Frequently asked questions Indiana

Each participant has/will agree to this “All Rights Reserved” statement at the time of registration: All Rights Reserved When you create something new, copyright law automatically gives you full ownership rights in your creation. As a result, each Doodler and Drafter remains the sole owner of the original idea, concept, sketch, or other crafted element they submit for use in this DOODLES & DRAFTS event. No Doodler or Drafter may use or share the resulting ideas crafted through or discussed about this submission during this event. I hereby agree that as a participating Doodler or Drafter submitting and discussing my idea, concept, and/or text, I will retain all copyright and use rights to said idea, concept, and/or text. I further agree that the Doodler or Drafter I am paired with will retain all copyright and use rights to any idea, concept, and/or text I create in response to their submission. I also agree that I will not retain, share, or distribute any other participants’ Doodle or Draft text, sketch, or any other materials I may receive, discuss, or learn about during this free virtual event. You may also choose to include this statement on your submission prior to the event; it will be retained on the submission throughout the event: ©2026 YourName. All Rights Reserved.

You decide what Doodle or Draft you submit – you are strongly encouraged to submit a new idea, something that is not polished, perfected, or publishable. The intent of the event is to give you first-impression reactions to your concept, not offer detailed critiques or steps toward submission-ready art or text. It is suggested that: Doodlers (illustrators) pre-submit a simple Doodle or sketch. For example, a setting, character, or scene. Drafters (writers) pre-submit a very short Draft text, for example, a character description, one spread, a world idea, or an opening sentence. -PB/GN limit of 35 words and/or one spread of text -MG/YA, avoid going over 100 words. No AI generated words or art may be included in your submission.

This shouldn’t take you lots of time – your submission isn’t intended to be a polished piece of text or art. In fact, it’s even better if they aren’t, because that will give you fresh input, so consider submitting a new rough sketch or story text idea.

The exciting result is that every illustrator will get a first-look creative Draft based on the writer’s Doodle interpretation, and every writer will get a first-look illustrator Doodle perspective of the text! As a bonus, one participating Doodler and one participating Drafter will randomly be chosen from those in attendance for a free pass to the virtual Indiana SCBWI Fall Webinar on Saturday, September 26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (EDT). Note: Editor critiques are not included in the prize.

Because you want your partnering Doodle or Drafter to have the most opportunity to react to your text or image, it is suggested that you NOT include art notes or other comments with your submission. When you leave the most room for interpretation and reaction, the resulting Doodle or Draft your partner will craft during the event will be a truly “first impression” that offers you, the creator, valuable interpretation and reaction.

Your Jotform submission of a Doodle or Draft is due by 10:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 18. No AI generated words or art may be included in your submission. Use this link to submit your submission: https://form.jotform.com/261377080350150 You will only submit one Doodle or Draft. Your submission can’t be changed after your Jotform submission is completed.

On Friday, August 21, the day before the live virtual event, you will receive, via e-mail, your assigned partner’s Doodle or Draft. You’re strongly encouraged NOT to look at your assigned partner’s submission until the appropriate time during the live event.

You will create your first-impression Doodle or Draft reaction to your assigned partner’s submission during the live event. You’re strongly encouraged NOT to look at or do any work with the submission before the event. That way, your resulting Doodle or Draft will be a truly “first impression.”

During the live event, you will have approximately 20 minutes to create the appropriate Doodle or Draft in response to your assigned partner’s submission. Then, partners will jump into breakout rooms to swap results, ask questions, and share ideas and concepts.

You will only be required to talk about your Doodle or Draft submission and your reaction to your assigned partner’s submission during the time you both spend in the breakout room. The breakout room may contain 1-2 other assigned pairs. While there will be open discussion with all participates after the breakout session, you are not required to share any additional thoughts or ideas.

As a participant in this event, please respect the work of your assigned partner and offer supportive first-impression reactions to their submission through your Doodle or Draft. In break-out room discussion time with your partner and/or during sharing time with all participants, please offer specific and constructive feedback. Treat this sharing time like a critique group meeting during which you point out what you appreciated in the submission and offer ideas for moving forward. Further, the work you submit must be your own, and no AI generated words or art is permitted in any submission.

DOODLES & DRAFTS is a free live-only virtual activity, and it will not be recorded for any future viewing or other use.

If you do not submit your Doodle or Draft before 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, your registration will be cancelled.

At the conclusion of the live event on Saturday, August 22, the randomly chosen participating Doodler Drafter will be announced. Please note, the prize is attendance at and access to the recorded one-hour Webinar on Saturday, September 16. The prize does not include an Editor Critique. A limited number of critiques will be offered at an additional charge.