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The New Semester Starts April, 2026

2025

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Our Team

SCBWI AZ Regional Team Members

Appointed by SCBWI HeadquartersCo-Regional Advisor – <a href="http://sharonskinner.com/">Sharon Skinner</a> | Email: <a href="mailto:arizona-ra@scbwi.org">arizona-ra@scbwi.org</a>Co-Regional Advisor – <a href="http://tanjabauerle.com/">Tanja Bauerle</a> | Email: <a href="mailto:arizona-ra2@scbwi.org">arizona-ra2@scbwi.org</a>Assistant Regional Advisor – <a href="https://kchowrites.com/">Karen Chow</a> | Email: <a href="mailto:arizona-ara@scbwi.org">arizona-ara@scbwi.org</a>Illustrator Coordinator – <a href="http://simianbooks.com/index.html">Michael Hale</a> | Email: <a href="mailto:arizona-ic@scbwi.org">arizona-ic@scbwi.org</a>Regional Advisor Emeritus – Dawn Dixon, RAE

regional team members

Regional Volunteers Appointed by the Regional Advisor

Regional Volunteers Appointed by the Regional AdvisorP.A.L. Coordinator - <a href="https://kimtomsic.com/">Kim Tomsic</a> | Email: <a href="mailto:scbwi.az.palcoordinators@gmail.com">scbwi.az.palcoordinators@gmail.com</a>P.A.L. Coordinator - <a href="https://diannewrites.com/">Dianne White</a> | Email: <a href="mailto:scbwi.az.palcoordinators@gmail.com">scbwi.az.palcoordinators@gmail.com</a>Spark Coordinator - <a href="https://www.kathiemcmahon.com/">Kathie McMahon</a> | Email: <a href="mailto:scbwi.az.sparkcoordinators@gmail.com">scbwi.az.sparkcoordinators@gmail.com</a>Equity &amp; Inclusion Team Co-Leader - Susan Foss | Email: <a href="mailto:scbwi.az.ei@gmail.com">scbwi.az.ei@gmail.com</a>Equity &amp; Inclusion Team Co-Leader - <a href="https://kchowrites.com/">Karen Chow</a> | Email: <a href="mailto:scbwi.az.ei@gmail.com">scbwi.az.ei@gmail.com</a>KidLit Mingle Host Coordinator - <a href="https://www.kathiemcmahon.com/">Kathie McMahon</a> | Email: <a href="mailto:scbwiazklm@gmail.com">scbwiazklm@gmail.com</a>Social Media Coordinator - Susana Obando-Barquero

PC volunteers

KidLit Mingle Hosts

<h1>Regional Team Members</h1>
Appointed by SCBWI Headquarters
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<td style="width: 184px;"><a href="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/Sharon.jpg"><img class="wp-image-3366 size-thumbnail alignnone" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/Sharon-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></td>
<td style="width: 188px;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-5924 size-full" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/tanja-bauerle.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></td>
<td style="width: 188px;"><a href="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/MH-Profile-2019-res.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3364 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/MH-Profile-2019-res-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></td>
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<td style="width: 184px;">Regional Advisor – <a href="http://sharonskinner.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sharon Skinner</a></td>
<td style="width: 188px;">Assistant Regional Advisor – <a href="http://tanjabauerle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tanja Bauerle</a></td>
<td style="width: 188px;">Illustrator Coordinator – <a href="http://simianbooks.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Hale</a></td>
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<td style="width: 184px;">Regional Advisor Emeritus – Dawn Dixon, RAE</td>
<td style="width: 188px;"></td>
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<h1></h1>
<h1>Regional Volunteers</h1>
Appointed by the Regional Advisor
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<td style="width: 186px;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-5064 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2021/05/Kim-Headshot-One-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></td>
<td style="width: 178px;"><a href="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/Dianne.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3362 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/Dianne-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></td>
<td style="width: 185px;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-6238 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2023/03/KathieInformal-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></td>
<td style="width: 198px;"> <img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5291" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2021/10/unnamed-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></td>
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<td style="width: 186px;">P.A.L. Coordinator - <a href="https://kimtomsic.com/">Kim Tomsic</a></td>
<td style="width: 178px;">P.A.L. Coordinator - <a href="https://diannewrites.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dianne White</a></td>
<td style="width: 185px;">Spark Coordinator
Co-Lead - <a href="https://www.kathiemcmahon.com/">Kathie McMahon</a></td>
<td style="width: 198px;">Spark Coordinator Co-Lead - Shazia Rehman</td>
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<td style="width: 186px;"> <img class="alignnone wp-image-6238 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2023/03/KathieInformal-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></td>
<td style="width: 178px;"> <img class="alignnone wp-image-5139 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2020/10/Headshot-July-2021-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></td>
<td style="width: 185px;"> <img class="alignnone wp-image-5940 size-full" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/Ebonie-fields.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></td>
<td style="width: 198px;"> <img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-3404" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/Todd-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></td>
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<td style="width: 186px;">KidLit Mingle Host Coordinator - <a href="https://www.kathiemcmahon.com/">Kathie McMahon</a></td>
<td style="width: 178px;">Equity &amp; Inclusion Team Co-Leader - Fawzia Tung</td>
<td style="width: 185px;">Equity &amp; Inclusion Team Co-Leader - <a href="http://www.eboniepfields.com">Eboniè P. Fields</a></td>
<td style="width: 198px;"> Social Media Coordinator - Todd Gordon</td>
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<h1></h1>
<h1>KidLitMingle Hosts</h1>
Appointed by the Regional Advisor

(These meetings are open to all SCBWI AZ members regardless of location. They are held on Zoom)

&nbsp;
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<td style="width: 471.469px;" valign="top">First Saturdays: 8:30 am - 10:00 am  -  "Ask Us Anything" (formerly Tucson/N. Scottsdale Mingle)

Hosted by: Eric Boyd, Lori Alexander, and Allison Fraclose

<img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-3408" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/Lori-Alexander-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-3407" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/Eric-Boyd-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><img class="alignnone wp-image-5922 size-full" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/allison-fraclose.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />

This mingle is open to any kid lit topic. Bring us your questions about writing, revising, illustrating, querying, marketing, agents, editors...you name it! We have experience with board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult novels. This Mingle is informal with no set agenda, although we may from time to time include a mini craft lesson, writing prompt or other activity. We welcome pre-published and published writers and illustrators.</td>
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<td style="width: 471.469px;" valign="top">Second Wednesday: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm  -  "Graphic Novel Discussion Group" 

Hosted by: Michael Hale

<img class="alignnone wp-image-3364 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/MH-Profile-2019-res-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />

This mingle focuses on duscussions about Graphic Novels. If you are interested in learning about this format and how it fits into today's KidLit publishing world, join us and bring your questions. This Mingle is informal but there sometimes may be guest presenters. We welcome pre-published and published writers and illustrators.</td>
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<td style="width: 471.469px;" valign="top">

<hr />

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<td style="width: 471.469px;" valign="top">Third Thursday: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm  -  "Creatives Support Mingle" (formerly Flagstaff Mingle)

Hosted by: Jackee Alston

<img class="alignnone wp-image-5171 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/JackeeAlstonphotoCropped-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />

The Beatles said it best when they sang about "getting by with a little help from my friends." Every person needs a safe, supportive space when weathering the ups and downs of a creative life. Join our group to help inspire one another, connect with like-minded creatives, and soothe your imaginative soul. Discussion topics will include: refilling creative wells, mindfulness techniques for the rough days, recommended reading lists for a creative life, how to balance struggles and successes, how to deal with creative block, making space for the muse, strategies when dealing with imposter's syndrome, and collecting meaningful prompts to help get productivity back on track.</td>
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<td style="width: 471.469px;" valign="top">Third Saturdays: 9:00 am - 10:30 am  -  "Craft Club" (formerly East Valley Mingle)

Hosted by: Kathie McMahon

<img class="alignnone wp-image-6238 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2023/03/KathieInformal-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />

This mingle focuses on the writing craft. Different topics are discussed every month, such as Character Development, Plot Arc, Pacing, etc. We’ll also delve into the business side of things with discussions on how to search for an agent and writing a query letter. The format is somewhat of an informal presentation with notes, and plenty of time for questions, comments, and sharing of resources.</td>
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<td style="width: 471.469px;" valign="top">Fourth Thursday: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm  -  "Illustrator Meeting" 

Hosted by: Michael Hale

<img class="alignnone wp-image-3364 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/MH-Profile-2019-res-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />

This mingle focuses on the craft and industry of children's book illustration.  We welcome pre-published and published writers and illustrators.</td>
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<td style="width: 471.469px;" valign="top">

<hr />

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<td style="width: 471.469px;" valign="top">Fourth Saturdays: 9:00 am - 11: 00 am  -  "Show and Tell" (formerly West Valley Mingle)

Hosted by: Angela Morrison

<img class="alignnone wp-image-5534 size-thumbnail" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/files/2015/10/dsc1787rev-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />

During this mingle, creators share their work in a positive, caring forum. Writer’s read or have their WIPs read to them. Illustrators show their art. All the minglers have the opportunity to cheer, give helpful feedback, and work together to answer questions about your creations.</td>
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</td>
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<a href="https://arizona.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/10/files/2015/10/Unknown.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-650" src="https://arizona.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/10/files/2015/10/Unknown.jpeg" alt="Unknown" width="136" height="136" /></a>

&nbsp;

Member volunteers are recruited, appointed, and coordinated by the Regional Advisor.

Active member volunteers are integral to our region's success.

For details and to apply, please email <a href="mailto:arizona-ra@scbwi.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arizona-ra@scbwi.org</a> with the subject line SCBWI AZ Volunteer.

&nbsp;

KidLit Mingle Hosts appointed by the Regional AdvisorAsk Us Anything KidLit Mingle – <a href="https://www.lorialexanderbooks.com/">Lori Alexander</a>Ask Us Anything KidLit Mingle – Lucy MunguiaCraft Club KidLit Mingle - <a href="https://www.kathiemcmahon.com/">Kathie McMahon</a> Email: <a href="mailto:scbwiazklm@gmail.com">scbwiazklm@gmail.com</a>Book Look Mingle - Fawzia TungBook Look Mingle - Patricia Franz

KLM hosts

SCBWI Arizona Bulletin and Communications Team

Bulletin Team appointed by the Regional AdvisorSCBWI Arizona Bulletin Editor – <a href="https://kchowrites.com/">Karen Chow</a>SCBWI Arizona Bulletin Editor – Susana Obando-Barquero Member volunteers are recruited, appointed, and coordinated by the Regional Advisor.Active member volunteers are integral to our region's success.For details and to apply, please email <a href="mailto:arizona-ra@scbwi.org">arizona-ra@scbwi.org</a> with the subject line SCBWI AZ Volunteer.

SCBWI Arizona Bulletin Team

Our SCBWI AZ Team