NETWORKS offer easy, handy access to programs, writing groups, networking opportunities and other interested (and interesting!) writers and illustrators. Check below for your particular NETWORK’s time, location and Shop Talk.
Networks are free and open to all. You may attend any Network at any time, not just the one in your area. All Network participants agree to abide by our SCBWI Anti-harrassment Policy.
Interested in starting a NETWORKS group in your area?
Contact NETWORKS Coordinator, Deb Aronson, Assistant Reginal Advisor
Winter 2020
(Updated 12/2019)
Illustrators’ Networks
Chicago-area Illustrators’ Network
Representatives:
Rich Green – 815-341-0925
Pav Kovacic 773-490-5902
The Chicago-Area’s Illustrators Network meets monthly from September through May. Meetings are free and open to the public and include a topic discussion, presentation or guest speaker. We also leave time at the end of each meeting for peer review of works in progress, book dummies and portfolios. So be sure to bring yours along!
The Chicago-Area’s Illustrators Network meets monthly from September through May. Meetings are free and open to the public and include a topic discussion, presentation or guest speaker. We also leave time at the end of each meeting for peer review of works in progress, book dummies and portfolios. So be sure to bring yours along!
Saturday, January 25th
Topic: Special Guest Jackie Alcántara
Location: Meeting Room “C”
Des Plaines Public Library,
1501 Ellinwood Ave.
Des Plaines, IL. 60016
Time: 9:30am-Noon
Join special guest Jackie Alcántara as she discusses the making of her brand new book Freedom Soup. Jackie will also talk about illustrating with authenticity and how to know if a manuscript is right for you.
Saturday , February 29th
Topic: Mock Caldecott
Location: Meeting Room “C”/Des Plaines Public Library/ 1501 Ellinwood Ave./Des Plaines, IL. 60016
Time: 9:30am-Noon
The annual Caldecott awards are given out in January of each year. We will be bringing in as many of the nominated and winning books as possible to hold our own mock vote. Then we can compare our winner vs. actual winner. This is a great chance to experience the books, discuss them in the group and learn more about the industries likes compared to our own. Everyone is asked to bring in a “wildcard” book, which was not nominated but was your personal favorite book released in 2019. These will be included in our mock voting.
SCBWI-IL Members:
You can also join in the fun at our SCBWI Illinois Illustrators Network Group on Facebook – request to join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/75724682515/
SCBWI member illustrators please make sure you are on the illustrator listserv for updates….to be added please email Cedric Gliane.
Downstate Illustrators’ Network
Representatives:
Louann Brown 217-839-3264
Jerry Barrett 217-621-1369
Shop Talk & Critiques. Optional lunch afterward at a nearby location:
QUARTERLY MEETINGS: This Network meets at various locations throughout the mid-central area. We maintain a Facebook page (Downstate Illinois SCBWI Illustrators) for critiques and information sharing between meetings. If you’d like to join us, send us a request via Facebook or email one of the network reps. At our meetings we typically discuss markets, critique work and share our journey. Everyone is welcome.
Diversity Network
Representative: Donna Beasley
December 4, 2019 -Celebrate Your Writing Pizza Party
Topic: Let’s take time to reflect on our writing accomplishments at our final Diversity Group meeting of the year. Join us for a Pizza Party and share what you’re proud of this year.
Location: Medici Restaurant 1327 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL
Time: 7 pm
Cost: Free
Diversity Network Representative: Donna Beasley
FREE and open to non-members as well as members.
_______________________________________________________________________
January 8, 2020 –
Topic: Hot Chocolate Bring a Friend Social
Location: Cafe 53 Restaurant 1369 E. 53rd Street, Chicago
Time: 7 pm Cost: Free
___________________________________________________________________________
February 5, 2020 – Critique Day
Topic:Bring in up to 3 pages and read what you are working on to receive critiques from the group. Must be present to be critiqued.
Location:Cafe 53 Restaurant 1369 E. 53rd Street, Chicago
Time: 7 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________________
Wheelchair accessible. Contact Donna@kazoomkidsbooks.com with any additional accessibility needs.
About our Diversity Network…
Every month, FREE, non-members welcome. If anyone needs additional ADA support such as sign language interpreter or other resources, please email Donna Beasley in advance.
Diversity Network Meetings create a space where writers and illustrators who’ve traditionally been left at the margins in children’s publishing can get together.
At these meetings we’ll build community, share stories of hurdles and successes, work to dismantle barriers, improve diversity and inclusion in children’s literature and SCBWI-IL, work on our craft and further our writing and/or illustrating careers. And there will often be snacks. Feel free to bring a tasty treat to share.
Our focus on diversity springs from the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement:
We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.
Because of the breadth of this focus, we will be particularly conscious of the intersectionality of oppressions and identities. Allies are welcome. (An ally is a person who supports, empowers, or stands up for another person or a group of people.)
“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
– Aboriginal activists group, Queensland, 1970s
Writers’ Networks
Chicago Network
Representatives:
Jane Hertenstein (773) 303-4089
January 16
Topic: Picture Book Critique
Location: Everybody’s Coffee, 935 W. Wilson, Chicago
Time: 7 – 9 PM
If you have a manuscript or work-in-progress, RSVP for this critique session.
RSVP: janehertenstein@gmail.com
Street parking available
February House Party
This has become an annual thing for us. If you have a house or apartment and want to host, please contact janehertenstein@gmail.com. Jane and co-rep Mary Jo will bring everything necessary for a party.
March 26
Topic Character Critique
Location: Everybody’s Coffee, 935 W. Wilson, Chicago
Time: 7 – 9 PM
If you have a manuscript or work-in-progress, RSVP for this critique session. We will pay special attention to character and character development. Please bring 5 pages that exemplifies your character or the first 5 pages of your manuscript.
RSVP: janehertenstein@gmail.com
Street parking available
Hyde Park Network
Representative:
Kate Hannigan
December ‘Picture Book Bacchanal’ at 57th Street Books
You asked for more picture book programming, and we’re answering! SCBWI-Illinois’ Hyde Park/ South Side of Chicago Network invites you to a Picture Book Bacchanal! Join Chicago-area picture book authors and illustrators for a discussion about craft, cracking the publishing forcefield, finding an agent and all the ins-and-outs of writing and illustrating fiction and non-fiction picture books.
WHEN: 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, December 6
WHERE: 57th Street Books, 1301 E 57th Street in Hyde Park
WHO: Six Chicago-area authors and illustrators
- Betsy Bird with The Great Santa Stakeout
- Elizabeth Brown with Dancing Through Fields of Color: The Story of Helen Frankenthaler
- Lori Degman with Like a Girl and Just Read
- Claudia Guadalupe Martinez with Not a Bean
- Junli Song with Cherry Moon: Little Poems Big Ideas Mindful of Nature
- Patty Toht with Dress Like a Girl, Pick a Pumpkin, and Pick a Pine Tree
Come shop for all the people on your holiday lists, mix ’n’ mingle with other SCBWI folks, and join us in a little merrymaking! As always, come for the wisdom, stay for the brownies — and a bit of eggnog!
Please RSVP to KateHannigan@gmail.com so we can get a proper headcount. Hope to see you there!
Chicago’s Southland Network
Representatives:
Jim Danielson 708-596-4479
Linda Dryfhout
For more information and current shop talk topics, visit the Chicago Southland blog at http://scbwisouthchicago.blogspot.com.
Shop Talks:
Second Thursday of every month. Evening Talk Only: 7 P.M., Barnes and Noble, 105 Orland Park Place, LaGrange Rd. (Rte. 45) & 153rd St. in Orland Park.
Programs:
Northern Suburbs
Cook County (North Suburban Network)
Representatives:
Far Northern Suburbs
Far North Suburban Network
Representatives:
Erica Weisz
Kim Oclon
Meetings:
Join us on the 1st Wednesday of every month at:
Location :
David Adler Music and Arts Center
1700 North Milwaukee Avenue
Libertyville, Illinois 60048
Time: 7-9 pm
December 4: Gift of Time
Join us for our annual tradition of snacks, socializing, and maybe even some writing! If you would like, bring a snack to share and anything you need to write (notebook, laptop) to use your gift of time.
January 8 : Critiques
If you would like to share with the group, please bring 7-10 copies of your work. Pages should be double-spaced, 12 point font, and one inch margins.
February 5: Critiques
If you would like to share with the group, please bring 7-10 copies of your work. Pages should be double-spaced, 12 point font, and one inch margins.
Far Northwest Suburbs
Far Northwest Suburban Network
Representatives:
Veronica Rundell
Kathleen Reitmann
Open Critique- NEW DAY AND TIME!
Dundee Area Network
Representatives:
Shop Talk/Critique Session
Second Wednesday of the month 7-9 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Barnes and Noble (at Spring Hill Mall), 1444 Springhill Mall Blvd. West Dundee, 60118
If you are a first time attendee please RSVP Jennifer Wagh
Western Suburbs
Oak Park and Near West Suburban Network
Representatives:
Sarah Hammond
Karen Walker Ward
Sallie Wolf
Shop Talk: Second Thursday of the month, 7 – 9 pm Our meetings are free and open to all.
Programs: Main Library
Main OP Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301, 708-383-8200
Dec. 12–Holiday Party
Jan. 9—Mentor Texts– Do you know what a Mentor Text is? Basically, it’s the book you wish you had written–it’s your kind of book. For our January meeting we are asking everyone to bring in at least one book that inspires them, that is a model for what they want to write. Share why this book speaks to you and we will discuss how we can use mentor texts to inspire and guide our work.
Feb. 13—critique
March (More details to come) The Butler Center is busy with classes on our usual meet up date. We are working with them to arrange a possible Sat. meeting that may be craft oriented, working from their collection of folk and fairy tales; or we may possibly have a local publisher come to present. Details to be determined! Check back often!
April 9—critique
May 14—Kate Hannigan—Kate Hannigan has a nonfiction graphic novel coming out in June with First Second. It’s about the Chicago Fire, part of their new History Comics series. She will talk about the nuts and bolts of scripting a graphic novel, and also about how she has managed to be so prolific while raising a family!
The Oak Park/near west Network takes June, July, and August off. We return in September.
Bolingbrook-Naperville Network
Representatives:
Cathy Velasco
Mary and Rich Chamberlain
LaGrange-Naperville Network meets three times a year from 10 a.m. – noon, Saturday mornings at:
Fountaindale Public Library
300 W Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook
January 25
10 a.m. to noon
Coping with Your Inner Critic
Whether you’re a beginning writer or an established professional, you’ve likely struggled with the inner critic — that nagging voice in your head that berates you and disparages your work. What if you could turn that critic into an ally? In this presentation, author and writing teacher Carmela Martino shares techniques to transform your inner critic into a writing assistant, or at least to quiet the critic long enough for you to get some writing done.
Please join the LaGrange-Naperville Network from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, January 25, at the Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Road in Bolingbrook. We will meet in Meeting Room B on the main floor. There is a coffee/tea/snack shop on premises. Please reserve a spot by January 23 at catherineannvelasco5@gmail.com
Geneva Network
Representatives:
Janet Riehecky 847-695-9781
Cheryl App
Shop Talks:
First Wednesday & fourth Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m.
Barnes and Noble, 102 Commons Drive, near Randall Road, Geneva
Northern Illinois
Rockford Network
Representatives:
Karin Blaski
Jennifer Loescher
All meetings held at the Winnebago Public Library
Address: 210 N Elida St, Winnebago, IL 61088
Contact: Karin Blaski, keblaski@aol.com
January 7, 2020
Topic: Creative Problem-Solving For Your Writing Troubles
Time: 6-7:30 PM
Start off the new year on the right writing foot! Bring a writing problem that needs to be solved from your current work in process. As a group, we’ll brainstorm possible solutions using an A-Z list of creative problem-solving techniques which can help overcome everything from writer’s block to info dump. List of techniques provided.
February 4
Topic: For the Love of Writing Craft Books
Time: 6-7:30 PM
Bring your favorite writing craft book, such as Bird by Bird, Writing with Power, Writing Down the Bones, Writing Without Teachers, or Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. Be prepared to read a section(s) at the meeting and how/why it’s been helpful and we’ll discuss.
Representatives:
Leone Anderson 815-947-2780
Debbie Deutsch 815-235-8899
Critique Session/Shop Talks:
Fourth Saturday of each month
Freeport Public Library 10-12 p.m.
Please contact Lee or Debbie to verify dates/locations.
DeKalb Area Network
Representative:
Shop Talk & Critique Session:
The third Wednesday of the month, January through November, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Adult Services Study Group, Room 1, of the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak Street, DeKalb, IL 60115
No meetings in December
Central Illinois
Central Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) Network
Representatives:
Elaine Bearden
Gabriela Romero
Bloomington/Normal Network
(Near-Normal Writer’s Group)
Representatives:
Dawn Malone (dawnemalone@gmail.com)
Looking for new leadership. Please contact Dawn if you’re interested in hosting a program.
Springfield Area Network
The Springfield Scribes
Representative:
Debra Daugherty
Upcoming Programs:
Monday, January 6
Topic: Discussion on Writing Picture Books
Location: Meeting at Chatham Library, 200 E. Spruce, Chatham, IL 62629
Time; 5:30-7;30 (5:30-6 is social time. Meeting starts at 6 pm.
Discussion on Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition: A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul. Members are to read assigned chapters from this book and discuss how we can apply what we learn to our own work.
Assignment: Members are to make a dummy for one of their PBs and bring it to the next meeting.
Writing prompts.
Critiques on pages by members.
All are welcome to join us.
Tuesday, February 3
Topic: Book Dummies
Location: Chatham Library, 200 E. Spruce, Chatham, IL 62629
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (5:30 – 6 is social time. Meeting starts at 6.)
Members will share and discuss their book dummy.Discussion on query letters.
Critiques on pages by members.
All are welcome to join us.
Questions or for directions, contact Debra Daugherty, above.
Schedule may change due to inclement weather.
Southern Illinois
Edwardsville Network
Representatives:
Juli Caveny
Bonnie Swanson
Monthly Critique Meeting:
We meet at 6:30 on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Books A Million in Edwardsville. Contact reps if you have any questions!
Fairview Heights Network
Representatives:
Amilia Lingel
Katie Otey
Monthly Critique Meeting:
Usually 3rd Wednesday of the month. Contact reps for meeting place and time.
