WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT - PICTURE BOOKS - You’ve asked for it. We listened. Join us as we level up your picture books. Award-winning author Marcie Colleen is teaming up with SCBWI Nebraska for a virtual 6-month workshop meant to take your picture books to the next level. Targeted for authors who have written a minimum of three picture books and have an established, basic understanding of picture book writing, this workshop is intended to take your projects from good to extraordinary. Offered by the Nebraska region starting September 2026.
Registration opens July 8, 2026. The workshop will cap at 30 participants.
This Collaborative Workshop consists of a six-month virtual workshop series that meets twice a month from September 2026 to February 2027 (once a month in September and December). These 90-minute workshop meetings are a combination of instruction and peer critiques. They will take place via Zoom on roughly every other Saturday except during holidays, from 12:00 – 1:30 pm Central Time. (See dates below.)
This workshop is intended for mid-career picture book writers. Attendees are expected to have a basic understanding of how to write picture books, as identified by having written up to three picture books. (Mid-career is not defined as published. In this capacity, it is defined as having an established knowledge base.) Authors and author/illustrators are welcome.
Please note: This is an interactive workshop. All participants are expected to attend meetings live—active participation is key to getting the most out of this experience. That said, we realize life happens and will provide a recording when extenuating circumstances prevent in-person participation. Of the 10 classes, four classes will be dedicated to small critique groups with classmates. Registered participants are expected to attend and participate in the critique groups as part of the learning experience. Only instructional classes will be recorded. Critique group days will not be recorded. (See more information below.)
Registration for this event means that your email address will be shared with other registrants to facilitate critique communication.
Meet Marcie
Marcie Colleen is a multi-published author of children’s picture books, including "Penguinaut!," "Love, Triangle," "Happy Friendsgiving," and "Survivor Tree," as well as chapter book and graphic novel series such as "The Super Happy Party Bears" and "Kitten Ninja." When she’s not writing stories filled with humor and heart, Marcie is helping others tell theirs. She teaches “Writing Picture Books” through the University of California - San Diego Extension, where she guides writers in crafting strong concepts, memorable characters, and page-turning plots. Marcie is also a frequent presenter for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a faculty member at the Writing Barn. Learn more about Marcie and her upcoming work at www.thisismarciecolleen.com.
Scholarships:
To support SCBWI Nebraska members in participating in Nebraska-led SCBWI events, we're offering a full scholarship to one lucky Nebraska SCBWI member. To be eligible, you must be a member of SCBWI with a current membership, and you must live in the state of Nebraska. This application closes on June 30, 2026. Click here to apply.
To affirm the need for increased representation in children's literature, we're offering a full scholarship for an attendee who identifies as a member of a community that has been traditionally marginalized by the publishing industry. This application closes on June 30, 2026. Click here to apply.
All applicants will receive a response after the application window has closed.
Additional Details:
WHEN
Saturdays from 12:00-1:30pm (CST) starting September 26, 2026. Click here for full lists of dates.
WHERE
This is a virtual Event. After registering, you will find your registration confirmation under My Events on your Member Home. The Zoom link for the will be found under the green Meeting Info button as well as emailed 24 hours before each class session.
COST
Premium member pricing: $300
Non-Premium member pricing: $350
RECORDING
As stated above: This is an interactive workshop. All participants are expected to attend meetings live—active participation is key to getting the most out of this experience. That said, we realize life happens and will provide a recording when extenuating circumstances prevent in-person participation.
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATIONS
Registration confirmations are no longer emailed. Go to your Member Home and click on My Events under the black bar at the top of the page. All events you have registered for will be displayed on this page.
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 provide 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 expenses that cannot be recouped by the region. Requests for refunds will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Questions about this event? Email Workshop Coordinator Katie Martens at [email protected].
