Newcomer Orientation with Jolie Stekly

Author and writing coach Jolie Stekly was recognized as SCBWI's 2009 Member Of The Year and now welcomes hundreds of first-time attendees to the international conference in Los Angeles and New York City, helping them make the most of their experience. "It’s one of my favorite things." Jolie is one of the contributors to the just-released The Haunted States Of America (Godwin Books).

As fun as it is to meet in person, a virtual conference has the advantage of being more accessible. Plus we don't have to pick and choose which sessions to attend because we'll have access to the replays afterward.

Jolie gave us a tour of the conference website, how attendees can find their events, register for their individual events, download handouts and video replays.

Jolie also encourages attendees to make the most of the whole conference experience by visiting the Portfolio Showcase and Conference Bookstore.

Illustrators! If you post your illustrated notes on Bluesky with the #scbwiSummer24 conference hashtag and #scbwiNotes, I may include them in a special round-up at the end of the conference.

In addition to urging to check out various sessions and events during the event, Jolie Stekly suggested we check out the Coffee Lounge Virtual Hangouts...a new feature of the virtual conference that Jolie is helping with.

Some Advice From Jolie:

If you participated in the Portfolio Showcase, celebrate! You were brave enough to put yourself out there.

If you are participating in the Pitches, be fully present for other people's pitches, not just your own.

Step out of your comfort zone. Attend a Coffee Social. Find your ONE THING that you were meant to hear or experience.

If you discover areas where you feel you need improvement or would like to learn more about, check out the regional webinars. Jolie also encourages everyone to thank their regional team members since they are all volunteers! Start with peer connection, don't just focus on connecting with editors, art directors or agents. If you haven't already, check out your local Regional Chapter.

Confused about whether your work is ready for submission? You can download Jolie's free Submission-Ready Checklist from her website.

When posting on Bluesky, Instagram or other social media, use the hashtags #scbwiSummer24 and #SCBWIBIRD. You can find Jolie on Instagram at @cuppajolie on Bluesky at @cuppajolie. 

More from #scbwiSummer24: Index of 2024 SCBWI Summer Conference Posts.

Orientation For Newcomers with Jolie Stekly #scbwiSummer22

 

Recognized as SCBWI's Member Of The Year in 2009, Jolie Stekly has been welcoming new conference attendees at both the in-person and virtual SCBWI conferences for 11 years. With help from ASL interpreters Susannah and Jennye, Jolie offered advice and encouragement during her inspiring session.

Jolie is one of the original members of Team Blog (and is still a member) and reminded attendees to check the SCBWI Conference Blog for highlights and takeaways. 

Even if you miss a session, you can access the Video Archives 48 hours after the live session, and they will be available online until Sept. 11th. This means we have access to ALL the breakout sessions! Ordinarily at live in-person events, we have to pick and choose. Wow!

Although there was no open text chat during Jolie's session, we attendees were able to send fun emoji reactions. When Jolie asked how many were participating in the Pitch Sessions as well as the Portfolio Showcase and added they should all be proud of themselves, check out the deluge of heart emojis:

Just a few of the great tips from Jolie during her session:

Have realistic expectations. She encouraged everyone to sit for one minute and think about three achievable goals for the conference. 

Find the one thing you were meant to hear. This will help you from coming away inspired but overwhelmed ("where do I start?"). Finding the one thing will help you get started.

Instead of feeling like you need to compete with everyone else, reach out to others and make some new friends, lift each other up.

Venture out of your comfort zone. Writers? Consider attending the sessions on the illustrator track as well as the Illustrator Intensives on Sunday! You may learn something new, get inspired. 

Be PRESENT in pitch sessions, listen to everyone and all the feedback. 

Take a breath. You're going to do GREAT.

Don't under-estimate the value of peer connection. You can learn about opportunities, writing groups, other info that might make all the difference.

Try to attend as many of the events live as possible.

Reach out to your Regional Team. They are all volunteers, connect with them. Show them love! :-)

Don't just Like or Follow. Reach out on Twitter (make sure you use the conference hashtag #scbwiSummer22 and #SCBWIBIRD), connect with others, introduce yourself, ask questions ("any other picture book writers in my area" etc.)

If you're an illustrator who is posting illustrated notes about sessions you attend, make sure you use the conference hashtag and tag Debbie Ridpath Ohi (that's me!) at @inkyelbows on Twitter.

You don't have to make a face-to-face connection with an agent or editor to make a difference. Sit back and listen, make notes, take the time to find out if an agent or editor is the right fit. 

Don't rush to submit! Make sure your work is ready.

Feeling like you have a lot to do and a lot to learn and everything is taking soooo long is normal. Slow and steady is the norm for this industry. :-)

Most importantly, remember that you are NOT ALONE. You are not the only one here for the first time. You are not the only one who may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. We are all at different stages in our journey.

Don't forget! When posting on Twitter, Instagram or other social media, use the hashtags #scbwiSummer22 and #SCBWIBIRD to share and connect with others. Newcomer bird art by Mary Jo Scott.

Where you can find out more about Jolie Stekly:

Jolie's website at JolieStekly.com

Jolie on Twitter and Instagram (@cuppajolie)

Jolie's classes, coaching and consultation services

Note: Jolie has a special submission-ready checklist on her site right now:

Recipe For A Successful Conference Experience, With Jolie Stekly

Writer, teacher and former Regional Advisor Jolie Stekly gave an inspiring and informative Orientation For Newcomers (aka Recipe For A Successful Conference Experience), with help from ASL interpreters Jennye Kamin and Brian Truitt. Jolie was recognized as SCBWI's Member of the Year in 2009, and since then, she's been welcoming new conference attendees at both the in-person and virtual SCBWI conferences.

The text chat was lively as attendees introduced themselves, said where they were from, chatted with each other, asked and answered each other's questions.

Jolie pointed out that even if you are not registered for the conference, it's not too late! Even if you end up missing some or all of the live sessions, you can still access video replays through March 31st, 2022 if you are registered for the entire conference.

RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE

Just a few takeaways....

Remember you're not alone. We are all at different stages in our journeys.

Be present in the moment. Jolie advises everyone to attend with intention. You can always take notes and watch replays later on.

Set up to three achievable goals for yourself. Don't put unrealistic pressures on yourself. 

Find that one thing you are meant to hear, something that will take your work or mindset to the next level, then decide what you need to do next.

If you discover areas where you feel you need improvement or would like to learn more about, check out the regional webinars. Jolie also encourages everyone to thank their regional team members since they are all volunteers!

Start with peer connection, don't just focus on connecting with editors, art directors or agents. If you haven't already, check out your local Regional Chapter.

Remember that you can have a wonderful and successful conference without speaking with an editor, art director or agent. Jolie advised focusing on research: finding out if an agent is the right fit for you and your work, for example. Work on your craft, get your work ready for submission.

Confused about whether your work is ready for submission? You can download Jolie's free Submission-Ready Checklist from her website.

When posting on Twitter, Instagram or other social media, use the hashtags #SCBWIWinter22 and #SCBWIBIRD to share and connect with others. Jolie credited the adorable "newcomer bird" art to Mary Jo Scott.

Jolie encouraged artists out there to post bird art along with the #SCBWIBIRD hashtag, and to tag her (@cuppajolie on both Twitter and Instagram); she'd love to see! 

Be yourself. Bring that only you can offer to the table - you will find your place. "There is room for each one of us," Jolie points out.

Help each other succeed instead of feeling like you have to compete with others.

Be patient. Do the work. It's the work that matters. It's normal to feel like a turtle in the middle of a crowd of hares!

Jolie also encourages attendees to make the most of the whole conference experience by visiting the Portfolio Showcase and Conference Bookstore (which also offers titles by fellow attendees). 

And even if you're a writer and not an artist, Jolie says writers should not dismiss illustrator-focused programming. Learning about the illustration process can be valuable for writers! 

Where you can find out more about Jolie Stekly:

Jolie's website at JolieStekly.com

Jolie on Twitter and Instagram (@cuppajolie)

Jolie's classes, coaching and consultation services