SCBWI Western Washington

Welcome to SCBWI Western Washington–a vibrant region nestled between the volcanic Cascade Mountain Range and churning coast of the Pacific Ocean. Volunteers design a calendar full of educational and social events for you to connect with other children's book creators, in-person and online. Join us to grow your career in children's literature!

The 2026 SCBWI WWA “Together in Story” Conference is SOLD OUT! If you would like to be added to the waitlist, send an email to: [email protected] Use Waitlist as the subject line and include your full name in the email. We will let you know if a spot becomes available.

No matter the genre or age range in which they work their craft, writers wield language as a composer organizes tones or a painter mixes pigments. Our word choices shape the way those who behold our art think and feel about the worlds we create, the characters who inhabit them, and the hardships they endure. Sound and rhythm play a huge part in the unconscious perception of our stories and can make a huge impact on how we, as artists, captivate our readers. While this lecture frames the use of word choice, rhythm, and sound around its use in horror fiction, its techniques can be applied to any genre across any age range. From picture books and early readers, through middle grade, to YA and New Adult. No matter what age reader you write for or what genre you prefer, this lecture will give you a new way of thinking about the tools of your craft and have you revising your manuscripts in exciting ways you may not have ever considered.

You’re invited to Western Washington’s Inside Story - IN PERSON!!! Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park 6:30 pm: mingle with friends, nibble on goodies, and browse -and buy- books! 7:00 pm: presentations begin! Inside Story is our region’s biannual celebration of Children’s book creators, who get two minutes to dazzle you with a behind-the-scenes look at how their recently-published book came to be. Inspiration! Embarrassment! Perseverance! You’ll get it all at Inside Story. Book signings by the presenters will follow the event. Want to present your Inside Story? If you are a member of Western Washington SCBWI and have a published-and-listed (PAL) book releasing between November 2025 and May 2026, register TODAY! (click here) This application will remain open through May 15th. We have a 20-presenter limit for the event, so hop to it! Save the date: Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 pm! Your fabulous Inside Story Team, Karen Lewis, Trudi Trueit, Dana Sullivan

Have an idea for a graphic novel but not sure where to start? Curious about the process of making a graphic novel? Join author-illustrator Michelle Jing Chan for a webinar on the graphic novel creation process! Michelle is the author-illustrator of two young adult graphic novels, the upcoming queer coming-of-age SOMEWHERE IN THE GRAY (which sold at auction) and the sapphic horror-romance SHE COMES OUT AT NIGHT. She will be walking through the components of a compelling pitch, the process from script to final pages, and tips on managing project timelines.