FALL 2023 NETWORKS
September, October & November
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Anyone can attend any Network,
anywhere at anytime!
Live, in-person and online meetings are free and open to all! Networks focus on craft and industry programming and are our first point of outreach with the wider creative community.
Scroll down to see the complete list
of networks and offerings!
Network Representatives are valued SCBWI-IL volunteers.
Contact them with your questions about attending any of our programs.
Interested in starting a NETWORKS group?
All Network times are CDT
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SCBWI-IL Members: You can also join in the fun at our SCBWI Illinois Illustrators Network Group on Facebook – request to join here.
SCBWI member illustrators please make sure you are on the illustrator Google Group! To be added please email Allan Woodrow
| | Chicago-Area Illustrators’ Network | |
Do people tell you the creator’s life is easy?
For many people, a completed piece seems like it magically appeared. When we show our messy side, the process, our workspaces, the doodles, and scribbles that lead to the final piece, we have an opportunity for viewers to see that the final piece didn’t come from magic and more often than not, wasn’t simple.
We’ll talk about process, and the ways that we can use it to SHOW OUR WORK.
If you already share your process, make a few notes to talk about how you do that. Maybe you have a great piece of software that you use to simplify your process for prepping work to share. Maybe you are struggling with perfectionism and need a little push to let your inner imperfectionist shine. Let's get messy together!
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Got a Daily Habit?
While we were planning this meeting, we called October, Promptober.
There are so many daily challenge prompts in October, it can feel overwhelming to choose.
Who said you need to choose one?
Creating a daily practice of making art has a huge impact on your growth as an artist. And, you’ll never have to worry about having WORK TO SHOW.
We’ll discuss a variety of ways to get into the daily habit and share ideas to keep ourselves engaged in our practice.
Oh, and we’ll do some drawing during the meeting too.
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Dream big with Andrea Bell, an illustrator, comic artist and colorist living in Chicago through the best and worst seasons.
Her work reflects adventure, honesty, and strong relate-able characters combined with a soft, color palette.
After earning her BFA from Columbia College Chicago, Andrea began her comics career self-publishing and traveling throughout North America exhibiting her work.
She has since gone on to illustrate such books as the DIARY OF A 5TH GRADE OUTLAW trilogy, THE LEAK and MAKER COMICS: CONDUCT A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT. Andrea has also assisted in coloring for the titles SWEET VALLEY HIGH TWINS: BEST FRIENDS, DOODLES FROM THE BOOGIE DOWN, TWINS and WRAPED UP.
Some of Andrea's other notable clients include The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, The New Yorker, and SweeTARTS.
When she's not drawing, Andrea enjoys long nature walks, curating playlists, and a warm meme on a cold day. https://www.andreabelldraws.com/
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Email Network Co-Reps Sarah Tobias and Denise Holmes for more information.
| | Midstate Illustrators' Network | |
Join us on Facebook
This Network maintains a Facebook page (Downstate Illinois SCBWI Illustrators) for critiques and information sharing between meetings. If you’d like to join us, send us a request via Facebook or email one of the network reps. At our meetings we typically discuss markets, critique work and share our journey. Everyone is welcome.
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Email Network Co-Reps Louann Brown and Jerry Barrett for more information.
| | Equity & Inclusion Network | |
Join us for a Fireside Chat with Mama Edie, from Chicago Association of Black Storytellers.
She will share her world where imagination is limitless! As a solo performer, she shares the power of poetry and song “Mama Edie Style.” Sing songs with her in Spanish, Yoruba (Nigeria), Kiswahili (East Africa), English and Twi (Ghana)!
Journey with her to extract the nuggets in stories that reveal universal truths and prove us to be one family – although we may not often act that way.
Through a story such as “Ananse, the Spider and How the Moon Came to Be in the Sky,” be reminded – or discover for the very first time – that our differences can be our greatest source of strength.
Let story reveal the light that you too have inside that no one else has the right to diminish.
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Before submitting to the publishing world, agents and editors encourage joining a critique group!
Join us to review 5 pages of YA or MG, or a PB. We look forward to hearing your creations!
We will meet at 7 PM Wednesday, Oct. 11th via Zoom.
To get a Zoom Link, reach out to Donna Beasley at Donna@kazoomkidsbooks.com
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Award Winners Showcase
We will learn from the best of the best as we review and discuss Children's Books Awards in 2023 that celebrate Black and Latino Authors.
We will meet at 7 PM Wednesday, Nov.8th via Zoom.
To get a Zoom Link, reach out to Donna Beasley at Donna@kazoomkidsbooks.com
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Diversity Network Meetings create a space where writers and illustrators who’ve traditionally been left at the margins in children’s publishing can get together. At these meetings we’ll build community, share stories of hurdles and successes, work to dismantle barriers, improve diversity and inclusion in children’s literature and SCBWI-IL, work on our craft and improve our writing and/or illustrating careers.
Our focus on diversity springs from the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement: We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities. Because of the breadth of this focus, we will be particularly conscious of the intersectionality of oppressions and identities. Allies are welcome. (An ally is a person who supports, empowers, or stands up for another person or a group of people.)
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If you need additional ADA support such as sign language interpreter or other resources, please email Network Representative Donna Beasley in advance.
| | Chicago Southside Network | | Stay tuned for programming in Winter 2023 | |
We are currently looking for a volunteer to help with programing for Chicago's Southside Network. Please Email Network Co-Reps Kate Hannigan and Natasha Tarpley for more information! Being a SCBWI volunteer is magical!
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First Pages Critiques Moderated by Mary Jo Guglielmo and Claudia Guadalupe Martinez.
Looking to get immediate feedback on your current writing project?
Bring one page or approx. 500 words for critique and encouragement.
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In person first pages
Come connect with other SCBWI members and join us for a "first pages" manuscript critique.
Each participant should bring 2 pages (no more than 500 words) to share. Feedback and suggestions for strengthening you manuscript will be the focus of our discussion.
We will meet at 10 am Wednesday 10/25 at Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.
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If you haven’t heard, some people are using AI chatbots to write and publish entire children’s books.
Check out:
https://bookriot.com/ai-used-to-published-childrens-book/
The results are controversial at best. But are there ethical ways to get AI assistance in the book writing process?
This workshop will be presented by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez and Mary Jo Guglielmo - both children's authors and university professors who have instructed students on how to use AI in their writing.
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Email Network Rep Mary Jo Gugliemo for more information.
| | Chicago Southlands & Near West Suburban Networks | |
Rachel DeWoskin is the award-winning author of five novels, including the Gold Medal recipient of the YA Sydney Taylor Book Award and the National Jewish Book Award for SOMEDAY WE WILL FLY (Penguin Random House). She is also a poet, essayist, and Associate Professor of Practice in the Arts and UChicago. To find out more: www.racheldewoskin.com
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Email Network Reps Jim Danielson, Linda Dryfhout and Sarah Hammond for more information.
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Our programming is top notch because planning is a team effort.
Please join us in person at 7 PM Wednesday, Sept. 13 at our fabulous new location, Bookends and Beginnings, 1620 Orrington Ave. in Evanston for our annual programming meeting to help us plan another stellar year.
If you can't make it, but have a suggestion, please email Ilana at ilana.ostar@gmail.com
| | DREAMS,THE UNCONSCIOUS AND A WRITER'S LIFE |
Jarrett, a librarian and lifelong drummer, is author of JAZZ FOR LUNCH!, MR. WATSON’s CHICKENS, and THE MOST HAUNTED HOUSE IN AMERICA, a goofy, ghostly, rhythmic romp based on his experience drumming at the White House in 2009.
Please join us in person at 7 PM Wednesday, Oct. 11at our fabulous new location, Bookends and Beginnings, 1620 Orrington Ave.
His debut young adult graphic novel, WAKE NOW IN THE FIRE, about student resistance to book censorship in Chicago Public Schools, will be published by Chronicle Books in 2024.
He lives in Evanston with his family, loves cats, and can often be found browsing independent bookstores and record stores in the area.
| | SUBSTACK & HOW IT CAN HELP CHILDREN'S AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS |
Children’s book author and illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi will talk about Substack: how it can help children’s book authors and illustrators in their craft and business.
Debbie will also be including tips and links to resources contributed by other kidlit creators on Substack, including creators who are making money on the platform.
Substack is an American online platform that provides publishing, payment, analytics, and design infrastructure to support subscription newsletters.
Debbie is the award-winning author and illustrator of WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? Her illustrations appear in books by Judy Blume, Michael Ian Black, and Linda Sue Park.
Debbie is a SCBWI success story, receiving her first children’s book contract from Justin Chanda at Simon & Schuster after Justin saw her portfolio at the 2010 SCBWI Summer Portfolio Showcase.
You can find out more about Debbie at DebbieOhi.com, as well as on Twitter, Substack, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Email North Suburban Network Representatives Carolyn Crimi, Anny Rusk and Ilana Ostrar for more information.
| | Far North Suburban Network | |
NEW SCHOOL YEAR
NEW YOU!
If you'd like to share pages and receive feedback, please bring one picture book manuscript or no more than five double spaced pages of a novel excerpt.
We will meet at 7 PM Wednesday, Nov. 1st at Barnes and Noble, 901 N Milwaukee Ave. in
Vernon Hills. Please contact us - so we can look out for you!
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CRITIQUE TIME!
Before you submit to agents and editors, they prefer if you have a new set of eyes on your work!
If you'd like to share pages and receive feedback, please bring one picture book manuscript or no more than five double spaced pages of a novel excerpt.
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HOW DO YOU SAY IT?
Have you ever had a person read your work aloud? You can hear what's working and what is not!
If you'd like to share pages and receive feedback, please bring one picture book manuscript or no more than five double spaced pages of a novel excerpt.
We will meet at 7 PM Wednesday, Nov. 1st at Barnes and Noble, 901 N Milwaukee Ave. in
Vernon Hills. Please contact us - so we can look out for you!
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Email Far North Suburban Network Representatives Kim Oclon and Nicole Hewitt (in photo) for more information.
| | Far Northwest Suburban Network | |
OPEN CRITIQUE
If you'd like to share pages and receive feedback, please bring one picture book manuscript or no more than five double spaced pages of a novel excerpt.
We will meet at 6:30 PM Wednesday, Sept. 20th at Barnes and Noble, 901 N Milwaukee Ave. in Vernon Hills.
Please contact us - so we can look out for you!
See you at 6:30 PM Wednesday September 20 at the Cafe in Barnes and Noble, 1470B East Golf Road in
Schaumburg.
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Email Network Co-Reps Veronica Rundell and Liz Searle for more information.
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SEPTEMBER
Online
Critique Night
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NOVEMBER
Online
Critique Night
| | Don't be shy! Everyone is welcome to attend! If you'd like to share pages and receive feedback, please bring up to 1,000 words. If you haven't heard Jenny read your picture book - you are missing out! | |
Email Network Rep & Co-Regional Advisor Jennifer Wagh if you are a first-time attendee.
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Near West Suburban Network
(formally Oak Park & Near West Suburban Network)
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SEPTEMBER
Online
Welcome Back and Critique Night!
Manuscripts, art, or submission materials (queries, proposals, cover letters) will be thoughtfully and respectfully considered. Time will be apportioned evenly among participants. If we have more than 10 people with work to share, we will consider the first 10 to arrive and reserve a spot for any others for the next critique. You are welcome to screen share your work if you wish. Even if you do not have work to share, you can learn a lot by hearing others' work and weighing in with your thoughts
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OCTOBER
Online
Research & Imagination in Writing for Young Adults
In Cooperation with Chicago's Southland Network
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Email Network Rep Sarah Hammond for more information.
| | Bolingbrook-Naperville Network | |
Reach Your Writing Dreams By Telling YOUR STORY
Author Diane O'Neill will offer tips on how to write from the heart, describing her own journey to writing SATURDAY AT THE FOOD PANTRY, her debut picture book.
She will show how sharing personal experiences led to her first book. Diane's never-give-up attitude will help creators face rejections, overcome barriers, and shine with a personal cheerleading squad.
Explore how to create a writing routine, face writer's block, and say no to the evil internal editor. There will be plenty of time to brainstorm new ideas about serious and not-so-serious topics.
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Email Network Co-Reps Catherine Velasco and Mary & Rich Chamberlin for more information.
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SEPTEMBER
Online
Critique Night
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OCTOBER
Online
Critique Night
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NOVEMBER
Online
Critique Night
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The Geneva Network meets in person on the first Wednesday of the month: Sept.6, Oct. 4, and Nov. 1.
They meet via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of the month: Sept. 26, Oct. 24 and Nov. 28.
Email Network Co-Reps Janet Riehecky for more information.
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Pitching and Submitting
Join us to discuss the process of pitching and submitting to agents, editors, or publishers.
Come with your questions and any resources or tips you've used in your experience.
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Dialogue
Join us to learn how to level up your dialogue as we discuss what to do vs. what not to do.
Bring a great example of dialogue from a book to share, or any tips and tricks you have.
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Marketing
Join us to discuss how to market your traditional or Indie published book.
Two of our published members will share resources, ideas, and their experiences of marketing multiple books.
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Email Network Co-Reps Karen Blaski and Gina Buckles for more information.
| | Galena-Freeport Area Network | |
SEPTEMBER
Online
Open Critique
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On Aug. 12th, SCBWI FREEPORT/GALENA members celebrated Founding Network Rep Lee Anderson's 100th birthday!
"She is definitely worth celebrating!" said Jamie Petras, current Network Rep.
Recently, Lee had a story published in Humpty Dumpty magazine. The kids can cut it out and carry her book around!
Lee is an inspiration! She is still writing and submitting daily!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEE!
YOU ARE A WRITING HERO!
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OCTOBER
Online
Open Critique
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NOVEMBER
Online
Open Critique
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NEW DATES & TIMES
To accommodate creators who work during the day, Jamie Petras said they are trying a new time for their unique critique meetings.
Each person gets 15 minutes to show their work or art, and get feedback. Or discuss any topic they want, sharing an article or illustration.
Want to join the fun? Please contact Jamie for the Google Chat Link.
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Email Network Rep Jamie Petras for more information.
| | East Central / Champaign-Urbana Network | |
Have you started writing for children or young adults and don't know where to go next?
Bring first few pages of a typed manuscript you have been working on.You will have the opportunity to receive peer feedback in a supportive and constructive environment.
The Network will meet at 2 PM Sunday, Nov. 5th at The Urbana Free Library, 210 West Green St. in Urbana.
This program is a great way to meet others who are passionate about writing for youth and to learn about resources to assist you on your writing journey.
This program is presented in collaboration with The Urbana Free Library: https://urbanafreelibrary.libnet.info/event/9046057
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Join us for a mini writing retreat at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17th on a farmstead in Northeast Urbana.
We'll gather in this relaxed setting for conversation, connection, and reflection. Bring your favorite snack, unplugged writing tools and a book that has helped you grow on your journey, as we consider the kinds of things that feed a creative life of writing.
We’ll be outdoors unless inclement weather sends us inside. Please RSVP to central.illinois.scbwi@gmail.com by Sunday, September 10th so we can plan for you!
Driving directions will be shared the week before the program.
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Email Network Rep Elaine Bearden for more information.
Elaine Bearden
| | Springfield Area Scribes Network | |
SEPTEMBER
Online
Critique Night
Springfield Scribes will meet via Zoom to critique 5 pages of MG & YA or entire PB.
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Fractured Fairy Tales Author Lynne Marie will provide some spooky fun as she discusses her book MOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE SCARES. Her presentation will apply to all genres
She will teach different approaches to make a story new and different! There will be a Q & A session!
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NOVEMBER
Online
Critique Night
Springfield Scribes will meet via Zoom to critique 5 pages of MG & YA or entire PB.
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Email Network Rep Debra Daugherty for more info.(Elmer, Debra's pup nephew).
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SEPTEMBER
In Person
Open Critique
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OCTOBER
In Person
Open Critique
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NOVEMBER
In Person
Open Critique
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Critique Time! The Network meets from 6 to 8 PM on the third Wednesday of the month at Books-A-Million, 6601 Edwardsville Crossing Drive in Edwardsville.
Bring 5 pages to critique! We do in-person critiques but have traditionally asked that writers new to the group wait until their second meeting to submit work for critique. New writers welcome!
Email Network Juli Caveny for more information. Thanks to Bonnie Swanson, stepping down after years of service!
| | SCBWI-IL NETWORK POLICIES | |
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