Website Spotlight

Website Spotlight - Podcast

Hi Everyone! We are going to start spotlighting something on the SCBWI website once a month. Thanks to the New Zealand chapter for the idea!

This month we are highlighting the SCBWI podcast. There are currently seven seasons you can access from the SCBWI website. Click on “Publications” then “Podcasts” to see descriptions for each episode as well as links to play them on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Podcasts. Or use this link to go straight to the page.

The SCBWI Podcasts are hosted by archivist Theo Baker. He interviews publishing professionals as well as award-winning writers, illustrators and translators who discuss the ins and outs of the children’s book industry. Find out about the craft and creative process behind young adult novels, picture books, middle-grade fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction. New episodes are released every Thursday during each season.

While learning about others’ work, it may even spark an idea to use in your own work.

Happy creating!

By Margaret Lea

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Kelly Bennett is coming to town!

By Margaret Lea Kelly Bennett credits an elementary school teacher for praising her writing and sticking it on the board. This gave her confidence to write more. And surprisingly, it was Kelly’s unhappy first marriage that also spurred her writing. In 1985, while trying to make this marriage work, she decided to do something solely for herself. She wanted to take a volleyball class at the university near her, but they didn’t offer that. So instead, she took a class on writing and marketing children’s stories. There she fell in love with writing for children. She also met another woman, Ronnie Davidson, who became a writing partner for twenty years. They published their first book together in 1987 and five more over the years. Kelly has now published around 25 books, both by herself and with others. She credits writing friends for keeping her accountable. For example, she and one friend would set a...

Interview with Agent Morgan Hughes

Getting to know Morgan Hughes By Renee Nolte Lubbock-based Morgan Hughes is from the Midwest. You can take the girl out of Kansas, but you can't take Kansas out of the girl! She and her family are HUGE Chiefs fans, especially Quarterback superstar Patrick Mahomes. She is doubling up on rocking the support because she also attended Texas Tech with him; that's super cool! While in college, Morgan interned for agent extraordinaire and NY Times Best Seller Holly McGhee. Hughes learned a great deal from her, including how to exude confidence, which has helped her gain respect in the industry and empowers her to advocate for her clients. Morgan is now a literary agent for FinePrint Literary, working remotely from the sidelines, taking in Football, and hoping to score some new clients! Getting down to the nitty-gritty, here are inquiring questions you may find helpful: What happens if a pitch is not accepted? First, research who is the best agent for your book. I...

Varsha Bajaj

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