Conference Catch-UP

You don't have to travel far down this blog to discover just how much I love the SCBWI annual conference in Winchester. Where else can you hob-nob, chit-chat and pow-wow with so many authors, editors and agents? Not to mention catching up with all your on-line author pals. There are industry panels, workshops and intensive sessions a plenty, just pick the ones that best suit you, plus the chance to have a professional 1 to 1. The conference has never failed to recharge, inspire and open doors for me.

But this year there was a difference. I was no longer just a delegate but a member of the committee with the fancy title, 'Assistant Conference Chair.' I have to say, despite the name, I really didn't get to sit down much! With the introduction of the new PULSE stream, it was our biggest conference yet. 

There was not one, not two but three key note speakers. Cathy Cassidy, Nick Butterworth and Sally Gardner all reduced us to tears, be that through emotion or laughter they had a lot of time, wisdom and passion to share.

Photos by Candy Gourlay

After a  busy Saturday on campus it was straight on to the Guild Hall for a spooky Mass Book Launch. A chance to celebrate the many achievements of our members and volunteers and (after a glass of wine to build courage) pitch wonderful story ideas to the new wave of industry professionals who had arrived especially for the party. 

I believe for some people the party went on till 3 in the morning! I gave up at 1, after all I had another busy day ahead.

Sunday dawned, delegates arrived and, despite lack of sleep, everyone's enthusiasm remained in tact. I spent much of the morning preparing for the 'What Teachers Want from School Visits' panel that I was chairing. I've never chaired a panel like this before. Nervous?Me?

Terrified actually, especially when I spotted Sally Gardner in the audience! But encouraged on by our lovely guests Joy Court, Trisha Adams and Adam Lancaster it flowed smoothly. In fact we could have talked another hour, but there was lunch to be had, awards to award, intensives to finish, thanks to be said and cake to be eaten.

Photos by Candy Gourlay

As I waved goodbye to delegates and speakers leaving to do battle with the Sunday replacement bus service I was very glad that I had manged to wangle a day of work and have an extra night. There was time to celebrate with the last scoobies standing before collapsing into bed ready for the long journey home in the morning. Yes, I was shattered, but also creatively recharged by the experience. I have manuscripts to polish and pitches to follow up. 

But while others suffer the post conference sadness that follows after saying goodbye to friends for another year, for me the conference is still going on. I'm still sending thanks and replying to e-mails, I'm beginning to go through the feedback to look at what we can do even better next year and, most excitedly of all, I am already talking with people about what date next years conference will be. So while I get on with all that, I'll leave you with some of my favourite pictures from the weekend.

See you next year!

With thanks to Candy Gourlay for allowing me to use some of her photos. You can see more of her wonderful conference photo journalism here and here.