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Beltways and Bridges:

A KidLit Road Trip

Welcome to Beltways and Bridges, SCBWI Mid-Atlantic’s year-long program to help creators build confidence in their work and make stronger connections to our regional community.


Each season will introduce a new stop on our road trip. In September and October we offered craft intensives with award-winning authors from our own area to jumpstart our projects. As we head into the colder months, let's settle in for in-person and virtual write-ins and draw-ins and inspire each other to keep creating. In the spring, we’ll shift our focus to revision and preparing materials for submission.


The culmination of the program will be a day-long event with editors, agents, and other publishing professionals in April. Space will be limited for this event and attendees will have opportunities for mingling, pitching, and learning. 


While we might start on this road trip together, we know everyone’s journey is different and we hope Bridges to Beltways will meet you where you need it the most.


Stay tuned for more information about our spring events and in the meantime check out our upcoming fall/winter write-ins and draw-ins. 

Free Fall and Winter Write-Ins

Writing and illustrating books can be a solitary endeavor. But, working on your own project while surrounded by fellow creatives can help inspire productivity and motivation. Each write-in will start with a 30-minute inspirational talk and some goal-setting before we launch into work. Snacks will be provided! 


Interested in giving a 30-min inspirational talk at one of our write-ins? We're taking proposals until Aug 30th. Submit here!

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Richmond, VA

November 11th, 1-4pm at the Chesterfield County Public Library. Speaker: Author Ashley Wilda. Registration opens Oct 28.

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Northern VA

Dates and location to come!

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Virtual

More information soon!

Now Registering In-person Fall Craft Intensives!

Intensives are classroom sized sessions that allow for a deep-dive into an element of craft. Besides instruction, intensives can also include time for activities such as: drawing and writing exercises, group work, sharing, feedback, and discussion.

 

Everyone who registers for an intensive is encouraged to attend our lunch social from 12-1 pm to spend extra time with the faculty, meet creators with similar interests, and catch up with old friends. Lunch is included in tuition. 

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September 30: Reston, VA

Join us September 30 at the Reston Conference Center for a day full of craft sessions from rhyming picture books to mining your memories for more authentic writing to researching your next project and learning the skills to be a better illustrator.

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October 14: Charlottesville, VA

We're happy to offer a day of intensives in Charlottesville, VA, a beautiful location, especially in the fall, and a great place to find some inspiration. We hope to see you Oct 14 at the Hillsdale Conference Center.

Looking ahead to spring:

Stay tuned for more details!


Interested in speaking at one of our 2-hr spring intensives? Submit your proposal here!

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Spring Publishing Intensives

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Spring Revision Retreat

5/31-6/2 Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond, VA

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Editor and Agent Day

4/27 at the Holiday Inn Dulles, VA