Australia West

FEBRUARY

FEB 13 - Remote Regions Zoom Catch Up

When: Tuesday 13 February 6:00 PM

Where: Online

Details to be confirmed. Date and time are flexible and may change.

FEB 25 - Perth Writers Festival Coffee Catch Up

When: Sunday 25 February 8:30 AM

Where: Epoch Cafe at the State Library of WA (East end of Boola Bardip – WA Museum)

Grab a take away coffee from Epoch Cafe and join us outside on the southside lawn before the Perth Writers Festival events kick off.

MARCH

MAR 15 - CBCA's A Night with our Stars

When: Friday 15 March 6:30 PM

A Night With Our Stars (ANWOS) is not a SCBWI event but we are including it here as it is a fabulous evening and many of our SCBWI WA members feature in the line-up. Run by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) WA branch, West Australian authors and illustrators with a children's book published in the past 12 months are invited to present. Each speaker gets three minutes to wow the audience which is filled with librarians, teachers and book sellers. It's always an entertaining evening and a great opportunity to meet people in the industry and watch and learn how different creatives work the stage. More details and tickets here.

MAR 23 - Annual Critique-Nic

When: Saturday 23 March 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Where: Public seating next to Cranked Coffee, 5/106 Oxford Street, Leederville WA 6007

Cost: This is a free event for SCBWI Australia West members only.

How to Book: Via TryBooking at https://www.trybooking.com/CPVIE

Whether you’re looking for a one-off WIP critique or want to join a group, the SCBWI Critique-nics are a great place to dip your toes and test the waters. BYO lunch or grab something from one of the nearby cafes. After lunch, we’ll split into small groups, get on with the important business, and whip some manuscripts into shape.

MAR 30 - Illustrator Catch Up - Show and Tell

When: Saturday 30 March 1:00 PM

Where: TBA

Casual catch up with other illustrators to share your works in progress. More details closer to date.

APRIL

APR 9 - Remote Regions Zoom Catch Up

When: Tuesday 9 April 6:00 PM

Where: Online

Date and time are flexible and may change.

APR 13 - Til Death Do We Art - Literary Estate Planning for PAL members

When: Saturday April 13 4:30 - 5:30 PM

Where: Paper Bird Bookshop, then dinner 5:45 PM at Gage Roads Brewery, Victoria Quay

What happens to your royalties when you die? Are you prepared for a literary afterlife? Join Frané and Dianne to chat through these big questions, followed by a celebration of life, food and wine. RSVP by April 7 to Dianne or Franè for table bookings. Please be aware that this session is anecdotal and informal and we advise you seek professional, independent financial advice for this matter.

APR 21 - Stagecraft and Speaking for Creatives - with Cristy Burne

When: Sunday 21 April 1:30 - 4:30 PM

Where:  State Library of WA, Great Southern Room. Note: This room is accessed via a glass lift and then one flight of stairs. If you have mobility issues or don't like heights please let us know so we can organise access via the goods lift.

Cost: $35 members (with promotion code) / $70 non-members. Includes light refreshments.

Tickets: Via TryBooking at https://www.trybooking.com/CQATO

Whether you love the limelight or go weak at the knees, your public speaking skills are a gateway to engaging your audience, amplifying your message and empowering your career. Join Cristy Burne in this 3 hour workshop. Learn tips and tricks of body language, stage presence, storytelling and more. Try your hand at Donald Trump arms, take the pregnant pause challenge, find new ways to lean into your own unique stage style, and walk away with a suite of new tools and ideas to level up your speaking.

MAY

MAY 18 - Critique & Coffee

When: Tuesday 18 May

Where: TBA

Bring your work in progress and join us at a cafe to be decided. More details closer to date.

MAY 26 - Child's Play: The Basics of Illustrating Kids' Books - with James Foley

When: Sunday 26 May 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Where: State Library of WA, Great Southern Room. Note: This room is accessed via a glass lift and then one flight of stairs. If you have mobility issues or don't like heights please let us know so we can organise access via the goods lift.

Cost: $35 members / $70 non-members. Includes light refreshments.

Tickets: Via TryBooking at https://www.trybooking.com/CQTQP

This 3 hour workshop will cover character design, storyboarding, layout, typography, media choice, final art, working with publishers, submitting portfolios to publishers, traditional vs digital. Everything you need to know to get started on your own projects, and will include plenty of time for questions.

JUNE

JUN 6-9 - Wadjemup, Rottnest Retreat

When: Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 June

A program full of guest speakers, workshops, and manuscript critiques as well as an option for Day Trippers. Retreaters will receive an email with all the details details prior to the event. For SCBWI Australia West members only.

JUN 11 - Remote Regions Zoom Catch Up

When: Tuesday 11 June 6:00 PM

Where: Online

Date and time are flexible and may change.

JULY

Meet up and Maquette Making

When: First week in July

Casual illustrator catch up. Meet other illustrators and create while you chat. More details closer to date.

New Member Coffee Catch Up

When: TBA

A relaxed opportunity for new members to meet and find out about SCBWI WA and the industry more broadly. More details closer to date.

JUL 28 - From Pen to Print: A Roadmap for Independent Authors - with Kristy Nita Brown

When: Sunday 28 July 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Where: State Library of WA, Great Southern Room. Note: This room is accessed via a glass lift and then one flight of stairs. If you have mobility issues or don't like heights please let us know so we can organise access via the goods lift.

Cost: $35 members / $70 non-members. Includes light refreshments.

Tickets: Via TryBooking at https://www.trybooking.com/CQTQG

Dive into the world of independent publishing with Kristy Nita Brown, an indie author making waves with her books. This immersive workshop is designed for aspiring authors who dream of taking their stories from the pen to print, without the backing of traditional publishing houses. Kristy will help guide you from manuscript to marketplace.

AUGUST

AUG 13 - Remote Regions Zoom Catch Up

When: Tuesday 13 August 6:00 PM

Where: Online

Date and time are flexible and may change.

Catch up for pre-published members (while PAL are busy)

When: TBA

Where: TBA

August is CBCA book week/month and many of our published authors and illustrators are busy with school and library visits. But while the superstars are hard at work, the rest of us will catch up for lunch or dinner. More details closer to date.

SEPTEMBER

SEP 8 - SCBWI and Publishing 101 - with Renae Hayward

When: Sunday 8 September 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Where: State Library of WA, Great Southern Room. Note: This room is accessed via a glass lift and then one flight of stairs. If you have mobility issues or don't like heights please let us know so we can organise access via the goods lift.

Cost: Free. Members only.

Tickets: Via TryBooking at https://www.trybooking.com/CQTQX

This 2.5 hour workshop will cover the different types of publishing, the submission process and how to give yourself the best possible start on the road to publication. It will be made available both in person and online

SEP 14 - Critique & Coffee

When: Saturday 14 September

Where: TBA

Bring your work in progress and join us at a café to be decided. More details closer to date.

OCTOBER

OCT 8 - Remote Regions Zoom Catch Up

When: Tuesday 8 October 6:00 PM

Where: Online

Date and time are flexible and may change.

OCT 10-13 - PAL Retreat

When: Thursday 10 - Sunday 13 October

Where: Margaret River

Open to PAL SCBWI WA members. More details closer to date.

NOVEMBER

Literary Speed Dating with the Literature Centre

When: TBA

Where: The Literature Centre

Cost: TBA

If you are a published SCBWI WA member, you can join the fun pitching your presentation to teachers, librarians and other industry professionals. Make connections and find your perfect match for 2025 bookings. More details closer to date.

NOV 19 - Critique & Coffee

When: Tuesday 19 November

Where: TBA

Bring your work in progress and join us at a café to be decided. More details closer to date.

Young Readers' Day Out

When: TBA.

Where: WA State Library

An opportunity for SCBWI members to present to children and their parents at the State Library. Book signings, with books sold by Boffin Books Participation by application. More details closer to date.

Xmas Party

When: TBA

Where: Matilda Bay Foreshore

The final event of the year, we will get together to celebrate with a sausage sizzle and a $10 Secret Santa gift exchange.