This blog post by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Here in Western Washington, our local SCBWI offers rich
opportunities to grow our work in craft workshops, agent and editor
meetings, and peer critique groups. We also take time to celebrate.
Which is why we stage Inside Story gatherings twice-yearly at
libraries and bookstores. Inside Story gives us all a chance to pause
and admire the new books created by Seattle-area children’s authors
and illustrators.
Last spring, quarantine circumstances prohibited gatherings. But, as
organizer Dana Sullivan says, “Inside Story cannot be stopped by anything as trivial as a pandemic!” He stamped “STAY” across the
top of the Inside Story logo and thus the “STAY Inside Story” was
repackaged as a Zoom webinar.
The next (STAY) Inside Story will take place this November 15, from
2 to 3 p.m. Eighteen authors and/or illustrators have signed up for
three-minute slots in which they will each share something unique
and insightful about their book’s creation journey – the
story behind the story. Our larger children’s book community of
teachers, librarians, booksellers and children’s book aficionados will
join us on Zoom.
See this year’s full lineup of authors and illustrators!
History of Inside Story
It is gratifying to me that this event has grown and prospered since
George Shannon and I staged the first one in 1998. November’s
webinar will be the 45th Inside Story. Over 725 books have been
presented and celebrated! George and I envisioned it as a children’s
book salon and invited our first audiences with handwritten cards.
One time, a publisher ponied up champagne (yay, Candlewick).
Another time, we included a sing-a-long.
After about five years, our SCBWI chapter gracefully took the reins. The event has grown and prospered through many capable hands:
Kirby Larson, Meg Lippert, Jamie Temairik, Martha Brockenbrough,
Deb Lund, and Michele Bacon, to name a few. Dana and Vicki
Conrad are the current caretakers, with my help.
Back in 1998, the job description included sending out the call to local SCBWI members, setting up venues, coordinating with a bookstore to sell
participants’ books, creating programs, and emcee-ing the show. Butt his new virtual format demands an expanded skill set. Luckily Dana and Vicki are up to the task. To his customary roles of M.C., designer, and web-content creator, Dana has added participant coach and rehearsal director. Vicki, thank heavens, has become a reluctant bestie of Zoom and is our technology trouble-shooter and behind-the- scenes house manager. And Dana Sullivan gets to be the official timekeeper, because some things never change.
This Year’s Special Events
The November 15 festivities will include polling questions being
cooked up by Vicki, and a raffle for three books by our presenters.
Island Books on Mercer Island will handle the resulting book sales, so
participants can purchase signed copies of the showcased titles.
Afterwards, a video of the event will be posted on YouTube, in case
you missed it or want to share it with the world.
Sure, we will miss the in-person schmoozing and congratulatory
hugs, but I am thankful that our SCBWI has found a way to deepen
and sweeten our children’s book connections from the confines of
Zoom squares. We are lucky to be part of the Western Washington
children’s book community! See you all on November 15.
Registration is required to attend, so register today!