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 Spring 2025 slate of network events is as follows:
Welcome to the Classroom! Thoughts on writing for the educational market. Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Join the Chicago Southland and Near West Suburban Writing Networks for an online discussion with special guest Sara Latta on writing for the educational market. Click here to join by Zoom.
Storycraft and Chat Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Get to know the local kidlit creatives in your area and join us for a bookish gathering. We’ll do some gentle and playful creative writing exercises, designed to kickstart new ideas and develop storycraft techniques so bring along a pen and paper. Where? La Grange Public Library, Board, Room, 10 W Cossitt Avenue, La Grange, IL 60525
Visit to Dandelion Books Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate and support the new independent bookstore in Oak Park, Dandelion Books. As well as exploring the store, we’ll try out some writing exercises using books from the collection, and there will be plenty of time to browse.
Where? Dandelion Books, 139 South Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302. Information about location and parking here.
creative writing workshops
I run a series of classes, both online and in person, including:
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- 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).
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