The 25th SCBWI Western Washington Conference for Writers and Illustrators

We'll start registration around February 12. All members will receive an email inviting you to register, so watch your email inbox.

Friday, April 7 will be a day of Roundtable Critiques and half-day Intensive Workshops for both writers and illustrators. Kid Lit Drink Night rounds off the evening, featuring mixing and mingling with your friends and faculty.

Saturday, April 8 will be a day of inspiring presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, winning portfolio announcements, and more.

Sunday, April 9 will be another day of Roundtables and Intensives for writers and illustrators.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS:

David Small, author and illustrator
A Conversation with “The kid who could draw good” about What Happened Next

Kazu Kibuishi, graphic novelist
Failing Safely: Learning from Mistakes

Patricia Hruby Powell, author
Fun, Folly, and Benefits of Breaking Rules While Practicing Empathy and Exercising Imagination

Laurie Ann Thompson, author and 2015 Crystal Kite Award winner
How Finding My Tribe Helped Me Find My Voice

BREAKOUT PRESENTATIONS:

Jessica Anderson, assistant editor at Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

BEHIND THE SCENES OF A MIDDLE GRADE NOVEL: FROM SUBMISSION TO FINISHED BOOK
This session explores an editor’s role, with a comprehensive look at the life cycle of a middle grade novel--from submission through acquisition, early editorial development, copyediting, design, proofing, and selecting final production specifications. A detailed behind-the-scenes perfect for children’s book creators seeking to know more about the journey to a finished book.

MEET THE IMPRINT: CHRISTY OTTAVIANO BOOKS
Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers/Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, features author-illustrators and encompasses literary and commercial picture books and fiction for all ages, with a focus on the middle-grade market. The imprint aims to publish books that encourage imagination and free-thinking, foster a sense of family and community, target the feelings of children, and speak directly to young people’s interests as they explore various milestones, creating contemporary classics that both challenge and entertain inquisitive readers. The imprint was founded in 2008 and publishes between 25 and 30 books a year.

Kristine Brogno, design director of Children’s Publishing at Chronicle Books

WORDS + PICTURES / PICTURES + WORDS: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
Picture books are the perfect marriage of text and art, but sometimes you need more of one and less of the other to make the book as strong as it can be. We'll look at examples of picture books and picture book design where text and image play off each other successfully and talk about why they work so well.

Kazu Kibuishi, graphic novelist

CREATING STORIES AS AN EXPERIENCE
When Kazu Kibuishi writes and draws, he focuses on how the work will be experienced rather than on plot points or proper drawing technique. He thinks of the process of making a book as experience design. Each book begins with a long period of research, and the source material can include books and movies, but also things like sports, music, museums, stores, and even food. In this workshop, he will talk about his process and about how important it is to be a receptive and curious researcher when creating a story.

Melissa Manlove, senior editor at Chronicle Books

FACT MEETS FEELING: WRITING NARRATIVE NONFICTION THAT INFORMS, ENTERTAINS, MOVES, AND CONVINCES AUDIENCES
This break-out session will explore several recent examples of excellent narrative nonfiction, and how these books hook both editors and readers.

Stephanie Pitts, editor at G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group

NONFICTION THAT READS LIKE FICTION
What do editors really mean when they ask for nonfiction that reads like fiction? Topics to be discussed include character, voice, and narrative for both picture book and middle grade nonfiction. Includes 15 minutes for Q&A.

Patricia Hruby Powell, author

DIGGING IN
Research—whether for fiction or nonfiction—gives the writer details, word banks, authenticity, new directions, next ideas, and a shipload of fun. Primary sources and interviewing can make your work unique (and authentic). Listening to your characters’ voices, listening to their music, listening to your music, all lends emotionality to your work and can give you (rhythmic) inspiration to create your voice and draw readers into your story.

Rebecca Sherman, senior literary agent at Writers House

NOT SO SECRET AGENT (aka everything you always wanted to know about agenting but were afraid to ask)
We know that publishers are businesses, but what about authors, illustrators, and agents? Spoiler Alert: we are part of the business of books too. This session will demystify the process of finding the right agent and what roles you both play in developing, selling, and promoting your work. Topics covered will include what Writers House is looking for, editorial work between agent and client, submission letters and pitches from agents to publishers, negotiation, contracts, the market and more.

AN AGENT AND HER CLIENT (featuring Corey Tabor)
Have you met Corey? I am the Barney to SCBWI Western Washington’s own Ted, Corey Tabor. Together, we will discuss the journey from our first introduction to the publication of his picture book debut, Fox and the Jumping Contest. Strap on your (figurative) jet packs and get ready to hear about story, illustration, revision, submissions, negotiations, what happens when a publisher joins the team, publicity, marketing, and more.

David Small, author and Illustrator, and Sarah Stewart, author

THE COLLABORATION TANGO: CREATING A PICTURE BOOK
What does it take to create a successful children’s picture book? More than you might imagine. Join writer Sarah Stewart and her illustrator husband David Small for a lively discussion on the many steps between an idea for a story and a published book.

Danielle Smith, agent and founder of Lupine Grove Creative

THE BUSINESS OF WRITING
Whether you are a pre-published author, an award winning illustrator, a best-selling author or brand new to the craft of writing we all have questions. How/When/Who needs an agent? What do agents do? What is their role in marketing my book? Will they help me make a career out of writing/illustrating? How do I know if I'm really good at this? What is a book contract and who negotiates it? All of these questions and more will be answered in this breakout session focused on the business of writing and illustrating for children.

Laurie Ann Thompson, author

WRITING TO SAVE THE WORLD
Most of us get interested in writing because we have something to say, and many of us are specifically drawn to kidlit because we want to pass information or (let’s be honest) morals on to future generations. Agents, editors, reviewers, and critiquers, however, all tell us that books for children should absolutely not have lessons! So, how can we create meaningful stories that don’t bore kids (or editors) to tears with a didactic message? Using exercises and discussion, author Laurie Ann Thompson will help you identify how you can make successful books while sharing your own most powerful lessons.

Deborah Warren, agent and founder of East West Literary

FROM A TO Z AND EAST TO WEST (and everywhere in-between)
An all access insider’s pass to East to West and the industry in general, complete with tips and tales and do’s and don’ts.

PERFECT PITCH: How to be your very own book seller
Whether you’re talking to an agent, editor, or art director, you need to nail the essence of your work in a short and sweet pitch.

INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS:

FRIDAY

Kristine Brogno, design director of Children’s Publishing at Chronicle Books

REAL-WORLD ART DIRECTION FOR A FANTASY ASSIGNMENT
Chronicle Design Director Kristine Brogno has always wanted to publish a modern retelling of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. And she’s chosen you to illustrate it! Just like in the real world, you will submit a full-spread sketch, which she will critique. Based on her feedback, you will revise and resubmit in full color. Final art will be reviewed at the conference. Bright and cheery? Dark and ominous? Human or animal? Totally up to you. This is an incredible opportunity to work in-depth with an award-winning art director and designer, so let your imagination play!

Stephanie Pitts, editor at G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group

WRITING IRRESISTABLE PICTURE BOOKS
What makes a new picture book character stand out to an editor? How do you give shape and direction to a story in less than 1000 words? Topics to be discussed include creating memorable and unique character traits, using voice to establish character, character arcs, narrative arcs, key plot elements, and common narrative structures. Includes writing and discussion prompts.

Patricia Hruby Powell, author

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES! Or WHY BREAK THE RULES?
How and why do you break those pesky rules? Let us count the ways. Is your manuscript a short MG or a way-too-long PB? Should you write your YA informational piece as nonfiction, historical fiction, or documentary novel? Maybe you need an enlightened format. But first, are you a rule breaker? Or a rule follower? Do you have the passion to follow through? You might have a new outlook on a project by the end of this session. Or a new project.

David Small, author and illustrator

MAN FALLING ON HIS ASS AND OTHER HARD THINGS TO DRAW
David will talk about and demonstrate Figure Drawing for artists, illustrators and anyone who takes an interest in traditional drawing techniques. Time permitting, he will give his thoughts on the Art of Illustration for both picture books and graphic novels. Questions from the audience throughout the presentation are welcome.
Come prepared with drawing materials and a large pad for figure drawing. (We will be drawing from a live, nude model.)

SUNDAY

Kazu Kibuishi, graphic novelist

PROCESSS FOR MAKING GRAPHIC NOVELS
Kazu Kibuishi is the creator of the popular Amulet series and he would like to help authors get started on their own journey! In this 3 hour workshop, you will learn the process of making graphic novels, from sketches and thumbnails to pencils, inks and colors. Art supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring what you like to work with. Kazu will be happy to answer questions covering issues such as communicating with audiences, the process of working with publishers, and, of course, the adventure of becoming a better writer and artist over time.

Melissa Manlove, senior editor at Chronicle Books

SOUNDING BOARD: EXPLORING VOICE IN PICTURE BOOKS
In this playful and hands-on writing intensive, we’ll unpack the many elements of voice, listen to and compare examples of picture book voice, and then we’ll turn to your own work to discover how the tools and techniques of voice can serve and celebrate your narrative. Assignment: bring up to 500 words of a picture book text.

Danielle Smith, agent and founder of Lupine Grove Creative

TELLING YOUR STORY FROM THE START
How is your book going to be discovered? By agents? By publishers? By librarians and booksellers? By bloggers and readers? Knowing how to talk about your book is crucial — and somewhat different — at every step in the process.
In this hands-on workshop packed with examples and exercises, we’ll explore ways in which you as a writer can not only follow your writing heart, but also find success in your endeavors. You will leave energized, prepared, and in love with what you have to offer the world.
Each writer should come prepared with at least the first ten pages as well as the last/final page of one finished writing project. We will use a large portion of our time unpacking, editing and honing the beginning and ending pages of your manuscript in hopes that you will leave with bookends to a wonderful new chapter in your writing process.

Alison Weiss, senior editor at Sky Pony Press

"LET'S GET IT STARTED:" BEGINNING YOUR STORY WITH THE RIGHT FIRST STEPS
How to develop the opening of your novel so that it hooks readers from the start. We’ll talk about some do’s and don’ts of fiction, what goes into a great first page, examine openings that work (and why), and engage in some writing exercises, before digging into the opening pages of your current Work-in-Progress and working (and re-working) the words to get you on your way. Please bring the first chapter (about 10 pages) of your novel (chapter book through YA—no picture books, please) as we’ll be doing some peer critiquing. Come with a copy of your chapter, pencil, paper, and an eagerness to dive right in.

Keynote Speakers

Illustrator and Graphic Novelist David Small, our Featured Illustrator

David Small, illustrator of more than 50 picture books, has created books that earned the top awards accorded to illustration, including a 1998 Caldecott Honor Book, two Christopher Medals, the 2001 Caldecott Medal, and a 2013 Caldecott Honor Book. His graphic memoir, Stitches, about his problematic youth, published in September 2009, was a National Book Award Finalist in Young People’s Literature, and named a Michigan Notable Book of the Year 2010. It also received the American Library Association’s 2009 Alex Award, which is given to books published for adults that are suitable for young readers. David Small and his wife, author Sarah Stewart, make their home in an 1833 manor house on a bend of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan.

Author Patricia Hruby Powell

Patricia Hruby Powell, author, danced throughout the Americas and Europe with her dance company, One Plus One, before becoming a storyteller and a writer of children’s books. Her picture book Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker (Chronicle 2014) garnered honors including the Robert F. Sibert, Coretta Scott King (for Illustration), Boston Globe Horn Book for Nonfiction, Bologna Ragazzi Nonfiction; and Parent’s Choice Gold for Poetry. Her other picture books are Blossom Tales, Zinnia, and Frog Brings Rain. Her documentary novel Loving vs. Virginia (Chronicle 2017) for young adults is a Junior Library Guild Selection for 2017 and her middle grade nonfiction Struttin’ With Some Barbecue (Charlesbridge) is forthcoming in 2018.

Graphic Novelist Kazu Kibuishi

Kazu Kibuishi, writer and artist, is the mastermind behind the New York Times Bestselling Amulet graphic novel series, published by Scholastic. He served as the editor/art director/cover artist of the Explorer and Flight comic anthologies. His debut graphic novel, Daisy Kutter: The Last Train, won a YALSA Best Books for Young Adults Award, and he also illustrated and designed the covers for Scholastic's 15th Anniversary paperback editions of the Harry Potter series. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Kazu moved to the U.S. with his mother and brother when he was a child. He graduated from Film Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara in 2000.

Author Laurie Ann Thompson

Laurie Ann Thompson, a former software engineer, now writes for children and young adults. She writes nonfiction that gives wings to active imaginations and fiction that taps into universal human truths, as seen in her 2015 Crystal Kite Members’ Choice Award-winning book, Be A Changemaker: How To Start Something That Matters, an inspiring how-to guide for teens, Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story Of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a picture book biography of a young man from Ghana who changed perceptions about disabilities, her fiction picture book My Dog Is The Best and the upcoming Two Truths And A Lie fiction/nonfiction hybrid series for middle-grade readers (co-authored with Ammi-Joan Paquette)

Editor & Art Director Faculty

Jessica Anderson – Christy Ottaviano Books

Jessica Anderson, assistant editor at Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, has assisted in the publication of a wide range of picture books, middle grade and YA fiction. She is on the lookout for lyrical picture book biographies, hilarious middle grade diary fiction, and gritty contemporary realistic YA. Recent titles she has worked on include: Billions of Bricks by Kurt Cyrus, Sticker Girl by Janet Tashjian, The Girl I Used to Be by April Henry and The Wolf Keepers by Elise Broach. She is also the editor of the forthcoming YA debut Wrong in All the Right Ways by Tiffany Brownlee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Columbia University.

Kristine Brogno, Chronicle Books

Kristine Brogno, design director of Children’s Publishing at Chronicle Books in San Francisco, is an award-winning art director. She’s had the great honor of working with a broad range of children’s artists — from first-time book illustrators to seasoned veterans, including Eliza Wheeler, Sara Varon, Calef Brown, Tom Lichtenheld, Julie Morstad, Andy Rash, Melissa Sweet, Jen Corace, and Meilo So, among many others. When she’s not reviewing sketches and looking for the perfect typeface, you can find her exploring the Bay Area and beyond with her two sons.

Melissa Manlove – Chronicle Books

Melissa Manlove, senior editor at Chronicle Books in San Francisco, has been with Chronicle for 12 years. Her acquisitions tend to be all ages in nonfiction, ages 0-8 in fiction. When acquiring, she looks for fresh takes on familiar topics as well as the new and unusual. An effective approach and strong, graceful writing are important to her. She has 17 years of children’s bookselling experience. Recent titles she has worked on include: Josephine by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Christian Robinson; On a Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky; Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal and Little Red Writing by Joan Holub, illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

Stephanie Pitts – Putnam Young Readers, Penguin

Stephanie Pitts, editor at G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, works on picture books and middle grade novels. Prior to joining the team at Putnam, Stephanie worked at Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. She once pulled a darling picture book manuscript, Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller, out of the slush pile. It published to four starred reviews and was named an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Book. She edited the middle grade novels My Brother’s Shadow and Not as We Know It, both by Tom Avery, and the picture book Jackrabbit McCabe and the Electric Telegraph by Lucy Margaret Rozier and illustrated by Leo Espinosa, among others.

Alison Weiss – Sky Pony Press

Alison S. Weiss, senior editor at Sky Pony Press, works on picture books through YA, and was named a 2016 Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. She loves assassins and spies and sleuths, friendships that feel like they’ll last forever, and love stories that will twist you in knots before they’re through. She’s especially eager to find a middle grade with a cozy feel, and a voice-driven, sweeping, romantic YA. Recent projects include the Project Droid series by Nancy Krulik and Amanda Burwasser, illustrated by Mike Moran, Timekeeper by Tara Sim, dotwav by Mike A. Lancaster, Wandering Wild by Jessica Taylor, A Million Times Goodnight by Kristina McBride, and It’s a Mystery, Pig Face! by Wendy MacLeod McKnight.

Agent Faculty

Rebecca Sherman, Writers House

Rebecca Sherman, senior literary agent at Writers House, LLC, began her publishing career over 15 years ago. She represents a range of PB (specializing in the representation of author/illustrators of picture books), middle grade, YA (fiction and nonfiction,), graphic novels, and highly illustrated fiction. Her client list includes New York Times Bestsellers, National Book Award Finalists, Caldecott Honor recipients, Newbery Honor Recipients, Sibert Medalists, CSK Medal winners, and soon-to-be-debut clients. She is proud to represent Grace Lin, Melissa Sweet, Matt Phelan, Daniel Salmieri, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Andrea Beaty, and SCBWI Western Washington's own Corey Tabor, among others.

Danielle Smith, brand-new owner of Lupine Grove Creative (formerly Red Fox Literary)

Danielle Smith, agent, recently founded Lupine Grove Creative, LLC, a boutique literary agency for children’s book authors and illustrators that also packages books for publishers. Danielle is the mother of two wonderful children and wife to a practicing attorney. She began her agent career at Fuse Literary in 2013, but made the move to Red Fox Literary, LLC, in March of 2014, where she represented children’s book authors and illustrators along side her mentor and partner at Red Fox, Abigail Samoun. She’s an author, literacy advocate, professional flutist and movie lover.

Deborah Warren, East West Literary

Deborah Warren, agent and founder of East West Literary, is a strategist, incorporating long-term goals to help E/W clients not only grow a career, but to flourish within that career. With over 35 years of experience in the publishing industry, including 17 years at Harcourt and over 16 years at the helm of E/W, Deborah represents authors and illustrators in the picture book, board book, concept, novelty, multicultural, nonfiction, middle-grade, and young adult markets. Deborah’s looking to fall in love with character-driven stories with heart, enhanced by a hook, told in a unique, fresh or distinctive way. Her sweet spots: short, quirky picture books and smartly layered, memorable and insightful MG and YA fiction.

Additional Faculty

Author Sarah Stewart, sharing a presentation with David Small

Sarah Stewart, author, is a published poet and lifelong diarist. She is also the author of six acclaimed children’s books, all illustrated by David Small. The Gardener was named a Caldecott Honor Book, earned a Christopher Award, and was an ABBY (American Booksellers’ Book of the Year) Award Honor Book. The Friend, published in the fall of 2004 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux, received a boxed and starred review in Publisher’s Weekly (PW) June 7, 2004, and was named a PW Best Children’s Book of the Year. The Book, the seventh collaboration between Sarah Stewart and David Small is scheduled for publication in 2017.

Author and Illustrator Corey R. Tabor

Corey R. Tabor, author and illustrator of Fox and the Jumping Contest, loves books. He especially loves picture books. He also illustrated A Dark, Dark Cave and he’s got more in the pipeline (thanks, Rebecca Sherman!). He creates his illustrations with pencil and watercolor and a dose of digital wizardry. Some amount of strong coffee is usually involved. Corey lives in Seattle with his lovely wife and spends his time making pictures and stories.

Kim Baker, Author

Kim Baker, author of the acclaimed middle-grade novel Pickle (Macmillan), was a Children's Choice Awards Book of the Year finalist and the recipient of an SCBWI Crystal Kite award. Pickle was also named one of Mamiverse’s Top 50 Latino Children’s Books. Kim is a former SCBWI Western Washington regional advisor and a longtime SCBWI lover. She has worked as a teacher and crisis counselor, but now writes and gives the occasional writing workshop in Seattle. She can often be found in the woods, despite a chronic fear of bears.

Dori Hillestad Butler, Author

Dori Hillestad Butler, award-winning author, has written more than 50 books for young readers, including the Haunted Library series, the Buddy Files series, and the forthcoming King & Kayla series. The Buddy Files #1: Case of the Lost Boy won the 2011 Edgar Award for best juvenile mystery and her Haunted Library #1 is on Washington’s brand new Otter Award list for 2017. Dori has also been an active library volunteer, therapy dog partner, and mentor to many young writers. She grew up in southern Minnesota, spent 19 years in Iowa, and now lives in Kirkland.

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Author Martha Brockenbrough

Martha Brockenbrough (rhymes with broken toe) is the author of two books for adults and five books for young readers, including The Game of Love and Death (with three more on the way in 2017). A faculty member at Vermont College of Fine Arts and blogger for the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, she's also the founder of National Grammar Day (every March 4), and she's written game questions for Cranium and Trivial Pursuit. She lives in Seattle with her family. Her favorite kind of food is Indian, although Thai runs a close second. Besides writing, she likes board games, playing music with the family band, travel to places far and near, drinking lots of coffee, and working out really hard at the gym.

Clelia Gore, Martin Literary Management

Clelia Gore, literary agent at Martin Literary Management, is a former attorney from New York City but much prefers her life in Seattle representing talented authors and illustrators and helping to bring quality books to children. Clelia doles out her observations, industry news, and writer tips on Twitter at @MadmoiselleClel.

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Mandy Hubbard, Emerald City Literary Agency

Mandy Hubbard, agent and founder of Emerald City Literary Agency , specializes in YA and MG fiction. She began her agenting career at D4EO Literary Agency in February of 2010. Her clients include Cindy Callaghan (Lost in London, 2013, Aladdin Mix), Joy Hensley (Rites of Passage, Harper, 2014) and Jessica Martinez (Kiss Kill Vanish, Harper, 2014). She signed local author Kelly Jones after critiquing her work during a round table at Western Washington's SCBWI conference in 2013, and that novel, Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer was released by Knopf in 2015. She's also the author of 11 YA novels, including Prada & Prejudice and Fool Me Twice

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Tricia Lawrence, Erin Murphy Literary Agency

Tricia Lawrence, agent and the "Pacific Northwest branch" of EMLA, was born and raised in Oregon, and now lives in Seattle. After 19 years of working as a developmental and production-based editor (from kids books to college textbooks, but mostly college textbooks), she joined the EMLA team in March 2011 as a social media strategist. Tricia represents picture books/chapter books that look at the world in a unique and unusual way, with characters that are alive both on and off the page, and middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction that offers strong world building, wounded narrators, and stories that grab a reader and won't let go.

Kathleen Ortiz, New Leaf Literary

Kathleen Ortiz, agent with New Leaf Literary & Media, actively seeks more authors and illustrators, specifically fresh, new voices in YA and animator/illustrator talent. In YA she gravitates more toward beautiful and exceptional world building as well as contemporary stories whose main characters stay with the reader far beyond the pages. She would love to see a beautifully written YA set within other cultures and experiences. On the illustration side, she loves animator/illustrators and their unique way of storytelling -- anything with "Pixar" humor is for her! She would love to find a book that inspires kids and teens to be the positive change our society needs.

Author, Lisa Owens

Lisa L. Owens, author of 95+ works for young readers, has published everything from picture books to YA self-help. About two-thirds of those are nonfiction, and among the most popular are Space Neighbors, a picture book series about the solar system; American Justice I & II, which examine the cultural impact of famous 20th-century trials; and Frenemies: Dealing with Friend Drama, a self-help book for teen girls. As a former reporter, Lisa loves chasing the facts and shaping them into high-interest narratives that cultivate further curiosity. And, as a long-time in-house and freelance children’s editor, she also enjoys helping other writers craft their own unique stories that hook and hold their readers’ attention.

Designer and Illustrator, Will Staehle

Will Staehle grew up reading comics and working summers at his parent’s design firm in Wisconsin. He was Art Director for HarperCollins Publishers in NY, the VP of Design at JibJab in LA, and has been labeled by Print Magazine as one of the Top Twenty Under Thirty New Visual Artists, an Art Director’s Club Young Gun, and has also exhibited a solo show of work at the Type Director’s Club. He’s designed covers for Michael Chabon, V.E. Schwab, Michael Crichton, and Warren Ellis. Will is also the creator and illustrator of the award-winning middle grade series, Warren the 13th.

Jolie Stekly, Author & Blogger

Jolie Stekly, author and writing instructor, teaches the year-long Writing for Children certification course at the University of Washington. Over the past ten years she has worked with numerous editors, agents, authors, and illustrators to develop programing for conference, retreats, and classes. She was recognized as SCBWI’s 2009 Member of the Year and now welcomes hundreds of first-time conference attendees to the international conference in Los Angeles, helping them make the most of their experience. She holds a master's degree in education, is on the blog team for the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, and is represented by literary agent Rosemary Stimola.

Tegan Tigani – Sasquatch Books

Tegan Tigani is an editor-at-large for Little Bigfoot, the picture book imprint of Sasquatch Books in Seattle. She also does developmental editing with Girl Friday Productions and the Book Doctors. Several days a week, you can find her wearing the children's book buyer hat at Queen Anne Book Company, an independent neighborhood bookstore in Seattle.

Richard Jesse Watson, Author & Illustrator

Richard Jesse Watson has been writing and illustrating children’s books for over thirty years. His Tom Thumb received the Golden Kite Award for Best Illustrated Book. Several of his titles were New York Times Bestsellers, Booklist Editor’s Choice and Kirkus Starred Reviews. Awards include People Magazine’s Best Picture Book of the Year, and International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice Award and Teacher’s Choice Award. Watson’s work has been exhibited at National Collection of Children’s Illustrated Literature, MAZZA Museum and a solo exhibit at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

Fees

Saturday Programming:

Early Bird Tuition (February 12 – March 11)
SCBWI Members, Saturday only: $190
Non-members, $240

Standard tuition (March 12 – April 3)
SCBWI Members, Saturday only: $215
Non-members, $265

Above prices include all day attendance, continental breakfast and a boxed lunch on Saturday, as well as admission to Saturday's Wine & Cheese Reception and Book Signing Party.

Optional Items:

Juried Art Portfolio Show: See details on Additional Opportunities page.
SCBWI Members, $35 Non-members $40

Published Attendee Showcase for Authors and Illustrators: SCBWI Members only, no fee. See details on Additional Opportunities page. Registration is CLOSED.

Intensive Workshops: There are four Intensive Workshops on Friday and four on Sunday, each three hours in length. See details on Intensive Workshops page.
SCBWI Members: $62 Non-members: $67

Roundtable Critiques: Each session includes two roundtables. See details on Roundtable Critique page.
SCBWI Members, $75 Non-members, $80

Continuing Education Credits: Up to 18 Clock hours for teachers will be provided by The Heritage Institute for $35. Please contact Deb Lund for more information at deb@deblund.com

Conference FAQS