SCBWI-IL GOOD NEWS | January 2026 | | Announcing the 2026 Many Voices Prize | | Join our in-person and virtual pitch program for on-the-cusp authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators on April 10th & 11th, 2026! Registration opens February 9th, 2026, at noon CDT—limited attendance for maximum feedback opportunities. Stay tuned for more information! | | WRITING PRIZE STARTS JANUARY 12TH | |
Write a 12-word 'Story Sprout' for a chance to win a scholarship to our 2026 Spring Thaw conference!
We invite SCBWI members who reside in Illinois to write a 12-word Story Sprout for the Spring Thaw. Submissions start today, January 12th, 2026, and will close at 11:59 pm on January 25th, 2026. First round of voting takes place from January 26-29, 2026. Second round of voting takes place January 30 - February 1, 2026. The winner will be announced on February 2nd, 2026.
What is a Story Sprout?
A story sprout is a short form of very brief prose narrative, often called Flash Fiction.
The Contest
- Write a Story Sprout using only 12 words. They do not need to be 12 different words, but it must be only, and exactly, 12 words.
- There are no limitations on style or genre. Make it happy, make it sad. Make it rhyme, make it prose.
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The Story Sprout must be inspired by our prompt: Choose Your Own Adventure
- The title is not included in the word count.
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No illustrations please.
The winning writer will receive free attendance to the 2026 Spring Thaw event, in person or online.
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PROMOTE at
Illinois Reading Council Conference
March 12-13 finds us at Illinois Reading Council Conference, Springfield.
All published members are invited to promote themselves and their books! Not attending? No problem!
This is a community effort to boost & support one another with lots of ways for all PALs to help.
Participation dates, details & FAQs will be announced by January 20.
| | | ILLINOIS LIT LIVE RETURNS IN JANUARY | | | | |
Join us this January for another Illinois Lit Live event, featuring readings from Published Illinois Members.
WHEN: Saturday, January 31st
TIME: 7 PM CST
LOCATION: Zoom
Email our Pal Coordinator, Alison Marcotte with any questions.
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Congratulations,
Lauren Fischer!
Lauren's book, Orphanland released November 12, 2025!
Follow Lauren on Social Media:
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Congratulations,
Anna Stenger!
Anna was awarded the Don Freeman Grant in the pre-published category!
Follow Lauren on Social Media:
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We want to celebrate all of your Good News!
Be sure to fill out the form anytime during the month, to be included in our monthly newsletter!
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NETWORK HIGHLIGHTS
ALL ILLINOIS NETWORKS ARE FREE & OPEN TO ALL
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New Year Goal Setting and Reflection
Join the Rockford Network to reflect on your writing progress in 2025, and to share your goals for 2026. We'll chat about this for a while, and then have some quiet writing or planning time after.
When: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Where: Zoom
| | NEAR WEST SUBURBAN NETWORK | | |
Build a Custom Creativity Toolkit for 2026
Jump-start your creative goals for the New Year! 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.
When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Dandelion Bookshop, 139 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park.
Click for parking/transport links.
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Writing Tarot Event
For those interested in Tarot, join us for a fun and laidback evening over Zoom where you can ask a couple of questions about your writing career.
When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Zoom
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HAPPY NEW YEAR, ILLINOIS!…
We wish you a year filled with health, creativity and GOOD NEWS! Share yours on our Google Groups with the subject January Good News!
Email your Regional Team
| | JANUARY REGIONAL CALENDAR | | | | |
