SCBWI CenCal's 2026 Writers & Illustrators Day - CRAFT, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY

Currently an Art Director at Charlesbridge, Kristen spends her days collaborating with illustrators, authors, and editors to create thoughtful books for children, reading them to her kids at night. As founding publisher of Page Street Kids, the children’s division of Page Street Publishing in Salem, MA, she focused on working with new talent and publishing art-led narrative picture books. She is proud of the imprint’s early critical success highlighted by 10 starred reviews over 23 books and several mentions on best-books-of-the-year lists. At Candlewick Press in the greater Boston area, Kristen worked on multiple New York Times best-selling and award-winning books, kicked off an Entertainment imprint, and managed the art department for 13 years. She got her start in children’s books at Chronicle Books in San Francisco.

Julie Romeis Sanders is an agent at SteelWorks Literary. Over the past 25 years Julie has worked as an editor, bookseller, teacher, and even a ranch hand—an experience that taught her more about the creative life than anything else she's done. Julie started her career in publishing as a founding member of Bloomsbury USA, helped launch Chronicle’s first fiction list for older readers, and edited their first Caldecott Honor, Flora and the Flamingo. Her keen eye for debuts including Rick Yancey, Victoria Jamieson, Aaron Reynolds, and Jennifer “JC” Cervantes has led to many creators getting started on stellar careers. Through it all, Julie has honed her eye for books kids love along with a passion for supporting creators throughout the publishing process.  She is currently seeking authors and author/illustrators creating for ages 0-14. Julie R. Sanders will also be accepting written critiques, as space allows.

Lynn Becker is the award-winning author of Monsters in the Briny, illustrated by Scott Brundage, and June Moon, illustrated by Nate Carvalho. When she’s not writing picture books or children’s book reviews, you can find her hiking, gardening, or reading about monsters, witches, and ghosts (but not zombies). She also enjoys putting books in the Wee Free Library outside her home in Colorado. Her most recent picture book, Ghost Town in the Mountains, illustrated by Roland Garrigue, was published by Sleeping Bear Press on June 15, 2026.

Merry is a children’s book illustrator who believes stories have the power to heal and connect. Her work blends humor, heart, and a touch of whimsy, celebrating individuality, empathy, and community. ​ She has illustrated several traditionally published picture books (and one very handy self-published Picture Book Planner for fellow creators). Her art has appeared in magazines and galleries throughout California, from cozy bookshops to bright community spaces.

Rachel Diebel is an editor at Feiwel & Friends (an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group), acquiring middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels. Throughout her career, she has worked on multiple New York Times bestsellers, celebrity projects including books by Lili Reinhart, Cleo Wade, and Jake Gyllenhaal, and Stonewall Honor book The Flicker. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her wife, daughter, an overly enthusiastic golden retriever and an indifferent cat. Rachel will also be accepting written critiques, as space allows, and accepting pitches at our Pitchfest, as space allows.

Carter Hasegawa (he/him) has been in the children’s book world for over 20 years—as a book seller for various indies across the US, as an editor at Candlewick Press, and now, as a literary agent with Tugeau 2 Art and Literary Agency. “The thing I’ve always loved about children’s literature,” he says, “is that beyond the sheer range of incredible stories, it’s always served as a sort of testing ground for me: of new ideas, of new experiences, of new viewpoints, of emotional extremes.” Some of his favorite books include WATERCRESS, MY PAPI HAS A MOTORCYCLE, BIG, TAR BEACH, WEDNESDAY WARS, ENDER’S GAME, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, THE NOTORIOUS BENEDICT ARNOLD, and SO MANY others. Originally from Seattle, Carter now lives in Boston with his librarian wife and their two young sons. Carter will be accepting pitches at our Pitchfest, as space allows.

Kayla Cichello is an agent at Upstart Crow Literary. She is open to picture books through YA and illustrators, and select adult manuscripts in the upmarket and contemporary romance categories. She is searching for those voices that make her laugh and keep the page turning. Kayla will be participating in our Pitchfest, as space allows.

Scott Richmond, CEO of Bookstr, will present an hour-long Zoom webinar on book promotion as part of our Writers and Illustrators Day events on Wednesday 10/21 at 5:30pm Pacific time. Note that this is held via Zoom prior to our full in-person day of events on 10/24 to allow attendees to chat about what they learned. There is no additional fee for the book promotion webinar--it is included as part of your registration; however, it is only available to Writers and Illustrators Day attendees and cannot be registered for separately.