GOOD NEWS | NOVEMBER 2026 | | |
Theme:
The Great Create
Illustrate the 2027 Spring Retreat Masthead Banner
based on this year's theme
Winning illustrator may choose FREE retreat attendance, either in-person (lodging not included) or online, OR a $75 gift card to Dick Blick's plus access to all recordings of the event for 30 days.
Second place will receive access to all recordings from the event.
Entry must be received by 11:59 pm on December 1, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Voting will take place from December 3 to December 5, 2026.
Winner will be announced December 7, 2026.
Questions? Email Illustrator Coordinator, Stacey Previn
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Monthly Member Meetup
Drop in to chat with Illinois members! Share your Good News, celebrate with others, make connections, and share in community.
WHEN: Sunday, November 1
TIME: 7 PM CST
WHERE: Zoom
Any Questions?: Email our co-RAs, Pamela Morgan or Sheila Path-McMahon
| | | SUBMISSIONS OPEN ON NOVEMBER 16 | |
Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World
In honor of the late Russell Freedman, Newbery Award winner and one of the modern masters of narrative nonfiction, we are happy to announce the opening of this year’s Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World.
The winner will receive a prize of $2500, recognition in all SCBWI publications, and a virtual forum to give a speech before the entire children’s book community. Any nonfiction book published for children or young adults, released between January 1 and December 31, 2026, is eligible. If both an author and illustrator are listed on the book cover, the prize will be split between them.
You do not have to be a member of SCBWI to submit. However, your book must be traditionally published.
The Russell Freedman Award will open on November 16th, 2026.
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#ReadLOCALIllinois Directory for teachers & librarians!
Thanks to all participating Illinois storytellers. The site will be updated annually each fall.
The image at right is available in AISLE, ANDERSON'S and IRC swag bags. It will be shared with Illinois booksellers to drive teachers and librarians from their websites to our directory to find presenters for school visits and literacy nights!
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Are you a Published Member with a workshop proposal?
We'd love to know!
Published members are the backbone of SCBWI, and we love learning from (and celebrating with) our members' successes. We're collecting a list of workshop proposals from published members to share with our networks and region. Self-published and first-timers are encouraged to submit.
The form with contact info will be available for all network reps and the regional team, as we plan our seasons. We look forward to working with all of our incredible Published members in the future!
| | #ReadALOUDIllinois Day December 5th | | |
PARTICIPANTS
NOW—DEC 4
—Get in touch with your local school's librarians and teachers to let them know you're available to present virtually to their classrooms.
—Announce on socials that you’re participating. —SCBWI-Illinois is promoting
#ReadALOUDIllinois at AISLE!
ON DEC 4
— #ReadALOUDIllinois Day Virtually visit Illinois classrooms
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TEACHERS + LIBRARIANS
Sign Up By Monday, November 30
- Sign up with a #ReadALOUDIllinois Day book creator for a free 20 min zoom visit.
- Choose from the linked list of Illinois authors & illustrators and schedule via their provided emails.
- Announce on socials that you’re participating. #readaloudillinois #scbwiillinois #readlocalillinois
- Celebrate Illinois storytellers on FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH!
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Read Aloud Virtual Canvassing
Join other published members as we paint a picture for schools on how to take advantage of our Illinois Read Aloud Day on December 4th.
Members will join on Zoom to socialize and chat as they reach out via email to local schools and libraries to share the news about Illinois Read Aloud Day. Every reported school or library contact receives a chance to win a $250 School Visit Scholarship. Two scholarships available. You do not need to attend a canvassing date to be eligible, but the contact must be reported on the form.
Canvassing Dates:
Sat Nov 7th 9-10am
Mon Nov 16th 7-8pm
Questions? ask Jenny Wagh or Pamela Morgan
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Mark your calendars for IRC 2027!
If you're planning to spend the night in Springfield for the Illinois Reading Conference, book your room NOW. In previous years, there were two hotels next to the conference center. However, one of those hotels was condemned, so rooms close by are going fast.
Registration opens today, and IRC has reserved blocks of rooms at several hotels.
Louann recommends:
#1: The Abraham Lincoln (217) 544-8800 ask for the IRC rate ($134 per night)
if you can't get a room there, then...
#2. The State House Inn....within walking distance of the conference. An old motel with a fabulous view of the capital, and a good piano bar. Rooms are ok.
(217) 528-5100.
Questions?: Email Louann Brown
Hoping to see some of you there! Be sure to stop by our booth to say Hello.
| | Congratulations, Laura Smetana! | | | | Your solo art show “My Lucky Leaf: Original Collage StoryWalk®,” featuring all of the original watercolor collages from your latest children’s book, will exhibit at the Indian Prairie Public Library from October 2–30, 2026. Free & open to the public during library hours. | | Congratulations, Jackie Gibson! | | | | Jackie was awarded the Community Access Scholarship to attend our Fall Harvest event in October. Now she wants to share her experience with the picture book community. Check out her article on Substack and thanks for sharing, Jackie! | Follow Jackie on socials: | | |
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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NEAR WEST SUBURBAN NETWORK
| | Writing for Children: Finding the Magic with Barb Rosenstock | | |
WHEN: Wednesday, November 11th
TIME: 7 PM
WHERE: Dandelion Bookshop, 139 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park
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You’ve got an idea that would make an excellent children’s book. Now what?
- How do you decide on a format?
- Know you’re on the right track?
- Are there any tips or tricks to make the drafting and revising easier?
Join veteran author Barb Rosenstock (Houdini’s Library, American Spirits, Sea Without a Shore, The Great Lakes, The Mystery of the Monarchs and more) as she takes you on a brief journey from initial idea through finished book, with stops at deciding on audience, drafting and shaping your manuscript, and thinking about visuals (even if you’re not an artist).
Practical handouts will be available online after the presentation and Barb will leave plenty of time for individual questions in person.
| | Think Like a Publishing Professional, Thrive as a Creative with Wendy McClure | | |
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 11th
TIME: 7 PM
WHERE: Zoom
| | Join us for a special interactive event with senior editor at Sourcebooks, Wendy McClure as she discusses the topic, "Think Like a Publishing Professional, Thrive as a Creative." This is a brand new topic Wendy will be addressing, and the first time it's on a webinar. Make sure not to miss it! | | CHICAGO'S SOUTHLAND NETWORK | | In Conversation with Aaron Reynolds | | Join us for a special event with Aaron Reynolds as he discusses writing that engages kids. Be sure to mark it on your calendar! | |
WHEN: Thursday, November 12th
TIME: 7 PM
WHERE: Zoom
| | NOVEMBER REGIONAL CALENDAR | | |
NOVEMBER 1, SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 3, TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 4, WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 10, TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 11, WEDNESDAY
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7PM Think Like a Publishing Professional, Thrive as a Creative with Sourcebooks editor Wendy McClure, North Suburban Network, Join on Zoom
NOVEMBER 12, THURSDAY
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7PM In Conversation with Aaron Reynolds, Chicago's Southland Network, Join on Zoom
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7 PM Spring Planning Meeting and a Holiday Writing Activity, Chicago Northside Network, Join Zoom Meeting
NOVEMBER 17, TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 18, WEDNESDAY
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6:30 PM Open Critique, Far Northwest Suburban Network, Barnes and Noble, 1470B E. Golf Road in Schaumburg, IL
NOVEMBER 24, TUESDAY
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