AZ Events
May 19, 2023
KidLit 101 - Understanding the Basics of KidLit Writing
Writers who want to write KidLit are often surprised to discover the ways that the market has sliced and diced the genres into age categories and how each category has specific requirements that must be met to make their work publishable.
This workshop delves into the specific genres and categories of KidLit and provides insight into the specifics of those categories. From Picture Books through Early Readers to Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. We will cover them all and will delve into:
- How Genres differ from Categories.
- Categories, the ages and stages we need to consider.
- Target audience, protagonist, problem
- FIT—determining where your story belongs
Publishing 101 - Understanding the Basics of KidLit Publishing Options
Publishing 101 - Understanding the Basics of KidLit Publishing Options
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.
- Overview
- Available Publishing Options in 2026:
- The Business Side of Publishing:
- Breaking down the costs and potential returns:
Back to the Tranches - How To Weather The Storm And Find Your Way To Another Agent
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.
In-Person & Online Workshops
See above for our next webinars!
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: Sunday, March 1, 2026
TIME: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
WHAT: Spotlight with Violet Duncan. Violet is Plains Cree and Taino from Kehewin Cree Nation. As an accomplished author, educator, dancer, and storyteller, she has toured both nationally and internationally, sharing her talents and promoting wellness and cultural education across the US, Canada, and Europe. Seeing the need for greater Native representation in literature, Violet authored three picture books and a MG novel, Buffalo Dreamer, which won the ALA American Indian Youth Literature Award in 2026.
RSVP to: Susan at [email protected]
Hosted by: Susan Foss
PAL Events
Next meeting details are below
WHERE: TBD
DATE: TBD
TIME: TBD
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: March 2, 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: February 26, 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: March 7, 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: March 12, 2026
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: March 21, 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: April 25, 2026
TIME: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
LOCATION: Panera at Dana Park, Mesa, AZ
RSVP to: Kathie at [email protected]
Hosted by: Kathie McMahon
Northern Arizona In-Person KidLit Mingle
First Tuesdays: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Date: March 3, 2026
Where: High Country Motor Lodge, 1000 Route 66, Flagstaff 86001
RSVP to: Stephanie at [email protected]
Hosted by: Stephanie Kohen
***NEW MINGLE*** Scottsdale/PV In-Person KidLit Mingle
Quarterly
Date: March 8, 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: March 7, 2026
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: March 14, 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