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: oregon-ra2@scbwi.org.

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: oregon-ic@scbwi.org.

Michelle Garcia Andersen was a teacher for several years and loved teaching kids to read. Now, she spends her days writing books for them to read. Michelle is passionate about children’s literacy. She writes for all ages for the educational market and for younger audiences for the trade market. She’s lived in southern Oregon for most of her life, loves the outdoors, and hikes regularly. She’s married and has three grown kids who visit often and fill her home with laughter. Michelle is grateful to be part of the Great Critique and appreciates the many friends she’s made through SCBWI. 📧 Contact: MichelleGarciaAndersen@gmail.com.

Deb is creatively inspired by little ones, life, love and nature, plus a sweet pastry, or two. “I write and draw both fiction and nonfiction from a kid’s eye view of the world. My debut picture book, Crow Spirit, was published in 2019 by Clear Fork Publishing! I love SCBWI and learn so much from all of you. Truly blessed and very grateful to be in this tribe of beautifully creative people.” You can also find her here: www.theydrawandcook.com/artists/deb-bartsch. 📧 Contact: debscasa.deb@gmail.com

Laureen is a freelance developmental editor, proofreader, and certified copyeditor. She works with authors in children’s literature, creative nonfiction, poetry, and historical fiction. Laureen enjoys the collaborative work in book creation—using art, text, layout, and typography to tell the best story. When not working, you can find her hiking, gardening, or hanging with family and friends. 📧 Contact: laureenurey@gmail.com

Jessica is a preschool teacher and passionate kidlit author. An active SCBWI, Inked Voices, and 12x12 Picture Book Challenge member, she is also a Children’s Book Academy, The Writing Barn, and Lyrical Language Lab graduate. Jessica is a published poet and is represented by Wendi Gu of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. She resides in Beaverton, Oregon, with her husband and crazy cat, Gus. When not writing picture books through YA, Jessica enjoys reading, hiking, playing board games, and traveling. 📧 Contact: jessicamilowriting@gmail.com

Author/illustrator, Diane joined SCBWI in 2006. Her love of nonfiction began as a child raised in a home where nonfiction fiction was a staple. Diane has always loved the outdoors and science. From 2011-2015, Diane was the Local Area Event coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI for the Western Slope of Colorado. Diane has received merit-based awards/scholarships for her writing and photography from organizations including Oregon SCBWI, Highlights Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Her photography has been published with the National Park Service. Diane participates in two critique groups. A retired school counselor and art/yearbook teacher, Diane's skills support helping others grow their creative skills. 📧 Contact: dkhower@gmail.com

This position is open! If you are interested in volunteering, click on “Additional Info” above to find out how to volunteer. Our publicity coordinator will advertise SCBWI Oregon events and some PAL events (book signings, launch parties, etc.) on our Facebook, X, and Instagram pages, and serve on the Advisory Committee. This is a great chance to interact with followers on social media. Email oregon@scbwi.org 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: t.klep@sterling.net

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: beckylancekidlit2@gmail.com

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 oregon@scbwi.org for more info.