Illinois' Mentorships

SCBWI-IL offers fee-free member mentorships & scholarships. Mentorships are supported by SCBWI-IL event attendance fees. If you would like to make a donation to support any of these mentorships, please contact Co-Regional Advisor, Deborah Topolski.

FOR MEMBERS

Laura Crawford Memorial Mentorship

2024 Mentor: Lisa Katzenberger

Take advantage of this career-changing opportunity! Ready your picture book or chapter book manuscript for editorial submission and publication while growing professionally alongside storied Illinois mentor, Lisa Katzenberger.

SCBWI-IL Illustrator Mentorship

Elevate your children's picture book illustration journey. Applications for the SCBWI-IL Illustrator Mentorship will open in 2026. This incredible opportunity will take your illustration skills to new heights and is a gateway to growth and development as an illustrator for the children's book industry.

REGIONAL EVENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Becky Mabry Memorial Scholarship to WORDS

Prairie Writer's & Illustrator's Day Scholarship

Elizabeth Fama PWID Scholarship

EQUITY & INCLUSION INITIATIVES

Many Voices Prize

The 2025 Many Voices Prize

The Many Voices Prize celebrates an exemplary Work-In-Progress from a SCBWI-Illinois member. The winner receives a written critique AND a 30-minute Zoom with a literary agent who champions diverse voices.

Illinois' Mentorships

FOR MEMBERS

Laura Crawford Memorial Mentorship

2024 Mentor: Lisa Katzenberger

SCBWI-IL Illustrator Mentorship

SCBWI-IL Illustrator Mentorship

REGIONAL EVENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Becky Mabry Memorial Scholarship to WORDS

Prairie Writer's & Illustrator's Day Scholarship

Elizabeth Fama PWID Scholarship

EQUITY & INCLUSION INITIATIVES

Many Voices Prize

The 2025 Many Voices Prize

Diverse New Member Pathway

Many Voices Work-in-Progress Mentorship

FOR VOLUNTEERS

Kathering O'Connor Memorial Scholarship to PWID