One of the amazing things about SCBWI BI is it is run entirely by volunteers. It makes membership all the more inclusive and rewarding. If you are interested in volunteering - whether in a local capacity with your regional network or on one of the main events or even if you have a good idea that you would like to pitch - do get in touch with one of us!

Our Outstanding Contribution Award recognises the dedication and hardwork of a special volunteer who embodies the spirit of SCBWI BI. Find out about this year's winner here!

Natascha Biebow, Regional Advisor for SCBWI British Isles

Natascha Biebow, Regional Advisor (Chair)

Email: RA (AT) britishscbwi.org

I have been RA since 1998 and really enjoy supporting authors and illustrators. I've loved watching our region grow from 30 members with informal meetings to a 500 strong membership offering a whole host of events. I am lucky to work with a fabulous team of volunteers (below). I’m a full-time mum, author and founder of Blue Elephant Storyshaping, a coaching service empowering writers and illustrators to fine-tune their work pre-submission. I’m also author of Elephants Never Forget and Is This My Nose?, and the editor of numerous award-winning children’s books. www.blueelephantstoryshaping.com

Benjamin Scott, Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI British Isles

Benjamin Scott, Assistant Regional Advisor and Retreat Organiser

Email: ARA (AT) britishscbwi.org

Benjamin has been ARA since 2010, but has been a volunteer for much longer. Almost as soon as he joined SCBWI he volunteered to be the Central East Network Coordinator. He now supports Natascha to keep the British Isles chapter thriving. He regularly teaches creative writing to a range of groups and organisations, he reviews for Carousel, the specialist children's book magazine as well as pursuing his own writing. He has five books out in 2012 written for the book packager Working Partners - look out for books 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9 in the Star Fighters series published under the name Max Chase (Bloomsbury).

www.benjaminscott.net

Anne-Marie Perks, Co-Illustrator Coordinator

Anne-Marie Perks, Co-Illustrator Coordinator

Email: Illustrators (AT) britishscbwi.org

I joined SCBWI in 1981. I’m a PAL member and I serve as one of the Co-Regional Illustrator Coordinators. When I’m not teaching illustration and animation at university, I’m working on an animation project for a games company as well as writing and illustrating my own book ideas. www.annemarieperks.com

Anita Loughrey, Membership Coordinator

Anita Loughrey, Membership Coordinator

Email: Membership (AT) britishscbwi.org

SCBWI is such an amazing organisation, I feel it is a great honour to be the new membership coordinator. Since joining SCBWI in 2001, I have had over 40 books published by a wide variety of publishers. I write teacher resources, children’s fiction and illustrated non-fiction. I have got I also have a monthly column in the national writing magazine Writers’ Forum about writers and their research. www.anitaloughrey.com

Nick Cross, Webmaster

Nick Cross, Webmaster

Email: Webmaster (AT) britishscbwi.org

Before joining SCBWI, I had spent 5 years on my own struggling and failing to get a children's book published. Within 6 months of joining, I was a winner of Undiscovered Voices, within a year I had signed with an agent. More than that, I had so many new friends - I will be forever grateful for the opportunities that SCBWI has given me. I'm a software architect in my day job, which transfers very nicely to my role as Webmaster. I also moderate the SCBWI Oxford critique group and blog about writing every Friday at Who Ate My Brain?

Sara Grant, Founder of Undiscovered Voices and Chair of Published Writers Sub-Committee

Sara Grant, Co-Editor of Undiscovered Voices, Coordinator of the Slush Pile Challenge, and Chair of Published Writers Sub-Committee

I’ve been an active member of SCBWI for more than 15 years and I endeavour to give something back to this organisation that has given me so much. I hope through both Undiscovered Voices and regular Slush Pile Challenges I can help other writers find agents and ultimately publishers. I am currently the Chair of the Published Writers Committee. I’m also a former co-coordinator of the Professional Series. My first YA novel, Dark Parties, is out next year!

Larisa Villar Hauser, Event and PR Coordinator

Larisa Villar Hauser, Event and PR Coordinator

I've been writing for some 10 years but only discovered the amazing-ness of SCBWI a few years back. Having attended a conference and various agents parties as well as having muscled in on a crit. group, I decided it was to time to really join in. The plan is to grow into the role of Events Coordinator so that everyone gets to know about all the incredible things SCBWI-ers have in the pipeline. As for the writing, well, I'm working on finishing my first middle-graders book - this sometimes feels like searching for the end of the rainbow, so when I finally get there it really will be an event!

Paolo Romeo, London Professional Series Coordinator

Paolo Romeo, Joint London Professional Series Coordinator

I work in private education and have lived in Edinburgh, Sydney, Singapore, Bangkok, and Bologna, before settling down in London. I write urban fantasy and boys' fiction in English. I've twice completed a novel in a month during the National Novel Writing Month - The Vespertine Hour in 2007, and its sequel in 2008. I'm currently working on a fourth rewrite of The Vespertine Hour, which I aim to complete in this life rather than the next - just in case!

Tina Lemon, Professional Series Coordinator

Tina Lemon, Joint London Professional Series Coordinator

I joined SCBWI in 2010 after having stalked the website for a while. Thankfully, websites are less prone to filing restraining orders. I've loved writing even as a child, and once handed in a short story instead of an essay during an English exam. Surprisingly, I got the top mark, with my teacher telling me to write a book. I'm slightly appalled I'm now doing exactly what he told me to do. Both my WIPs are YA urban fantasies.

Maureen (Mo) Oakeley, Masterclass Co-organiser

Maureen (Mo) Oakeley, Masterclass Co-organiser

Email: maureen (AT) oakeley.freeserve.co.uk

I co-organised the SCBWI Masterclass series in 2009 and 2010 with Natascha Biebow. I am also on the Conference committee this year for the first time. In addition to writing children’s books I also work as a storyteller, voice over artist and sketch comedienne.

britishscbwi.ning.com/profile/MaureenMoOakeley

Bekki Hill, South East Network & Conference Organizer

Bekki Hill, Conference Coordinator

I’ve been a member of SCBWI since 2006 and South East Regional Coordinator from 2009-2012. Although still an aspiring children's author, I've published short stories and features in magazines. I'm also a creativity and motivation coach and in this capacity I have written a motivation column for Mslexia for over five years and my first book Coach Yourself to Writing Success.

www.thewritecoach.co.uk

Liz de Jager, Organiser of the Agents’ Party

Liz de Jager, Agents’ Party Coordinator

Since 2010, I have been coordinating the Agents’ Party. I also reviews books for the majority of UK publishers across all ages and genres.

My review site is: www.myfavouritebooks.blogspot.com

My personal site is: www.lizdejager.co.uk 

Addy Farmer, Networks’ Coordinator

Addy Farmer, British Isles Networks’ Coordinator and Joint Coordinator for Central North Network

Email: Networks (AT) britishscbwi.org

My role is bringing people together for SCBWI! I write picture books as well as older fiction and can’t think of a better way to pass the time. I teach, cycle, fence, like to watch rugby and love a good ghost story. My lovely family is very forgiving.

www.addyfarmer.jimdo.com

Kathy Evans, Joint South East Network Coordinator

Kathy Evans, Joint Coordinator for South East Network

Email: SouthEast (AT) britishscbwi.org

SCBWI is just the best organisation for supporting children’s writers and illustrators in the UK and I am delighted to support it in anyway I can. I run Chichester Scbwi and help with the annual conference, overseeing the Badge Competition and chipping in where I can. I’m involved in two SCBWI online critique groups and I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Outside of SCBWI I run a fruit farm with my husband, I have two children. I read, I write, I belly dance and I fence, though rarely at the same time.

I write for teens and for 7+ and I’m represented by Sophie Hicks at Ed Victor Ltd.

Website: www.mrsbung.wordpress.com

Mariam Vossough, Joint South East Network Coordinator

Mariam Vossough, Joint Coordinator for South East Network

Email: SouthEast (AT) britishscbwi.org

SCBWI and all its wonderful members have been there for me on the bumpy - but never dull - road to becoming a children's writer. I run the middlegrade Ecritique group, Muddlegraders, have co-written an education proposal for the British chapter and can often be seen selling badges at events.

I was a television scriptwriter for many years. I now write exclusively for children, whilst also running workshops in schools. More details can be found on my website: www.mariamvossough.co.uk

I have two Cherubs who are the harshest critics known to man, an overworked husband (i.e. a teacher) and a grumpy cocker spaniel.

Kathy and Mariam are assisted by the following volunteers in the South East network:

• Jane Clarke (Canterbury Chat Group)
• Nick Cross (Oxford Critique)
• Karin Groves (Fareham/Southampton Critique)
• Alison Smith (Surrey/Hants Border Critique)
• Jeanette Towey (Tunbridge Wells Critique)

Gill Hutchison, Central North Network

Gill Hutchison, Joint Coordinator for Central North Network

Email: centralnorth (AT) britishscbwi.org

SCBWI Lincoln has been such an inspiration to me that I’m more than happy to pitch in with the paperwork for our various projects. I’m rediscovering the power, emotion and pure pleasure of words, writing humorous teen fiction and supernatural stories based on local legends and my folk music background.

Addy and Gill are assisted by the following volunteers in the Central North network:

• Carol Daniel, Illustrator Co-ordinator Central North (www.caroldaniel.co.uk)

Anita Loughrey, London Network

Anita Loughrey, Coordinator for London Network

Email: London (AT) britishscbwi.org

I also organise the socials for the London area, which provide an excellent opportunity for networking and general socialising. Find out more about what is going on in the London area here: http://britishscbwi.jimdo.com/networks/london/

Maureen Lynas, North East Network

Maureen Lynas, Coordinator for North East Network

Email: northeast (AT) britishscbwi.org

I organise critiques, social events and workshops in York, Middlesbrough amd occasionally Newcastle. I was thrilled to get an honorary mention in Undiscovered Voices 2010 for The Bloodcurdling Bug-eyed Jawbreaker and I'm even more thrilled to have won a place in the UV 2012 book with To Destiny or Death! I'm the author of the Action Words Reading Scheme and I blog on Notes from the Slushpile

http://notesfromtheslushpile.blogspot.com/

http://www.actionwords.co.uk/

Maureen is assisted by the following volunteers in the North East network:

• Catriona Tippin, York Event Co-organiser
• Rebecca Colby, North East Network blogmaster

Donna Vann, Central West Network

Donna Vann, Joint Coordinator for Central West Network

Email: CentralWest (AT) britishscbwi.org

Along with Clare Bell, I help organise events in Birmingham and keep up with the members’ list of a broad region. I’m passionate about getting children reading and love going into schools, where I am often the first author the kids have ever met. My eighth book for children came out this year.

www.donnavann.com

Juliet Clare Bell, Central West Network

Juliet Clare Bell (aka, Clare), Joint Coordinator for Central West Network

Email: CentralWest (AT) britishscbwi.org

I am a big fan of good critiquing and my main role involves coordinating the region’s 10-strong critique group, and twice-yearly critique sessions open to everyone (I’m also coordinating Critique night at this year’s conference and contribute regularly to the online picture book group). Don’t Panic, Annika! (Piccadilly Press) and The Kite Princess (Barefoot Books) are out in 2011.

www.julietclarebell.com

Stephanie Williams, North West Network

Stephanie Williams, Regional Coordinator for North West Network 

Email: NorthWest (AT) britishscbwi.org

I currently organise and run Critique Groups in Manchester and Chester. For a couple of years, I was the Editor of Words & Pictures. I write teen fiction and in June 2010 I won the Manchester Pitching Competition at the first Manchester Children’s Literature Festival with my novel Echo’s Curse, a supernatural romance incorporating Norse mythology.

britishscbwi.ning.com/profile/StephanieWilliams  

Ellen Renner, South West Network

Ellen Renner, Joint Coordinator for South West Network

Email: SouthWest (AT) britishscbwi.org

My childhood made me restless, and when I was finally grown up I decided to try to find a few adventures outside the pages of books. So I got a passport, bought a ticket, and took a plane to London.

That was the start of everything. I now live in Devon and am starting to organise a monthly critique group in Exeter for writers of books for older children (8+). I hope to get a similar one started in 2011 for writers and illustrators working on illustrated texts.

www.ellenrenner.com

Lesley Moss, South West Network

Lesley Moss, Joint Coordinator for South West Network

Email: SouthWest (AT) britishscbwi.org

The solitude of writing suits me, yet the community arts part of my background has involved creative teamwork, so I enjoy working alongside other writers and artists too. I write a range of children’s fiction, 4-7 and 8-12, with some ideas inspired by my location on the Jurassic coast, others by storyclub work with children. 

Our new meetings in Exeter are generating fresh ideas for the region, and creating links between South West members, who can also connect online via our Ning network group. I'm pleased to be working with Ellen, and Yona to build our team and resources.

South West Group on the Ning.

Ellen and Lesley are assisted by the following volunteers in the South West network:

• Yona Wiseman, Exeter social coordinator and SW blog designer.

Joyce Taylor, Central East Network

Joyce Taylor, Coordinator for Central East Network

Email: CentralEast (AT) britishscbwi.org

I began writing about eight years ago and now write all the time. I have two short stories published in anthologies for teens, but my real interest is in writing for under twelve’s. I am writing a modern-fairytale-with-attitude at the moment. I live in the country; I have dogs, chickens and a large garden to grow lots of my own veg.

www.britishscbwi.ning.com/profile/JoyceTaylor 

Holly Ireland, Wales Network

Holly Ireland, Regional Coordinator for Wales Network

Email: scbwi.wales (AT) gmail.com

By day I’m a web developer. As evening encompasses me, I put on my children’s writing hat. As this does nothing in and of itself, I also get out my favourite pen. I’m an American, living in Wales with my two half-breed children, who I’ve taught to speak both the languages of their ancestry: British English AND American English. It’s harsh, but for their own good.

britishscbwi.ning.com/profile/hollynireland 

Candy Gourlay, Webmaster

Candy Gourlay, Steering Committee Member

I joined SCBWI in 2002 to learn how I could get published and started volunteering by designing the Expressions newsletter for SCBWI France. Helping  Lee Carr McGovern build SCBWI BI’s first website led to my role as SCBWI British Isles webmaster. Many years later I am now a published author and have had to step back from my compulsive volunteering which has seen me twice redesign the website, help organise three conferences, set up the Night-Before Critique, Online Critique, the Ning and redevelop Words & Pictures, our newsletter, into an online magazine. I hope to continue to play a role in building support for SCBWI's published authors.

www.candygourlay.com; www.tallstory.net 

Sara O’Connor, Co-Editor of Undiscovered Voices

Sara O’Connor, Co-Editor of Undiscovered Voices, published authors volunteer, general fan of all things SCBWI

Co-editing Undiscovered Voices with the inspirational Sara Grant is one of my proudest life accomplishments – along with six years of creating children’s series at Working Partners and now a new journey as senior editorial manager of fiction at Hodder Children’s Books. Hope to hear from you in my new home! www.undiscoveredvoices.com

Sue Hyams

Sue Hyams, Steering Commitee Member 

I spent many years in the music industry before realising that writing was a more sensible option. I grew up in Hertfordshire with dogs and horses, but now live in South East London with books and cats.

www.suehyams.jimdo.com

Lee Carr McGovern, Steering Committee Member

Lee Carr McGovern, Steering Committee Member

I’m happy to be on the Steering Committee as it’s inspiring to get to know our members and to witness so many people striving for and accomplishing their publishing goals. I write picture book texts and I’m looking forward to seeing the first one on the shelves in April.

www.leechristinecarr.com

Nicky Schmidt, E-Critique Groups Coordinator

Nicky Schmidt, E-critique Groups Coordinator

I’ve been involved with the SCBWI since about 2004 and I’m constantly amazed by the support and friendliness of everyone – this is such a great organization! And I’m delighted to now be able to give something back by being the co-ordinator of the online “ecritique” groups – do give me a shout if you want to find an online critique group.

I write YA fiction and am published as a freelance writer and photographer in non-fiction. You can find me at my blog Absolute Vanilla: http://www.absolutevanilla.blogspot.com

John Shelley, NING illustrator group moderator

John Shelley, NING illustrator group moderator

Former ex-pat Tokyo ARA and now with the British Isles Region, as well as standing on the Advisory Board of SCBWI. I’ve been a freelance illustrator for nearly 30 years, many of them spent in Japan. To date I’ve illustrated around 40 children’s books for Eastern and Western markets.

www.shelleyillustration.com