Interview with Stephen Mooser
by Linda Bozzo

Stephen Mooser, co-founder of SCBWI, has written more than
60 books for children including everything from series, to non-fiction,
picture books and novels. He began his career when he
was hired to write a series of reading books for children. He was
born in Fresno, California and has lived in New York City and Bar
Harbor, Maine. He currently resides in Santa Monica, California. He
has two children-a son, who is in the Peace Corps, and a daughter,
who works for SCBWI.

Q: How did the SCBWI organization get started?
In the 1970s, Lin Oliver and I were hired to write a reading program.
At the time, Lin's background was in writing and education and mine
was in journalism. We were brand new to the field of children's writing
and were looking for help. We searched for an organization to join and
found that one didn't exist for the children's book writer. Seeing the
need, we printed up a flyer and placed an ad in Writer's Digest.

Q: What happened next?
A: The Society of Children's Book Writers was born. Membership
totaled 50 people that first year. We immediately had regional chapters
in California and New York. The Rocky Mountain Region in Denver
quickly became our largest chapter early on due to their large number of
volunteers who set the framework for a very effective chapter.

Q: Why didn't the organization include illustrators initially?
A: It didn't include illustrators basically because Lin and I were
writers. That changed, however, in the early '90s when illustrators were
included and we proudly became the Society of Children's Book Writers
and Illustrators.

Q: How many members does SCBWI have today?
A: Today, our membership has grown to 20,000 worldwide. We now
have 70 regions in the United States and 15 or 20 overseas.

Q: For SCBWI's 30-year anniversary both you and Lin were
presented with a special gift. What did that mean to you?
A: We were given a beautiful piece of artwork that I'm looking at
right now hanging in my office. It meant a lot to me to be recognized.
You think people have noticed what you've done but sometimes you
don't just take the time to reflect. It was a very special moment.

Q: Is New Jersey one of your favorite chapters?
A: New Jersey is great chapter. It has a long history with SCBWI, has
seen lots of positive changes and has had wonderful Regional Advisors
over the years. New Jersey is fortunate because of its unique geography
and it benefits from its close proximity to New York City.

Q: How are chapters run?
A: Each chapter is run autonomously while following general guide-lines
and receiving support from National because each chapter is
unique with individual needs. All regions are linked to a Regional
Chairperson.

Q: What are the responsibilities of a Regional Advisor?
A: A RA is the liaison between members. Responsibilities include
arranging conferences, organizing critique groups and doing what needs
to be done to keep the region going. They are also responsible for
extending support and create a community for writers and illustrators
who are working individually. Being a Regional Advisor is a very re-warding
experience.

Q: What would you say is the biggest misunderstanding about
the SCBWI organization?
A: The biggest misunderstanding, I believe, is that members think
that Regional Advisors are paid employees, which they are not. A
Regional Advisor is a volunteer position. Members should be mindful of
this when asking them for favors.

Q: What is the one thing you would say most people don't know
about SCBWI?
A: Most people don't know how much more you can get out of the
organization by volunteering. The success of a chapter is usually dependent
on its volunteers. Regional Advisors need and appreciate help with
anything at all.

Q: What do you want NJ Chapter members to know about you,
that they might not know already?
A: I'd like them to know that SCBWI is my full time job. I would
also like them to know that I'm always interested in hearing from them.
It is important to know what our members' wants and needs are. We
always try to provide advice or a program that members request.

Q: What is the biggest change you've seen in the SCBWI organization
over the past 30 years?
A: I have to say that the first 15 years, SCBWI was an amateur
organization. There wasn't the knowledge, money, people or resources
to turn it into something more. Over the last five years it has become
professional organization. We've upgraded our bulletin, added more
services and developed a website. It is now a professional organization.
We've had many members publish first books and we've also built a
community of writers and illustrators. Many have gone on to publish
first books and many children have benefited from those books.

Q: What can SCBWI members expect in 2003 as well as in the
near future?
A: They can expect many exciting things. We plan on expanding the
size of our bulletin by four pages, every other issue. Right now we are
working on the logistics of having online conferences and writing
workshops led by members of the industry. We also hope to repeat the
Bologna Children's Book Fair Contest.

Q: Can you describe the special project you are assisting with in
West Africa?
A: My son is stationed over in Gambia with the Peace Corps, and a
$2,500 grant was obtained to build a solar powered media center.
SCBWI is assisting with book donations to stock the center.

Q: Is there anything else you want to say to the members of the
New Jersey Chapter?
A: Yes. I'd like to say "hello" to everyone and I hope to get back to
New Jersey soon.

Linda Bozzo is the author of The Apple Tree (Rigby) and Playground Fun
(Babybug July/August 2003). She can be reached at lindabozzo@cs.com.