Try something new! Join us for DOODLES & DRAFTS, a free virtual event for writers and illustrators working on all ages and categories of children’s books. Think of it as half-Telestrations, half-Write/Draw In, with ZERO pressure and a fun twist – a SWAP – designed to amp up your creativity!
Event Information
On Saturday, August 22, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. EDT, we’ll play with words and illustrations. To prepare, on/before 10:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 18:
- Doodlers (illustrators) will pre-submit a simple sketch (the “Doodle”). For example, a setting, character, or scene.
- Drafters (writers) will pre-submit a very short Draft. This text could be a character description, one spread, a world idea, or an opening sentence. (For PB/GN limit yourself to 35 words and/or one spread of text; for MG/YA, avoid going over 100 words.)
Don't make perfected Doodles or Drafts! These should be rough so this event can give you fresh input for an idea you have that’s in the brainstorming phase.
The day before the event, each Doodler will be paired with a Drafter. During the free, live-only virtual event:
- Doodlers, you’ll read the text Draft and draw your first impression. Think of it as a “what came to mind first” idea, for example, a rough character sketch, setting, or scene.
- Drafters, you’ll think about the visual Doodle and draft your first-impression story idea, such as an opening line or paragraph, a short character sketch, a creative plot idea, your “what came to mind first” ideas.
- Next, after time spent with your “what came to mind” ideas, Doodler and Drafter pairs will jump into a breakout rooms to swap results, ask questions, and share ideas.
- Then, we’ll bring everyone together for any sharing the partners want to offer before the event closes.
The exciting result – every illustrator will get a first-look creative Draft based on the writer’s Doodle interpretation, and every writer will get a first-look illustrator Doodle perspective of the text!
BONUS OPPORTUNITY: WIN A FREE PASS for Indiana SCBWI’s upcoming Fall Webinar! One participating Doodler and one participating Drafter will randomly be chosen from those in attendance. The Indiana SCBWI Fall Webinar will be hosted on Saturday, September 26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (EDT). The webinar, “Picture Book Acquisitions Confidential,” will be presented by Matt Phipps, Editor at G.P. Putnam's Sons. This one-hour event will be recorded. (Editor critiques are not included in the prize.)
DOODLES & DRAFTS is a free live-only virtual activity intended to be non-threatening. Absolutely nothing will be recorded, judged, further shared, or otherwise intended to be polished, perfected, or publishable. Your next steps with the resulting Doodle and Drafts certainly could be, though!
Please submit your Doodle or Draft via this link: https://form.jotform.com/261377080350150
This event is made possible by a grant from SCBWI and the Authors Coalition of America.