I went to my first in 2011 and was immediately hooked which is why I’ve been back every year since, five as part of the committee. They’ve all been utterly amazing, but also utterly exhausting which is why I thought maybe it’s time to move on. But first I’d like to share my 2018 highlights.
The Road Trip
Travelling is always much better in company and the company doesn’t get much better than my fellow North West Scoobies Catherine Whitmore and Marie Basting. I can’t think of many other car companions that would be happy for me to bust my ukulele out.
And I wasn’t the only one with my uke this year. Candy Gourlay, Mo O’Hara and Tania Tay had brought their ukuleles along for the weekend too. So we were soon all busting our best chords in the hotel bar. I had worried the other hotel residents would complain, but in fact we were encored.
The Hook, in case you don’t know, is a Dragon’s Den style pitching competition where hopeful authors pitch their story to a panel of agents. I was a finalist and had poured my heart and soul into my presentation for the last two weeks.

Party People
I’ve spent two days trying to work out what to write here. But c’mon, how does anyone describe this kind of crazy?
This wonderful display of colourful characters are my friends. Some for the whole eight years, some since last weekend. But however long it has been I’m already missing them in the annual post conference slump.
That was my last SCBWI conference... until I realised I can’t do without it!
I MEAN WHAT WAS I THINKING?
There’s no way I could miss out on my annual dose of Scoobie shenanigans! What would keep me going the rest of the year?
So I’ll be back in the future. After all, I’m hooked!