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@scbwi.illinois

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SCBWI Illinois | Supporting children’s book authors and illustrators across the Prairie State | Follow us for regional events

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Receiving the rejections/passes will be another post 🫠
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#kidlitauthor #kidlitillustrator #authorsofinstagram

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Yay for Team YA! Thanks for talking about how nuanced and layered contemporary YA romance can be, @lilrongal (Ronni Davis) at the SCBWI-IL Fall conference.

People think that @scbwi.illinois is only for picture book creators, but that's not true. We have vibrant MG and YA communities too.

#kidlit #scbwi #yabooks #sweetromance #writingcommunity

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I went to the MG/YA editor and agent panel today at the @scbwi.illinois 2026 Fall Harvest conference. It makes my heart so happy to hear that "young teen lit" and "lower YA" is one of the things the Big 5 editors were actively acquiring. Oh hey, that's me! Always been me. I've never liked the label "clean teen" but we didn't have a better shorthand until recently. I volunteer as tribute! 😄 but also seriously. I have 2 young teen lit manuscripts out on submission and have started Book 7 and am sketching out Book 8.

#scbwi #yabooks #youngteenlit #lowerYA #writingcommunity

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Thank you so much for sharing your publishing story and words of encouragement today at the @scbwi.illinois 2026 Fall Harvest conference, @kazwindness. I know I'm not the only one who needed to hear it.

Also, fun to see our mutual friend @zombicatures
in your pictures. We hope to see him more in the future as he comes to IL to visit his family.

#kidlit #yabooks #mglit #scbwi #illustrator

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Writers: How do you get your work in front of reputable agents and editors?

Thanks to the @scbwi.illinois 2026 Fall Harvest online conference, I had a 1:1 with the fantastic Carina Licon from Henry Holt BYR. Besides her kind words and helpful suggestions, she answered my industry questions and gave me some professional advice. This weekend is off to a great start!

#authorlife #scbwi #kidlit #yabooks #writing

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It's our last week of the From Concept to Career web series. Tonight's session: Independent publishing

Curious about creating your own book? Author Illustrator Laura Smetana shares the key steps of independent publishing, from working with editors and designers to producing a book readers will love.

This series is made possible by a grant from SCBWI and the Authors Coalition of America.

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Tonight is our sixth installment in this FREE multi-region web series. Today's session: How to Find an Agent.

Come learn tips and tricks for researching agents, finding submission opportunities, networking, and tracking your success. You’ll leave with a downloadable Query Tracking Worksheet, a list of major pitch fests and contests, and a place to start on your journey towards finding an agent!

This series is made possible by a grant from SCBWI and the Authors Coalition of America.

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My first @printersrowfest is in the bag. Here's part 1 of some of the cool authors I found there.

#printersrow #litfest #bookdragons #author #communitybuilding

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Thank you Sourcebooks for a wonderful tour! And thank you SCBWI-IL and Dandelion Bookshop for organizing it! What an incredible experience!

"Books Change Lives!" - Dominique Raccah, Founder of Sourcebooks

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Naperville, IL is a special city because it was where I started my 1st job 4 days after college graduation.

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Everybody grab a Book Buddy and let's go to Sourcebooks in Naperville, IL for an @scbwi.illinois event. My buddy was the 🦖-o-mite @jennymariewagh.

A big thanks to Meg, Kerry, Harper, and Campbell for showing us behind the scenes at @sourcebooks, talking us through the production process, answering our burning publishing questions, and treating us to dinner. We appreciate you.

And thank you to Jamie Ericson (owner of the @dandelionbookshop.oakpark) and @sarahannehammond for arranging this unique event for us. 🫶

#writingcommunity #scbwi #authorfriends #kidlitbooks #reading

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Second installment in the monthlong FREE multi-region web series. Today's session: Consider Your Reader.

Writing for children means understanding how young readers experience the world. In this workshop, we’ll explore how age, emotional development, humor, pacing, and perspectives shape stories that truly connect with kids and teens. Perfect for writers and illustrators looking to create authentic, engaging books for today’s young readers.

This series is made possible by a grant from SCBWI and the Authors Coalition of America.

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