SCBWI New Mexico
Welcome to the SCBWI New Mexico Creative Community!
SCBWI New Mexico is a committed community of children's book writers, illustrators, and translators located throughout the state of New Mexico and in the El Paso area of Texas. We are here to support one another on the arduous but joyful journey of creating children's books. Click through this carousel to see what's happening in the region, or scroll down the page to catch up on the latest news and resources.
Activism in Kidlit: Writing and Illustrating Big Topics with Lily Williams
When we want to write or make art about big topics, it can feel overwhelming to find an entry point into the information. Through her children's books, graphic novels, and short films, Lily Williams' award-winning work for kids has covered controversial topics like the trophic cascade, endangered species, habitat loss, climate change, menstruation, mental illness, and LGBTQIA+ issues. She will share her insights on finding a child-centered lens for complicated topics that adults find difficult to handle. This webinar will be recorded and available to registered attendees for 30 days.
Write Here, Write Now
Are you struggling to find dedicated time to write? Looking for like-minded folks and accountability? Our monthly writing group meets the last Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mountain Time at the North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center in Albuquerque and spends two hours writing. No prompts, required sharing, or critiquing– just writing.
Kidlit Community
Big Topics in Kidlit
This month, author/illustrator Lily Williams will be presenting a webinar for us to talk about writing and illustrating "Big Topics." Lily has written graphic novels and picture books on issues from puberty to environmental protection, as well as powerful comics about her experience with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and endometriosis. While adults sometimes balk at giving children books about big topics, many children are dealing with a big topic of their own. Seeing a difficult experience or troubling issue in a book allows children to process alongside characters, to reach a deeper understanding of themselves and their world, and to feel less alone or frightened. A huge thank you to all of the authors and illustrators who are creating books that open kids up to the diverse and complicated world and allow every child to see themselves and their reality in the pages of a book.
Member News
Bookworks Grandparents' Day Celebration with Khadijah VanBrakle, Laurel Goodluck, and Caroline Starr Rose
Join us for a Grandparents' Day celebration at Bookworks with our friends Khadijah VanBrakle, Laurel Goodluck, and Caroline Starr Rose. Enjoy book readings, an author panel discussion, and a Q&A with the authors followed by a book signing. Sunday, 9/7/2025 | 1:00pm Bookworks | 4022 Rio Grande Blvd NW Albuquerque, NM 87107-3100
Launch Party for Susan Metallo!
September 13 at 3:00 p.m. at Books on the Bosque, celebrate the launch of Reasons to Hate Me! | Susan is also excited to share that Reasons received a starred review from Publishers Weekly! PW writes, “Metallo balances acerbic comedy with insightful prose to present an intimate character study, told via blog posts, that follows an autistic theater kid’s attempts to navigate the aftermath of a friendship-ending error. [. . .] Characterization is a standout feature of this aching and self-aware novel; through Jess’s appealing first-person perspective, Metallo crafts interesting and realistic teens and adults, and offers a unique and nuanced view of an autistic teen experiencing high school.”
Author Event with Caroline Starr Rose
Please join Caroline Starr Rose for a reading and signing of THE BURNING SEASON, her newest verse novel, at Books on the Bosque Saturday, September 20 at 3:00pm. | ★ A girl-versus-nature story that shines with evocative verse, a compelling protagonist, and a brisk plotline. —Kirkus, starred review ★ Excellent pacing, an engrossing plot, and an endearing main character make this impossible to put down. A riveting survival story with emotional growth. — Booklist, starred review ★ The Burning Season is a masterful, memorable coming-of-age tale that sensitively explores the power and pressures of family legacy.— BookPage, starred review
SHE PERSISTED: DEB HAALAND selected for National Book Festival
What an honor from the New Mexico Library staff for Laurel Goodluck! She Persisted: Deb Haaland was chosen to represent New Mexico in the "Discover Great Places Through Reading" at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC, in September 2025. Congratulations, Laurie!
Keep in touch
To inquire about local events, awards, or opportunities, please email { [email protected] }