Info For Everyone

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The MayFest Zoom Webinar features a keynote speaker, an editor panel, an agent panel, an optional Art Portfolio Showcase, and optional Zoom Critiques. MayFest is on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (PT). Optional, Individual Zoom Critiques are from 2-5 p.m. (PT) that afternoon. Each critique is 15 minutes.

MAYFEST SCHEDULE: (All Times are Pacific Time)

9:00-9:15 a.m. Welcome

9:15-10:15 a.m. Keynote

Eliza Wheeler, Award-Winning Author/Illustrator

10:15-10:25 a.m. Break and Portfolio Showcase

10:25-11:25 a.m. Editor Hour

Kristie Choi, Associate Editor, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster

Celia Lee, Executive Editor, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Sally Morgridge, Executive Editor, Holiday House

11:25-11:35 a.m. Break and Portfolio Showcase

11:35 a.m.-12:35 p.m. Agent Hour

Chad W. Beckerman, Agent, The CAT Agency, Inc.

Jennie Kendrick, Agent, Red Fox Literary

Sandra Proudman, Literary Associate and Agent, Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency

12:45-1:15 p.m. Showcase Slideshow & Awards & Thank You to Faculty and Volunteers

2:00-5:00 p.m. Optional 15-minute Critiques

Attendees receive submission guidelines from the editors and agents with the MayFest recording on Tuesday, May 20th.


PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE:

The showcase will be seen by all MayFest faculty and attendees. Awards will be presented for the portfolio showcase after the Agent Hour at MayFest.

Portfolios must be uploaded to SCBWI San Diego by April 12, 2025.


CRITIQUES:

Each individual critique is 15 minutes. Critique feedback includes written comments on the SCBWI Gold Form as well as written comments placed directly on your manuscript or portfolio. Your critique faculty will meet with you on Zoom in a private breakout room, where you will be able to ask questions and receive valuable feedback. After the Agent Hour, awards for most promising manuscript for each critique faculty will be announced.

Critique Timeline (Pacific Time)

April 12 by 7 p.m.: Participants upload their files

April 13 by 7 p.m.: Participants receive an email confirming their file was uploaded. If their file was not uploaded, they will receive an email asking them to resubmit immediately.

May 14 by 7 p.m.: Faculty uploads the Gold Form and comments on submission.

May 17, 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.: MayFest Conference

May 17, 2-5 p.m.: Zoom Critiques.


REFUND POLICY:

MayFest registration refunds (minus a $20.00 cancellation fee) will be granted until midnight (PT) on April 26 by emailing Debra Schmidt at scbwi-ra2@scbwi.org

NO REFUNDS will be given for the optional MayFest Critique and Art Portfolio Showcase, because the fees go directly to the faculty.