Alternatives to SCBWI: Resources for New and Experienced Writers and Illustrators
SCBWI is a nonprofit that brings together writers, illustrators, agents, and editors to collaborate and learn from each other. People join SCBWI because want to find an agent or a critique group. They want to study their craft and grow as writers. But in recent years, there have been serious allegations of racism, antisemitism, sexual harassment, and more against the group. And even before these more public issues, I've always been uneasy about how hierarchical and chummy SCBWI feels. There's an insular, top-down vibe that's old fashioned and off putting. It often felt like the unspoken message was, "We know how to get published, and you don't, but if you do everything we say, then maybe you can be like us."
I've heard from many writers who felt icky about SCBWI, but didn’t feel like they could say anything because they aren't published yet, don't have an agent, or don’t want to get a reputation as being difficult. It can feel hard to say "This doesn't feel right" or "I'm not sure this is for me," when SCBWI has positioned itself as an unofficial gatekeeper in the publishing process. But that doesn't make it right. At the same time, more experienced writers and illustrators often want to make connections, get inspired, and grow, and SCBWI doesn’t feel relevant or supportive to them at this stage in their writing careers.
The good news is that many writers and illustrators are envisioning a warmer, more open, collaborative, creative world. If you want to learn and connect to the kidlit community beyond SCBWI, the organizations and classes below are a good place to start. I haven’t worked with all of them personally, but I’ve heard promising things about each of them. And if you know of something that should be on this list, please let me know!
Milkwood
Open to everyone in the children’s book community, including booksellers and librarians, Milkwood is the passion project of Caldecott medalist Sophie Blackall. This beautiful farm hosts workshops, retreats, and residencies. Guests are welcome to settle in and study the farm’s collection of over 5,000 picture books! Registration is run through a lottery, and there’s a real effort to include people from marginalized communities and anyone who might need financial support.
Inked Voices
Inked Voices is an app that brings together communities for writers of all different genres, including children’s books. They work with critique groups and MFA programs to improve the quality of feedback and make workshopping a more productive, inclusive process. They also help writers connect directly with each other in online groups. Inked Voices is easy to navigate and welcomes new writers, but I’ve heard it tends to attract more experienced writers who are serious about their craft.