Upcoming Events

SCBWI Near West Suburban Network

As a network representative for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in Illinois, I run an ongoing program of events for the Near West Suburban Networks. Events are free and open to members and not-yet-members. All are welcome.  To see the upcoming programming in my network and also the other wonderful network offerings across Illinois, please see the SCBWI IL Networks page.

Our Winter 2024/2025 slate of network events are as follows:

Holiday Jolly  December 12th, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Join the Near West Suburban Network for some in-person festive merrymaking and to connect with other local kidlit creatives. Bring along a beverage (alcoholic or otherwise) and an appetizer or dessert to share. Malayna Evans, author of both children’s and adult fiction, is kindly opening her house in Oak Park to us as a venue. Drop me a line for location information if you plan to attend.

Un-Resolutions for the New Year January 9th, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Most new year resolutions fail within the first two weeks of the new year. But what if you tried something different? What if you set an un-resolution? An un-resolution is a resolution to stop or change something rather than add something to your life. What can you stop doing to make room for the things you want to do?

Zoom link to event.

Meeting ID: 897 083 8228 Passcode: 548967

Crushes and Chemistry – Writing Romance for Young Readers February 13th, 2025 at 7 p.m. 

On Valentine’s Eve, we’ll be thinking about kidlit romance. How do you create believable romance in YA? How is romance used as a subplot in different genres? And what about middle grade? We’ll look at excerpts and talk about technique. Join us and share your kidlit romance thoughts and recommendations, too.

creative writing workshops

I run a series of classes, both online and in person, including:

• • • Storytelling in Word and Image (Grades 4 +)
    • Story Builder Workshop Series (Grades 4+),
    • Writing City: An Enriching Literary Experience (Grades 5 +),
    • Story Explorers (Grades 1-2), and
    • Zoom Story Shorts (an online class that promotes a daily short burst of creativity).