Frequently Asked Questions

The Attendance Fee includes the Friday Night Gathering with RAE Esther Hershenhorn, the Saturday Night Narratives in Bloom presented by Illinois Lit Live, two workshops with Mary Cummings, a panel of industry professionals, two Garden Breakout sessions, recordings of all workshops (9 in total), and post event submission opportunities with all of our faculty.

All attendees will receive access to recordings of all the workshops and panels (nine in total!) for unlimited viewings for 30 days after the event. So if you have to miss, need to take a break, or want to review anything covered during the conference, you'll have all the time to do so.

Spearheaded by our Published Member Coordinator, Alison Marcotte, Illinois Lit Live gives published members a chance to share their recently or upcoming releases with the region. More information about this exciting new event, and how to sign up to share your work, will be coming out in the next few months!

From anywhere on the SCBWI website, go to 'Member Home' in the top right corner, then select 'My Events' from across the top of the page. Scroll down to find your selections!

On Friday, September 19th, at 7 PM CDT, you're invited to join RA Emeritus Esther Hershenhorn for a Friday Night Gathering. Esther shares her knowledge of conferences, both in-person and online, along with a huge does of community and fun. This gathering is for new members, first time conference attendees, or anyone looking to hang out with a great bunch of people.

On Saturday, September 20th at 7 PM CDT, you're invited to join Narratives in Bloom, presented by Illinois Lit Live. Bring a mug of hot cocoa or a glass of wine, get cozy in your favorite chair or pajamas, and enjoy an hour of community as six incredible authors share excerpts of their recently published or soon to be published works.

A Compost Bin Donation is a small $5 donation that goes directly towards network programming all year round. The donation is totally optional, but every donation helps our region grow. Our networks offer programming year-round with incredible published members and industry professionals that SCBWI members can attend for free. Placing some green in the compost bin will help fertilize us for the future.

If you've purchased a one-on-one critique with any of our faculty, you can find the submission guidelines in your events! From anywhere on the scbwi.org website, click on 'Member Home' in the top right corner. Then select 'My Events' from across the top. Scroll to find the one-on-one critique, and click Meeting Info. We will also be sending most of this information in an email to you, leading up to the deadline.

They are! Illustrators may send one dummy or up to 15 pages of a portfolio. For text only submissions, it is limited to ten pages. All details may be found under your Member Home. Anywhere on the Scbwi.org website, click on 'Member Home' in the top right corner, then select 'My Events' from across the top. Scroll to find your one-on-one critique and click 'Meeting Info'. We will also send all this information in an email as the deadline approaches.

If you purchased an optional one-on-one critique, your manuscript, portfolio, or dummy are due by August 3rd, 2025. All critiques will be returned by September 19th, 2025, in time for your meeting with your agent or editor. You can find this information and the dropbox link to upload in your Member Home. From anywhere on the scbwi.org website, click 'Member Home' in the top right corner, then select 'My Events' from across the top. Scroll to find your one-on-one critique and select 'Meeting Info'. We will also send reminders as the deadline approaches.

You have the opportunity to submit above-the-slush-pile queries to all of our Fall Harvest faculty! We will send emails out with all the details and deadlines, after the event.

Simply go to our Bonfire campaign and take your pick! A small portion of every sale goes directly back to network programming. The shirts feature our winning Masthead design on the front, by Lisa Maria, and our winning Seed Starter on the back, by Marilyn DeVries.