Our means of staying in touch with you is the roster we receive from SCBWI's main office. If you change your email address or move, we won't know unless you update your information with that office-which you can do with a few keystrokes online. Haven't used the website before? No problem! Your user ID is your email (your old one, if yours has changed since you joined), and if you don't have a password, you'll be prompted to select one. Once you are logged in, click on "For Our Members," then on "Update Your Info," which is third on the listing on the left side of the screen.

And while you're logged on, check out all the terrific resources at your disposal.

ŠKristen Kofsky, www.kristenkofsky.com

SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) is the only professional organization dedicated to serving the people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children's literature. With more than 16,000 members worldwide in over 70 regions, SCBWI is the largest children's writing organization in the world.

Whether you are a professional writer, a famous illustrator, a beginner with a good idea, or somewhere in-between, SCBWI is here to serve you.

To find an SCBWI Regional Chapter near you, click here.

Support - The support of an international organization dedicated to quality literature for children. SCBWI offers a library of useful publications for members, covering everything from "Guide to Agents" and "Copyright Facts," to an annual market survey of major children's book and magazine publishers. Plus, members receive discounts on all SCBWI workshops and conferences. Credit union services are also available.

SCBWI Bulletin - In addition, members will receive the bi-monthly SCBWI Bulletin from SCBWI national which includes "Publishers' Corner," a column about children's book publishers, what they are looking for in the way of book manuscripts, who the editors are, their needs and priorities. "Publishers' Corner" is also available to online members through the SCBWI Listserv a month before it appears in the Bulletin.

Conferences - Each year, SCBWI-Hawaii holds workshops and conferences designed to benefit both novice and experienced writer/illustrators. In addition, the national organization holds two annual conferences, one in Los Angeles, the other in New York, packed with top artists, writers and editors.

Local Newsletter - You can receive "TRADE WINDS," the SCBWI-Hawaii newsletter, packed with information on local writing activities, success stories, tips on writing and illustrating, and selling your work.

Critique Groups - You can meet weekly with a small group of fellow writers to share your work and get constructive feedback. Gentle support helps you build your skills.

Grants - Members are eligible for several yearly financial grants, distributed by the national organization.

Networking - Get individual advice from published authors and illustrators, and from SCBWI administrators. There are more than 50 SCBWI regions, one in each state and in several foreign countries, who organize regular workshops for new and published author/illustrators.

All images on this site are copyrighted by the respective artist and may not be copied or reproduced in any form without written consent.