The LGBTQIA2+ and Allies Social

We sat in a circle that kept expanding, talking about creating – and publishing – in the face of so much noise and our Queer community (among others) being under attack.

The evening was warm, welcoming, and supportive. We shared (1) opportunities, (2) favorite recent Queer Kid Lit reads, and (3) wisdom. 

Here are some highlights:

(1) Opportunities:

There are two scholarships at the Highlights Foundation to check out (and consider applying for!) The KidLit Pride Scholarship and the Transgender and NonBinary Scholarship for Picture Book creators. The deadline to apply is February 10, so jump on this!

The Azantian Agency wanted folks to know they're looking for LGBTQIA2+ and Allied KidLit creators - check out their agents and who's looking for what here.

There's a Queer KidLit Creators group that's free to join - it's independent of SCBWI, and the group has a monthly zoom community gathering, an online critique system, and even a daily writing sprint (for 15 minutes.) If you identify as Queer and you're creating (illustrating, translating, writing) KidLit, you're welcome to join - all the info's here. 

(2) Some of the favorite Queer KidLit reads (including some of the group's upcoming titles) shared included:

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden 

Check, Please by Ngozi Ukazu 

Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao 

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag 

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

Queer Ducks (and Other Animals) by Eliot Schrefer, Illustrated by Jules Zuckerberg 

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger 

Simply Skye by Pamela Morgan, Illustrated by Heather Bell 

Gaysians by Mike Curato

The House in the Cerulean Sea by Tj Klune 

First Kiss with Fang by Marker Snyder 

Zoomi and Zoe and the Tricky Turnaround by Corey Ann Haydu, Illustrated by Anne Appert 

Who You Will Be by Taylor Rouanzion, Illustated by Stacey Chomiak 

Rainbow Boy and the Pride Parade by Taylor Rouanzion, Illustrated by Stacey Chomiak 

And, full disclosure, two picture books by me coming out in 2025:

Like That Eleanor by Lee Wind, Illustrated by Kelly Mangan

Banana Menorah by Lee Wind, Illustrated by Karl West

(3) Inspired by a preschool teacher friend who says her job is to "surface the wisdom in the room," we popcorn-ed around the room, surfacing these gems:

Don't be so mean to yourself

Stop moving the f***ing goal posts

I do this because I love writing

There's always a solution

Don't be afraid to blow up your life

The biggest waste of time is self doubt

The only thing you control is how you respond

Get out of your own way and do the next right thing

Get back to the fun of it

Find your people

Help others, too

When you make a mistake, take a step back - can you see it from space?

Make art and give it away - die empty

... and get paid for your work

Our creative job includes protecting our bubble of sanity so we can create

You can't show up for your art if you don't take care of yourself first

**

The social concluded with many attendees passing around their illustrator and business cards, sharing bookmarks, and lots of conversation between new connections, colleagues, and friends.

The LGBTQIA2+ and Allies Social!

The circle of attendees sang Jane Yolen "Happy Birthday" to start off the LGBTQIA2+ and Allies Social
(pictured, from left: Jane Yolen, Bruce Coville, and Heidi Stemple)

With special guests Jane Yolen, Heidi Stemple, Bruce Coville, Arthur A. Levine, and Lawrence Schimel, our discussion shared resources, inspiration, book recommendations, words of advice, and a supportive community.

Resources to explore:

Pride and Less Prejudice

We Need Diverse Books

Behind the Book

Lambda Literary writers in schools program

Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center summer week program

Highlights LGBTQ+ Scholarship

Writing Barn programming

Queer Kid Lit Creators - if you identify as part of the LGBTQIA2+ community, and you illustrate, translate, and/or write children's books you're welcome to join -- just email leewind (at) roadrunner (dot) com

Inspiration:

Make sure your publisher submits your book for the big awards (and not just the Queer-focused awards.) There's a lot more success for stories where Queerness is part of the story winning multiple awards. Like Sacha Lamb winning the 2023 Michael L. Printz Honor Award, the Stonewall Book Award, and the Sydney Taylor Medal for When the Angels Left the Old Country, which the publisher (Levine Querido) describes as "queer immigrant fairytale."

Let's support each other -- and not just when Queer books get challenged or banned -- when our books get released.

Think of your story going out there to someone who wants to read it. Someone who needs it.

It was a warm and safe space -- thanks to all who attended!

The Power of Community: Conference Socials and MORE! #scbwiNY23

Hi, I’m Justin and I am joining the SCBWI Team Blog this year, blogging my way through the SCBWI 2023 Winter Conference. A professional dancer and freelance illustrator, I joined SCBWI back in 2020. 

When the pandemic hit and the world stopped, I instead dove into the worlds on my bookshelves. Back at square one, with no creative outlet to perform and dance, I started to read more, draw more and create with more fire than I have in years. With no legroom (I live in New York) to “kick, ball, change”, I rekindled my love with my writing and artwork. 

SCBWI came into my orbit by the recommendation of a good friend, and I found my world open up to amazing new possibilities. I was blown away by the organization. I loved the digital conference and the abundance of resources it provided. There were amazing keynote speakers, awesome panels, and insightful discussions. As a new member, I was definitely intrigued but a bit overwhelmed. But what really stuck with me, and helped me stay grounded was the connections I was able to make along the way.

On one of the first nights, there was an online social that introduced me to so many brilliant people that I am still in touch with today. And being stuck in the house, it was such a gift to have such a colorful community almost materialize before me like magic. Community is vital to the artists’ spirit and to be surrounded by like-minded people who care and inspire you is truly invaluable. 

That is what the conference social events did for me. 

During the virtual conferences, SCBWI did a wonderful job at making sure we were able to connect, whether through Zoom or social media-hosted events. And now, with the opportunity to mix and mingle in person, I look forward to creating even deeper connections with new and old friends.  

On Saturday, February 11th from 7:30-9pm, there will be socials geared to many different communities—LGTBQIA2S+, Equity & Inclusion, GenNext, New Members & First-Time Attendee, Illustrators’. Come join in on the fun! I’ll be there, doing a “kick, ball, change” of joy!

Or even come and check out some artwork at the Portfolio Showcase on Friday, February 10th from 8pm-9pm in the Grand Ballroom Foyer! 

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Jump in, make some new friends and colleagues, network, and CONNECT! 

If you haven’t registered, and you’d like to join, register HERE! There will be the NY Conference on February 10th-12th and the virtual conference on February 25th! 

Stay connected with this AWESOME community, with #scbwiNY23 on Twitter @scbwi & Instagram @scbwi

P:S: Regional chapter events are another great way to stay connected! Monday nights on Discord, my regional chapter comes together and writes! 

Check out your regional chapter and see how you can continue to build up your community—YOUR ECOSYSTEM! 

Regional Chapter News https://www.scbwi.org/regional-chapters-new/

Regional Virtual Events: https://www.scbwi.org/regional-virtual-events/

The LGBTQIA2+ Social, hosted by Lee Wind

For a little over an hour, a group of 30 or so children's literature creators gathered in a safe space on zoom to talk about their book projects, and meet others who identify as Queer or Allies and who want to include Queer characters and themes in their work.

After introductions all around, there was a Q and A where we discussed agents, critique groups, writing outside your own experience, and more. We ended with Queer Kid Lit book recommendations from the group, that are represented in the graphics below!

Book recommendations 1 of 2 shown: I am Not Okay with This, Bye Bye, Binary, My Seventh Grade Life in Tights, This Poison Heart, Be Dazzled, Alan Cole is Not a Coward, The Gender Wheel, Gender Queer, Loveless, Heartstopper.

Book recommendations 2 of 2 shown: Melissa, Zenobia July, The Marrow Thieves, Too Bright to See, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, Alice Austen Lived Here, Adventures with My Daddies, Maiden and Princess, Bunny Bear.

#NY21SCBWI Conference Attendees! Join me and some special faculty guests at Tuesday Feb 16th's LGBTQ+ and Allies Social!

It's the first official conference event, and even though the SCBWI Winter Conference is an all-virtual event this 2021, there's still going to be an LGBTQ+ and Allies Social!

Are you writing, illustrating, or translating works for kids, tweens, or teens with LGBTQAI2+ characters or themes? Or are you thinking of doing so? Then this is the social for you!

I'm hosting, and you can join in. 

Day: Tuesday February 16, 2021

Time: 4pm Pacific - 5pm Pacific

We'll be gathering in a safe space zoom room, and our special faculty guests will include Jane Yolen (multi award-winning author of 386 books for kids and adults)

The "How Do Dinosaurs..." series may be better known, but this is the most recent of Jane's titles.

Heidi Stemple (author of, most recently, with Jane, I Am The Storm)

Laurent Linn (author/illustrator of the YA novel Draw the Line and art director at Simon & Schuster

along with SCBWI staff moderators April Powers, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at SCBWI

Julian Petri,

Executive Director Lin Oliver,

Associate Executive Director Sarah Baker,

Director of Special Projects Kim Turrisi,

As well as Claudia Pearson and Debra Schmidt.

 

Conference registrants will receive a PDF schedule with event links. On clicking to join, you'll have to register for this zoom social with your name and email, and then you'll be welcomed in.

We hope to see you there. Stay safe,
Lee

***UPDATE Feb 16, 2021 at 11:30am Pacific: If you're registered for the conference, look for a special email that should have been sent to you with this event link. Thanks!***

The LGBTQIA+ And Allies Social

Community.

With special guests Laurent Linn, Lesléa Newman, Bruce Coville, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, Emma Dryden, Marietta Zacker, Jane Yolen, April Powers, and Lin Oliver, over 150 of us gathered in community.

We opened the circle. Screen after screen of live video, seeing each other, acknowledging each other, even those whose cameras were off, knowing we were all there supporting each other,

We introduced our special guests.

We zoomed into breakout groups (rooms) for 5-6 people introductions

We came back for questions and answers with our special guests, talking about safe space between a book's covers and in the world for LGBTQAI+ authors and illustrators, about including diversity in respectful ways and career guidance for those of us writing Queer stories, and more.

Then we zoomed into small breakout groups again, this time organized by what folks wanted to talk about:
PB - those who wanted to talk about picture books and works for children
MG - those who wanted to talk about middle grade books and works for middle grade readers
YA - those who wanted to talk about young adult books and works for teen readers

We gathered back as a large community for a final closing moment, and then over 100 of us stayed and shared for another twenty minutes.

It was powerful. Joyful. And in this moment of physical distancing, socially connected.

As community.

The LGBTQ and Allies Social

Community within community - after gathering in a large circle and asking questions of our special faculty guests Heidi Stemple and Bruce Coville, we broke into two smaller circles to discuss writing Middle Grade and YA in one, and Picture Books in the other.

Heidi shared about the new Kid Lit Pride Scholarship she established at the Highlights Foundation, which is an amazing opportunity!

In the YA circle, projects and craft tips were shared, with encouragement and support.

When the session broke, the whole group went to join the Equity and Inclusion social, because, as I always say,

"our job is to be allies to all."

The LGBTQ + Allies Social

One of six different optional Saturday night events at the conference, the LGBTQ + Allies social is a gathering of a tribe within the tribe.

Our special guests included Jane Yolen, Heidi Stemple, Lesléa Newman, Arthur A. Levine, and Laurent Linn.

Thanks to all who attended!

The LGBTQ + Allies Social

More than 45 conference attendees gathered Friday night in a warm and supportive environment to talk writing and illustrating books with LGBTQ characters and themes for kids and teens.

With a new format this year, we started out in a large oval. In a riff on the conference faculty parade, everyone shared their names and the book with LGBTQ characters and/or themes that made an impact on them and/or changed their life.

It was a fun list (lots of note taking all around), with shout-outs to titles including:

10,000 Dresses

Worm Loves Worm

Am I Blue?

Mysterious Skin

Necessary Noise

The upcoming The Music of What Happens

Boy Meets Boy

Ask the Passengers

Hey, Dollface

Something Like Summer

The God Box

At the Edge of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe

Then we broke into smaller groups by category (Picture Books, Middle Grade, YA genre, and YA contemporary), sharing in more depth what each of us are working on, discussing challenges, offering solutions, and most of all, cheering each other on.

We came back to a large circle, where our faculty guests (Bruce Coville, Laurent Linn, Carin Berger, and Arthur A. Levine) shared the book(s) they've worked on that pushed boundaries.

Instead of hanging out in the conference room after our 9pm stop time, we walked over to join the community at the Diversity social, where we talked and supported each other late into the night.

The LGBTQ + Allies Social

An intimate circle, the group included conference faculty guests Laurent Linn, Emma Dryden, Ellen Hopkins, Jane Yolen, Heidi Stemple, Jeffrey West, Arthur Levine, and Erika Turner.

We went around the circle, everyone introducing themselves and sharing what they're working on that has LGBTQ characters and themes, sparking lots of discussion.

Standout moments:

Ellen Hopkins on why she includes LGBTQ characters in her novels: "I write the teen landscape." And how the current political and cultural climate makes it "more important than ever" that we're here talking about LGBTQ characters and themes in books for young people.

Emma Dryden on how agents are telling her that they're looking for manuscripts in which gay is incidental...

Which lead to a broad discussion on how we need all kinds of books on the LGBTQ experience, books that star the LGBTQ character and books where they're part of the ensemble, books where it's about the LGBTQ experience, and books where it's about something else entirely and the characters' identity is incidental.

Laurent Lin spoke about visiting schools via the Lambda Literary Foundations Authors in Schools program,

The conversation covered controversy and backlash, the responsibility we have to our readers, and so much more!

Jane Yolen speaking with attendee David Daniel after the circle opened to more informal discussion