Regional In-Person Events

August 22, 2024 (registration closes August 20): What makes a strong illustration portfolio? What are art directors looking for and how can artists make powerful illustrations that will catch their eye? Whether you are new to children's illustration or are hoping to tighten up your existing portfolio, this workshop will cover all the steps from creating compelling artwork, to organizing and presenting your work to potential clients. Join us in person at The Loft or virtually via Zoom.

September 20-21, 2024 (registration closes September 19): The OK/AR SCBWI Fall Retreat will feature Deborah Halverson and Scott Magoon. This will be a deep dive into revision for your work, whether you write illustrate, or both. Optional opportunities include: face to face consultations from Deborah and Scott; pre-retreat manuscript exchanges with critiques in groups during the retreat; and time to spend on your writing or illustrating, free from the obligations of home and family.

September 6-8, 2024 (registration ends July 21): Hello Campers! Join us September 6th-8th, 2024 for a weekend of full of nature, creative sessions, inspiration, good fun, and great company! This year's presentations and critiques will be with editor Ariel Richardson (Chronicle Books) and agent Sera Rivers (Speilburg Literary Agency). Spots are limited. Register by July 31st to secure a place and submit material for a critique.

September 20-22, 2024 (registration ends September 15): Join editors, agents, art directors and fellow creatives as we develop our craft and careers together. Portfolio Fest, Pitchers Anonymous, First Pages, Meet-Ups, Intensives specifically for advanced writers, Intensives for beginning creators, online and in-person critique meetings, our weekend is packed with opportunities and fun.

September 21, 2024 (registration closes September 19): First Page Center Stage is back! And we're LIVE in Lancaster! You won't want to miss this day full of feedback. Come for the first look/first page sessions with the art director and editors, stay for the local agent workshops, and don't forget to take advantage of the critique and pitch opportunities while you're there.

September 21, 2024 (registration closes September 15): Join us in Camarillo, CA for a fabulous and informative event. There will be agent and editor keynote speakers, debut author spotlights, contests for writers and illustrators, and optional add-ons including written critiques and online pitch sessions.

September 28-29, 2024 (registration closes September 25): Join us in Colorful Colorado for Rocky Mountain Chapter's Letters & Lines Conference! For 2024, we have a new venue, a new menu, an amazing faculty, 30+ breakout sessions, 7 intensives, manuscript & portfolio critiques, autographs, contests, social events, and much more!

September 28, 2024 (registration closes September 26): Choose Your Own Adventure” at the 2024 SCBWI SF/South Golden Gate Day, Saturday, September 28, 2024 in San Bruno, CA from 9am - 5pm. We've got stellar presentations from: Caldecott Honor recipient author/illustrator LeUyen Pham; Editorial Director Connie Hsu; Associate Editors Sydnee Monday and Ian Tseng; Art Director Tracy Shaw; Literary agents Ian Lendler, Sally Kim and Jennifer March Soloway. In-person or virtual manuscript critiques, portfolio reviews, and first-look roundtables will be available. Additionally, in-person attendees may register for our first ever *Pitch Clinic,"" an opportunity for a 5-minute consultation with an agent or editor to perfect your pitch! Registration for the in-person option opens June 14 at 10am PST for premium members, August 1 for non-premium. Registration for the virtual option opens August 1.

October 24-28, 2024 (registration closes September 30): SCBWI New England is thrilled to announce a brand new retreat for PAL members! Open to traditionally published authors and illustrators, the Acadia Retreat will be held October 24-28, 2024 at the Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park in Maine. Our stellar faculty for this inaugural retreat are: Eileen Robinson (Editorial Director/Executive Editor, Charlesbridge Moves), Kevin Hawkes (Author/Illustrator), and Alison Johnson (Director of School Programs for Island Readers & Writers). In addition to faculty presentations, working time, optional school visit consultations, and play time, the afternoon of October 27th will be a children’s book festival so we can celebrate our books and each other out in the community!

November 1-3, 2024: Join us in-person in beautiful Santa Fe New Mexico and/or online for an enriching and invigorating weekend celebrating children's literature and its creators! The conference features keynotes will feature acclaimed and award-winning creators, author Lesa Cline-Ransome and author-illustrator Diane Stanley, plus eight breakout session options led by experienced and decorated creators and educators, including Children's Literature Legacy Award-winning illustrator James Ransome, National Jewish Book Award-winning author Susan Wider, and NAACP Image Award Finalist, author Khadijah VanBrakle. We have five agents on faculty joining us in-person or virtually with opportunities for submissions, critiques and pitches--and for our self-publishing and small press creators, a marketing workshop taught by New Mexico/Arizona Book Award-winner RJ Mirabal. All content will be available to in-person and online-only attendees. We hope to see you there!

December 6-8, 2024: After a whirlwind of a year, you're going to deserve a little getaway. Picture a cozy retreat nestled in the heart of the Navasota woods, surrounded by like-minded writers and illustrators, all eager to share their craft and stories. It's the perfect opportunity to recharge, refuel, and reconnect with your passion.