Important dates:
August 31, 2026 – Last day for full refund
October 5, 2026 – Last day for partial refund
October 5, 2026 – Last day for discounted early-bird pricing
October 7, 2026 – Last day to book hotel for discounted price
November 6, 2026 – Last day for online registration
November 6, 2026 – Kick-Off at Books on the Bosque
November 7, 2026 – In-Person Conference Day
November 8, 2026 – Pitch Party Roundtable Add-On
Pricing and Registration
How much does the conference cost?
The conference kicks off at Books on the Bosque, November 6, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and continues Saturday, November 7 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Get a discount with early-bird pricing if you register by October 5, 2026.
Prices are:
Early Bird (by October 5, 2026)
$180 (members)/ $210 (preview users)
From October 6, 2026 until the conference date;
$195 (members)/ $225 (preview users)
What are my payment options?
You may pay via credit card with Stripe.
I’m registered. How can I access my registration?
After you have logged in to our website, you can access your registration details by clicking on the MEMBER HOME button in the top right corner, then clicking My Events in the menu on the left side of the page. A list with all the upcoming SCBWI events that you have registered for will appear. Choose the SCBWI-NM Handsprings Hybrid Conference 2026 to view your registration details.
I’m registered. How can I add to or change my registration?
You can change or add to your registration on the event page by clicking the "Register" button in the header. If you have technical difficulties, contact Lisa Honeycutt at [email protected]
What if I have to cancel?
We understand that situations change and things come up. If you have to cancel your reservation for the conference after you’re registered, you may get a full refund up to August 31, 2026 minus a $15 processing fee. After that, you may receive a 50% refund until October 5, 2026 (minus a $15 processing fee). There will be NO refunds for critiques, portfolio reviews, or the pitch roundtable as we commit to pay our faculty for those services per registration.
Logistics and Details
Where is the conference being held?
The SCBWI-NM Handsprings Conference is being held at CNM Workforce Training Center.
I’m coming from out of town. Where should I stay?
SCBWI New Mexico has a block of discounted rooms at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 5401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, priced at $129 a night, not including tax and fees. To book a room, call 505.307-8491 during the business hours of M-F 8:00-4:00, or call the main hotel line anytime (505-797-2291) and ask for the SCBWI Conference rate. The last day to book rooms at the discount price is October 31, 2026.
Is food included at the in-person conference?
Light breakfast baked goods, coffee, tea, water, and snacks will be provided on Saturday at no extra cost. When you register, you will have the option to select a box lunch for $21.50 or opt to bring your own bag lunch.
What should I do if I have special dietary needs?
In the interest of your safety and comfort, if you have food allergies or severe sensitivities, we encourage you to bring your own lunch as we cannot guarantee that the catered box lunches have not come in contact with ingredients that are problematic for you. If you are comfortable ordering catering with modifications, please contact [email protected] and we will do our best to help facilitate your order.
What is your COVID policy?
We recommend attendees check current CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 and/or any public health concern.
Why is there no virtual option this year?
Unfortunately, our Regional Advisor needed to step down during planning and we were unable to find a volunteer willing to coordinate the AV required to offer virtual sessions.
Sessions
What is the "Pitch Party Roundtable"?
The Pitch Party on Sunday afternoon is an opportunity to verbally pitch a project in 90 seconds to a panel of five acquiring agents. Pitchers will not receive feedback, but the agents will request materials from anyone whose pitch connects with them. The cost for this extra session is $20 (members) or $35 (non-members/preview).
Is there time for socializing and reflection?
Yes! We have set aside a long lunch on Saturday for socializing, reflecting, or sketching and writing. The Kick-Off Party on Friday evening will also be informal and allow for socialization.
Will the conference be recorded?
No. This year no sessions will be recorded, due to a lack of AV support.
Critiques, Pitches, and Submissions
How do I submit to conference faculty?
Attendees will be invited to submit to all of our agent faculty, including Pitch Party faculty. You will receive submission instructions over the conference weekend.
What are the critique options for authors and illustrators?
Attendees will have the option of purchasing a critique with a live feedback session from our in-person faculty member, Stephanie Fretwell-Hill of Red Fox Literary. You will receive your critique in writing the day of the conference and be assigned a time during our lunch break to meet with Stephanie one-on-one for 15 minutes to discuss your work. Manuscripts and portfolios are limited to 10 double-spaced pages OR one picture book manuscript/dummy. Manuscripts must be delivered via email ([email protected]) by October 6, 2026. Critiques cost $85.
What are the pitch opportunities at the conference?
Any attendee may purchase a Pitch Party Roundtable time slot for $20 (members) or $35 (non-members/preview) to pitch to five literary agents at once. Alternatively or additionally, all of our agent faculty including Stephanie Fretwell-Hill will be open to queries from attendees for at least 30 days following the conference.
Miscellaneous
I’m published. How can I get my book in the conference bookstore?
All attendees with published books are eligible to sell their books on consignment at our Kick-Off at Books on the Bosque on Friday, November 6 from 5-7 p.m., regardless of whether your books are traditionally or self-published. Email a list of works you wish to sell on consignment to [email protected] before October 1, 2026 and we will send you a contract with sale details. All contracts must be signed and returned by October 5, 2026 or you may not sell books at this event.
Can I blog about and/or record parts of the conference?
By registering for this conference, you acknowledge that audio taping, video-taping and/or transmitting or aiding in any of the foregoing of any part of the conference (including, but not limited to, presentations, individual sessions, and networking events) is prohibited. Additionally, the material in all handouts and presentations is copyrighted and may not be reprinted, blogged, written, orally transmitted, and/or reproduced without written permission of the copyright holder only. If you are found in violation of the above, SCBWI reserves the right to remove you from the conference and bar you from attending future conferences.
While we love when bloggers share thoughts about their overall experience, offer a personal anecdote, and/or briefly talk about something that resonated with them, it is equally important that bloggers not give away that which is not theirs to give. The fair use policy issued by SCBWI above refers to speakers’ rights, authors’ rights, and illustrators’ rights, under any circumstances, and it pertains to the content of our speakers’ talks, workshops, and/or handouts. This falls into the category of protecting intellectual property. Again, personal impressions, a quote that is cited, and/or a general overview would be considerate. However, it would be a breach of copyright law to give away a detailed report of a presenter’s material. Thank you in advance for taking this policy into account. Your professionalism is greatly appreciated.
Is there an anti-harassment policy for the conference?
Yes! SCBWI has an anti-harassment policy that ALL attendees, volunteers, and faculty must agree to before they can attend. You can read it here. Additionally, if you have any issues during the conference, please see any Regional Team member and they will help.
Are weapons allowed at the conference?
It is the policy of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators to maintain an environment that is safe for all persons. To achieve this objective, it is the SCBWI’s policy to maintain a firearms and weapons free environment at all of our events and prohibit the possession of firearms and weapons regardless of any license or permit that an individual may have which would otherwise authorize the individual to carry firearms or weapons. Weapons are defined as anything that is intended to cause harm to another person.
This does not answer all my questions. Who can I ask for more information?
If you have any other questions, please email the New Mexico Regional Team at [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you in November!