FAQs
Got questions about the 2025 Austin SCBWI Writers and Illustrators Craft Conference? We try to answer them below.
Where is the conference being held?
The Austin SCBWI 2025 Writers & Illustrators Craft Conference is being held at the Joe C Thompson Conference Center, 2405 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712 (In-person ONLY)
Is there an anti-harassment policy for the conference?
Yes! SCBWI has an anti-harassment policy that ALL attendees, volunteers, and faculty must agree to before they can attend. You can read it here. Additionally, if you have any issues during the conference, please see Austin Regional Advisor Anna Alsup or any volunteer for assistance.
I’m coming from out of town. Where should I stay?
TBD
How much does the conference cost?
Is food included at the in-person conference?
Yes! Lunch is included on Saturday. There will be dietary-friendly options at the self-serve station available at the lunches, but if you have very specific dietary needs, you may eat lunch elsewhere. Coffee, tea, & water are provided all day.
Breakfast is NOT provided either day.
Will the conference be recorded?
No, as this requires a high faculty fee and significant A/V effort. If you're looking for some virtual content, check out our many other virtual events, such as the publishing bootcamp >
What are my payment options?
You may pay via credit card with Stripe.
If you sign up for manuscript and/or dummy critiques, your payment must be received at the time of registration.
I’m registered. How can I access my registration?
After you have logged in to our website, you can access your registration details by clicking on the MEMBER HOME button in the top right corner, then clicking My Events in the menu on the left side of the page. A list with all the upcoming SCBWI events that you have registered for will appear. Choose the Conference to view your registration details.
I’m registered. How can I add to or change my registration?
You can change or add to your registration on the general registration page.
What if I have to cancel?
Is there other social time?
Friday night is the industry mixer event. The lunches are great networking opportunities. Also, Saturday will end with book signings with our faculty.
What should I do if I have special dietary needs?
The Texas SCBWI chapters wants you to be as healthy and comfortable as possible, however we cannot be responsible for providing special meals. We do our best to accommodate dietary issues, however, if you have more stringent dietary needs, feel free to bring your own lunch and snacks.
How do the 1-1 virtual critiques work?
Coming soon
How do 1-1 virtual portfolio reviews work?
Coming soon
How does an 1-1 virtual agent pitch/consultation work?
Coming soon
How do the online written-only critiques work?
You may be registered for the conference to sign up for an online written-only critique. There will be NO meeting. You will receive your critique via email.
Written-only critiques cost $60 for a written critique. The deadline to submit your pages is Sept 29th, 2025. Please read our Manuscript Critique Submission Guidelines for information on how to submit.
I’m an illustrator. How can I have my portfolio in the Portfolio Showcase and be included in the judging?
To be included in the Portfolio Showcase, you must sign up for it when you register for the conference (must be attending in-person). There is a $10 fee. When you sign up, you are automatically entered into the judging for the showcase contest. If you do NOT want to be included in the judging, please email [email protected] to let us know.
Maximum size for standard portfolio: up to 15″ width (unopened) and height. For liability reasons, no electronic portfolios, such as iPads, will be allowed as part of the showcase. If you only bring an electronic portfolio, it will not be displayed and your reservation fee will not be refunded. For full information about the Portfolio Showcase, go to this informational web page.
I’m published. How can I get my book in the conference bookstore?
Our bookstore this year is limited to our in-person faculty and select PAL members who register early. See PAL benefits >
Are weapons allowed at the conference?
It is the policy of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators to maintain an environment that is safe for all persons. To achieve this objective, it is the SCBWI’s policy to maintain a firearms and weapons free environment at all of our events and prohibit the possession of firearms and weapons regardless of any license or permit that an individual may have which would otherwise authorize the individual to carry firearms or weapons. Weapons are defined as anything that is intended to cause harm to another person.
Can I blog about and/or record parts of the conference?
By registering for this conference, you acknowledge that audio taping, video-taping and/or transmitting or aiding in any of the foregoing of any part of the conference (including, but not limited to, presentations, individual sessions, and networking events) is prohibited. Additionally, the material in all handouts and presentations is copyrighted and may not be reprinted, blogged, written, orally transmitted, and/or reproduced without written permission of the copyright holder only. If you are found in violation of the above, SCBWI reserves the right to remove you from the conference and bar you from attending future conferences.
While we love when bloggers share thoughts about their overall experience, offer a personal anecdote, and/or briefly talk about something that resonated with them, it is equally important that bloggers not give away that which is not theirs to give. The fair use policy issued by SCBWI above refers to speakers’ rights, authors’ rights, and illustrators’ rights, under any circumstances, and it pertains to the content of our speakers’ talks, workshops, and/or handouts. This falls into the category of protecting intellectual property. Again, personal impressions, a quote that is cited, and/or a general overview would be considerate. However, it would be a breach of copyright law to give away a detailed report of a presenter’s material. Thank you in advance for taking this policy into account. Your professionalism is greatly appreciated.
This does not answer all my questions. Who can I ask for more information?
If you have any other questions, please email Austin SCBWI Regional Advisor Anna Alsup at [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you in September!