General admission for the Midsouth Conference is sold out as of June 21, 2025. If you registered for the conference before the sell-out, you may still purchase tickets to conference add-ons while spots remain available. See below for instructions on how to make the most out of your conference experience.
Want to enrich your conference experience? Add an Intensive, a ticket to the Create a Scene Bash and Dinner, a spot in the Portfolio Showcase or get the recording of our pre-conference Portfolio Myth Buster webinar by clicking HERE:
If you would like to join our waitlist, please fill out this form HERE.
The Midsouth region of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators is excited to bring back the Annual SCBWI Midsouth Conference! Let’s Create a Scene together in Nashville! Whether you’re just starting out on your creative journey or have extensive experience in the world of books, this conference provides opportunities to dig deep into your craft, get feedback on your work, learn from six industry professionals and three award-winning authors, and spend the weekend reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones as we talk shop about the things we all love: kidlit and books!
NOTE: Conference add-ons like critiques have limited availability and sell very quickly. Join our waitlist HERE if you want to pay for a critique but all spots are booked at the time you go to register.
The schedule includes:
● 9 breakout sessions on writing, illustrating and publishing
● 5 intensive workshops to help you take your work to the next level
● the always popular First Pages feedback sessions
● an industry panel discussion
● manuscript and portfolio critiques, pitches, a portfolio showcase and contests
● an autograph party with your favorite creatives
● and the Create a Scene Bash with food, drinks, kidlit trivia, awards, prize giveaways and more!
Please note that SCBWI members enjoy significant savings. If you’re not a member, JOIN TODAY and save!
When & Where
Date/Time
09/13/2025 - 09/14/2025
Available seats 150
Location
Southwestern Conference Center
2451 Atrium Way, Nashville, TN 37214
The 2025 Create a Scene Conference has a new location and a new schedule! It will be held at the Southwestern Conference Center near the airport in Nashville the weekend of September 13-14. Registration closes on August 23 unless we sell out before that date.
Feedback: Manuscript & Portfolio Critiques, Pitches and First Pages
Hear what agents, editors, our art director and peers have to say about your work.
Dates & Deadlines to Remember
Mark your calendars so you turn your work in on time and don’t miss out.
For Writers
Having your manuscript, first page or pitch reviewed at the conference? Everything you need to know to put your best foot forward.
For Illustrators
Bringing a portfolio to the showcase or having your dummy book reviewed? Everything you need to know to make a great impression.
Pricing
Early Bird Tuition (ends at 11:59 p.m. on June 30):
SCBWI Premium Member, full conference $190
Preview User (non-member), full conference $240
Tuition starting at 12:01 a.m. on July 1:
SCBWI Premium Member, full conference $210
Preview User (non-member), full conference $260
Important! Before you begin registration, please read:
- If you have more than one email address and you don’t log into your SCBWI Member Home with the email address connected to your membership, you will be charged non-member pricing to attend the conference. If you do not know which email to use, login to your Member Home here, click on “My Profile,” then click on “Membership Details,” then click on “Edit My Profile” and scroll down until you see “Account Management” and the email address you have on file. OR, you can search your email inboxes for the most recent Midsouth communication (like the monthly newsletter) to confirm which email address SCBWI has on file for you.
- Registration is not optimized for mobile devices.
- Please have your selections and payment information ready before starting registration. If you browse away from the registration page, you may have to start over.
- Please note that the “Read More” links do not open in a new window. If you want to keep your registration page open AND open additional pages, we suggest having separate tabs open in your browser to toggle between for easier viewing.
- You will be asked to read and acknowledge SCBWI’s and the Midsouth’s policies, including our conference refund policy, before completing registration. You must be aged 18 or older to register for and attend the Midsouth Conference. To review the policies, click HERE.
- You may revisit the conference registration page as often as you like to add more items (such as a ticket to the Create a Scene Bash and dinner or items offered for additional fees) to your registration AS LONG AS SPOTS REMAIN. Please note critiques and pitches tend to sell out quickly, so you run the risk of not securing your spot if you wait too long. Visit the Dates & Deadlines to Remember page HERE for details about when certain items must be secured.
- After registration is completed, you should receive an email confirming that you have registered for the event. Members should double-check their choices by logging in to your SCBWI Member Home HERE and then selecting “My Events” from the menu. While registration is still active, you can also log in to your SCBWI account, click on the Conference Event page HERE and click on the green “Register for Event” button. The registration form will show you your selections and allow you to add more options if they are still available.
- Non-members will have to register as a Preview Plan User before they can register for the conference. After registration is completed, Preview Plan Users can double-check their choices following the same steps as above.
- If the conference sells out early, or you don’t get a spot for a paid critique or paid pitch before they sell out, you may join our waitlist by completing this Waitlist Form.