Jolie Stekly: First-Time Attendee Orientation

Good morning, conference attendees and friends at home!

Jolie Stekly greeting first-time conference attendees

Jolie Stekly, a former regional advisor and SCBWI member of the year, kicked things off for the hundreds of people attending this event for the first time.

She started with a quick survey of the room. Some tidbits: there are more writers than illustrators attending for the first time (but quite a few who do both!). There are more women than men (not a shock). And quite a few people have come from outside the United States--and many came without knowing a single soul.

But that's one of the great things about these conferences. You can come alone and leave with many friends. Here's hoping you find many new fellow travelers to make this publishing adventure even more of a trip.