News & Events

I’m excited about our April network event. To write an unputdownable, rereadable picture book, think in terms of spreads! In this interactive discussion, Sarah Aronson will offer ideas and inspiration to help you craft a picture book, including character arc, narrative, setting, and picture book structure. With the help of mentor texts, Every Monday Mabel and Touch the Sky as well as Sarah’s picture books, we will talk about every aspect of the process, from drafting to revision.

Bring a manuscript and questions! Let’s have a picture book party!

Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 7:00 PM, at Dandelion Bookshop,
139 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL

 

During Valentine’s week, we’re thrilled to welcome Jenna Satterthwaite of Storm Literary Agency for a discussion on MG/YA publishing, life as a literary agent, and what she looks for in a submission. She is also a published author and will share views from the writer’s perspective as well.

Attendees of the event will have the opportunity to submit their work. Join us for the conversation and bring your questions!

The equivalent of the Oscars for American youth literature took place this morning: the American Library Association Youth Media Awards 2026.

Braving a Chicagoan winter cold snap, I was thrilled to attend alongside librarians, authors, illustrators, and lovers of literature. It was wonderful to hear the roar of applause for kidlit creatives. What a treat to fiercely celebrate these valuable contributions to the world.

Congratulations to the nominees and winners, listed here!

 

Jump-start your creative goals for the New Year! I’m running an SCBWI network event with Jamie Ericson, owner of Dandelion Bookshop, this month. 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 in on our progress at our June meeting. Bring a pen and paper to record your personalized plan.

In September 2025, I had the pleasure of chatting to Jen Clemons, Curator of the Butler Children’s Literature Center, to kick off our SCBWI network Fantasy Fall Series with an overview of the genre. We talked about current trends, recommended titles, event how librarians are trained to write book reviews.

 

In November, I was thrilled that our network co-hosted a conversation with New York Times bestseller, Michelle Jabès Corpora, about her current highly acclaimed Ancient Egyptian-inspired trilogy: The Throne of Khetara. As well as learning about her journey, we gleaned writers’ tips and a glimpse into her process.

If you’re interested in learning more, recordings of both events are available until December 24. Click here to listen in.

When?      Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 7:00 PM,

Where?      Dandelion Bookshop, 139 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL

No matter which holiday you celebrate, join our SCBWI Illinois Near West Suburban Network  to toast the festive season, the milestones and achievements of our respective creative journeys, and connect with our kidlit community in our new network home, Dandelion Bookshop. All are welcome! Please bring along a beverage of your choice plus a dessert or appetizer to share. RSVP to attend.

Click here for parking and transport links.

 

 

** NEW DATE! Thursday, November 6th, 7:00 PM, on Zoom **

For the last event in our Fantasy Fall Series, Michelle Jabes Corpora will be in conversation with us about her writer’s journey to creating her current, Ancient Egyptian inspired trilogy. Michelle is an author of middle grade and YA books. Her latest book HIS FACE IS THE SUN was released last May and spent five weeks on the NY Times best seller list. Learn more about Michelle here.

Click here to join the online event.

Jennifer Clemons is the curator of the Butler Children’s Literature Center and adjunct faculty in youth services at Dominican University. Jen joined the Dominican community in 2010 when she earned her MLIS from the School of Information Studies. Her professional experience includes LIS work in public, special, and academic library settings.

Subsequent events in the Fantasy Fall series: Fantasy Crash Course: Design Your World and Populate It! (October), and Creating a Fantasy Trilogy – Egyptian Based with Michelle Jabes Corpora (November). For more information, click here.