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ABOUT US:

SCBWI isn’t just for people who create children’s literature.

It’s for anyone who loves children’s literature.

Southern Breeze is located in the southern corner of the United States. Our region covers Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. Come to one of our events, and you’ll learn what’s happening in the industry as you connect with editors, agents, writers, and illustrators, on a local and international level, all working toward the same goal:

getting the best new literature published

and into readers’ hands.

Diversity Statement

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LEADERSHIP TEAM:

We are fortunate to be served by active and enthusiastic leaders. They head the organization of events dedicated to cultivating our members’ talents and careers. Those navigating our course are:           

	Co-Regional Advisor	Claudia Pearson
	Co-Regional Advisor	Sharon Pegram
	Illustrator Coordinator	TeMika Grooms
	Assistant Regional Advisor	Cathy C. Hall
	PAL Membership Coordinator	Heather Montgomery
	SpringMingle’19 Conference Coordinator	Randall Bonser
	Critique Group Coordinator	TK Read
	Webmaster	Tracey M. Cox
	PR Coordinator
	Membership Coordinator	Paula Puckett
	Conference Volunteer Coordinator	Valerie Nelan
	Regional Advisor Emerita	Joan Broerman
	Regional Advisor Emerita	Jo Kittinger
	Photographer

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VOLUNTEERS:

“I could do that!” 

Perhaps you’ve seen a member working during a conference and thought, “I could do that.” 

Well, you’re right!

Southern Breeze has become a vibrant SCBWI region thanks to our energetic volunteers. Like all regions, we run on volunteer power – even our leaders are volunteers. It takes many Southern Breeze volunteers to offer top-notch conferences, contests, and multiple opportunities to boost the careers of our members. 

If you’re interested in helping, great! Volunteering your talents, efforts and time, is a wonderful way to “give back” to the organization. Below are just a few possibilities. Remember, volunteers work their way up the ranks from jobs like being a local liaison to the more prestigious positions such as being an Angel for our visiting editors and agents!

Opportunities to volunteer include:

Conference help includes coordinating and helping with food and reception/Gala entertainment, coordinating the Book Basket, registration & Welcome Table, helping with the Book Store, Informal Critiquers, Angels, assistant ID coordinator, illustrator for programs and more. To learn about these jobs you can contact our Conference Volunteer Coordinator. Local volunteers include Local Liaisons, local critique group leaders, speakers for local events, coordinators for workshops and retreats, illustrators for fliers and more. For more information about these opportunities, contact our Membership coordinator or Critique Group Coordinator. Online volunteer opportunities include blog writer, Listserve moderator, web illustrations, and much more. For information about these opportunities, contact our Webmaster/Blog Coordinator or PR Coordinator.

And if you have a suggestion let the RA, ARA, or IC know! We can’t offer what you want if you don’t tell us what you want.

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LOCAL LIAISONS:

Southern Breeze is pleased to have many volunteer liaisons in cities throughout our region. If you’re new to SCBWI or are looking to become more involved, these individuals can help you learn more about what’s happening in your corner of Southern Breeze:

Interested in becoming a Liaison in your area?  Contact our Membership Coordinator!  

ALABAMA                                                    

Birmingham:   Claire Datnow  cldatnow@me.com  

Huntsville:   Melanie Smith     tigerlily208@yahoo.com  

Mobile:     Meleesa Swann    meleesaswann@gmail.com   

Montgomery:   Vaughan Dickson    vdickson@gmail.com   

Tuscaloosa:   Monique Fields    moniquefields@mac.com   

REGIONAL CONFERENCES:

Our Conferences

As of 2017, we are offering one conference a year. We will hold the conference in the spring and will alternate between Decatur, GA and Birmingham, AL and may occasionally hold our annual conference at a different location.

Illustrators’ Day: Illustrators gather annually for a one day workshop focused on portfolios with feedback from an Art Director, an editor, an agent, and a nationally recognized illustrator. In addition to a mentorship opportunity for those who register early, and portfolio reviews by the full faculty for the first 25 illustrators to register, illustrators will learn how, and what, to display to catch the discerning eye of art directors and editors, and can obtain a private formal critique of their portfolio. Illustrators Day is held in conjunction with our annual conference.

Springmingle held in Decatur, GA, SpringMingle is designed for more advanced authors and illustrators and offers attendees an intensive and workshops with prestigous editors, art directors, and agents. Attendees also have the opportunity to display portfolios, sell and autograph their books, network with peers and industry professionals, meet with agents one-on-one, and receive private manuscript and portfolio critiques.

wik  held in Birmingham, Alabama, wik promises “Something for Everyone!” and offers attendees 28-32 breakout sessions led by acquiring faculty and award winning authors and illustrators as well as our fabulous regional talent, and multiple writers’ intensives. Attendees will also have the opportunity to display portfolios, sell and autograph their published books, network with industry professionals,meet with agents one-on-one, and receive private manuscript and portfolio critiques. 

Voyagers is in the planning stages and would be held at a new location. We are excited about the possibility of branching out to hold our annual conference in new locations. Suggestions about the format and ideas/information about specific venues are welcomed. We are looking for an individual near the venue to be our Conference Coordinator for this event, so if you are interested or know of a school, library, or public facility that can host 140-200 attendees, please let us know.

***Additionally, all conferences provide time for attendees to meet in informal critique groups to receive feedback and suggestions for revision on a manuscript or illustration portfolio – many unique opportunities to give your career a boost!***

For more information about our conferences, workshops and local events visit our Regional Events Calendar page.

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LOCAL EVENTS:

Published Members Bring Literature to Life! 

More than 100 published authors and illustrators call our Southern Breeze Region home, and are eager to meet young readers. Go to the SCBWI Speakers Bureau to find a speaker near you. 

Southern Breeze members also participate in a number of book festivals hosted by state and library organizations including the Alabama Librarian Association and the Georgia Library Association. PAL members have made presentations about their books and school visit programs at the Georgia Children’s Books Festival, the Decatur Book Festival, and the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival and Awards in Hattiesburg, MS.  Published members from outside our region are also encouraged to let us know when they will be in our area to facilitate arrangement of opportunities to meet with our members.

Southern Breeze hosts a number of quaint retreats, workshops, “shop talk” meetings, socials and group book signings designed to help members cultivate their craft, meet editors and agents, network with other writers and illustrators, and connect with young readers.

For more information on our events visit our: Regional Events Calendar page.

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