The KSMO SCBWI Illustrator Mentorship for 2026 is with illustrator and local Kansas/Missouri SCBWI PAL member Charlie Mylie!
Who is eligible?
Applications open October 1-31, 2025 to any current KSMO SCBWI premium member with two or fewer traditionally published or under contract books for illustrations and who have not won a previous KSMO SCBWI mentorship.
What do you win?
This mentorship is offered to acknowledge pre-published and emerging regional illustrators’ exceptional illustrations and present an opportunity to receive feedback from a published illustrator on a current work in progress.
What can the winner expect?
In January 2026, the mentor will coordinate directly with the chosen mentee regarding how many pieces will be critiqued, how many revisions will be allowed, and whether meetings will be online, in person, by email, or phone. The mentor will provide feedback on your portfolio with specific comments to direction (is the portfolio focused and hire-able or lacking in direction), presentation (are the layouts presented well, could additional work related to a piece help to build that up), which pieces should the mentee consider dropping and which they should build upon. Up to 2 more meetings may occur at the discretion of the mentor during the 2026 calendar year.
This is not a guarantee of a hire-able portfolio and can be for an artist at any stage of their journey. The hope is to provide the mentee with direction for their ongoing path and a friendly voice for support and understanding!
About the Mentor:
From portraits done using a brush on a five foot pole, to museum concept art, and picture book creation, Charlie Mylie’s work takes many forms. For years he embodied the promise on a cardboard sign - “Yes it’s true! Pop Up Charlie can draw anything for you!” - and honed his playful style by painting thousands of on-the-spot watercolors for people across the country. It was on a 2017, 28 state tour of illustrative endurance, that Charlie sowed the seeds of his debut book, Something For You (released in fall of 2019 by FSG). Charlie worked extensively for The Rabbit hOle, the world's most amazing immersive museum dedicated to picture books - where he created visual conceptions for interactive exhibits, including a 100 year history panorama. He lives with his family in Kansas City and is making lots of books. You can read more about Charlie on his website.
Cost: Free to SCBWI Kansas and Missouri members
Applications Open: October 1, 2025
Deadline: October 31, 2025
Winner to be announced in December 2025!
How to Apply:
Email Michelle Lin and Andy Lozano at [email protected] with 3-5 illustrations from your portfolio. Please read and follow these guidelines carefully in order for your submission to receive full consideration.
1. Your illustration file needs to be sized at 72dpi, and saved as a jpg. The file name should include your initials, not your name. (e.g.: AEK_2025mentorship.jpg)
2. Include a brief bio in your submission email that lists publication credits, professional training, and what you hope to gain from the mentorship.
3. Include a 3-5 sentence statement explaining why you would like to illustrate for children.
4.Submissions should be sent to Andy Lozano at [email protected] between October 1st and October 31st, 2025. Your email subject line should read “2026 Illustration Mentorship Application”.
5. Failure to follow these guidelines will disqualify your application from consideration.