SCBWI-Dakotas: Uncovering Your Story’s Heart & Navigating the Agent Relationship

Hour One:

Rob will pull back the curtain on the industry—sharing his unique 360-degree journey from independent publisher to author and literary manager. You'll learn how to identify when your manuscript is truly submission-ready, what the agent-author relationship actually looks like, and what makes a publisher say "yes."

Hour Two:

Features a live Critique & Pitch Session limited to 6 pre-registered participants. You’ll watch real-time professional assessments as creators share their work and Rob provides instant feedback on marketability, developmental strengths, and pitch formatting.

Live Pitch Slot Criteria & Submission Instructions: To secure one of the exclusive SCBWI-Members Only 6–8 live pitch slots, you must select the Pitch Slot Add-on at registration and meet the following criteria:

• Eligible Formats: Submissions can be for anything kid-lit oriented, but note that Rob focuses mostly on Picture Books (text or dummy/illustration), Early Chapter Books, and Juvenile Graphic Novels.
• Pitch Requirements: Participants will prepare a 5-minute presentation. This includes sharing your screen to display artwork/text layouts or reading a sample text aloud, explaining why you created the piece, and pitching the core concept. More information will be provided following registration.
• Materials Deadline: Pitch materials should be submitted via email to Pam Cole, SCBWI-Dakotas Regional Advisor no later than Friday, November 20th at midnight (11:59 PM CST). Slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. More information will be provided following registration.

Registration Fees:

• Session Admission (SCBWI Members): $15
• Session Admission (Non-Members): $25
• Live Pitch Slot Add-on (Members Only): Extra $25 (Requires General Admission registration; limited to 6 participants total)

Can't make it live? A recorded replay of the first hour will be available to all registered attendees for up to 30 days following the event.