SCBWI-MI March News

Hello SCBWI-MI Family,

Happy March Is Reading Month!

This month is designated to promote the love of reading and cultivate stronger reading and writing habits.

But did you know that people have been interested in the written word and ways to share their stories since 3500 BC? Communicating and learning about other experiences, thoughts, and perspectives has been integral to human evolution.

From tablets to papyrus to the creation of paper and type, to the addition of illustrations, and the invention of the printing press, people have been motivated to tell their stories in hopes that others will understand, learn, or be entertained.

Click HERE to learn the history of the book

Now you are part of that timeline. Your stories and art are part of a rich history that has shaped who we are and will continue to do so as long as we keep reading.

As always, if you have any questions related to SCBWI-MI or the SCBWI organization, please contact your co-RAs, Carrie Pearson or Jodi McKay, or our IC, Katie Eberts.

Warmly,

Carrie and Jodi

Upcoming SCBWI-MI Events:

SCBWI-MI's one-day conference, Digging Deeper: Unearthing Your Literary Treasures, April 1st, 2023, Registration closing soon! Scroll down for more info.

Check-in with your local Shop Talk to see what's going on!

Want to learn more about SCBWI-MI's upcoming events? Navigate to the EVENTS CALENDAR on the SCBWI-MI homepage and click on the event date.

Want to find recordings of virtual shop talks you couldn't watch live? Go to SCBWI-MI's homepage and click on SCBWI-MI's Online Programs found in the right-hand column.

OR go to one of our social media channels:

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram, all members
Instagram, illustrators

Want to connect? Need support? Want to share some good news?

Join MichKids Listserv!

This is our online neighborhood. Click HERE for instructions.

Remember to check the Regional Virtual Events listing shown HERE for offerings from all around the world!

Don't miss your chance!

Digging Deeper: Unearthing Your Literary Treasures

Saturday, April 1st, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

at VisTaTech in Livonia, MI

Do you need a nudge to join us for our one-day, craft-filled event?

How about...

Learn new ways to take your work to submission ready!

Make connections with your fellow creators!

Door prizes that will knock your socks off!

k**Limited critique opportunities are still available**

Registration CLOSES at 11:00 pm Tuesday, March 28th.

Click on the link below for conference details.

Visit our 2023 Spring Conference Page

Meet our special Conference keynote guest, Andy J Pizza!

Andy is an illustrator, podcast host of Creative Pep Talk, and speaker whose presentations fall between inspiring TED talks and stand-up comedy.

Visit Andy's website to learn more about him and his upcoming book, Invisible Things !

Call for new releases!

Do you have (or will you have) a book released between January 2022 and March 2023?

Would you like it to be included in SCBWI-MI's Members' New Book Resource List that will be shared at this year's Michigan Reading Association conference?

Then click the link below! Short deadline alert!

New Book Information Form

A note from your SCBWI-MI Illustrator Coordinator, Katie Eberts

Hi illustrators-

New on the Illustrator's resource page:

1. Lindsay Moore's shop talk in metro Detroit What To Do With An Idea is this Saturday, March 4th at 10am via zoom. Keep an eye on your email for the zoom link (should be coming though the michkids listserv).

2. Digging Deeper: Unearthing Your Literary Treasures conference is coming up fast. Laurie Keller will be running the illustrator track, and Ohio illustrator Andy J. Pizza will be hosting the virtual keynote The Hundreds of Story Seeds Hiding in Your Infinite Opinions. Portfolio critiques with Brianne Farley and Katie Eberts are available too.

3. SCBWI Alaska is having a call for illustrators to create graphics for their upcoming conference this fall.

4. We are starting to feature our Michigan illustrators on the instagram page. Reach out to IC Katie at michigan-ic@scbwi.org for information on how to be featured. Or she might just contact you!

Think you might want to become more involved in SCBWI-MI?

Here's an opportunity for you!

If you like to:

work with a team to help good people learn, grow, and fulfill their dreams
build a community of children's book creators who respect and cherish all young readers
make our amazing world even better through literacy
have fun doing all the above!

Then you could be a perfect fit as a

co-Regional Advisor

Questions? Feel free to contact your co-RAs, Carrie Pearson or Jodi McKay

If you’re interested in applying to be a co-SCBWI Regional Advisor for Michigan and work with co-RA Jodi McKay, please email Patricia Wiles, SCBWI’s Director of Regional Team Management, at patriciawiles@scbwi.org to request an application form and a position description.

If you are interested in getting more involved with SCBWI-MI and building your CV at the same time, contact co-RAs, Carrie Pearson or Jodi McKay.

Join The Team!

Check out these open positions on SCBWI-MI's Leadership Team! Mentoring is available.

Critique Coordinator

Position Description

The Mitten Blog co-Editor (Illustrative design) Position Description

Your donations supported the work of four people last year!

Who will we support this year?

Accepting Applications for

The Members for Members Scholarship!

Applications for the M4M scholarship will be accepted from February 14th-March 14th

Please click on the SCBWI-MI Scholarship Page button to read more information about the scholarship guidelines and to find the application.

*** Still accepting donations for the M4M Scholarship fund!***

Visit SCBWI-MI's Scholarship Page

Cherry Lake Publishing Group is launching their third season of their Own Voices, Own Stories Award for authors from historically marginalized groups. For the 2023 award season and in partnership with Easterseals, the Own Voices, Own Stories Award will be eligible to new authors with disabilities.

Cherry Lake Publishing Group will be accepting submissions from January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023.

Click HERE for additional information on the award.

SCBWI-MI's New Release Page

SCBWI-Michigan's

New Book Releases Program

Each quarter, we will celebrate members' new book releases by highlighting them on our website. We also provide a printable poster for you to share as you promote your book.

For more information about the program and to see the program schedule, click on the SCBWI-MI New Release Page link to the left.

(This is in addition to BookStop hosted by SCBWI)

Getting the Most Out of Your

Sharing the benefits that are available to you as an SCBWI member!

Benefit #11: Awards, Grants, and Scholarships

Multiple awards, grants, and scholarships are offered by SCBWI Michigan and SCBWI National to encourage continuing excellence in the creation of children’s literature. You’ll find info and the national awards calendar here.

SCBWI-MI | www.michigan.scbwi.org