Join us for our MONTHLY MEMBER MEETUP! Drop in to chat with Illinois members! Share your Good News and make connections. WHEN: Fist of every month. TIME: 7PM CST WHERE: ZOOM Look for the Zoom link on our website:https://www.scbwi.org/regions/illinois/regional-calendar-and-good-news

MEMBER GOOD NEWS! Our member, author Sara Fujimura, is a finalist in the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project for her indie YA novel BREATHE. Cheer her on via social media! Let us know about your good news on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Big news! 🎉 After winning our Many Voices Prize, GAURI DALVI PANDYA is now a client with Storm Literary Agency! We’re so proud of her talent, hard work, and creativity—and can’t wait to see where her stories go next. ✨ Keep an eye on our socials for more contests, workshops, and opportunities!

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 with our judge. 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: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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’s “Season’s Crop”! 🌾 Fill out the form by May 15, 2026, to be included. Look for the form on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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. illustration will help set the tone for the event! Look for info on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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 Hosted by the Illinois Regional Team. Look for the Zoom link on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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, as we plan our seasons. We look forward to working with all of you! Look for the form on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

✨ 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’s “Season’s Crop”! 🌾 Fill out the form by May 15, 2026, to be included. Look for the form on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

🌷🐣 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 #SpringCreativity #EasterWeekend

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

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: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

❄️ 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 ➡️ www.scbwi.org/regions/illi... #PrairieWind #IllinoisCreatives #KidLitCommunity #WritersAndIllustrators

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: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

🌈☘️ 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 in Springfield, IL. booth, #314! Info on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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

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: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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 each month. TIME: 7PM CST WHERE: ZOOM Hosted by the Illinois Regional Team. Look for the Zoom link on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

MEMBER GOOD NEWS! Congratulations to Chicago Northside Member, Jean Reidy! Jean has a new book coming out on February 24, 2026! Visit our website for more info and to preorder the book: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Congratulations to ALA Youth Media Award Honorees from Illinois! Congrats to Barb Rosenstock! American Spirits: The Famous Fox Sisters and the Mysterious Fad That Haunted a Nation. Congrats to Candace Fleming! Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown.

Upcoming Network Workshops! Join Nicole Hewitt on Feb 10, Jenna Satterthwaite on Feb 11, and Annie Harmon on Feb 21, for fun and insightful workshops! Join in person or on zoom. Look for Zoom links on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Join our in-person and virtual pitch program for on-the-cusp authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators! In-person: Thatcher Woods Pavilion 8030 Chicago Ave River Forest, IL Registration opens Feb 9 - 12 pm Look for more info on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Missed one of our live online or in-person programs? No problem! Your convenience fee supports future SCBWI-IL Network programs, paid professional speakers and fee-free mentorships and scholarships for Illinois members! Look for more info on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Working with a Publishing Co-op: A Comparison Sandra Macek will be discussing her journey through a hybrid publishing experience. February 4 7:00 PM Cook Park Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL or Join on Zoom Zoom link on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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 Hosted by the Illinois Regional Team. Look for the Zoom link on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Take advantage of this prize, celebrating the best work from members of diverse and underrepresented communities within our own. Application opens February 1, free to all Illinois members! More info on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Join us this January for another Illinois Lit Live event, featuring readings from Published Illinois Members. WHEN: Saturday, January 31st  TIME: 7 PM CST LOCATION: Zoom Visit our website for Zoom link: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

MEMBER GOOD NEWS! Congratulations, @authorlaurenfischer and @annastengerillustration Lauren's book, Orphanland released November 12, 2025! Anna was awarded the Don Freeman Grant in the pre-published category! Visit our website for more info: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Writing Tarot Event! For those interested in Tarot, join us for a fun and laidback evening over Zoom where you can ask a couple of questions about your writing career. When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Where: Zoom Visit our website for zoom link: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Jump-start your creative goals for the New Year! Join us as we develop practices to support your goals and discuss tools to inspire you, keep you focused, and reset when things don't go to plan. We’ll check on our progress at our June meeting. Bring a pen and paper to record your personalized plan.

New Year Goal Setting and Reflection! Join the Rockford Network to reflect on your writing progress in 2025, and to share your goals for 2026. We'll chat about this for a while, and then have some quiet writing or planning time after. Visit our website for zoom link: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

WRITING PRIZE STARTS JANUARY 12TH! We invite SCBWI members who reside in Illinois to write a 12-word Story Sprout for the Spring Thaw. Submissions are open January 12 - 26th. For more information visit our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Ready to take your children’s book career to the next level? Our annual Winter Conference for children's book writers and illustrators is back more options for exploring the many facets of the craft and business of illustrating and writing books for kids. www.scbwi.org/events/2026-...

Join us for our MONTHLY MEMBER MEETUP! Chat with Illinois members! Share your Good News, celebrate others, and make connections. WHEN: Fist of every month. TIME: 7PM CST WHERE: ZOOM Hosted by the Illinois Regional Team. Look for the Zoom link on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from your SCBWI Illinois Regional Team! Wishing you lots of peace, love, and CREATIVITY this holiday season!

We want to celebrate all of your GOOD NEWS! Be sure to full out the form anytime during the month, to be included in our monthly newsletter! Look for link to share now at: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Enjoy UNLIMITED viewings of our programs with a small convenience fee! Your fee supports Illinois’ free events and opportunities. QUESTIONS?: [email protected] Look for link to watch now at: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Gifting this Holiday Season? Brighten the lives of your friends and loved ones by gifting them cozy books through SCBWI Book Stop, a SCBWI Membership, or supporting your SCBWI Illinois Region! Visit our website for links: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Join published author Srividhya Venkat for POWER HOUR! This is an opportunity to work in silence with other creators virtually for two 30-minute periods with 5-min breaks to discuss what you accomplished. Look for the Zoom link on our website: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Swipe to join our HOLIDAY REGIONAL GATHERINGS!! Get involved and spread holiday cheer by looking for RSVP and Zoom links in our December Good News Newsletter published on the first of the month. Sign up at: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

Swipe to join our HOLIDAY REGIONAL GATHERINGS!! Get involved and spread holiday cheer by looking for RSVP and Zoom links in our December Good News Newsletter published on the first of the month. Sign up at: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

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: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...

MEMBER GOOD NEWS! Congratulations, Sara Shacter! “My debut middle grade novel, Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign, interior illustrations by Deborah Topolski, and cover art by C.B. Royal, comes out October 14th. It only took 15 years from start to finish!”

MEMBER GOOD NEWS! Congratulations, Taylor Tomlinson! “My book, Goodnight, Western Springs, illustrated by Christine F. Maningo, is the winner of The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2025. Goodnight, Naperville comes out in November, 2025.

Discover this issue of Illinois' premier literary magazine, by and for Illinois storytellers! Cover by Sarah Kurpiel www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...