at your own pace. Join us and invest in your passion. It’s time to bring your stories to life! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.