Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/23/2017
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location
Addison Conference & Theatre Centre
15650 Addison Road - Addison, Texas 75001

Category(ies)

Illustration by Kristine Tague

2017 SCBWI-NTX REGIONAL CONFERENCE

September 23, 2017 * 8 am- 5 pm * Addison Conference & Theatre Centre * 15650 Addison Road, Addison, TX 75001

Conference Schedule | Speaker & Faculty Bios | Illustrator Portfolio Showcase Guidelines | Silent Auction Information | Manuscript Critique Guidelines & Pitch Pro Tips | Hotel Accommodations | Registration

Kid lit creators are fun, zany, and creative folk, but we must also be business savvy if we expect to make a career through our craft. It's your business, make it a success!

Throughout 2017 the North Texas chapter has been focusing on the business aspects of writing. Our 2017 conference will continue that theme with an amazing lineup of professionals ready to offer their expertise.  Our full-day conference will be held at the Addison Conference Center on September 23rd from 8 am- 5 pm and will feature a full day of keynote speakers, workshops, pitches, critiques, and a host of new exciting features. Continental breakfast and refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Our conference will provide opportunities to network, perfect your craft, build your business, interface with industry professionals, and make new friendships.

 We hope you will make it YOUR business to join us this year!

Our 2017 Conference All-Star Faculty Includes: 

Jamie Weiss Chilton, Agent – Andrea Brown Literary Agency 

Brett Duquette, Editor – Sterling Publishing 

Melissa Edwards, Agent – Stonesong Literary Agency 

Julie Hedlund – Picture Book Author and 12X12 Picture Book Challenge Founder

Susanna Hill – Picture Book Author and Making Picture Book Magic Founder

Callie Metler-Smith – Owner and Editor of Clear Fork Publishing

Kayla Olson – Young Adult Author 

Carolyn Wyman – Nonfiction Author

Salina Yoon – Picture Book Author/Illustrator 

 2017 Conference Schedule

(click to access detailed agenda)

NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR 2017 CONFERENCE  

Illustrator Portfolio Showcase 

We are excited to offer our illustrator attendees an opportunity to showcase their work in a professional Illustrators Portfolio Showcase. Illustrators who register for the showcase will be able to display their portfolio in the main hallway of the building. Portfolios must be dropped off between 8:00 – 8:30 during registration. Displays will follow the SCBWI Portfolio Showcase guidelines. 

Portfolios will be judged by conference attendee popular vote and a panel selected from our professional faculty. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of the showcase, as follows:

1st place prize Free SCBWI membership for one year. Winner will also have the opportunity to create a new banner for our chapter website that will remain up for an entire year, PLUS the banner will also appear on our monthly newsletter, be featured on our public Facebook page, and the illustrator's name will be credited and linked. 

2nd place prize Free SCBWI membership for one year. 

3rd place prize Free webinars for one year.

Conference attendees are encouraged to browse the showcase throughout the day to look at art displayed, leave encouraging comments, and vote for your favorite!

Silent Auction 

This year we are offering members a chance to bid on items donated by authors, illlustrators, local businesses, and more to help fund future North Texas SCBWI programs. Items will be displayed in the main conference area. Please take time to browse and bid on items thoughout the day. Items will go to the highest bidders at time of closing. Winners will need to purchase and pick up item(s) by 5 p.m. on the day of the conference. For details on how, what, and where to submit auction items, please visit our Silent Auction Information Page.

Payment for silent auction items will be accepted in the form of cash, credit/debit, and checks.

Pitch Sessions & Professional Critiques

We are pleased to offer professional pitch sessions and critique sessions to conference attendees. Attendees may register for a pitch session with one of our featured editors and agents from our conference faculty. Pitch sessions will be 5 minutes in length. Please research the individual with whom you wish to pitch before registering, and make sure they represent your genre. Manuscript critiques will be offered by Salina Yoon, and five of our own North Texas published authors and illustrators. Click here for more guidelines on pitches & critiques and information on our professional conference critique faculty.

Conference Bookstore

Our conference will feature a faculty and member bookstore throughout the day, provided by Express Booksellers. If you have a book(s) you would like to be available for purchase through the store, please select this option at registration. Book titles will be collected by  PAL Coordinator Korey Scott at korey_scott@hotmail.com. Titles must be submitted by August 1, 2017. Only 2 books per person will be permitted. All authors/illustrators participating in our bookstore should make themselves available at the end of the conference for our post-conference book signing.

Our leadership team has worked hard to ensure that our members receive the most out of this conference. If you have any questions, please contact Regional Advisor Jackie Kruzie at northtexas-ra@scbwi.org.

We look forward to seeing each of you there! 

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