September 2025

Words from your Houston SCBWI Co-Regional Advisor

Hey Creatives,

Just like that, the school year is back in full swing! It’s such a joy to see all those little ones at the bus stop and walking to school. What a reminder of the bright, curious minds we get to write for. They’re your audience, and they’re ready for stories!

We’ve got a fantastic lineup this month, starting with the amazing Valerie Bolling! You’ve probably seen her lighting up keynotes, local meetings, and webinars. Now we get to brainstorm with her! Don’t miss out on this inspiring session.

Our sister chapter in Austin is hosting their one-day conference this month, and the regional team (minus Lynne) will be there. Come say hi and sit with us. We would love to connect!

And speaking of Lynne, after 10 incredible years as our Assistant Regional Advisor, she’ll be stepping down. We’re so grateful for all she’s done! If you’re interested in stepping into this role, the application is open. Email me for details.

Here’s to a month full of creativity and connection. Happy creating!

Kaye Marc-Charles

CO-RA, SCBWI Houston

Houston-ra@scbwi.org

HOUSTON CHAPTER EVENTS

Critique Grou p s

About Us

Houston Events

We encourage you to view all of our events via our website.

Upcoming Meetings

Houston Chapter

Critique Group

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Where: Online

When: September 8, 2025

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM CST

What: An informal critique group to meet before most of our chapter meetings.

Details: All written and illustrated works-in-progress intended for the children’s market are welcome.

Please view the group's guidelines prior to attending. Free to all.

Authors and Illustrators are welcome to come to the critique session!

October's Chapter Meeting

Fuel Your Craft

How does Illustrator Sketch Night work on ZOOM? We enjoy a quick visit and share for the first 10-15 minutes and then it is independent work time. I provide an optional drawing prompt in addition to the SCBWI #DrawThis option if you didn't come with a project of your own. When the timer stops, we share our progress! Just think, all the advantages of a group of creatives doing what creatives do, but without the drive in Houston traffic!

Click here to register for Sketch Night

Interested in attending a Sunday afternoon figure drawing session?

Email Jennie for more information: houston-ic@scbwi.org

(low cost and limit of 10 people)

Houston Liftoff!

With the power of community, we are creating stories and illustrations in just 30 minutes! Join us on September 9th for the next community session. Remember, after the 30 minutes, we open the mics to share.

And maybe one of these stories or illustrations will be added to a Houston Lift-Off anthology.

Let us know you're coming!

Designing & Illustrating Book Covers with Kaz Windess

Interested in creating book covers? Join us for our webinar with award-winning author-illustrator Kaz Windness on September 25th. Member price is only $20, and critiques are available too! Learn the process, nuts and bolts, pitfalls to avoid, how to stand out, and enjoy the process. Whether you're a published or pre-published illustrator, and interested in picture books, early readers, or even middle grade covers, this class is for you.

Click for more details

The Austin chapter is having a 1-day in-person conference on September 27th.

Some in-person faculty you will see there:

Mallory Grigg (art director, Macmillan)
Tracy Shaw (art director, Little Brown)
Claire Tattersfield (editor, Viking)
Monica Rodriguez (Agent)
and plenty of talented local folks

*Many online faculty are listed on the website to provide pitches, critiques, and portfolio reviews: *

Read more and register on Austin SCBWI's page

Stay In the Know

Click to Join the Self-pub Contact List

Keep an eye on our social media for

announcements about area socials!

Interest Form

A stronger community-together on Discord

This only works if we come together as a community—checking in, sharing ideas, lifting each other up and being lifted up.

Join Our Discord

Space City Scribes Blog

Read the latest interviews here!

First Book

As a child I learned the alphabet.

They were 26 new friends.

In order or not, but many times.

They said, “it just depends.”

With a teacher, family, and classmates.

All helping me to learn.

And all those silly letters saying.

Hey! We all want a turn!

I started learning many words.

Each letter helped me see.

That they can share their time on paper.

And keep me company.

From letters to words in a line.

Then sentences on a page.

26 friends are creating stories.

Now that I’m at the reading age.

So, with all that help and practice.

Since I gave letters my first look.

Today, I’m at the school library.

And I’m getting my first book!

Have News? Share It With Us For Our Members Corner Newsletter! (published the 10th of each month)

Submit author & illustrator news for the next newsletter by the 5th of each month via this form. Event submissions for member book launches and signings can be added to our regional calendar! Please be sure to include the date, time, and location.

Make Your SCBWI Experience More Local:

Set Your Home Region

The SCBWI has introduced a new "Home Regions" feature that makes it easier than ever to stay connected to your local community.

Why choose a home region?

– Get updates on local events and opportunities

– Connect with your regional volunteers and help them better serve your area

– Strengthen your connection to the SCBWI community

Follow these simple steps to select your home region and follow others that interest you:

Log in and go to Member Home > My Profile > Edit My Profile. Scroll down the settings and click the arrow beside “Set your home region, and add others you’re interested in.”

Go to "Member Home" then click "My Awards" to find monthly opportunities!

SCBWI Regional Events

Remember to check out webinars hosted by SCBWI regions! See the Regional Virtual Events page to see what's coming up for novelists, picture book writers, illustrators, and more.

Our Volunteers

From left to right: Jacob Reynolds, Margaret Lea, Tiffany Obeng, Jennie Smith (above), Sabina Grey was webmaster, now retired (below), Annie Harmon (above) Lynne Kelly (below) Kaye Marc-Charles, and Jim Smolski. Missing: Cheryl McCosh, Sydney Dunlap, Sanyu Ntanda, Sam Kelty, and Kemi Ogunyemi.

Regional Team

Co-Regional Advisor:

Kaye Marc-Charles

Co-Regional Advisor:

Annie Roi Harmon

Asst. Regional Advisor:

Lynne Kelly OPEN!

Illustrators Coordinator:

Jennie Smith

Regional Advisor Emeritus:

Vicki Sansum

Chapter Volunteers

General Webmaster

OPEN!

Newsletter Editor

OPEN!

Critique Group Coordinator:

Jacob Reynolds

Newsletter Column Writer:

Jim Smolski

Kidlit Correspondents:

Margaret Lea

New Membership Coordinator

Sam Kelty

Programming Chair:

Cheryl McCosh Open! Interviewing!

Social Event Coordinator

Sanyu Ntanda

Local Event (Pod) Coordinators:

OPENINGS!

PAL Coordinator

Sydney Dunlap

Self-Pub Coordinator

Tiffany Obeng

Social Media Crew

OPENINGS!

Discord Moderator

Kemi Ogunyemi

OPEN Volunteer Positions

We want to create a chapter that is more involved, engaged, and active, and we need your help to do it!

Click here to apply.

Stay on top of the latest SCBWI News!

Join the conversation in Discord! Sign up here!

Newsletter Tip: Be aware of message clipping! To make sure you're getting the full newsletter, by looking for this message at the bottom of the email:

"[Message clipped] View entire message"

If you're not already, please follow us on social media!

Suggestion Box

Have an idea on how to improve Houston SCBWI?

Leave a suggestion in our Suggestion Box!

Chapter Logo and Header Design by Marissa Valdez

Houston Liftoff Design by Jill Wegner

News and other information may be passed on without attribution; original artwork and writing are the property of their creators and may be reproduced only with written permission.