Survey Results

1. How long have you been a member of SCBWI?

Comment: While respondents were asked to list a specific number, their answers have been categorized for ease of reporting.

4. Why did you become a member? (check all that apply)

• to find out about the children’s/young adult publishing industry
• to connect with peers
• to improve writing or illustrating skills
• other (please specify)

Comments: This total represents the number of respondents, not the number of answers, as many respondents gave more than one.

One respondent indicated "U.S. especially" with reference to the "Industry" category. Under "Other", "editor connections" and "work in progress grant" were mentioned.

Comment: In addition to 14 respondents who belong to CANSCAIP, respondents hold membership in the following organizations:

• The Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communications (CAPIC)
• Canadian Association of Journalists
• Canadian Children's Book Centre
• Canadian Poetry Association
• Canadian Authors Association
• Capital Crime Writers
• Communication

• International Reading Association (IRA)
• Ottawa Romance Writers Association
• Periodical Writers Association of Canada (PWAC)
• Québec Writers Federation
• The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)
• Writers Union of Canada
• Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia

Comment: Five of the eight respondents who know of the listserve but have chosen not to be on it state their reason as "too much email." All of those who indicated that they were not on the listserve indicated their reason as "not aware of it".

8. If yes, are you listed, or have you ever been listed, under the:

• new books published section called “New Leaves”
• members page
• if no, why not?

Comments: Respondents gave various reasons for not being listed on these two pages. Twelve gave "not published" as their reason.

Please note that you need not be published before being listed on our members’ page.

Seven suggestions were made:

• Discussion group
• Events in eastern Canada
• How to break into publishing
• Regional listing of members ito facilitate critique groups
• · Up-to-date info on publishers (e.g., who takes unsolicited manuscripts)
• Information on contests

One member emphasized the importance of keeping the site up to date and complete.

Comments: Note that "Critique Groups" are listed by region on the "Events" page. Up-to-date info on publishers is available by accessing publishers’ submission guidelines. Guidance is offered on our “Links” page. Click on “The Publishing Business,” and then choose "Children's Publishers' Submission Guidelines - Canadian Publishers" or "Children's Publishers' Submission Guidelines" for more information.

12. If yes, do you make use of the resources and links there, or use the discussion boards?

• yes (please list the ones you use most frequently)
• no (please indicate why not)

20 people responded that they use the site. Frequently used features include:

• Discussion boards
• Renew membership
• Events worldwide
• Regional Announcements
• Market updates
• Publishers / Publishing Information
• Pop Its for announcements
• Current market information

• Technique/Instruction
• News
• Contests
• Information on N.Y. Conference
• Illustrator discussion board
• Publishers corner
• Who edited what
• Coming events

Comments: Two of the "yes" respondents indicated that distance was a factor. Please note: On-line critique groups are possible.

One of the respondents answered “no” as a writer of non-fiction. Please note: Critique groups are not limited to fiction writers. Non-fiction writers can also benefit.

Comments: 12 of the "no" respondents were not aware of the grants or didn't know how to go about applying for one, 2 indicated that they did not have the financial need, and 11 gave other reasons, including: "Haven't found right project to apply for," "Currently working on an adult book," "Lack of confidence/time to do justice with the grant," "Too busy. Applications are not my strong point," and "Wasn't the right time."

18. Do you read your bi-monthly newsletter “The Bulletin”?

• yes
• no
• if no, why not?
• if yes, what is your favourite section/column?

19. Do you receive the free SCBWI Expression Online e-newsletter available through http://groups.yahoo.com/group/expression_online?

• yes
• no
• if no, why not?
• if yes, what is your favourite section or type of feature?

If not, why not:

20. Have you ever attended any SCBWI Canada events in the past?

• yes
• no
• if no, why not?
• if yes, what is your favourite section/column?

If no, why not:

21. How far would you travel in order to attend an SCBWI Canada event? (Please mark all that apply)

• greater Toronto area
• greater Ottawa area
• greater Montreal area
• greater Halifax area
• other (please specify)

Comment: This total represents the number of respondents, not the number of answers, as many respondents gave more than one answer.

22. Have you ever attended any SCBWI events worldwide?

• yes, the New York City winter conference
• yes, the Los Angeles summer conference
• yes, other (please indicate the state or country)
• no

If no, please indicate why not.

Comment: This total represents the number of respondents, not the number of answers, as many respondents gave more than one Those who have not attended any worldwide events did not indicate why not.

23. What type of events interest you (please mark as many as interest you and prioritize them by number)

• full day conference with approx. 4 speakers, critique of your own work
• weekend retreat featuring one speaker to present on techniques while giving feedback on your own writing or illustrating project, time built in to work on your own project
• 2- to 3-hour peer critique session
• evening to listen to a speaker, informal networking session afterwards
• evening to listen to a speaker, critique of your work by the speaker
• informal networking with other members
• illustration gallery-type display
• writing competition
• other (please specify)

Comment: Unfortunately, although 35 members answered this question, 7 did not indicate any order of preference. It is therefore difficult to determine any kind of a pattern that might assist us in planning events. The only clear preference was for the "full-day conference." Fifteen members listed this as their number one preference. Seven listed "weekend retreat" as their second preference, however, without the order of preference for 7 of the respondents, this figure does not mean much. This question will be reworded in our next survey so that we will better understand the wishes of the membership.

24. Please comment on the pricing for events we have run in the past:

$90 for members at the 2004 conference (included lunch and five speakers and available critique. (for additional fee), book sale, silent auction and a writing and illustrating contest/award; Non-members $100

One-one-one critiques with an editor = $30 (ten minute session, but the editor has received your manuscript previous to the meeting and has read and commented on it before seeing you in person)

Day event with one speaker =$50 (included snacks)

Fall retreat $125 (included two night stay and four meals plus one featured speaker in two presentations, and a critique session with peers)

26. Would you be interested in assisting in the planning of an SCBWI event near you?

“I would like to see an industry ombudsman created through the SCBWI. The ombudsman could take complaints to publishers under cover of anonymity and try to rectify problems.”

“…more events in Atlantic Canada…”

“wish to get to know other members better in between events…meet informally for coffee!....(on the web) make a list of members who want mentors, online critique partners or just supportive writing friends to offer each other encouragement.”

“A mentor program with a published writer.”

“smaller events spread out over the eastern territory, more visibility and professional presence for SCBWI Canada as perceived by the Canadian publishing industry.”

“…book promotion networking…”

“joint ventures with other writing associations to share resources and sponsor events.”

“I really value the contact with an editor and want to see the opportunity continue. The CANSCAIP conference in the fall doesn’t include [one on ones with] editors.”

“I think the organization does a great job of getting useful information into our hands.”

“…valuable access gained…speakers inspired [me].”

“The keys for me are peer critiquing, market intelligence, and market access.”

“…looks like a really active chapter…”