Friday, 10 August 2018

Erin Balzer – a double winner at the SCBWI Summer Conference!

Our lovely illustrator Erin Balzer attended the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Summer Conference in Los Angeles last weekend, where she participated in the Summer Conference Juried Portfolio Showcase and won two awards! She received the Honor award and was one of six artists chosen for the Mentorship Program award.

(the Honour Award winners)

The Portfolio Showcase is an annual event at the SCBWI, where each portfolio submitted is viewed by a panel of judges and mentors (as well as faculty and conferees attending the conference) who then select a Grand Prize winner and two Honor Awards winners. Honor Award winners are given the opportunity to have a portfolio and style critique over the phone with an Art Director.

(the Mentorship Program Award winners)

Winners of the Mentorship Program award are chosen by members of the SCBWI board, who each choose one illustrator to become a Mentee. Winners get the chance to meet with their Mentor for a one-on-one 15-minute session where they can discuss the their work and get critiques, suggestions, and feedback. Mentors and Mentees also meet as a group to share tips and create career development strategies. This is a fantastic opportunity for illustrators to have their excellent work recognized and receive advice on how to advance and improve their careers.

Erin was delighted with her awards, saying ‘I had the pleasure of connecting with art directors at penguin, Simon & Schuster and so many others. I was completely shocked and I am still in a daze from it all.‘


Congratulations, Erin, from some very proud Plums at Plum Pudding!

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