WINTER 2024-2025 NETWORKS
DECEMBER, JANUARY, & FEBRUARY
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Anyone can attend any Network,
anywhere at anytime!
View as Webpage
Live, in-person and online meetings are free and open to all! Networks focus on craft and industry programming and are our first point of outreach with the wider creative community.
Scroll down to see the complete list
of networks and offerings!
Network Representatives are valued SCBWI-IL volunteers.
Contact them with your questions about attending any of our programs.
Interested in starting a NETWORK group?
Email Cathy Velasco, ARA
All Network times are CST
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA | |
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SCBWI-IL Members: You can also join in the fun at our SCBWI Illinois Illustrators Network Group on Facebook – request to join here.
SCBWI member illustrators please make sure you are on the illustrator Google Group! To be added please email Allan Woodrow
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Illinois Illustrators’ Network | |
Chicago Area Illustrator's Network has merged with Midstate Illustrator's Network to create the Illinois Illustrator's Network, now serving all of Illinois. All are welcome to attend the meetings! | |
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Annual Holiday Draw Together
Bring your sketchbook and art supplies, and prepare for a super fun time! We’re going to have rounds of silly drawing games and playful art activities that are sure to make you smile. Can’t wait to see what we create together!
When: Thursday, Dec 12, 2024
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: via Zoom
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Our Favorite Children's Book & Portfolio Prep 2025
Share your favorite book, why you love it, and how it inspires you! Then, we’ll dive into tips for building a portfolio. Whether you’re prepping for the Winter Conference, a 2025 submissions, or seeking fresh feedback, join us for a friendly critique. Each attendee is welcome to share one piece.
When: Thursday, Jan 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: via Zoom
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Setting Goals That Set You Up for A Successful Year
Join us for an inspiring session led by Sarah Aronson, where we’ll dive into the art of goal setting and managing the highs and lows of a creative life. Discover practical tips for aligning your expectations, staying motivated, and setting yourself up for success in the year ahead. Come ready to be inspired and energized for your creative journey!
When: Thursday, Feb 13, 2024
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: via Zoom
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Email Network Co-Reps Molly Cranch, Louann Brown and Laura Smetana for more information:
Molly Cranch
Louann Brown
Laura Smetana
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Thank you, Sarah Tobias, for leading the Illustrator's Network for 2.5 years. Sarah is leaving to pursue new opportunities. Let's give a warm welcome to Molly Cranch, who will be taking over alongside Laura Smetana and Louann Brown! | |
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Molly Cranch is a children’s picture book author-illustrator, artist and arts educator. She is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis (BFA), The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (K-12 Art Education), and is currently pursuing an MA in Illustration from Falmouth University. She has worked extensively as an art teacher and teaching artist in schools and museums. Her nature-inspired paintings have been exhibited in galleries and museums all around the country, and her first picture book titled Hide-and-Seek released in 2024.
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Equity & Inclusion Network | |
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Jan Spivey Gilchrist Movie Night
Join us in celebrating the phenomenal career and art of Jan Spivey Gilchrist, an Illinois treasure known for illustrating over 100 children's books. The event will feature an author talk and a book signing.
When: Saturday, Feb 15, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm
Where: TBD (Be on the lookout for updates!)
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Diversity Network Meetings create a space where writers and illustrators who’ve traditionally been left at the margins in children’s publishing can get together. At these meetings we’ll build community, share stories of hurdles and successes, work to dismantle barriers, improve diversity and inclusion in children’s literature and SCBWI-IL, work on our craft and improve our writing and/or illustrating careers.
Our focus on diversity springs from the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement: We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities. Because of the breadth of this focus, we will be particularly conscious of the intersectionality of oppressions and identities. Allies are welcome. (An ally is a person who supports, empowers, or stands up for another person or a group of people.)
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If you need additional ADA support such as sign language interpreter or other resources, please email Network Representative Donna Beasley in advance:
Donna Beasley
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Chicago Southside Network | |
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How Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Can Engage with Readers Through School Visits
Join the Chicago Southside Writers and Illustrators Network for an in-person afternoon event at 57th Street Books. This event will feature a panel of accomplished authors who will share their insights and strategies on how children's book writers and illustrators can effectively engage their young readers through school visits. Carol Fisher Saller, moderator and writer, will guide the conversation. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals and network with fellow writers and illustrators in the community!
Panel: Authors Sara Shacter, Bibi Belford, and Shirin Shamsi
When: Sunday, Jan 26, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm
Where: 57th Street Books, 1301 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637
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Chicago Northside Network | |
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WINTER PROGRAMMING
Online
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First Pages
The Chicago Northside Network will host an critique meeting for those wishing to share their first page. Please bring in the first page of anything that you would like to share and get feedback on. The critique format will be based on the work of Sandy Asher and rules will be presented at the beginning of the meeting.
When: Tuesday, Feb 18, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: via Zoom
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Chicago's Southland Network | |
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Annual Holiday Party!
CANCELLED, will reschedule!
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Find Your Writing Goals Through Tarot
Please join us for a fun and enlightening way to melt away the winter weather.
Writing Goals & Tarot:
Back by popular demand! For January, we’ll be looking for a little help with our writing goals from…The Tarot!
Carolyn Crimi, who is by no means a professional tarot card reader, will be pulling cards for 2025!
Bring your questions and goals about manuscripts, agents, and editors and see what the cards have to say.
Carolyn uses a “gentle” tarot deck so there are no spooky Death, Devil, or Hanged Man cards. (Unless you’d like them, in which case she can dig up her old deck.)
Come have a laugh and maybe get some insight into your career concerns!
When: Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: via Zoom
No need to RSVP
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Far North Suburban Network | |
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Critiques
If you would like to share pages, please prepare no more than five double spaced pages of a novel excerpt or a picture book manuscript.
Kim will share instructions for submitting pages with the meeting reminder.
When: Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: via Zoom
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First Pages
We all know how important first pages or even first sentences can be.
For this meeting please bring in the first page of a novel you admire and we'll discuss what might hook the reader and make them want more and what might make a reader move on to something else.
When: Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: via Zoom
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Email Far North Suburban Network Representatives Kim Oclon and Nicole Hewitt for more information:
Kim Oclon
Nicole Hewitt
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Far Northwest Suburban Network | |
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OPEN CRITIQUE
If you would like to share your work and receive feedback, please prepare a picture book manuscript or no more than five double-spaced pages of a novel excerpt.
Instructions on how to submit will be sent with the meeting reminder.
We will meet at 6:30 PM the third Wednesday of the month from January to November at the Café in Barnes and Noble, 1470B E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173.
Mark your calendar for 6:30 PM on:
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2025
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Open Critique
Bring up to 1,000 words of your picture book, middle grade or young adult to share for feedback and camaraderie.
Mark your calendar for:
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: via Zoom
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Email Network Rep & Co-Regional Advisor Jennifer Wagh if you are a first-time attendee:
Jennifer Wagh
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Near West Suburban Network | |
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Holiday Jolly
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.
When: Thursday, Dec 12, 2024
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Please RSVP to Sarah Hammond who will provide location details if you plan to attend.
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Un-Resolutions for the New Year
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?
When: Thursday, Jan 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: via Zoom
Meeting ID: 897 083 8228
Passcode: 548967
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Crushes and Chemistry – Writing Romance for Young Readers
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.
When: Thursday, Feb 13, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: via Zoom
Meeting ID: 897 083 8228
Passcode: 548967
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Bolingbrook-Naperville Network | |
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Pop Up Critique
We will be very kind! We use the Oreo Cookie approach - bring up things that worked and are great; what might need improvement and something great again! Saturday's critique is a great opportunity to hear your words spoken aloud from other people! It's my favorite part, noting when people laugh or when they stumble over a sentence.
Feel free to bring your favorite beverage!
When: Saturday, Jan 18, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Road in Bolingbrook. It has lots of free parking!
Please email me at catherineannvelasco5@gmail.com by 8 p.m. Thursday Jan 16th so we can share how many copies to bring!
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Pop Up Critique
We will be very kind! We use the Oreo Cookie approach - bring up things that worked and are great; what might need improvement and something great again! Saturday's critique is a great opportunity to hear your words spoken aloud from other people! It's my favorite part, noting when people laugh or when they stumble over a sentence.
Feel free to bring your favorite beverage!
When: Saturday, Feb 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Road in Bolingbrook. It has lots of free parking!
Please email me at catherineannvelasco5@gmail.com by 8 p.m. Thursday Feb 13th so we can share how many copies to bring!
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CRITIQUE TIME - GET FEEDBACK
In-Person and Zoom!
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The Geneva Network critiques in person at 7:00 PM on the first Wednesday of the month at Barnes & Noble, 102 Commons Drive, Geneva, IL 60134.
Subject to weather.
Mark your calendar for in-person:
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
They also critique via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. Email Janet or Cheryl for Zoom information.
Mark your calendar for Zoom meetings:
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
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Critique Night
Bring 5 pages (or more if we have time) of your picture book, MG or YA novel WIP and receive some general or specific feedback (depending on your needs).
When: Thursday, Jan 9, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: via Zoom
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Critique Night
Bring 5 pages (or more if we have time) of your picture book, MG or YA novel WIP and receive some general or specific feedback (depending on your needs).
When: Thursday, Feb 13, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: via Zoom
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Galena-Freeport Area Network | |
FREE CRITIQUE OR SHARE TIME | | |
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To accommodate creators who work during the day, Network Rep. Jamie Petras changed the time of the meetings from 7 to 9 PM.
Each participant gets fifteen minutes to share their WIP, query or synopsis and get feedback, or ask questions about the writing process.
Mark your calendar for 7:00 to 9:00 PM:
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025
Please contact Jamie for the Zoom link.
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Email Network Rep Jamie Petras for more information:
Jamie Petras
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East Central / Champaign-Urbana Network | |
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Calling all Writers for Youth! - First Pages
Calling all children's and young adult writers! Bring part of your manuscript - beginning, middle, or end -for peer feedback. Are you looking for a creative community this new year? Do you need a fresh set of eyes and ears to give feedback on a story? Have you started writing for children or young adults and don't know where to go next? Share part of your manuscript - beginning, middle, or end. You will have the opportunity to receive peer feedback in a supportive and constructive environment. Bring up to three pages double-spaced. The time you have to share will be based on the total number of participants. This program is a great way to meet others passionate about writing for youth and learn about resources that can assist you on your writing journey. This program is presented in collaboration with The Urbana Free Library.
When: Sunday, Jan, 26, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm
Where: The Urbana Free Library, 210 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801
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Springfield Area Scribes Network | |
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Critique Night
Springfield Scribes will meet via Zoom to critique 5 pages of MG & YA or entire PB.
When: Tuesday, Jan 7, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Where: via Zoom
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Critique Night
Springfield Scribes will meet via Zoom to critique 5 pages of MG & YA or entire PB.
When: Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: via Zoom
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The Network meets from 6 to 8 PM on the third Wednesday of the month at Books-A-Million, 6601 Edwardsville Crossing Drive in Edwardsville.
Mark your calendar for:
Wednesday: December 18, 2024
Wednesday: January 15, 2025
and Wednesday: Feb 19, 2025
Bring 5 pages to critique! We do in-person critiques but have traditionally asked that writers new to the group wait until their second meeting to submit work for critique. New writers welcome!
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Email Network Juli Caveny for more information:
Juli Caveny
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SCBWI-IL NETWORK POLICIES | | | | |
