SCBWI Iowa Halloweekend Conference

Oct 31, 2025 - Nov 02, 2025

West Des Moines Marriott, 1250 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

BOO! Don't be scared--join us for a multi-day conference in Des Moines, Iowa! Best-selling picture book authors, agents, and publishers will haunt our halls! Written critiques, face-to-face critiques, and post-conference submissions available... if you dare!

Optional intensives on Friday, main programming on Sat & Sun

Full Halloweekend Schedule Here:

What's Included?

🎤18 Breakout Session Options

📚3 Panels

🗝️2 Inspiring Keynotes

🍴Sat Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner; Sun Breakfast

👻Friday Costume Contest

🎟️Raffle Entry to Door Prizes

💼Post-Conference Submission Opportunities

🖋️Optional Add-Ons: Friday Intensive & Faculty Critiques

More Info

Faculty & Sessions

Learn who will haunt our halls!

Schedule

"I think we'll start with a reign of terror."

Hotel Reservations

Don't worry, it's not the Overlook Hotel!

Friday Intensives

Hungry for more?

Optional Critiques

Not as scary as you think!

Costume Contest

All work and no play makes for a dull writer...

Pricing & Policies

Is there anything scarier than fine print?

Illustrations by

Cindy To

Educator, Illustrator