SCBWI AZ - KidLit 101: Understanding the Basics of KidLit Writing and Publishing

Feb 21, 2026

Online event

Writers who want to write KidLit are often surprised to discover the ways that the market has sliced and diced the genres into age categories and how each category has specific requirements that must be met to make their work publishable. This workshop delves into the specific genres and categories of kidLit and provides insight into the specifics of those categories. From Picture Books through Early Readers to Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. We will cover them all.

KidLit 101: Understanding the Basics of KidLit Writing and Publishing

This workshop delves into the specific genres and categories of KidLit and provides insight into the specifics of those categories. From Picture Books through Early Readers to Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. We will cover them all. Components include overviews of KidLit:

How Genres differ from Categories.
Categories, the ages and stages we need to consider.
Target audience
Protagonist
Problem
FIT—determining where your story belongs

Cost, Date, and Time

Cost:

Member Cost: $25.00

Non-Member Cost: $45.00

Date:

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Time:

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (MST Time)

Zoom

LOCATION: Online Zoom Platform

If you are unable to attend the program live, a recording will be made available within a week after the event concludes. The recording will be available to registered attendees for 30 days after the recording link has been posted.

Critiques

Sharon Skinner has agreed to take on 10 critiques from webinar attendees available for purchase at the time of registration. She will accept the following types of critiques:

A full picture book manuscript critique - send a Word document, double-spaced no more than 1,000 words
A critique on a Chapter book, MG, or YA critique - send a Word document, double-spaced, no more than ________ pages.

Attendees must submit their critique materials to Karen Chow, Arizona SCBWI ARA at [email protected] no later than Monday, March 2, 2026.

Presenter Information

Sharon Skinner

Sharon Skinner holds an M.A. in Creative Writing and is an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach and Freelance Editor, who helps writers weave their words into stories that shine. She coaches and edits fiction, memoir, and non-fiction, but her primary niche is speculative fiction. Sharon has over three decades of presenting and teaching experience, including presenting/workshop facilitation at Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at ASU and San Diego State University Writers Conference. She also served five terms as an Arizona State Library Writer in Residence at libraries throughout Arizona. She writes speculative fiction for all ages, particularly fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and steampunk. Her body of published work includes nine novels, two picture books, and a variety of essays, short stories, and poetry. Sharon helps speculative fiction writers build immersive worlds and develop vivid, resonant language that deepens reader engagement. She also loves guiding the development of complex, multifaceted characters that readers will love and/or love to hate. More at https://bookcoachingbysharon.com

Terms, Conditions, and Refunds

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.