Texas: Austin Regional events

COMMUNITY EVENT: A day at the Austin Zoo! NEW DATE: June 6th

NEW DATE: June 6th, 11-3pm! Watch stories come to life as local authors and illustrators sketch animals, dream up playful tales, and read children’s books inspired by the sights and sounds around them! Did you know? The Austin Zoo is a rescue zoo, working to care and rehabilitate animals!

JUNE MONTHLY MEETING: Things I Wish I Knew from Day One, from PB Author Glenn Hightower

In Things I Wish I Knew from Day One, picture book author Glenn Hightower shares the lessons, missteps, and hard-earned insights he wishes he’d had at the start of his writing journey. Drawing from his path from railroad engineer to traditionally published author, Glenn offers practical advice, honest reflections, and encouragement for writers at any stage. This presentation demystifies the picture book process while emphasizing perseverance, purpose, and passion. Attendees will leave inspired, informed, and better equipped to navigate their own creative paths.

JUNE WEBINAR SERIES: Comp Titles & Query Wrangling 101

June brings you back-to-back webinars, in-person & online + recordings! 6/16: Beyond "X Meets Y": Crafting Effective Comp Titles & 6/18: Query Wrangling 101: A Systematic Approach to Submission Sanity

JULY MONTHLY MEETING: Writing By Mosaic: A Different Method of Tackling Your Work In Progress

When Lindsey Lane walked into an exhibit of the American artist Jack Whitten’s huge slab paintings composed of tiny bits of colored glass, rock and ceramic, she was struck by how these luminescent fragments inform the whole. As our scenes do when we are writing. Lindsey’s Writing by Mosaic technique helps writers unearth the soft data points that make for a rich, emotionally engaging story, which is what all readers want. Please join Lindsey as she describes how she developed Writing By Mosaic as a method to tackle your work in progress.

BOOTCAMP: Kill your darlings! Self-editing & critiquing others - for novel, PB, and illustration

Our 3rd Bootcamp for 2026 is here to help you start revising your work! We have some incredible faculty ready to take you on your revision journey from understanding your first draft, learnings along the way, and understanding how to interpret & implement feedback. Additional AMA, pitch, zoom, and critique sessions available in limited supply.

AUGUST MONTHLY MEETING: Behind the Process: Turning Illustrations into Event & Online Merch

Get an inside look at the illustrator’s creative process: from early concepts and polished artwork to finished merch for both in-person events and online shops. Learn practical tips for preparing files, choosing products, creating a cohesive collection, and navigating the vending landscape. Perfect for illustrators ready to explore new ways to share and sell their work.

2026 Austin SCBWI Mini MFA Conference: Community, Passion, and the Persistence of Art

OCTOBER MONTHLY MEETING: Deaf author's journey

In this presentation, deaf author Karlie Waldrip shares her journey of discovering her voice on the page and in the world. She reflects on how writing her own identity has shaped her stories and strengthened her connection to young readers. Through personal experience, she highlights why diverse representation in kidlit is not just meaningful but necessary. Attendees will leave inspired to champion stories that let every child see themselves and imagine beyond.