The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators was formed in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles based writers for children. It is the only international organization to offer a variety of services to people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children’s literature.

The SCBWI 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 lots of tangible and intangible benefits to being a member of SCBWI. If you are a member, you can:

• Take advantage of lower registration fees to attend the two annual International Conferences on Writing and Illustrating for Children and regional conferences around the country and the world
• Gain access to SCBWI publications with tips on preparing your work for submission, lists of publishers and agents and their requirements for submission, and other invaluable publications to further your career
• Become eligible for grants and awards, including our own Be eligible for the Vickie Ferguson Memorial Writer’s Scholarship (see our Grants and Scholarships page for more info)
• Take part in manuscript/illustration exchanges
• Announce your good news and events through the RMC-SCBWI listserv
• List your website on the RMC-SCBWI website
• PAL members can gain exposure on our School & Library Visits page
• Enjoy opportunities to make new friends, get advice, and network with other writers and illustrators
• ....and more!

Become a part of a world-wide community with over 19,000 members!

For answers to specific questions about RMC-SCBWI, check out the RMC-SCBWI FAQ on the home page.

P.A.L. Membership Tier

During the semi-annual August Board meeting held after the 2008 Los Angeles SCBWI conference, President Steve Mooser and Executive Secretary Lin Oliver and the board discussed ways to increase and improve service for our professional, published members.

 The decision was made to create a new tier of membership to be called PAL, signifying “published and listed.” To qualify, these members will have books or magazine pieces published by a list of publishers that include publishers from SCBWI's annual marketing list of traditional publishing houses, and other SCBWI lists including small publishers, magazine publishers, international publishers, and religious publishers.

As members renew, or as new members join, their membership cards will be replaced by cards which signify their level of membership. The PAL members will be given extra privileges, including the right to display or sell their books at certain SCBWI regional or international events to be indicated, join speaking bureau or lists, and so on.

If members feel they have been placed in the wrong tier, they may apply to the Appeals Committee, made up of Board Members, who will study their publishing credits; the committee's decision is final.

Self-published books, print on demand and vanity press books do not qualify. However, self- published, POD and vanity press members will still be full SCBWI members. Unpublished or prepublished writers and illustrators will still be be associate members and still will be offered many services to help them also advance in their careers.

One other change: members published in other fields such as adult books, will now be full members instead of associate members.

Click here to read an article about the P.A.L. membership tier.

If you are unsure of your status, please fill out the PAL Inquiry form.

BENEFITS FOR
RMC-SCBWI PAL MEMBERS

• Can have books sold at the Fall Conference (must attend)
• Eligible for listing on the School & Library Visits page
• Eligible to participate in the  Author/Illustrator Panel program
• Can apply to be a mentor in our Mentoring Program
• Can participate in exhibits where RMC-SCBWI has a presence (Colorado Teen Lit Conference, CCIRA, and others)

KEEP UP WITH CHAPTER NEWS!

It’s our understanding that one of the reasons for creating the new tier was to re-emphasize the original mission of SCBWI: to encourage and assist those writers and illustrators interested in working toward publication through traditional channels. Thus, the new tier helps support those authors by giving them an opportunity to be listed on speakers lists, selling their books at SCBWI-sponsored events, among other things.

SCBWI remains committed to all writers and illustrators or children’s literature and will continue to provide information and inspiration to members at all points in their careers.