Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia 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.
Zoom Social Series
Sep 01, 2025 - Dec 30, 2025
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
A FREE online social for SCBWI Members hosted by MD/DE/WV Illustrator Coordinator Mirka Hokkanen. Geared mostly for illustrators, but authors welcome to jump in too. Hop on zoom to build community with fellow kidlit creators. Ask questions, share wins, ask for feedback on a piece you are working on. These sessions will not be recorded.
Squaring Up For School Visits Panel with Valerie Bolling, Jonathan Roth, and Alexis O’Neill
Sep 11, 2025
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
School visits offer a great way for authors and/or illustrators to connect with children, and they can also provide an opportunity to sell your books. This webinar is designed to address all the FAQ’s related to such events. Panelists will address keys to successful school visits while providing valuable information designed to help you get new or increased opportunities. Each will present on an aspect of school visits for about 20 minutes. VALERIE BOLLING will address things KidLit creators should consider before contacting schools to propose a visit such as: · What grade level would you like to visit? · What setting would work best for you (whole school, multiple classes, or one class at a time)? · What specific program choices will you offer? · Will you offer only full-day visits, or are you open to half-day visits or even a single session? · Are you open to both in-person and virtual visits? Valerie will respond to these questions as well as others that will be helpful to you as you prepare to visit schools. JONATHAN ROTH will give tips about how building your network can help you get invited to schools. ALEXIS O'NEILL will address how to shape a presentation and share teachers’ comments on what they especially appreciate in an author or illustrator appearance. A Q&A will follow the presentations. Come prepared to learn, and get needed information to begin filling your school visits calendar!
Typography Can Make or Break Your Picture Book Dummy with Brian Larossa
Nov 03, 2025
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Creating a picture-book-dummy is the first step toward publishing a book that could have a profound impact on a child’s life. Picture-book-dummies are reviewed in-house by professional editors and art directors who have deep experience with the craft of constructing books. Don’t let your heartfelt storytelling and art be upstaged by novice typography and book design. In this talk we’ll go deep, but not too deep. After all, you’re aiming to become published, not to become a professional book designer. Instead, a carefully curated selection of just-right best-practices and pro-tips have been packaged specifically with author/illustrators in mind. Learn to make your picture-book-dummies shine!