Oregon - Regional Team

Laura wrote her first picture book in high school, “My Tummy Grumble,” but never considered writing professionally. Based on her first attempt, she believes that was a good thing. That all changed in 2005 when she joined the SCBWI. She now writes picture books and young adult novels and has sold her work to Highlights and The Friend magazines. She has 5 children, 2 cats, 1 husband, and no room left on her bookshelves. 📧 Contact: [email protected].

Robin is a multidisciplinary artist-educator: designer of stage and sculptural costumes, theater sets and museum exhibits. As the founder of Earth Arts NW (an eco-arts education project), she guided thousands of kids through the process of creating and sharing original stories, plays, and songs. She is a published author and illustrator and now supports the work of other artists through Dreaming Earth Press. 📧 Contact: [email protected].

Having grown up among artists and playing in the creeks and woods around her home, Jordan Kim has always had deep love for both art and the outdoors. She holds an advanced degree in environmental management and worked for many years as an ecologist before turning her attention full time to her art business, Found & Rewound. Jordan makes paper collages with a twist. She uses re-purposed paper to create intricate collages and often incorporates hidden messages into her art. Her mission is to inspire us to honor our connection to each other and the natural world. Jordan makes commissioned collages, illustrates books, and teach classes that incorporate ecology and the arts. Her debut picture book as an illustrator I AM THE THIRSTY DESERT, written by Darcy Pattison, was published in March of 2023. It was named a Children's Book Council Hot off the Press Book and received the Eureka! Honors Award for Nonfiction Picture Books. Jordan lives in Parkdale, Oregon. You can learn more about Jordan, her artwork, and classes on her website at www.foundandrewound.com. 📧 Contact: [email protected]

Like so many others during the pandemic Nicole thought, “Now’s the time to write that picture book I’ve always wanted to write!” And like so many other aspiring writers and illustrators, she learned very quickly—­­it’s no easy task. But it’s a task made easier when you find community. And one of the best ways Nicole found a sense of community was in a critique group. That’s why she is excited to help connect SCBWI members so they can find the group that’s right for them. 📧 Contact: [email protected].

Leigh has always had kidlit sensibilities. Her technical writing certificate brochure project was for a cat retreat called Rainforest Rendezvous. For the price of some mice, cats could tour rare and fabulous fish ferns, master the art of catatonics, and learn tricks of the trade from the big cats. No one knew quite what to make of it. After writing for politics and a design-build firm, she turned to writing picture books full time. Leigh loves how critique groups bring kindred spirits together and is excited to help members find their good fits. When not writing, or meeting with her raucously rowdy critique group, she enjoys interior design, house projects, and hitting yard-estate sales. 📧 Contact: [email protected].

Lia found her inspiration to write for children through a lifelong love of children’s books, creating rhyming greeting cards and poems at an early age, and reading children’s books to her own two children. She has a blooming portfolio of whimsical rhyming and prose manuscripts waiting to be shared. She lives with her husband, two dogs, and two cats in Portland, Oregon. When she’s not writing, she helps people get back on their feet as a Physical Therapist Assistant. 📧 Contact: [email protected]

This position is open! If you are interested in volunteering, click on “Additional Info” above to find out how to volunteer. The Write Direction Coordinator facilitates communication between the Regional Team and Write Direction Leaders, answers leader and member questions, and serves on the Advisory Committee. 📧 Email [email protected] for more info.

This position is open! If you are interested in volunteering, click on “Additional Info” above to find out how to volunteer. The Publicity Coordinator uses social media channels to promote events, communicate other information to followers, and serves on the Advisory Committee. A familiarity with our platforms (IG, Facebook, Bluesky) is preferred📧 Email [email protected] for more info.

Teresa lives in Newberg, where she watches coyotes hunt, looks under rocks, and pokes things with sticks. Her favorite things are kids’ imaginations, nature, music, writing, and of course, her family. A SCBWI picnic conversation led her to submit her manuscript to Scholastic Teaching Resources, which published two writing prompt books. Later a conversation at a SCBWI retreat turned her attention to nonfiction and then “work for hire.” She now has twelve more titles under her belt, with two more on the way. She can’t believe she gets paid to learn and write about all these cool animals! Find her on Instagram @teresaklepinger. 📧 Contact: [email protected]

Becky is an aspiring Author/Illustrator. She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a minor in Mathematics, and a certificate in Learning Experience Design. She is a former Montessori educator, a math nerd, and a mom. In between working on her writing and art skills, she loves reading aloud to borrowed children, cooking, and spending time with her family. 📧 Contact: [email protected]

This position is open! If you are interested in volunteering, click on “Additional Info” above to find out how to volunteer. The Write Direction Coordinator facilitates communication between the Regional Team and Write Direction Leaders, answers leader and member questions, and serves on the Advisory Committee. 📧 Email [email protected] for more info.