Illinois Regional events
Serious about improving your craft? SCBWI's regional events provide opportunities for professional growth and help you connect with a supportive, creative community.
2025 Illinois Spring Thaw: WELCOME TO WONDERLAND
May 09, 2025 - Jun 30, 2025
7 event
Online event
Available seats 0
Our Region welcomes you to wonderland in this hybrid pitch program for on-the-cusp authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators! Registration opens March 11th at noon CDT—limited attendance for maximum feedback opportunities. Select Through the Looking Glass Online Chat + In-Person Teacup Table at Barbara Belding Lodge in St. Charles, IL OR Through the Looking Glass Online Chat + Written Cozy Critiques.
Spring Thaw Only - Pitch and Prune
May 13, 2025 - Jun 30, 2025
1 event
Online event
Available seats 8
FOR SPRING THAW ATTENDEES ONLY - Choose to add an additional Pitch & Prune with the different industry professional of your choice for $55. Your Pitch & Prune consists of 3 written pitches and 3 first pages, submitted electronically by May 20th. See GUIDELINES PAGE for formatting and submission due dates. Written Reflections returned 6/30. Select your additional professional written feedback below. Recommended that you select an agent or editor DIFFERENT from the one you chose for Cozy Critique or Teacup Table.
2025 Illinois Spring Recordings BY REQUEST
May 25, 2025 - Jun 26, 2025
8 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Select from our list of available recordings, below, to register to view those recordings for a small convenience fee. Convenience fees support SCBWI-IL LIVE | FREE events and free-to-apply mentorships & scholarships.
2025 SCBWI-IL Community Gardens: Fall Harvest
Sep 21, 2025
14 event
Online event
Available seats 240
It’s harvest time in the community garden! Our one-day online conference is designed to help you cultivate deeper industry roots, sow seeds for future connections, and gather the tools you need to grow your creative career as an author, illustrator, or both! Join us on Sunday, September 21, 2025 for two workshops lead by agent Mary Cummings, one industry panel of agents and editors to equip you with the skills to nurture and harvest meaningful relationships, and time to grow in our Garden Box Breakout sessions. Plus, opportunities to dig deeper with optional 1:1 critique sessions or 1:1 Ask-Me-Anything sessions. Whether you’re planting your first manuscript or tending a well-established story, Fall Harvest is a place to learn, share, and gather together in creative community. Let’s grow something beautiful—together.