SCBWI Houston

We are the Houston Region of SCBWI which covers the greater Houston metro area and surrounding counties. 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!

Calling Houston-area MG & YA writers! Our mentorship program pairs emerging writers with experienced mentors for 8 sessions over one year. Two spots available starting March 2026. Application Deadline: Feb 22, 2026 Mentees Announced: March 15, 2026 Ready to take your manuscript to the next level?

Every agent, editor, and writing teacher will share specific “rules” you must follow to sell your manuscript: don't rhyme, don't try to teach a lesson, and never, ever write a story about a kid who won't eat his vegetables. But why do we have these rules? And more importantly, when can you break them? This workshop will help writers better understand what agents and editors are looking for, and what they can do to improve both their storytelling and their chances at getting published. Plus, a little extra mindset support for when writers need some magic.

Every would-be author or illustrator has faced rejection in their quest to find a literary agent and/or land a book deal. Those passes can tear you down or propel you towards achieving your goals. Author Susan Johnston Taylor will share the sanity-saving strategies she used over her seven years(!) in the query trenches. Want to hear how she sold her first two books to a publisher without an agent? Or see examples of other authors using rejection art to keep their creative spark alive? Don't miss this candid discussion on dealing with rejection.

Transform your story to a Graphic Novel

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!

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!

Arrive at the meeting an hour early and bring your first five pages