Regional In-Person Events

March 14, 2026: Join us for a one day hands-on workshop for illustrators, picture book writers, graphic novelists and and author-illustrators on March 14, 2026 at the Laguna College of Art and Design. Featuring workshop leaders Raissa Figueroa and Joey Spiotto; and off-site critiquers Christy Ewers and Melissa Manlove.

March 27-28, 2026: We hope you will join us for our annual spring conference on March 27 and 28th, 2026, in beautiful Homewood, Alabama. Gather with fellow writers, illustrators, translators, agents, editors, and other children's book publishing professionals for a day of craft, networking, professional development, and community. Make new connections, meet new friends, learn and explore, and refine your creative and business skills to move your kidlit career forward. Features include optional pre-conference intensives offered on Friday afternoon, March 27, and a free kidlit creators' social and trivia night event that evening.

April 10-11, 2026 (registration closes March 20): This Spring, your writing journey is in your hands! The SCBWI Illinois Region invites you to Choose Your Own Adventure at our 2026 Spring Thaw Event. At Spring Thaw, the story is yours to shape. Choose how to attend, choose your Compass Quest, and choose your Adventure Guide. No matter which path you take, you’ll hear from industry professionals during live panels, learn from peers, have post-event, above-the-slush-pile submission opportunities with all of our faculty, and collect feedback that helps guide you in your writing adventure.

April 11, 2026 (registration closes April 6): You're invited to join us in person at Golden Gate Fest as we explore the theme of Finding Courage: Creating through Resistance! Our Keynote "Stand Up!" will be given by author-illustrator Marla Frazee (3-time Caldecott Honor recipient & NYT bestseller). Other faculty include Associate Creative Director Sasha Illingworth (LIttle, Brown), Editor Esther Hernandez (Alfred A. Knopf BFYR/Penguin Random House), Agent Sarah Stephens (Red Fox Literary), Associate Editor Danielle Collins (Beach Land Books/S&S), Literary Assistant Sophie Sheumaker (BookEnds Literary). This will be an inspirational day!

April 17-19, 2026: Who’s ready to take a step back from everyday life and focus on their writing for 2 solid days! Who wants to fill their creative soul with nature and children’s book talk? If I’m describing you, take time for yourself to dive into a manuscript or two in the bucolic setting of Conception Abbey (37174 State Hwy VV, Conception, MO 64433). This year we are excited to announce that Ruqayyah Daud of Little Brown Books for Young Readers will be our guest editor. Come get feedback from both a seasoned editor and fellow writers. Join us Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19, 2026 for 2 full days of digging deeper into your works in progress! KSMO-SCBWI offers this retreat for all writing levels. The fee is all-inclusive and covers two editor presentations, peer critiques, lodging, and food.

April 24-26, 2026: Take a walk with Goldilocks as we stumble through the woods and into The Barn at the Highlights Foundation. Find just the right chair for working on craft. Enjoy just the right food for networking with fellow creators. And stay in just the right cabin for a creative retreat to remember. Whether you're just getting started or you're Published and Listed (PAL), gain valuable tools for the journey ahead and perspective on finding the path that's just right for you.

Registration closes September 25, 2026: Engaging Stories! Readers must have a compelling reason to start—and continue—engaging with your story. Engaging Stories is designed to provide takeaways and insightful creative strategies and techniques from acclaimed authors, illustrators, author-illustrators, agents, and editors. Join us at the SCBWI Wisconsin 2026 Engaging Stories webinar series and in-person conference. Webinars take place on the following dates: Feb.17, March 10, April 14, May 2, June 9, Aug. 9. In-person conference is October 8-10, 2026