MONTHLY MEETING: Q&A with Donna Janell Bowman

Join us on June 14, 2025, at 10 A.M. at BookPeople for for a Q&A session with award-winning local author as we delve into her book, Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills. This picture book biography, co-authored with Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, illustrated by S.D. Nelson, was recently awarded a 2025 Robert F. Sibert Honor by the American Library Association. Donna will share creative process insights, her collaboration journey with Billy Mills, and the cultural sensitivity that guided their storytelling. Don't miss this chance to connect with a local author whose work continues to inspire and educate.

Whether you’re an illustrator, writer, or creative enthusiast, this panel is a wonderful opportunity to hear firsthand from passionate creators about the stories behind their art. There will also be time for audience Q&A, so come ready to engage, learn, and be inspired.

Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow creatives and celebrate the vibrant talent in our SCBWI Austin community. We can’t wait to see you there!

Event Breakdown

WHEN

Saturday June 14th, 2025 at 10:00am CST.

WHERE

In-person at Book People on North Lamar. Third floor!

COST

Free!

RECORDING

None

The meeting starts at 10am. However, if you can not make it in person due to distance or health, we will do our best to stream it live on Zoom. Please register to get the zoom link in your My Events section of your SCBWI account. This meeting is open (and free!) to both paid Members and Registered Users. If you have questions during the presentation, please put them in the Zoom chat. By registering and/or attending our event, you agree to abide by the SCBWI Anti-harassment policy.  

Donna Janell Bowman is an award-winning author based in Central Texas, celebrated for her engaging nonfiction books for young readers. Her notable works include Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness, Abraham Lincoln’s Dueling Words, King of the Tightrope: When the Great Blondin Ruled Niagara, and Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills, co-authored with Olympian Billy Mills. Her books have received numerous accolades, such as the Robert F. Sibert Medal Honor, starred reviews, and selections by the Junior Library Guild and the Library of Congress. (scbwi.blogspot.com, donnajanellbowman.com)

Bowman holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is also a freelance editor and writing coach, working with aspiring authors through platforms like Reedsy. She frequently speaks at schools and writing conferences, sharing her passion for storytelling and history. Raised on a quarter horse ranch, her early experiences with animals and nature continue to inspire her work. (Reedsy, Strong Nations, Lee & Low Books)