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Conference FAQ's
If you are an SCBWI New England member you will be receiving a postcard today or tomorrow with information about our annual spring conference. This blog intends to answer some of the questions that may come up. I'll take new questions here and post answers in the comments.
I just got a postcard in the mail about the conference. When is the brochure coming?
There is NO BROCHURE. We are saving printing and postage costs as well as paper and ink by having all of our information online.
Then where do I find the workshop descriptions?
When you register, click on the "Detail" links to access windows with descriptions for workshops, faculty, food, critiques, and special event information. Also, you can preview all the information you'll need in PDF's at our NESCBWI.org website.
http://www.nescbwi.org/2009/01/2009-new-england-scbwi-confere.php
So are you saying I have to register online?
Yes, registration is online. If you have a friend who is unable to access the world wide web through a library or another public computer, they may call my home phone number (301) 690-2171 and I will register them (online) over the phone. This is the first year we are moving registration online and we realize this may be an issue for some.
The post office canceled the stamp and I can't see the online registration URL.
Yes, this is something we did not think about and apologize. Here is the registration online URL:
www.regonline.com/nescbwi09
When can I register?
Registration goes live on January 24th. This Saturday. Each conference day has a limit of 400 people so I recommend that you register sooner rather than later.
The online registration page says that my choices are binding. Does that mean I have to attend the workshops I pick now?
Yes. Each attendee will get a ticket with their workshop choices and will present it on the way into the workshop.
How much does the conference cost?
Conference Fee Schedule:
Saturday (SCBWI members) $140
Sunday (SCBWI members) $100
Both Saturday and Sunday (SCBWI members) $225
Saturday (non-member) $165
Sunday (non-member) $125
Both Saturday and Sunday (non-member) $275
Above fees do not include critique or special event fees.
Isn't this more expensive then last year?
Yes. Inflation for travel, lodging, food and other conference expenses forced us to increase fees. Also, while we loved the participation last year things were pretty smooshed so we decided to place daily limits on conference attendance. Conference limits are determined by hotel fire codes and are set 400 people per conference day. We will keep a wait list for each day and confirm any changes in wait list status via email.
Do I need a discount code?
No. Just register without entering anything in this box. Those who took on a conference leadership role have already been informed of their code.
Are there any scholarships for the conference?
No. There are no scholarships for the 2009 conference but please apply for next year's memory scholarships.
Memory Fund Scholarships 2009 for the 2010 Conference
How do I pay for the conference?
Visa, or Mastercard will save your spot when you register online. Those who choose to pay by check have a "pending" registration until we receive your payment.
What if I register and then I can't come? Can I get a refund?
Cancelations before March 21, 2009 will be refunded in full. Cancelations between March 21 and March 28, 2009 will be refund at 50% of the total. After March 28, 2009, refunds will only be given in case of military service, or a death in the family.
Why do I need a receipt?
If you have elected to have a critique, please send your receipt along with your manuscript to the Val Giogas. (More info at NESCBWI) You may also need to print your receipt if your fees are paid by your school (we do not give CEU's) or if you catalogue your business expenses for tax purposes.
How much is the hotel going to cost?
The Crowne Plaza rate for this event is $97 per night + taxes. More information about lodging is available when you register. You cannot book your lodging through the registration site, you have to call the hotel separately.
How can I find someone who wants to share a ride or room?
We encourage carpooling to save gas and it is also a great way to meet other conference attendees. Greg has started two separate discussion threads here at the NING. Post your information to connect with other people from your area.
I've never been to a conference. Can I come?
Of course, and Welcome! The workshop selection committee worked hard to include something for everyone. Pay attention to the genre and level information next to each workshop description and choose workshops that are at your level.
What do I bring, what should I wear?
Conference attire is business casual, many people wear jeans, some people dress up a little for the Friday night meet and greet.
It is a good idea to bring business cards, or illustration postcards with your contact info. You can give these out to people you meet. Bring 5 (five) copies of your manuscript if you signed up for peer critiques, your poster if you are signed up for the illustration showcase, and money for buying books if you want them signed by our fabulous faculty.
I found a typographical error in your documents.
As an organization of writers, we do our best to professionally edit all documents. However, we are human and sometimes make mistakes. If you need to point it out, please leave me a comment below.
Who did that beautiful illustration on the postcard?
The illustration is the work of Nicole Tadgell. We are very thankful to have such talented members who volunteer for NESCBWI.
Can you tell me more about Quick Queries?
I'm going to leave that job to Joyce Johnson. See her blog post here:
http://nescbwi.ning.com/profiles/blogs/quick-query-information
I tried to register for Sarah Aronson's novel beginnings intensive Sunday workshop but I can't find it. What happened?
It's sold out. Shirley Pearson, our registrar is compiling a waiting list. If you'd like to get on that list, please email her at shirleydpearson at yahoo dot com with the subject heading "Novel Beginnings Wait list." In the mean time, register for one of the other wonderful Sunday intensives. There is so much to learn and so may wonderful faculty members to learn from.
Edited to add: Shirley is taking wait list requests for all workshops that close. Just send her an email with "Wait list" in the subject line. In the spirit of full disclosure, it is rare that people cancel their registration. Any changes will probably happen closer to the conference. Shirley will inform you if there is any movement in the lists via email.
Can I volunteer?
Thank you. We already have volunteers for this year but we encourage participation in the organization. This is YOUR NESCBWI. There will be a spot on the evaluation form to volunteer in 2010.
Thank you for all you are doing, Anna.
Your welcome. As much as I appreciate your kind comments please know that my Co-Director Anindita Basu-Sempere put in many hours of work designing and implementing the online registration. This has truly been a team effort. We also have a fabulous group of volunteers who have coordinated different aspects of the conference. I would be remiss if I did not not thank them publicly. Come to the conference, and you can give them "thanks" there.
I just got a postcard in the mail about the conference. When is the brochure coming?
There is NO BROCHURE. We are saving printing and postage costs as well as paper and ink by having all of our information online.
Then where do I find the workshop descriptions?
When you register, click on the "Detail" links to access windows with descriptions for workshops, faculty, food, critiques, and special event information. Also, you can preview all the information you'll need in PDF's at our NESCBWI.org website.
http://www.nescbwi.org/2009/01/2009-new-england-scbwi-confere.php
So are you saying I have to register online?
Yes, registration is online. If you have a friend who is unable to access the world wide web through a library or another public computer, they may call my home phone number (301) 690-2171 and I will register them (online) over the phone. This is the first year we are moving registration online and we realize this may be an issue for some.
The post office canceled the stamp and I can't see the online registration URL.
Yes, this is something we did not think about and apologize. Here is the registration online URL:
www.regonline.com/nescbwi09
When can I register?
Registration goes live on January 24th. This Saturday. Each conference day has a limit of 400 people so I recommend that you register sooner rather than later.
The online registration page says that my choices are binding. Does that mean I have to attend the workshops I pick now?
Yes. Each attendee will get a ticket with their workshop choices and will present it on the way into the workshop.
How much does the conference cost?
Conference Fee Schedule:
Saturday (SCBWI members) $140
Sunday (SCBWI members) $100
Both Saturday and Sunday (SCBWI members) $225
Saturday (non-member) $165
Sunday (non-member) $125
Both Saturday and Sunday (non-member) $275
Above fees do not include critique or special event fees.
Isn't this more expensive then last year?
Yes. Inflation for travel, lodging, food and other conference expenses forced us to increase fees. Also, while we loved the participation last year things were pretty smooshed so we decided to place daily limits on conference attendance. Conference limits are determined by hotel fire codes and are set 400 people per conference day. We will keep a wait list for each day and confirm any changes in wait list status via email.
Do I need a discount code?
No. Just register without entering anything in this box. Those who took on a conference leadership role have already been informed of their code.
Are there any scholarships for the conference?
No. There are no scholarships for the 2009 conference but please apply for next year's memory scholarships.
Memory Fund Scholarships 2009 for the 2010 Conference
How do I pay for the conference?
Visa, or Mastercard will save your spot when you register online. Those who choose to pay by check have a "pending" registration until we receive your payment.
What if I register and then I can't come? Can I get a refund?
Cancelations before March 21, 2009 will be refunded in full. Cancelations between March 21 and March 28, 2009 will be refund at 50% of the total. After March 28, 2009, refunds will only be given in case of military service, or a death in the family.
Why do I need a receipt?
If you have elected to have a critique, please send your receipt along with your manuscript to the Val Giogas. (More info at NESCBWI) You may also need to print your receipt if your fees are paid by your school (we do not give CEU's) or if you catalogue your business expenses for tax purposes.
How much is the hotel going to cost?
The Crowne Plaza rate for this event is $97 per night + taxes. More information about lodging is available when you register. You cannot book your lodging through the registration site, you have to call the hotel separately.
How can I find someone who wants to share a ride or room?
We encourage carpooling to save gas and it is also a great way to meet other conference attendees. Greg has started two separate discussion threads here at the NING. Post your information to connect with other people from your area.
I've never been to a conference. Can I come?
Of course, and Welcome! The workshop selection committee worked hard to include something for everyone. Pay attention to the genre and level information next to each workshop description and choose workshops that are at your level.
What do I bring, what should I wear?
Conference attire is business casual, many people wear jeans, some people dress up a little for the Friday night meet and greet.
It is a good idea to bring business cards, or illustration postcards with your contact info. You can give these out to people you meet. Bring 5 (five) copies of your manuscript if you signed up for peer critiques, your poster if you are signed up for the illustration showcase, and money for buying books if you want them signed by our fabulous faculty.
I found a typographical error in your documents.
As an organization of writers, we do our best to professionally edit all documents. However, we are human and sometimes make mistakes. If you need to point it out, please leave me a comment below.
Who did that beautiful illustration on the postcard?
The illustration is the work of Nicole Tadgell. We are very thankful to have such talented members who volunteer for NESCBWI.
Can you tell me more about Quick Queries?
I'm going to leave that job to Joyce Johnson. See her blog post here:
http://nescbwi.ning.com/profiles/blogs/quick-query-information
I tried to register for Sarah Aronson's novel beginnings intensive Sunday workshop but I can't find it. What happened?
It's sold out. Shirley Pearson, our registrar is compiling a waiting list. If you'd like to get on that list, please email her at shirleydpearson at yahoo dot com with the subject heading "Novel Beginnings Wait list." In the mean time, register for one of the other wonderful Sunday intensives. There is so much to learn and so may wonderful faculty members to learn from.
Edited to add: Shirley is taking wait list requests for all workshops that close. Just send her an email with "Wait list" in the subject line. In the spirit of full disclosure, it is rare that people cancel their registration. Any changes will probably happen closer to the conference. Shirley will inform you if there is any movement in the lists via email.
Can I volunteer?
Thank you. We already have volunteers for this year but we encourage participation in the organization. This is YOUR NESCBWI. There will be a spot on the evaluation form to volunteer in 2010.
Thank you for all you are doing, Anna.
Your welcome. As much as I appreciate your kind comments please know that my Co-Director Anindita Basu-Sempere put in many hours of work designing and implementing the online registration. This has truly been a team effort. We also have a fabulous group of volunteers who have coordinated different aspects of the conference. I would be remiss if I did not not thank them publicly. Come to the conference, and you can give them "thanks" there.
Comment
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Comment by Angelo on December 16, 2009 at 3:13pm - conference FAQ they are so many that i dont remember it at this point but i do know this Online Pharmacy is the best .
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Comment by Anna J. Boll on March 3, 2009 at 3:46pm - I'm looking into this Dawn.
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Comment by Dawn Metcalf on March 2, 2009 at 6:26pm
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Thank you for ALL of your incredible efforts, Anna! We the adoring public really appreciate it!
I have received confirmation for a Quick Query -- will we receive similar confirmation from Sarah Aronsen regarding the Beginnings workshop, etc.? I would not want to (over)burden anyone with repetitive questions or nudging -- the bane of being popular, I suppose!
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Comment by Anna J. Boll on February 23, 2009 at 10:03pm
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Hi Jim,
I'm contacting our Academy coordinator for info to answer your question. I'll get back to you asap.
anna
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Comment by Jim Hill on February 23, 2009 at 10:57am -
When will we receive more information for the Illustrator’s Academy: The Graphic Novel Part One & Two? The description says that there will be an assignment. Also wanting to know what materials I'll need to have with me.
Thanks!
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Comment by Anna J. Boll on February 22, 2009 at 9:39pm
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Hi Alison, and others facing this issue.
Yes, it is exciting for us that the conference is filling so quickly and a little frustrating for folks getting shut out of workshops. There is a spot when you register to tell us which workshops you'd like to be waitlisted for. I also have two other recommendations: all the workshops promise excellent presenters and loads of learning that while they may not seem to fit your most recent project, can feed your art and craft and inspire you. Also, please take a look at the illustrator academy (or other Sunday offerings) as there are fewer waitlists. Note that you need to be registered for Saturday to take advantage of the editor critiques.
Hope you find what you need,
Anna
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Comment by Alison Durbois on February 21, 2009 at 11:22am - Hi! I just joined SCBWI and was very interested in the upcoming conference. When I looked at the workshops, though, it appeared that all of the ones that are related to my specialty (illustrating picture books) were already filled. Is there a possibility of getting into any "currently filled" workshops? Is there "standing room" in the back if there are no seats? I would love to come just to see what the conference is like, but I am from CT and would have to make arrangements for my two little children, so I would probably only attend if I was able to take workshops that were relavent! Please let me know how this works! Thank you! Ali
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Comment by Anna J. Boll on February 13, 2009 at 11:39am
- yes
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Comment by Nancy on February 13, 2009 at 10:11am -
Hi, I received word I'm on the waiting list for Quick Queries. If it doesn't happen that anyone drops out, will my $25 fee be refunded?
Thanks.
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Comment by Anna J. Boll on February 2, 2009 at 8:24pm
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Hi Debbie,
I'll post this on your page too so you see it, but here is your answer. Peer Crits are an event that you sign up for on Friday night. It is at the same time as our Schmooze at the Muse Jazz Club. The Peer Crits are full! If you'd like to send a waitlist email to shirleydpearson at yahoo dot com you may. I think Joyce Ray is trying to get a less formal group together too.
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