WINTER 2022-2023 NETWORKS
December, January, February
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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?
See SCBWI’s COVID-19 policies at end of page
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
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Chicago-Area Illustrators’ Network |
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DECEMBER
Online
Holiday infused
Character Creations
Join us for some Holiday Cheer and fun drawing time. We will use prompts and examples to inspire us in creating some characters just for the fun of it.
Bring your sketchbook, pens, pencils, collage papers, paints, etc. (whatever lights you up) to your Zoom Space.
Don your festive attire, bring a holiday infused drink and treat, and let’s enjoy each other's company.
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JANUARY
In Person
How to Give and
Receive Critiques
A chance to meet, mentally prepare for critiques (feedback), and prepare for the SCBWI Winter Conference (In-person or Virtual)
Bring your sketchbook, we will do some warm-up drawing exercises. We’ll discuss ways to give valuable feedback as well as how to take in feedback when you receive it. After the discussion we’ll spend time reviewing portfolios.
If you would like feedback on your printed or digital portfolio (which pieces to put in it, help with pacing and flow, or a single piece review for feedback . . .), bring your work to the meeting.
01/14 at 10:30 AM
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FEBRUARY
Online
There’s No Such Thing As Imposter Syndrome
The phrase Imposter Syndrome was coined in 1978 by Pauline Rose Clance & Suzanne Imes. Imposter Syndrome is anxiety or self-doubt that results from persistently undervaluing one’s competence and active role in achieving success, while falsely attributing one's accomplishments to luck or other external forces, according to Dictionary.com
It’s a noun, a thing like a coat you can wear. Let’s take a dive into where our feelings of anxiety and self-doubt are stopping us and rewrite the story, design a new coat to put on when we head out into the world.
Our goal is to open the door to new ideas and thoughts about how to move forward even on days when we don’t feel up to our best. It’s an opportunity to rethink and adjust our mindset in the most anxious moments.
Please note, we are not professionals. We are sharing our personal experiences and the research we have reviewed.
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Email Network Co-Reps Sarah Tobias and Denise Holmes for more information.
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Downstate Illustration Network |
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Stay tuned for programming in Spring 2023
QUARTERLY MEETINGS: 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.
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Equity & Inclusion Network |
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SCBWI-IL Diversity Group invites You to our End of Year Virtual Holiday Meeting.
Come Celebrate Your Year With Us! Share something you are proud of this year. Bring on the Holiday Cheer with your favorite treat and drink.
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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.
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Chicago Southside Network |
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Stay tuned for programming in Spring 2023 |
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Email Network Co-Reps Kate Hannibal and Natasha Tarpley for more information.
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Stay tuned for programming in Spring 2023 |
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Email Network Rep Mary Jo Gugliemo for more information.
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Chicago Southlands Network |
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DECEMBER
Online
Shop Talk
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FEBRUARY
Online
Shop Talk
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Email Network Co-Reps Jim Danielson and Linda Dryfhout for more information.
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JANUARY
Online
Writing Goals & Tarot
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Back by popular demand! We’ll be looking for a little help with our writing goals from…The Tarot! Carolyn Crimi, who is by no means a professional tarot card reader, will be pulling cards for 2023!
Bring your questions and goals about manuscripts, agents, and editors and see what the cards have to say.
Carolyn uses a “gentle” tarot deck so there are no spooky Death, Devil, or Hanged Man cards. (Unless you’d like them, in which case she can dig up her old deck.) Come have a laugh and maybe get some insight into your career concerns!
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Email North Suburban Network Representatives Carolyn Crimim Anny Rusk and Ilana Ostrar for more information.
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Far North Suburban Network |
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DECEMBER
Online
3rd Annual Virtual Holiday Party
We've done three of these already?!
Bring a snack and a beverage to enjoy while we play some writer centered games and participate in some ice breakers to ring in the holiday season
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JANUARY
Online
Critique Night
If you'd like to receive feedback on your work, please prepare no more than five double spaced pages. Submission process will be explained in the reminder email.
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FEBRUARY
Online
Query Critique
We learned a little bit about queries and now it's time to put that into action. If you've written a query letter and would like feedback on it, please share it!
Depending upon weather, this meeting MIGHT be virtual. Location will be shared in the reminder email or email reps for final location.
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Far Northwest Suburban Network |
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JANUARY
In-Person
Open Critique
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FEBRUARY
In-Person
Open Critique
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Email Network Co-Reps Veronica Rundell and Liz Searle for more information.
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DECEMBER
Online
Critique Night
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JANUARY
Online
Critique Night
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FEBRUARY
Online
Critique Night
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Email Network Reps & Co-Regional Advisor Jennifer Wagh if you are a first-time attendee.
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Oak Park & Near West Suburban Network |
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DECEMBER
Online
Critique & Holiday Jolly
Share your work and toast your accomplishments with the drink of your choice to celebrate the Holiday season.
Manuscripts, art, or submission materials (queries, proposals, cover letters) will be thoughtfully and respectfully considered. Time will be apportioned evenly among participants. Even if you do not have work to share, you can learn a lot by hearing others’ work and weighing in with your thoughts. It is not necessary to submit work beforehand--we will use the screen share option of Zoom.
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JANUARY
Online
Goal Setting
for a New Year
We will brainstorm and create goals and action steps to jump start our creative endeavors for the New Year. This is a good way to get to know each other a little better.
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FEBRUARY
Online
Critique Night
Participants will read from their works in progress, submission materials, or proposals. Art can also be viewed using Screen Share. Time will be apportioned among participants. Work will be respectfully considered. Keep in mind that March is the month to submit WIP for SCBWI grants--this is a good opportunity for feedback
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Email Network Rep Sarah Hammond for more information. Thanks to Sallie Wolf, stepping down after years of service.
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Bolingbrook-Naperville Network |
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Stay tuned for programming in Spring 2023 |
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Email Network Co-Reps Catherine Velasco and Mary & Rich Chamberlin for more information.
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DECEMBER
Online
Critique Night
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JANUARY
Online
Critique Night
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FEBRUARY
Online
Critique Night
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Email Network Co-Reps Janet Riehecky and Cheryl App for more information.
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Stay tuned for programming in Spring 2023 |
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Email Network Co-Reps Karen Blaski and Gina Buckles for more information.
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Galena-Freeport Area Network |
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DECEMBER
Online
Open Critique
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JANUARY
Online
Open Critique
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FEBRUARY
Online
Open Ciritque
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Email Network Rep Jamie Petras for more information.
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East Central / Champaign-Urbana Network |
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DECEMBER
In-Person
Holiday Party
Please consider joining other children's book creatives at a special holiday gathering for our network. It is time to enjoy good conversation and tasty food and drink.
If you wish, please wrap a gently used book for a book exchange. It won't be the same without you!
Feel free to bring significant others and include them in your RSVP.
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JANUARY
In-Person
First Pages
Calling all children's and young adult writers and illustrators! Bring the first pages of your manuscript for peer feedback.
Bring the typed first page or two of a manuscript you have been working on. You will have the opportunity to receive peer feedback in a supportive and constructive environment.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.No registration is necessary and it is open to everyone - feel free to join us even if you don't regularly attend network events.
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Email Network Rep Elaine Bearden for more information.
Elaine Bearden
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Springfield Area Scribes Network |
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DECEMBER
In-Person
Holiday Party
The Scribes are celebrating the holidays with a dinner at Bella Milano's in Springfield with games, fun and a $15 gift exchange. Guests are welcome.
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JANUARY
Online
Goal Setting
& Critique
The Scribes will meet to discuss our goals for the year.
The 2022 Challenge totals will be due this week and the winner announced by January 15th.
The Challenges will continue each month in 2023. We will also critique pages.
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FEBRUARY
Online
Marketing Our Books
& Ourselves
NaShantá Fletcher, Illustrator Coordinator-IL, our guest speaker, will give a program on marketing our books and ourselves.
This meeting will be recorded and offered in February for one month for a convenience fee on our SCBWI-IL Recordings BY REQUEST webpage.
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Email Network Rep Debra Daugherty for more information.
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DECEMBER
In-Person
Open Critique
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JANUARY
in-Person
Open Critique
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FEBRUARY
in-Person
Open Critque
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Email Network Reps Juli Caveny for more information. Thanks to Bonnie Swanson, stepping down after years of service!
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SCBWI-IL NETWORK POLICIES |
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And, as always:
—Networks are free and open to all. You may attend any Network at any time, not just the one in your area.
—Special Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: If you have a disability and need any special assistance to enjoy the event’s online programming, please email the Network Representative or Co-Regional Advisor to ask for assistance for your particular needs.
—A recording of online programs may be offered for a small convenience fee on our Recordings BY REQUEST page.
Recordings BY REQUEST are available in February, May, August and November. Your convenience fee gives you unlimited viewing all month long.
Your fees support NETWORKS and other free Regional opportunities like scholarships and mentorships
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Please find below the COVID protocols from SCBWI HQ. (Updated 11/22)
Please note: SCBWI-IL Networks are in no way obligated to hold in-person events but if they do...
U.S. Policies for Minimizing Covid Risk during
SCBWI Region Events
The policies listed below are the minimum standards required. Regions have the freedom to adopt additional measures, especially in areas where local regulations
are more stringent.
Illinois is required to comply with the following policy:
To minimize the risk of Covid-19 at all SCBWI in-person events with more than 75 attendees, event organizers are required to implement the following attendance policy:
—Within three days of the event, attendees must submit current proof of vaccination OR proof of a negative covid test administered by third-party healthcare, taken no earlier than three days prior to the event, as a condition of attendance.
—At any SCBWI in-person event, regardless of the number of attendees, organizers must offer each attendee a free disposable mask, provide hand sanitizing stations throughout the event area, and post this policy in its entirety in areas visible to attendees.
Comments regarding this policy should be directed to SCBWI headquarters by mailing covidpolicy@scbwi.org . Include your name and contact information in order to receive a response.
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QUESTIONS about SCBWI-IL Networks?
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