Regional virtual events

March 17, 2026: A discussion of picture books, improvisation, mistakes, creative uncertainty, ugly art, and the benefits of a cat-proof cabinet with acclaimed author-illustrator Corinna Luyken, creator of The Book of Mistakes, My Heart, and The Tree in Me.

March 18, 2026: You’re a published author. You’ve worked so hard to get here. You’ve built a killer website & social media presence, set up a book launch, printed bookmarks, and know all about visiting schools. But what about the stuff they don’t tell you? Josh Funk, a veteran newbie picture book author, has published 20 books over the last decade and he’ll share knowledge he’s learned along the way. This workshop is geared toward published creators as well as people who plan to be published in the future. This event is made possible by a grant from SCBWI and the Authors Coalition of America.

March 21, 2026 (registration closes March 20): Most YA authors rely on their memories of adolescence to write teen characters. In this 60-minute presentation (plus time for Q and A), you’ll learn that no matter how vivid your memories are, the fact remains that teenage brains function differently than adult ones. These differences are deeper than the poor impulse control that makes you want to scream, “What were you thinking?” As a book coach and high school teacher who writes for teens, our presenter Sam Cameron will share insights she thinks every YA writer should know. In addition to explaining teen brain chemistry, she'll offer exercises you can use to make your own work in progress more appealing to a teen audience, with plenty of examples from published works. A limited number of manuscript critiques by Sam are also available.

March 24, 2026 (registration closes March 23): What is a "revise & resubmit" request, and what do you do when you get one from an agent or editor? This path to publication is more common than you might think, but it doesn't always look the same. This webinar will take creators through the ins and outs of R&Rs from all angles—why an author might do one, what risks might occur, how an editor thinks about them, and what the ultimate outcome might look like. You'll be prepared for any scenario involving an R&R! A limited number of PB & MG critiques available at an additional cost.

March 25, 2026: In this illustration-focused workshop, participants will learn Joe's process of taking a sketch to an inked drawing. Participants are encouraged to have their own work ready to follow and test the process in realtime and with their own sketches. Please have pencils or paint and paper ready (digital tools are also fine). Joe will share examples of his work and demonstrate his techniques. There will be a Q&A period following the workshop. A recording of this session will be available for 30 days after the session. Premium Members: USD 23.50 (ca. €20) - General Admission: USD 30 (ca. €25).

March 25, 2026: THE NOVELTY OF GRAPHIC NOVELS will take a brief look at the history and current expectations of graphic novels, then pop-the-hood on workflows and techniques. Using many examples, we will look at the why/how they work in practice by examining pacing, art style, and the larger issues of telling stories across panels. We’ll present a historically grounded approach to the format from a technical and artistic POV, plus look at how other artists and writers have approached this rapidly evolving format. You’ll come away inspired to push your creativity in this format with an expanded understanding of the fundamentals.

March 28, 2026: Creators love to create, but it's hard to understand the other side: the publishing industry. It's dizzying delving into the many avenues and many options! AZ IC Michael Hale will cover all the ways creators can turn manuscripts into books, what options are available in 2026, and the associated costs and potential returns for each method.

March 30, 2026: Are book fairs and conferences REALLY worth the time and money? As creatives we are often stretched for both these resources, and even if we do decide to go for it, we may not be getting the most out of our investment. That can change! Industry expert Lionel Bender offers insight and wisdom from his years in publishing to show how these events can benefit YOU, and how to make the most of them. There will be a 20-30 minute presentation, a conversation with someone who has tried implementing Lionel's strategies in real life, and a time for Q&A. Join us on the 30th March, or watch on catch up for 30 days after.

April 4, 2026: For writers and illustrators who have parted with their agents (whether it was self-imposed or the agent left the agency for their own reasons), and how to weather that storm and find their way to another agent. Amy is going to focus on how to word a query letter and approach agents. The presenter will also take Query Letter critiques from creators who have parted from their previous agents

April 10, 2026: The SCBWI Illinois Region invites you to Choose Your Own Adventure at our 2026 Spring Thaw Online Pitch Event. Registration opens February 9th at noon CDT. This Spring, your writing journey is in your hands! At 2026 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, 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: In this interactive workshop, award-winning author Michael F. Stewart identifies various methods of structuring a novel and then introduces a new approach using emotion as a complimentary tool. With children's literature, popular movies, and his own books, Michael shows how powerfully resonant stories are based on therapeutic models that we can leverage to create powerful stories of our own. This workshop is aimed at intermediate to advanced writers.

April 11, 2026: Is your picture book draft a sticky mess? Are your main characters in a jam? Is your meter too chunky? Like your favorite childhood snack that’s stuck to the roof of your mouth…is your stubborn story refusing to get on a page? Join SCBWI-NM online for delicious day to celebrate the art of the picture book and the essential elements that jelly it together. Register for some or all of the sessions, and learn all about the perfect picture book sandwich! (All sessions will be recorded and available to registered attendees for 30 days following the event.)

April 11, 2026: At its heart, writing is about connections. Plot can create a page-turner – does the villain get his due? Is kindergarten scary? But to draw readers in, they have to feel with your characters. They share their experiences. That connection springs from your emotional treasury. In this webinar, author and workshop leader Suzanne Morgan Williams will share concrete techniques to connect to your experiences, senses, and emotions – then use them to immerse readers in your story.

April 11, 2026: You're invited to a very special virtual workshop, featuring award-winning authors Sara Pennypacker (Pax), Pam Muñoz Ryan (Esperanza Rising), and Sally J. Pla (The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn). Learn about what it takes to develop a manuscript and prepare for submission. Find out what it takes to run a great critique group. Learn some writing strategies. Hear about the state of children's publishing today. Come prepared with all your questions -- this is a special opportunity to plumb the minds of some of children's literature's brightest stars!

April 13, 2026: How do the latest industry developments and practices affect you and your writing? What do publishers discuss behind closed doors? What is no one telling you? In this session, we’ll talk about what creators need know about today’s book market, from advances to publication timelines, morality clauses to AI and more. If these phrases aren’t familiar, you’re not alone—and more reason to attend! Join us for a timely discussion as we tackle the biggest secrets of our book market. It’s a lively time in publishing, so we’ll have lots to discuss! Please bring your questions, as this session will end with Lilly’s signature juicy Q+As, to help you get the most from it.

April 16, 2026: Mariana will share her experiences as a children’s book translator, including how she gets involved with new translation projects and what the process is like. Q & A to follow. This event will be recorded and available for 30 days.

April 16, 2026: In surreal times, realistic fiction can ground us in the complexity, beauty, tragedy, and even absurdity of our world. While the rules of the form restrict us to characters, settings, and natural laws of the known universe, creative opportunities abound. In this presentation, we will look at examples of different types of realistic fiction, with a focus on picture books and an eye to what we can bring into our own work. Adam Blackman is the Acquisitions Editor for picture books for Cardinal Rule Press. This webinar will be recorded. Submission information will be sent with the recording link.

April 17-18, 2026 (registration closes April 16): Join SCBWI Oklahoma/Arkansas on Zoom for the main sessions of our 2026 Spring Conference. It’s certain to be a weekend of creative and professional growth as you listen to our faculty and speakers. Not only will you learn about the craft of creating books for children and the business of publishing, but you’ll be inspired by hearing the publishing stories of some of our local authors. Plus, registered attendees will have the opportunity to submit to our in-person and offsite professionals after the conference (many of whom are closed to unsolicited queries). You don’t want to miss it.

April 21, 2026: In this session, Newbery Medal-winning author Erin Entrada Kelly (Hello, Universe, We Dream of Space, The Land of Forgotten Girls) will guide us through excerpts from mentor texts to determine how and why the author's dialogue was successful and learn how to implement best practices in our own work.

April 21, 2026: Most picture books are meant to be read out loud. How does yours actually sound to a listener's ear? This webinar will give you tips and tricks for strengthening the musicality of your manuscripts. We'll consider why writing in rhyme gives everyone the heebie-jeebies, how to revise for rhythm, and when to break the monotony of perfect meter. This event will be recorded, and a replay will be available for 30 days after the live event.

April 21-22, 2026: Okay, you've written a picture book! Now how do you make it better? Heidi E.Y. Stemple will pull apart one of her published picture books to look deeply at what makes it successful. She will discuss, intentionality, arc, word choices and heart. You will leave with new eyes for looking at your own manuscript and new skills for revision. A Q&A session will follow immediately afterwards.

April 23, 2026 (registration closes April 20): No Plot, Just Vibes - Are you the kind of writer who goes into a story with no idea of what's actually going to happen, but a strong grasp of the vibe you want to capture? Are you a reader who likes to save witchy reads for October and summery reads for July? Have you ever argued with someone about whether every scene in a book really needs to move the action forward, or how much plot a book actually needs? Then this is the class for you! Cindy Baldwin has made my career as a vibes-based writer who also learned to write a strong enough plot to get a book through the publishing gatekeepers. In this class, she'll teach you how to go from "vibe" to "real book."

April 23, 2026: Every agent, editor, and writing teacher will share specific “rules” you must follow to sell your manuscript: don't rhyme, don't try to teach a lesson, and never, ever write a story about a kid who won't eat his vegetables. But why do we have these rules? And more importantly, when can you break them? This workshop will help writers better understand what agents and editors are looking for, and what they can do to improve both their storytelling and their chances at getting published. Plus, a little extra mindset support for when writers need some magic.

April 28, 2026: Get a Handle on Your Author Biz with Sara Fujimura! Grow your author business exponentially by working smarter, not harder. Your book is out! Now, what once was your greatest dream suddenly feels like your biggest nightmare. A proven three-step interconnected marketing system teaches debut authors—and seasoned authors, too!—how to grow their businesses exponentially with the least amount of work. Let's work smarter, not harder, authorpreneurs! This webinar will be recorded and will remain available to registered attendees for 30 days following the event.

May 2, 2026: Join us virtually with your work-in-progress during these two Advanced Writing Workshops led by two amazing editors.

May 6, 2026: Rachel Rowlands gives a talk on getting submission-ready, covering query letters, synopses, manuscript formatting, and common craft issues seen in opening chapters. Rachel is a freelance fiction editor and author, and an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP). She holds a degree in English and Creative Writing and has worked on hundreds of books for both independent authors and publishing houses, including Hachette, HarperCollins, Chicken House Books, Badger Learning, and Penguin Random House. Event is free for SCBWI premium members.

May 7-8 and September 14-15, 2026 (registration closes March 28): Calling all Picture Book Author-Illustrators! Ever wish you could have the same publishing professional look at your dummy a second time? After you made their suggested revisions? Well now you can! Two-Step Critique participants will meet with literary agent Kait Feldmann to discuss their picture book dummy (illustrations and completed manuscript) once in May, then have about 3 months to revise and resubmit for a second round of feedback in September.

May 21, 2026: Being both an author and an illustrator places you in a specific creative position—one where story and art can be developed side by side, in conversation with each other. That combination comes with real opportunities, but also real decisions about where to focus, what to show, and how to shape your work for the market. In this webinar, we’ll explore how to use your dual role intentionally when building dummies, developing portfolio pieces, and presenting your work to agents and editors. We’ll look at how writing and illustration can support one another without competing, and how to make choices that serve the project rather than trying to do everything at once. This session is about understanding how to work from the position you’re in as an author-illustrator—using both skills together to strengthen your storytelling, elevate your materials, and put forward work that feels cohesive, confident, and true to you. A limited number of PB & CB critiques available at an additional cost.

May 23, 2026: San Diego MayFest Zoom Webinar features a keynote speaker, an editor panel, and an agent panel. For an additional cost you may choose an optional Art Portfolio Showcase, and optional Zoom Critiques. Individual Zoom Critiques are from 2-5 p.m. (PT) that afternoon. Each critique is 15 minutes. Portfolio Showcase will be judge by two Art Directors and one image of the participants choice will be viewed by all during the event.

May 25, 2026 (registration closes): Great plots become extraordinary when driven by characters who feel real and whose choices shape the action. This interactive masterclass will show you how to integrate character depth with plot development, creating stakes that resonate and stories that captivate—no matter your genre. This program is geared more towards novels. Registered participants who attended or had access to the live presentation may view the recording for up to 30 days after the event. Optional Critiques on Sunday, May 31.

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. Webinar series dates: Feb.17, March 10, April 14, May 2, June 9, Aug. 9, 2026. In-person conference: October 8-10, 2026