Oregon Regional events

SCBWI Oregon: Level Up! with Mark Fearing (March 25th; 7pm PST)

THE NOVELTY OF GRAPHIC NOVELS ⭐ This webinar will take a brief look at the history of graphic novels and the current expectations of the format. Then we will pop-the-hood on workflows and techniques. Using many examples, we will look at the why/how they work in practice by examining pacing, art style, and the larger issues of telling stories across panels. I present a historically grounded approach to the format from a technical and artistic POV, plus how other artists and writers have approached this rapidly evolving format. I desire to see richer graphic novel experiences for young readers and an expanded focus on what’s offered. You’ll come away inspired to push your creativity in this format with an expanded understanding of the fundamentals. ⭐ Hi, I’m Mark. I grew up in Minnesota, received a BFA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and continued studies at the Graduate School of Film at UCLA. Working in design, illustration and animation, I was a manager at Walt Disney Television Animation, an art director for Sony Online Entertainment and a creative director at Pearson Television. My writing and illustrations have been published by Penguin Books for Young Readers, Candlewick Press, Hyperion, Chronicle Books, Knopf and a few others I can’t think of right now. ⭐ This one-hour webinar will take place Wednesday, March 25, at 7pm PST. A recording will be available for 30 days afterwards to registered attendees. Don’t miss it! Registration closes March 22nd.

SCBWI Oregon: Level Up! with Cindy Baldwin (April 23rd; 6:30pm PST)

NO PLOT, JUST VIBES ⭐ Are you the kind of writer who goes into a story with no idea of what's actually going to happen, but a strong grasp of the vibe you want to capture? Are you a reader who likes to save witchy reads for October and summery reads for July? Have you ever argued with someone about whether every scene in a book REALLY needs to move the action forward, or how much plot a book ACTUALLY needs? Then this is the class for you! I've made my career as a vibes-based writer who has also learned to write a strong enough plot to get a book through the publishing gatekeepers. In this class, I'll teach you how to go from "vibe" to "real book." ⭐ Cindy Baldwin is a disability activist and the award-winning author of many books for children, including WHERE THE WATERMELONS GROW, NO MATTER THE DISTANCE, and THE DRAGON IN THE SEWER. She has taught, mentored, and critiqued for Pitch Wars, We Need Diverse Books, Storymakers, and SCBWI. She lives in Hillsboro with her husband and daughter. ⭐ This one-hour webinar will take place Thursday, April 23, at 6:30pm PST. A recording will be available for 30 days afterwards to registered attendees. Don’t miss it! Registration closes April 20th.

SCBWI Oregon: Spring Conference 2026 - Inventing Wonder, Creating Hope