SCBWI Houston

We are the Houston Region of SCBWI which stretches from the Louisiana border all the way to Brownsville and includes greater Houston metro area. As a professional organization, our chapter prides itself on being warm, welcoming, and fun! If you are passionate about writing, illustrating, or translating books for children and young adults, you've come to the right place!

This month is a little different. It's like Christmas in May, but even better! We'll all get a chance to catch up with each other, eat, play, and, if you need new professional headshots, we've arranged for a photographer to deliver four stunning photos for an outrageously low price. Since there are only 12 spots (er, WERE only 12 - some have already been grabbed up from our Discord!), and since no money can exchange hands during our meetings, if you want to sign up, do it quickly and pay in advance. The sign up link (and the photographer's website) will be in your meeting notes. If you have any troubles, email Jennie Smith @[email protected]

This is not a conference! It's a retreat with hands-on workshops. Prepare to work! So join us for an one-of-a-kind online experience designed to fuel your imagination, strengthen your skills, and bring your stories to life. Whether you’re drafting your next picture book, refining an illustration, or searching for inspiration, this retreat is your digital oasis for creative breakthroughs.

"Marty presented to my class during world read aloud day. It's months later, and the kids are still talking about his presentation!" -Kaye Marc-Charles ✨ How does Marty Chan inspire kids to write with his in-person and virtual school visits? Join us this July 9th to learn how to increase engagement during kids in presentations, like school visits. Learn how to utilize games, how to illustrate concepts in a way that capture the attention of even the reluctant student. Let Marty show you how to structure your visit in a way that brings your presentation to life and gets you invited back again and again. Learn how to give them something to remember!

Join your fellow creatives to work together in a motivating ONLINE setting with optional challenge prompts and music or you can mute us while you work in solitude knowing your people are working too! This is a great opportunity to build your accountability group, make friends and get projects accomplished!

We have an unique selection of 4 or more writing/drawing prompts that are meant to make your creativity lift-off! Come in for 30 minutes of quiet writing/drawing time and 30 minutes of sharing. You will be surprised where these prompts take you! We meet the second Tuesday of every month at 6pm CST! Save the zoom link because it won't change!

Review Robert's exploration of Character Design for Illustration and character driven storytelling, available until May 20, 2025.

Angie Kay Dilmore's literary journey began in 2000 when she took a Writing for Children class at a community college in her hometown, Pittsburgh, Pa. There, she discovered the SCBWI, joined the Western Pennsylvania chapter, and participated in a kid-lit critique group. In 2007, Angie and her family relocated to Southwest Louisiana. Major culture shock! While overwhelmed, she was also enchanted with her new home state and fascinated by all that was different and unique – the language, landscape, music, food, flora and fauna. In 2008, she wrote her debut children's book, Bedtime Lullabayou, set to release April 1, 2025. Angie has sold stories to Highlight’s for Children, articles to Clubhouse/Clubhouse Jr., and was a regular contributor to Boys’ Life magazine for over a decade.

Jen Cole grew up in Kingwood, Texas where she developed an early love for sports and animals. She attended Texas A&M University where she received a degree in Biomedical Science, competed for its division I tennis team, and continued her education at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She and her husband, Wil, currently reside in The Woodlands, Texas, have three children, and have practiced small animal medicine for over 25 years. After retiring from practice, Jen decided to tap into her creative side and combine her love of writing with her love of caring for animals.

Jennifer started her writing journey after becoming a lover of books and reading all her life. Her grandmother gave her the reading bug, as she was always reading and had a house covered with books. Books were an adventure into another world, and an escape from reality at times. Even in her teenage years, when most people were out on the town, you would find her at home with her nose stuck in a book. Her first children's book, Adalyn's Little Purse of Love & Kindness, showed ideas of love and kindness from experiences in her life.

Katherine Briggs crafted her first monster story at age three. Since graduating from crayons to laptop, she continues to devour and weave fantasy tales while enjoying chai tea. She, her co-adventurer husband, and rescue dog reside outside Houston, where she classically educates amazing middle school students, teaches ESL to adults, and enjoys studying other languages. Find her on Instagram @katherinebriggs_author

Caroline Leech is Scottish/Texan young adult author, podcaster, and coach. Her historical YA novels, WAIT FOR ME and IN ANOTHER TIME, are published by HarperCollins and both set in Scotland during World War Two. Having learned so much about the publishing world over the last 14 years, especially from her SCBWI network at conferences and meetings, Caroline is now also a coach, speaker and podcaster. She is helping published and prospective authors develop their writing craft, understand the querying and publication processes, and develop key strategies for presenting themselves and promoting their books to audiences with confidence and professionalism. On her podcast, Authors & Audiences, Caroline interviews a wide range of authors, booksellers, librarians and publishing professionals, and earlier this summer, Caroline presented two PAL workshops at the All Texas SCBWI Conference.

Cathey Nickell is a Houston-based elementary school speaker and author of two indie picture books: Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car and Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn. This has offered her the opportunity to present about writing, inspiration, and creativity at more than 150 elementary schools, bookstores, and children’s museums in Texas, Louisiana, and other states. She is also sometimes asked to speak at writer's workshops and local women's clubs, which she jokingly refers to as her "grownup talks," noting that kids are an easier audience. When she's not writing or presenting to children, you might find her showing off by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance … in Latin! Cathey has a background in journalism and public relations, a Master of Arts, and is now writing middle grade novels that she hopes to someday see on bookshelves. She's a proud member of SCBWI, IBPA, and the Writers League of Texas; she is represented by her fantastic literary agent, Keely Boeving of WordServe Literary.

Sydney Dunlap is an award-winning author and former elementary school teacher who has worked with at-risk youth in a variety of settings. She enjoys reading and writing heartfelt, hopeful fiction that expands young readers’ awareness of tough topics. She is a published poet and has also written for a newspaper. Her debut contemporary middle grade novel, It Happened on Saturday, is the recipient of a gold medal in the Moonbeam Book Awards and is listed on School Library Journal's Mock Newbery blog. It is also featured in Kirkus as promoting children's mental health and has been chosen for an all-community read in Virginia. When she's not writing, Sydney is likely tutoring a student, walking her dog, or spending time with friends and family. She is represented by Ann Rose at Tobias Literary Agency.

TONYA DUNCAN ELLIS is author of the award-winning, 13-book, SOPHIE WASHINGTON children’s chapter series and THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM (HarperCollins, Balzer + Bray, 2024). She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, and the Brown Bookshelf’s Highlights Foundation-sponsored Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort. Tonya has spoken and taught at writing conferences at the Highlights Foundation and for SCBWI in New York City and for SCBWI Houston and Austin, TX chapters. A former journalist and freelance magazine writer, she holds a BA degree in French from Centre College of Kentucky and an MBA degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Tonya is represented by Sara Megibow of kt Literary. She lives in Houston, Texas and is married with three children.

Kacy Ritter is a fantasy geek and author of The Great Texas Dragon Race (Clarion/HarperCollins). She has lived all across the Lone Star State and holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of North Texas. Her upcoming release, Elvira Vance and the Marfa Monster Mystery, promises another tall Texas tale for middle grade readers and is forthcoming from HarperCollins Children's in 2025. Kacy's debut earned a starred Publishers Weekly review, was a Cybils award nominee, and was selected for the 2024 Spirit of Texas Reading Program by the Texas Library Association. She daylights as a marketing professional and loves writing at the intersection of fantasy and Texas Americana.

"Since I can remember, I’ve always loved to draw. My dad handed me a Pentax K1000 when I was a kid, and I never looked back. I went to art school in search of how to combine my beloved mediums, where I earned a BFA in photography & digital media. You could say I'm a photographer with a doodling problem."

Michelle is a Case Manager working with an agency that helps house homeless families. But although her work is serious, she loves making silly illustrations! A lifelong doodler who is just now getting comfortable with her iPad and Procreate, she has been working on improving her backgrounds and incorporating more vibrant color palates into her work. She serves as the New Member Coordinator for the Houston SCBWI chapter, hosts a monthly picture book study, and never gets tired of talking about kidlit topics. She has written a handful of picture book manuscripts but is currently working on a chapter book loosely about her small (and strange) hometown.

Kris Durán is an illustrator who grew up by the sea in Venezuela. For many years, Kris worked as an architect until one day she realized she was tired of drawing straight lines for a living. She received an MFA in Illustration at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and has been telling stories with her art ever since. She and her husband live outside of Houston, Texas.

Paula Rodriguez is a Colombian illustrator living in the wild state of Texas. Her passion for illustration started in middle school when she used to draw short comics with her best friend during classes–often using the back pages of her math notebook as her canvas. As an artist and former ballet dancer, she always found storytelling captivating and the essence of creativity. Paula is a believer that true joy comes from a genuine connection with ourselves and embracing playfulness. For her, illustration is not only about inspiring children but also about helping adults reconnect with their inner child and honoring that connection. When Paula isn’t making art, you will see her walking with her husband and dog Mango, playing video games, and spending time with her adorable nephews.

Lisa spent her childhood chasing two little brothers, producing front lawn fashion shows, and biking to her local pet store. Now, Lisa spends her days illustrating mischievous, carefree, and charming characters for young readers. When she’s not whipping up stories in her home studio in Houston, you can find her watching reruns with her husband, losing at boardgames with her two daughters, and having staring contests with the cat.

Jennie is a wife of 34 years, mother of 3 grown kids and grandmother of 3! She is “that first grade teacher” that would rather sit at the kid’s table than with the adults! Jennie loves camping, crafting and genuine people! A mixed media artist by choice, she's never met an art supply she didn’t want to try or buy, but prefer her watercolors and graphite/pen and ink compositions. Jennie has spent a lot of time creating for her friends and family but she is currently launching what she hopes to be her next career as a promising illustrator/author! Born in Colorado, lived everywhere, but she will forever call Texas her home. Actively seeking representation and open for creative opportunities!

Noel Morales is a Houston based illustrator and designer with roots from Chicago. He is also a former high school art teacher. He is inspired by comics, animation, and all things from pop culture. Noel loves working with graphite to inspire his digital illustrations. His goal is to have viewers have fun looking at his work through his use of movement, color, balance, and proportion.

Katie is an author/illustrator who loves making beautiful books. Katie grew up in Rhode Island, but now lives in Texas with a wonderful husband and three inspiring kids. They all love adventures, art, bikes, books, baking bread, camping, climbing, faith, family, gardening, music, and road trips. On most days you can find her out riding bikes or hanging out with the neighbors. The house is rarely tidy, but the door is always open if you're looking for a friend, a snack, or a chat about children's books.