AZ Events

May 19, 2023

SCBWI AZ Regional Conference 2026 - Beyond the Page

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

https://www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi-az-regional-conference-2026

JOIN US IN-PERSON OR VIRTUALLY

Do not miss this fabulous event! Space is limited!

Our theme is "Beyond the Page," where we'll focus on collaborating and connecting with other writers, elevating our craft, and educating creators about the next steps into publication and beyond. Writing and illustrating are so much more than just the words and images on the page.

That is why we have developed a full day of keynotes and breakout sessions with professional faculty, as well as our wonderful PALs. Take advantage of the professional critique and submission opportunities, enter your artwork into the illustrator’s showcase, purchase members' books, and bring your own books to sell through our bookseller.

But most of all, meet fellow creators and build community during this day-long celebration of children’s literature.

Whether you join the event in person or virtually, you will receive access to recordings of all the sessions and can view them for 30 days after the event. That means you won’t need to worry about missing any content!

The day includes:

15 breakout sessions on writing, illustrating, and publishing
industry panel discussion
author panel discussion
manuscript and portfolio critiques
illustrator showcase (in-person for members only)
book sales opportunities (in-person for members only)
book signings (in-person only)
complimentary boxed lunch (in-person only)
prize giveaways and more!

Check our our Fabulous Beyond the Page In-Person Faculty:

Ariel Richardson - Editor, Chronicle Books
Gianna Lakenauth - Editor, Knopf/Penguin Random House
Natascha Morris - Agent, Tobias Literary Agency
Charlotte Wenger - Agent, Prospect Literary Agency
Andrea Cascardi - Agent, Transatlantic Agency
Adam Rex - Author/illustrator (PB, MG, YA)
G.F. Miller - Author (MG, YA)
Cynthia Harmony - Author/translator (PB)
Michael Hale - Author/illustrator (PB)
Karen S. Chow - Author (MG)

We also want to offer critique opportunities for everyone with industry professionals. To accommodate this, we have a stellar team of off-site industry faculty taking CRITIQUES.

Check out this incredible list of OFF-SITE publishing professionals:

Ali Romig – Editor, Delacorte Press (PRH)
Linda Camacho – Agent, Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency
Saribel Pages – Agent, Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency
Christie Megill – Agent, The Cat Agency Inc
Nina Richner – Agent, Howard Morhaim Literary Agency
Eve Adler – Agent, Red Fox Literary Agency
Ritu Anand – Agent, D4EO Literary Agency
Stephanie Fretwell-Hill – Agent, Red Fox Literary Agency
Amy Thrall Flynn – Agent, Aevitas Creative Management
Laurel Symonds – Agent, KT Literary
Analia Cabello – Agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency

This year, as part of our SCBWI Arizona Regional Conference, we are offering both WRITTEN-ONLY critiques as well as WRITTEN CRITIQUTES FOLLOWED BY A 20-MINUTE ZOOM MEETING.

(Zooms will be scheduled after the conference.)

You will be able to purchase up to TWO critiques:

one critique from our in-person faculty
and one from our off-site faculty.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

https://www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi-az-regional-conference-2026

SCBWI AZ - Perfect Pitches Webinar

An immersive workshop on the art of creating an unforgettable hook or "elevator" pitch, what catches an agent's or editor's attention, and what to expect during in-person pitches. We will discuss the elements of a pitch, a query letter, and a synopsis and how each is important in the submission process. Presentation is for all kidlit genres, from picture books through YA.

Click here to register for the webinar

SCBWI AZ - Picture Book Live Edits Webinar

Carter will select up to four picture book manuscripts submitted by attendees and will edit them live during the workshop. You'll learn how an editor/agent approaches evaluating and editing a picture book manuscript, as well as learn about picture book design, pagination, etc. in ways that will affect the editing of a manuscript.

Click here to register for the webinar

In-Person & Online Workshops

See above for our next webinars!

Upcoming Critique-Nics (free for members):

Tucson: June 6, 2026, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

West Valley: date TBD, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Flagstaff: July 25, 2026, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

EI Meeting

This is a regularly occurring meet-up activity and is FREE for Members

WHERE: Zoom platform & In-person at Tempe Public Library, Study Room 7

DATE: June 7, 2026

TIME: 2:00 - 4:30 pm

WHAT: Watch party! We will be watching The Hate U Give, based on the YA novel of the same name by Angie Thomas.

***IN-PERSON ONLY, RSVP MANDATORY, MEETING TIME LENGTHENED 2-4:30pm.***

RSVP to: Susan at [email protected]

Hosted by: Susan Foss

PAL Events

Next meeting details are below

WHAT: PAL ANNUAL BOOK BIRTHDAY BASH

WHERE: Literally A Bookshop

DATE: October 24, 2026

TIME: 10:00am - 12:00 pm

RSVP to: Dianne or Kim at [email protected]

Hosted by: Dianne White and Kim Tomsic

Spark Events

This meeting occurs every two months and is a member networking and meet-up activity that is FREE for Members

WHERE: Zoom Meeting platform

DATE: July 6, 2026

TIME: 7:00-8:30 pm

RSVP to: Kathie at [email protected]

Hosted by: Kathie McMahon and Cynthia Bordelon

Illustrator Events

This is a regularly occurring member networking and meet-up activity and is FREE for Members

Fourth Thursday: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

DATE: June 25, 2026

TIME: 6:30-8:00 pm

WHERE: Zoom

RSVP to: Michael at [email protected]

Hosted by: Michael Hale – SCBWI-AZ Illustrator Coordinator

KidLit Mingle Events

These are regularly occurring member networking and meet-up activities and are FREE for Members

Ask Us Anything

First Saturdays every month: 8:30 am – 10:00 am

Date: June 6, 2026

Where: ZOOM Meeting platform

RSVP to: Anne Hanovich at [email protected]

Hosted by: Anne Hanovich

Book Look

Join fellow writers and illustrators for a dive into Craft and mentor texts. What makes a PB, MG, or YA novel sell? Let's analyze the factors and explore applying them to our own writing.

Second Thursdays: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Date: Postponed indefinitely

Where: ZOOM Meeting platform

RSVP to: Patricia at [email protected] or Fawzia at [email protected]

Hosted by: Patricia Franz

Craft Club

Third Saturdays: 9:00 am - 10:30 am

Date: June 13, 2026

Where: ZOOM Meeting platform

RSVP to: Kathie McMahon at [email protected]

Hosted by: Kathie McMahon

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MINGLES BY LOCATION:

East Valley In-Person KidLit Mingle

DATE: July 25, 2026

TIME: 10:00am - 12:00pm

LOCATION: Panera Bread, 3426 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa, AZ 85204

RSVP to: Jim at [email protected]

Hosted by: Jim Wuerfel

Northern Arizona In-Person KidLit Mingle

First Tuesdays: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Date: July 7, 2026

Where: High Country Motor Lodge, 1000 Route 66, Flagstaff 86001

RSVP to: Stephanie at [email protected]

Hosted by: Stephanie Kohen

Scottsdale/PV In-Person KidLit Mingle

Quarterly

Date: June 14, 2026

Where: Flower Child, 12640 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, 85032

RSVP to: Claudia at [email protected].

Hosted by: Claudia Sloan

Tucson In-Person KidLit Mingle

First Saturdays: 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Date: June 6, 2026 (in conjuction with Critique-Nic)

Where: Caffe Luce, 4205 N Campbell, Tucson, AZ

Please RSVP to: Lori at [email protected] or Lucy at [email protected]

Hosted by: Lori Alexander and Lucy Munguia

West Valley In-Person KidLit Mingle/Show and Tell

Second Saturdays: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

DATE: June 13, 2026

TIME: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

LOCATION: Asante Library, 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr., Surprise, AZ 85387

RSVP to: Angela at [email protected]

Hosted by: Angela Morrison