About W&P

Words & Pictures is the online magazine of the British Isles region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI-BI) and is published by SCBWI-BI in the UK.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is the only international professional organization for children's writers and illustrators. Founded in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children's writers, the SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. It serves as a consolidated voice for professional writers and illustrators the world over.

Words & Pictures first appeared
in the Autumn of 1996.

At the beginning, the quarterly print publication was edited and almost entirely written by its editor SCBWI-BI Assistant Regional Advisor Elizabeth Wein. On the cover was the plea: 'Don't  you wish we had a more inspiring title for our newsletter? We do too - help us choose one!' In an empty box above were the words 'Attractive and Effective Logo to go here'. It became 'Words & Pictures' in the winter issue of 1997.

The original nameless 1997 newsletter

Elizabeth edited the newsletter from 1996 to 2002. In 1996 the World Wide Web was only about five years old and most people didn’t have access to it but Elizabeth’s vision was, indeed, for something more electronic and interactive. She says:

“My original vision for the newsletter was much more ambitious than I was able to make it. I really wanted readers to be able to interact with it like people do with the Internet today.” 

Over the years, many other contributors joined the team, quite a few are still on board or have lent their enthusiastic support to this new, interactive online version.

          

In 2002, a new enthusiastic editor Leila Bouri, transformed the black and white A5 newsletter into a dynamic, thriving quarterly A4 format magazine, with a slick, new look. She too had a vision:

...to add departments and in-depth interviews in the style of a magazine and, most importantly, to reach out to SCBWI BI members and so create an active community. 

Other editors continued to add their ideas: Eileen Ramchandran served from 2005, followed by 
Stephanie Williams who took over in 2009.

Then, in 2010, then SCBWI-BI webmaster, Candy Gourlay, dreamt up the idea of an innovative, interactive online magazine. Words & Pictures was re-launched as an interactive magazine accessible to the whole world under
editor, Jan Carr, with a mission to bring readers something new everyday. 

In 2016, co-editors Ellie Brough and Claire Watts took the helm. Under their direction, Words & Pictures was transformed into a weekly online magazine, featuring articles to interest, inform and inspire SCBWI-BI members and anyone involved in creating books for children. We aim to showcase the work of SCBWI-BI and create a window into the world of children's books.

Today's team is headed by editor Gulfem Wormald and Deputy Editor Fran Price, with a whole lot of help from a fabulous team who you can meet here. We're always interested in hearing new ideas, so if you would like us to cover something in W&P or you'd like to contribute yourself, email editor@britishscbwi.org.





THE WORDS & PICTURES VISION

Representative 

All SCBWI BI members should be able to look at Words & Pictures and think I’m there, this is for me – all genres, age groups, published and unpublished illustrator and writer.

Inclusive

Anyone who can use the English language, whatever their race, culture, gender, age or ability should feel welcome to comment or submit. We particularly welcome contributions from those facing specific challenges to illustrating or writing.

Diverse

We are SCBWI British Isles but we have an eye to the world, conscious that we are part of a large SCBWI network and while we are rooted in the British Isles we aim to be relevant to readers globally.





To join SCBWI and take advantage of the many opportunities to raise your profile, market your work, meet fellow writers, artists, the gatekeepers to publication, while being supported in the development and pursuit of your craft, visit scbwi.org
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