Network News: The Value of Networks

by Gill James

There now, I had it all planned and was going to contact the network coordinators and seek out volunteers to talk of their experiences of being in a network. Alas, one particular network has let me down very badly this week – a certain internet service provider  - or should I say non-provider. We keep getting noise on our phone line and they won’t get Open Reach involved. Fingers crossed I can post this! (Well, I guess if you’re reading this I managed!)

When I first joined SCBWI-BI in 2000 (?) there were no networks and no conference. I can’t even remember how I came to know about SCBWI – but I’m sure glad I did.

There was a lot of enthusiasm at that time and we started growing.  First there was the Professional Series in London, the conference (one day to start with – now two), Words and Pictures in its various incarnations, now a Professional Series North West and ten active networks who provide a rich picnic of activities for members.

Here are some of the benefits I’ve gained from belonging to SCBWI in general and two different networks in particular:

• Inspiring critique group meetings in the back room of the lovely Sherlock Holmes Hotel, Baker Street, London
• Agents’ Parties in the upstairs room of the Theodore Bullfrog Pub (I actually “won” an agent one time!)  
• An introduction to an educational publisher though another member
• Meetings with similarly-minded writers        
• Use of the quirky events room I talked about last week
• Some instant friends when I moved from the south-east to the north-west
• Invitations to book launches by members who become published (Yippee!)  
• News of writerly happenings  
• Fantastic feedback form three critique groups
• Good access to beta readers
• Friends, friends, friends  - people with whom to share all the joys and woes of being a writer  

I’d like to know how being in a network has helped you. Perhaps you’d like to send me a short article, 250 to 350 words, and some pictures.  Please email your words and pictures to networknews@britishscbwi.org

If you’re reading this and are not a SCBWI member or not attached to your local network, you can contact your network coordinators here.   

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Gill James writes mainly for young adults. She is your Network News editor and is interested in news stories about your network. Contact her at networknews at britishscbwi dot org.