SCBWI AZ - Surprise! Surprise! Humorous Ways to Surprise Your Readers
May 16, 2026
Online event
Dive into various methods on how to use humor to surprise readers. From dramatic irony to unique picture book formats to setting up the perfect page turn, Kathryn Rammell will dissect humorous picture books and the different techniques their creators utilized to elevate their stories. The presentation will conclude with an activity to help spark humorous story ideas.
SCBWI AZ - Surprise! Surprise! Humorous Ways to Surprise Your Readers
Dive into various methods on how to use humor to surprise readers. From dramatic irony to unique picture book formats to setting up the perfect page turn, Kathryn Rammell will dissect humorous picture books and the different techniques their creators utilized to elevate their stories. The presentation will conclude with an activity to help spark humorous story ideas.
Cost, Date, and Time
Cost:
Member Cost: $25.00
Non-Member Cost: $45.00
Date:
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (Arizona Time | Note: Arizona does not follow DLS, so the event time zone will be PST)
Zoom Information
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
Kathryn Rammell has agreed to provide up to 10 written critiques of picture book manuscripts, picture book dummies, and portfolios. Only registered attendees who sign up and pay for a critique when registering are eligible.
- A full FICTION picture book manuscript critique: send a Word document, double-spaced, no more than 800 words.
- A full FICTION picture book dummy critique: send a pdf of the picture book dummy.
- 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, May 22, 2026.
Presenter Information
Kathryn Rammell
Kathryn Rammell is a writer and illustrator of children’s books. Inspired by the quirky imagination of her youth as well as the adventures she goes on with her children, her work aims to bring humor and joy. When not writing or illustrating, Kathryn can be found planning roadtrips to National Parks or beach hopping down the Pacific Coast Highway.
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.