SCBWI organises free workshop for writers of colour

A free workshop for writers of colour is being organised by The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).

"Need to Know — Knowing Your Power as an Author of Colour" will take place on Saturday 15th January 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Zoom and will be led by author Patrice Lawrence and freelance editor Emma Roberts,  who have worked together on a number of books. There will be opportunities to put forward questions to Lawrence and Roberts and a small panel of editors in the final part of the workshop.

The workshop will cover everything from back blurbs to book bloggers, from cover art to copy edits, and promises to give writers the practical tips and knowledge to enable them to ask the right questions at the right time.

It is aimed at those who have recently been published or who would like a more detailed knowledge of the stages in transforming a manuscript into a book. It has been organised as part of the SCBWI Pulse programme, an initiative launched in 2018 which organises events and professional development for published children’s book writers and illustrators.

SCBWI said it was specifically seeking to support writers of colour. "We acknowledge that societal racism exists and shapes the experiences of many people of colour. We also acknowledge that many publishing organisations do not have the diversity of experience within their workforces to recognise and address subtle racism, bias and stereotypes. However, for books to reach the widest readership, we must make those structures work for writers of colour," it said. It added that while the event is particularly geared towards writers of colour, any author who identifies as underrepresented in terms of gender, disability, sexuality, colour, religion or class may find it useful. 

Numbers are limited, and the SCBWI has asked that those who book to attend for the whole event as they are incurring the cost to keep the event free. For reasons of confidentiality and to enable participants to speak honestly, this event will not be recorded.

For more information or to register to take part, visit the SCBWI website.