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.
Revising with Focus: The Thesis of the Novel with Meg Eden Kuyatt
Tuesday, July 7 at 5:30 p.m. MDT ❖ Once you've written a draft, it can be difficult to figure out where to go next. A range of people will provide feedback, but who is right? How do you go about discerning what to edit and what to keep the same? To effectively edit, it’s critical to identify a novel’s underlying argument—it’s heart. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the “thesis statement” approach to editing, looking at examples of novels’ “thesis statements,” as well as providing exercises to help you identify and hone in on your novel’s thesis. This webinar will be recorded and available to registered attendees for 30 days following the event.
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
Tackling the Imposter Phenomenon
The subjectivity of art and the low to non-existent financial rewards many kidlit creators reap creates a perfect breeding ground for professional fears. Does what I do matter? Will I ever get published? Am I good enough? For those who do achieve publication--and even financial and critical success--the fear lingers. This had to be a mistake. How long before people find realize I'm a fraud? Systemic barriers to people from marginalized communities amplify these emotions in creators who are already underrepresented in our profession, along with feelings of isolation. A frequently cited antidote to feelings of being an imposter is embracing community. Former literary agent Nathan Bransford writes, "If you find people who truly believe in you and your work: cherish these people like the articles of pure magic they are. Just as importantly: believe them." These may be people who create the same genre or style of art as you. They may be people facing similar publishing challenges due to life circumstances or identity. Connecting with people on a similar publishing journey can help you redefine your success as a creator.
Member News
Zia Book Award for Khadijah VanBrakle
Congratulations to Khadijah VanBrakle, whose sophomore novel, My Perfect Family, won the 2026 Zia Book Award for YA Books from NM Press Women! The 2026 Zia Award is for women authors of children's books who have a strong connection to New Mexico, through their settings, characters, and/or themes.
Caroline Starr Rose will represent NM at the National Book Festival!
Congratulations to Caroline Starr Rose, whose middle grade novel-in-verse The Burning Season has been selected by the New Mexico Center of the Book as the children's Great Reads title for 2026. It will represent New Mexico at the National Book Festival this August!
RJ Mirabal to present at Mesa Verde Literary Festival
RJ Mirabal has been accepted to present at the Mesa Verde Literary Festival which will include individual presentations by authors (some local, some traveling from all over the country) in restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, patios, and shops in downtown Mancos. RJ will discuss a topic related to his YA Dragon Train Quest Series. The day will also include panels on a variety of reading and writing topics and other events. The festival is free to the public. All are invited to enjoy the presentations. The day will include a festival bookstore, Hand in Hand Books & Bottles Shop so festival attendees can buy books from visiting authors—and have them signed. A Writers Conference will also be presented earlier on Sept. 2, 3, and 4 at a rustic campus two miles from town.
Book Launch: What We Have Tamed by G.S. Harrington
G.S. Harrington will be at Books on the Bosque on May 23rd at 2pm to discuss her new YA sci-fi What We Have Tamed, which includes ties to New Mexico's space history. An ASL Interpreter is provided. Come out and bring a friend!
Keep in touch
To inquire about local events, awards, or opportunities, please email { [email protected] }