Create a Scene TEMP HEADER 3 flat.png

2025 SCBWI Midsouth Conference

Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025

Southwestern Conference Center, 2451 Atrium Way, Nashville, TN 37214

Registration is scheduled to open on May 3, 2025, at 2 p.m. Central time/ 3 p.m. Eastern time. When registration opens, the previously greyed-out inactive “Register For Event” button on the Conference Event page will become green and active for you to click on to start making your selections. After you have made all your choices, scroll to the bottom of the screen to click on the green “Purchase” button at the bottom of the page and follow the directions for payment to complete your registration. You are not registered (i.e. your selections will not be saved) until you make your payment.

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!

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.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_1.png

Faculty

Meet the agents, editors, art director and authors presenting at the conference.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_2.png

Conference Schedule

What’s happening over the conference weekend?

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_3.png

Breakout Sessions

Choose three dynamic presentations to attend.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_4.png

Intensive Workshops

Delve into craft with these in-depth workshops.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_5A.png

Feedback: Manuscript & Portfolio Critiques, Pitches and First Pages

Hear what agents, editors, our art director and peers have to say about your work.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_6.png

Dates & Deadlines to Remember

Mark your calendars so you turn your work in on time and don’t miss out.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_7.png

For Writers

Having your manuscript, first page or pitch reviewed at the conference? Everything you need to know to put your best foot forward.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_8.png

For Illustrators

Bringing a portfolio to the showcase or having your dummy book reviewed? Everything you need to know to make a great impression.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_9.png

For PALs

Learn about opportunities for PAL (published and listed) members to connect and share your work.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_10.png

Contests

We love to recognize our creative talents. Show off your skills by entering our contests.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_11.png

Evening Festivities

Mingle Friday before the conference and stay through our Saturday night Bash.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_20.png

Pre-Conference Opportunities

Get conference ready by attending summer learning webinars.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_13.png

Pricing & Policies

Check out what things cost and review our policies.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_14.png

Stay, Eat & Explore

Hotels, conference venue, transportation, parking, dining and maps.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_15.png

FAQs

We tried hard to anticipate your questions.

Midsouth 2025 Conf_card_12.png

Midsouth Gives Back

Learn about how you can put books into the hands of students and teachers.

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 for details about when certain items must be secured. (then provide link to the Dates and Deadlines page.)
  • 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.

REGISTER NOW!