SCBWI Arizona - Character Design for Early Readers and Other Genres

Are you a writer or illustrator who wants to create characters your readers will love?

Then you can't miss this program. This overview and conversation focuses on Early Readers and other genres to teach us how to create characters who can find a home in our reader's hearts. This workshop includes hands-on sessions for writers, illustrators, and author-illustrators.

Member Cost: $35.00

Non-Member Cost: $55.00

Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025

Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Location: Grand Canyon University, 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017

Introduction 

• Overview of the Attendees (writers and illustrators, author-illustrators)

Multiple Genres:

• Priscilla’s examples and experience as an illustrator, and as an author-illustrator

Early Readers Focus – Sabrina Sue

• From a submission to a series
• Early Readers guidelines differ from other genres
• What makes a series strong – Characters and their stories

Character Development Discussion

• How to create memorable Characters – from your heart and soul
• Character Sidekicks

Break

Character and Story Workshop Exercises – Hands on session

• Writers: Show personality of your character in words. 
• Illustrators: Show personality of your character in body language.

Discuss Attendee Examples (optional)

Overview of topics relevant to PALs

• Changes in the Industry – How to adapt, stay relevant and marketable            
• Tips on working with an agent                                                 
• Wrap Up, and Takeaways
• Q & A                                                             

Priscilla has agreed to offer 4 picture book / early reader / chapter book critiques and 4 portfolio critiques to workshop attendees who purchase this option at the time of registration. She will accept the following types of critiques:

• A full picture book / early reader / chapter book manuscript critique: double-spaced not more than 1,000 words  
• Portfolio Critiques: Critiquee must provide a link to their illustration portfolio website, or a link to their illustration gallery on the SCBWI site, or a pdf featuring a collection of their art, no more than 15 pieces. 

Attendees must submit their critique materials to Karen Chow, Arizona SCBWI ARA at [email protected] no later than Friday, October 27, 2025. This will give you a month to implement what you learn at this event.

You can pre-order Priscilla's books from Literally A bookshop, here:

https://literallybookshop.com/lists/LepXlJVfk5Uc

Please complete your pre-orders no later than Sept 3, so that we can have the ordered books available for the September 20, 2025 workshop. Make sure you specify if you will pick your orders up from the Literally a Bookshop, or if you would rather pick it up at the workshop.

By signing up for this event, the registrant acknowledges that audio taping, videotaping and/or transmitting or aiding in any of the foregoing of any part of the conference (including, but not limited to, presentations, individual sessions and networking events) is prohibited. Additionally, the material in all handouts and presentations is copyrighted and may not be reprinted, blogged, written, orally transmitted, and/or reproduced without written permission of the copyright holder.

Refund Policy:

SCBWI is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. SCBWI Regions are managed by unpaid volunteers. Region funds support programs that benefit SCBWI members.

As part of the event planning process, Regional Advisors must sign contracts with venues, speakers, critiquers, vendors, and others who will be providing services during a regional activity. Registration fees collected for an event must cover the cost of these contracts; therefore, refunds are the exception rather than the rule. In the rare case a refund is granted, it will always be less any credit card processing fees and any other processing expenses.

Requests to refund registration fees for in-person activities will be decided on a case-by-case basis. By registering for an event, you acknowledge that you have read and accept the event’s refund policy.