Introducing SCBWI-MI's Communications Coordinator - Karen Bell-Brege! Plus, Social Media Show and Tell Days!

If you've been following SCBWI-MI on social media, you've likely noticed a recent increase in posts, images, and conversations. It's all thanks to our Communications Coordinator, Karen Bell-Brege, who dove right into her new role! Here's Karen to tell you a little about herself, her plans going forward, our new Social Media Show and Tell Days, and how you can become more involved.

Hello SCBWI Friends!

I’m so happy to be taking on the role of Communications Coordinator for you and our totally wonderful Michigan chapter! I’ve been an SCBWI member since 2001 and finally worked up the gumption to get more involved - I know, what took so long, right? But after attending many conferences, and making new friends – I thought, Hey! Maybe it’s time to give back. So, here I am.

Just to tell you a little bit about me, my career started in radio on-air, and before long I was writing copy. I moved into copywriting at ad agencies, and then into communications. I always loved comedy and studied at Second City in Chicago, and with Paul Sills. I started the first improv troupe in Michigan in 1992. The performing led to speaking and teaching improv. I met my husband Darrin when he auditioned for my troupe (good way to get a husband). He was a full-time artist, and soon became the illustrator for the Michigan and American Chillers covers. He did the first 36 original covers and branded the series. After I wrote the Chill Art Sketchbook, Darrin and I decided to write and illustrate our own books. Thus, our first series Mick Morris Myth Solver was born (named after our son, Mick).

We now have 14 books out, and it hasn’t always been easy. In fact, I find writing and the business extremely hard – a lot like performing. It can be frightening, and like fear you have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. The same with creating, you have to keep putting one word after the other, or one shape after the other and move forward.

So, my goal is to find those wonderful ideas and nuggets to help us all stay connected, creative, motivated and to encourage us to put ourselves out there. I hope to make this happen by exchanging (What a cookie exchange? Okay! Kidding.) ideas, and to really build our relationships and interact and engage with each other any way we can. For starters, a great way for us to join together in sharing our strengths, skills, motivation and know-how is through social media. We all have that same love-hate relationship with it – but we can utilize it to grow our engagement and network.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve written one word, or sketched anything at all – we have to start somewhere. I know with the encouragement and support of each other we can all follow and grow our dreams.

That’s my shtick. I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and what you need to flourish in our fantastic little SCBWI mitten environment. Please reach out to us, and tell us what you need, want, or have to share. Very soon we'll be providing a monthly self-promotion day (Show and Tell) for each of us to promote our work, tell us what you’ve been up to… even if that means you want to tell us that for one day you managed to sit and write or draw, because we all know how tough keeping true to our goals can be.

Well, that’s it for now, whew! I really hope you begin to make your connecting with us as important as the writing and illustrating, publishing and submitting part of your business.

Thanks so much for your time, and looking forward to our growth - together.

Just remember, it’s all in your confidence, because no one else really knows what they’re doing either. 

Introducing Social Media Show and Tell Days!

When:

The first of every month. Beginning Dec. 1st.

What:

We are inviting each and every one of you to join in the conversation. Show us what you’re up to. It could be your latest book cover, illustration, what you’re writing – or Tell us what you want to write, draw, or about your giveaway, building a platform, or online promotion.

Even feel free to reach out expressing what the hardest part of the biz is for you, or where you would like some input from your colleagues.

It doesn’t matter whether you have several books published or have finally managed to sit down and write. You can share a pic of your office chair! Show & Tell and get involved as you begin to boost your biz with SCBWI-MI!

Where:

Join, follow, like, share, and engage with SCBWI-MI on social media:

• Twitter: @SCBWIMichigan https://twitter.com/SCBWIMichigan
• Facebook: SCBWI-Michigan https://www.facebook.com/ScbwiMi/
• Instagram general: https://www.instagram.com/scbwi_michigan/
• Instagram illustrators: https://www.instagram.com/scbwimichiganillustrators/ 

Our social media channels and MichKids listserv are the best way to stay up-to-date on all SCBWI-MI events and opportunities, including monthly Shop Talks and annual conferences.

Coming up on the Mitten Blog: 

Vacation! The SCBWI-MI Blog Team will be spending time with family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We'll return to our weekly Friday posts in December.

Save these December dates!

SCBWI-MI members will be signing/selling books:

Dec. 8th, 12-6pm: Downriver Book/Holiday Fair, Lincoln Park

Dec. 12th, 6-8pm: Schuler Books’ Merry Mitten/Parent’s Shop Night, Grand Rapids


Regional Shop Talks will be meeting all around the state on various days and locations.

And don't miss this FREE webinar on December 9th:

https://michigan.scbwi.org/2019/11/14/marketing-with-panache-using-pinterest/