SCBWI Illinois

MVP WINNER, GAURI DALVI PANDYA! We look forward to all that will come of your prize-winning PB manuscript, FIRST FEAST! As the Many Voices Prize winner, Gauri will receive two 1:1 30-minute Zoom consultations and a written critique. Plus, an opportunity to query her.

Join us as we learn how to jump into the rabbit hole to find golden nuggets to bring our stories to life for children and teens! Author Rebecca Siegel is an enthusiastic TikTok storyteller and real-life adventurer! Look for the Zoom link on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

REMINDER! ✨ Calling All Published Authors! ✨ Have a new book coming out between January - July 2026? We’d love to feature your release in Spring Prairie Wind! Fill out the form by May 15, 2026, to be included. Look for the form on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

Illustrate the 2026 Fall Harvest Masthead Banner based on the theme of Community Gardens! Entry must be received by 11:59 pm on May 15th, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted. Look for info on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

Join us for our MONTHLY MEMBER MEETUP! Drop in to chat with Illinois members! WHEN: Fist of every month. TIME: 7PM CST WHERE: ZOOM Hosted by the Illinois Regional Team. Look for the Zoom link on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

MEMBER GOOD NEWS! Congratulations to Robin Currie, PJ Gray, and Bella Spark! These fantastic members have won writers prizes, been chosen as featured storytellers, and had multiple books published! Look for ways to connect and congratulate on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

Are you a Published Member with a workshop idea? We'd love to know! The form with contact info will be available for all network reps and the regional team. We look forward to working with all of you! Look for the form on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

✨ Calling All Published Authors! ✨ Have a new book coming out between Jan - July 2026? We’d love to feature your release in Spring Prairie Wind’s “Season’s Crop”! 🌾 Fill out the form by May 15, 2026, to be included. Look for the form on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

Join Sarah Aronson as she discusses how to write an unputdownable, rereadable picture book, and how to think in terms of spreads! When: Wednesday, April 8th Time: 7:00 PM Where: Dandelion Bookshop 139 South Oak Park Ave. Look for info on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

🌷🐣 Happy Easter Weekend, Illinois storytellers! 🐰📚 Wishing our writers and illustrators a spring full of fresh ideas, joyful color, and stories that bloom bright. Take time to rest, recharge, and maybe sketch a bunny or two! #KidLitCommunity #WritersAndIllustrators

Join us for our MONTHLY MEMBER MEETUP! Drop in to chat with Illinois members! WHEN: Fist of every month. TIME: 7PM CST WHERE: ZOOM Hosted by the Illinois Regional Team. Look for the Zoom link on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

MEMBER GOOD NEWS! Congratulations to JEN CULLERTON JOHNSON, RUTH SPIRO, and SARAH KURPIEL! Pre-order their books and connect with them on social media, now! Look for info on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

❄️ Discover the new Winter Issue of Prairie Wind — Illinois’ premier literary magazine by and for our state’s storytellers! ❄️ ✨ Cover illustration by Manal Mirza ✨ Read the full issue ➡️ scbwi.org/regions/illi... #PrairieWind #IllinoisCreatives #KidLitCommunity

Leave a legacy as Assistant Regional Advisor! We will be seeking applications for Assistant Regional Advisor from April 1 through April 30. All Illinois members are eligible. Look for info on how to volunteer on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

🌈☘️ Happy St. Patrick’s Day, storytellers! ☘️🌈 May your day be filled with luck, laughter, and a splash of creativity! Whether you’re sketching new characters or crafting magical tales, we’re wishing you all the inspiration the rainbow can hold.

SWIPE! Opportunities for Published Members! Apply to the Many Voices Prize. Take advantage of this prize, celebrating work from members of underrepresented communities. Illinois Reading Council! March 12-13, booth, #314! Info on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

Join Carter Hasegawa for his Zoom workshop: Both Sides of the Desk: Secrets from an Editor-Turned-Agent! When: Wednesday, March 11 Time: 7:00 PM Where: Zoom Look for Zoom link on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

The 2026 Spring Thaw Registration open now! Join in person or online to attend COMPASS QUEST PANELS to ask questions to professionals, join ADVENTURE GUIDES for industry feedback, and submit your WIPs to ALL our faculty members! Look for more info here: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

Join us on Tuesday, March 3rd to learn from Ruth Spiro on how to take a picture book from an idea to a finished manuscript. When: Tuesday, March 3 Time: 6:00 PM Where: Zoom Look for the Zoom link on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…

Join us for our MONTHLY MEMBER MEETUP! Drop in to chat with Illinois members! Share your Good News, celebrate others, and make connections. WHEN: Fist of every month. TIME: 7PM CST WHERE: ZOOM Look for the Zoom link on our website: scbwi.org/regions/illino…