Author: Sarah

Field Trip to the Butler Children’s Literature Center

Join us and visit the Butler Children’s Literature Center in River Forest! Curator, Jen Clemons, will explain how the Butler Center’s selection of newly published books and special permanent collections can be used by kidlit authors and illustrators and also share some tidbits from her upcoming trip to Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
We’ll try out some writing exercises using books from the collection, and there will be plenty of time to browse. The Butler Center is a wonderful local resource!
When? Thursday, April 11, 2024
When? 7:00 PM
Where?  Dominican University – River Forest Campus at The Butler Children’s Literature Center is housed in Rebecca Crown Library, Rm 214, 7900 W Division St, River Forest, IL 60305.

 

It’s Prompt-a-Palooza!

For our March SCBWI-IL network event, we’ll try out a mix of prompts designed to get your words flowing. You can experiment with voice, characters, settings and even new story starts. We will be meeting in person so bring something to write with. We’ll focus on writing during our meeting but leave some time at the end for those that want to share. When? Thursday March 14, at 7 p.m. Where? Meeting Room 1, Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513.

Kidlit Community

Faculty and Committee members on the eve of the conference.

This month, I was proud to be part of the organizing committee for the SCBWI Illinois conference, Prairie Writer’s and Illustrator’s Day.

This was the first time we’d had an in-person conference since the pandemic and I am still feeling the happy after effects.

The key takeaways?

  • Plenty of story craft advice.
  • Inspiring keynotes by Michael Leali and Adriana Hernandez Bergstrom about mastering the ups and downs of the artist’s journey.
  • The opportunity to chat to publishing industry professionals including art directors (Maryn Arreguin from Sourcebooks and Brian LaRossa from Scholastic), editors (Hannah Hill from Delacorte Press and Kelly Delaney from Crown Books for Young Readers), and agents (Sartiza Hernández from Andrea Brown Literary Agency and D. Ann Williams from Emerald City Literary Agency).
  • Individual feedback and a selection of panels and workshops to choose from.
  • Best of all, connecting with my supportive, creative, lively kidlit community. A huge thanks to the team on my organizing committee, especially Committee Chair, Jenny Wagh.  Roll on next year.
Preparing to moderate the publishing industry panel.

Research & Imagination in Writing for Young Adults

As network rep for the SCBWI Near West Suburban Network, I’m thrilled to be co-hosting  this online event, RESEARCH & IMAGINATION IN WRITING FOR YOUNG ADULTS, with the Chicago Southland’s Network on Thursday October 12 at 7pm. Our presenter, 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. See Rachel’s website to find out more. To join the event on 10/12, click here.

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