What should I wear to the conference?
We suggest that you dress in “business casual comfortable” with a light sweater or jacket (for cooler rooms) and comfortable shoes! Decatur is a highly walkable city, and the conference venue, our preferred hotel, and our Friday evening trivia event are all just a short walk from one another.
Can I bring copies of my manuscript or artwork to the conference and give them out to the faculty?
No, this is considered unprofessional. There are many other appropriate avenues and opportunities for your work to be seen by agents, editors, and other publishing professionals.
Will there be an opportunity for my portfolio to be seen?
Yes. There will be tables arranged where illustrators can leave their portfolios for faculty and attendees to review. Please do not bring original artwork! There are also 15 slots available for professional critiques via Zoom during the 2 weeks following the conference. This opportunity is an add-on to conference tuition and needs to be selected during registration.
Will I get a chance to talk to agents and editors? Yes, absolutely. One of the benefits of attending a conference is the chance to mingle with industry professionals during breaks, lunch, or when the conference wraps. Each breakout will also have time for Q&A. One reason the critiques are scheduled for Zoom the week after the conference is to allow more time for attendees to interact with faculty.
Will there be an opportunity for me to sign my books? Yes! Friday evening following the intensives, you’ll have the option of sitting with other authors and illustrators whose books are sold in the onsite bookstore. You can sign your books then or any other time during the weekend. Bring your signing pen! Be sure to complete this form by the February 10th deadline. Otherwise, the conference bookstore will not have your book to sell.
How do I choose which person to critique my manuscript? You can find links to each agent or editor's wish list or agency page here. You can also do a google search with their name and #mswl (manuscript wish list) to know more about their preferences. If you have a question about whether your manuscript falls into the categories noted by a certain critiquer, check with us before you register. Spots are limited and fill up quickly, so we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.
Can I really submit material to the conference faculty after the conference? Yes! Even if the faculty member’s agency or publishing house is normally closed to unsolicited submissions, you will be allowed to submit material to them after the conference. However, each agent or editor will set their own individual parameters on what types of material they will accept and the timeframe for submission.
Where can I find all of my conference information? To save trees, we are using a Virtual Folder for this event. Some items will be available before the conference, some during, and all will be available until May 5, when the Folder will be permanently closed. You can print and bring any items. You can view others from your handheld device. Note that anything in the Virtual Folder belongs only to registrants who have paid to attend. Do not share the link or content with others.
How can I prepare? Before departing for the conference, review your registration and remind yourself of previously scheduled sessions (e.g., an intensive, portfolio review and/or Art Show sign-up). Log in to www.scbwi.org and then MY EVENTS. Links will appear there. Make a list of items you might need or any deadlines.
Are the sessions, keynotes, or panels recorded? No recordings will be made of any session, keynote, or panel during the conference weekend. This conference is an in-person experience only.
Can I bring my child to the conference? All SCBWI conferences and events are for people 18 or older who registered for the conference. Children are not permitted to participate in the conference sessions or be within the conference area for their safety, to satisfy the insurance contract, and for the ease of conference attendees. Children accompanied by an adult are welcome at the public event on Friday (book signing and portfolio show).
After the conference, how do I submit my manuscript/portfolio to an agent, editor, or art director? We will include instructions on submitting to the agents, editors, and art directors in the Virtual Folder.
Will coffee service, snacks, or lunch be provided at the conference?
Coffee and light refreshments will be provided on Friday and Saturday morning. Lunch will not be provided. We encourage attendees to explore downtown Decatur's wonderful restaurants during the hour-and-a-half lunch break, which are all within walking distance of the Decatur Library:
($$) Brick Store Pub - Casual grub pub like fish n' chips (.2 miles)
($) Butter & Cream - Ice-cream classics made in-house (.2 miles)
($$) Café Alsace - A casual taste of France (.2 miles)
($$) Cap't Loui Decatur GA - Seafood (.5 miles)
($$) Chai Pani Decatur - Indian Street snacks, platters, lassis & draft beers (.9 miles)
($) Chick-Fil-A - Fast Food chain serving chicken sandwiches, nuggets, fries and salads (.2 miles)
($) Chipotle Mexican Grill - Fast Food chain serving Mexican fare including build your tacos, burritos & bowls (.4 miles)
($) Coyote's Mexican Grill - Casual Mexican Restaurant (.4 miles)
($) Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - Soft serve ice cream & fast-food burger chain (.2 miles)
($) Fellini's Pizza - No frills pizza offering thin crust & Sicilian slices & pies, beer (.3 miles)
($) Fresh To Order- Decatur - Chain deli-style American including salads, paninis & long plates (.1 miles)
($) Grindhouse Killer Burgers - Local chain serving burgers, chili, shakes (.3 miles)
($$$) Iberian Pig - All things pig, tapas, wine & entrees (.1 miles)
($) Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams - Creative ice-cream & frozen yogurt featuring local ingredients (.2 miles)
($$$$) Kimball House - Raw bar with farm to table French flair (.3 miles)
($$) Leon's Full Service - Modern day American eatery (.3 miles)
($$$) No 246 Italian - Locally sourced Italian food (.2 miles)
($) Poke' Bar - Build your own Poke bowls (.1 miles)
($) Raging Burrito & Taco - Laid back Tex-Mex eatery, craft beers & 50+ tequilas (.1 miles)
($) Rebel Teahouse - Tea & slushies (.3 miles)
($) Ruki's Kitchen - Ethiopian Food (.1 miles)
($$) Sapori DiNapoli - Brick oven Neapolitan pizzas, salads, pastas, appetizers, beer & wine (.1 miles)
($) The Reading Room - Coffee, tea, smoothies, pastries, charcuterie, wine, beer & cocktails (.2 miles)
($) Three Taverns Craft Brewery - Microbrewery (.7 miles)
($) Twain's Brewpub & Billiards - Gastropub with house-brewed beers (.1 miles)
($) Victory Sandwich - Industrial chic tavern serving sandwiches & cocktails (.1 miles)