SCBWI-MI June News for YOU,

Hello friends,

Hooray for summer!

It's time to get outside, plant those flowers, take long walks, and soak up the season. While you're enjoying your fun in the sun, take a moment to tune in to your senses. There's typically a ton of sensory stimulation in the summer (try saying that five times fast!). Can any of it inspire a story or illustration, or add layers to your work in progress?

To get you started, here are some writing and illustrating prompts. Enjoy!

Write a poem about your favorite summer treat. Use all 5 senses to describe it.
Write a story about a character who goes to camp, but finds out it's not just any camp, it's a camp for (fill in the blank).
Draw a picture of a new type of garden no one has ever seen before.
Illustrate what this quote means to you, "Every summer has a story."

On another note: We are on the lookout for a Published Members Coordinator! If you are interested in volunteering for SCBWI-MI as a member of the leadership team and would like to help support and promote both traditional and indie authors and illustrators (yourself included!), please email Jodi or Carrie.

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

Warmly,

Carrie and Jodi

Upcoming SCBWI-MI Events:

Free virtual Q&A webinar with author/illustrator Bob Shea on June 6th at @1:00pm (EST). Click HERE to join the live webinar.

Check-in with your local Shop Talk to see what's going on! Some are transitioning into small, outdoor in-person gatherings.

Want to learn more about SCBWI-MI's upcoming events or find recordings of events you couldn't watch live?

Navigate to the EVENTS CALENDAR on the SCBWI-MI homepage and click on the event date.

OR go to one of our social media channels:

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ScbwiMi
Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SCBWIMichigan
Instagram, all members: https://www.instagram.com/scbwi_michigan/
Instagram, illustrators: https://www.instagram.com/scbwimichiganillustrators/

Visit, connect, support, and learn!

Post your info in the Speakers Bureau to land speaking gigs! http://www.scbwi.org/speakers-bureau/

STAY TUNED -- MANY MORE EVENTS ARE IN THE WORKS.

Illustrator Coordinator Changes

Deb Pilutti is stepping aside as our co-Illustrator Coordinator. Deb's innovative approach in finding new ways to support and highlight our region's illustrators will continue to impact all of our work and careers. Her thoughtful, creative, and generous demeanor was a wonderful addition to our team and made her an inspiring mentor. Thank you for all that you've done, Deb!

Our incoming co-Illustrator Coordinator is author/illustrator Katie Eberts. Here is her brief bio: Katie is a freelance painter/illustrator based in Cedarville, Michigan. She graduated from the University of Michigan School of Art & Design with a concentration in watercolor. She is represented by the Stimola Literary Studio.

Katie draws and paints traditionally in watercolor, colored pencil, and gouache. She wears many hats as an artist: she has a line of notecards and prints, she is an editorial illustrator, and a book illustrator. She designs posters and branding materials for clients, and occasionally takes commissions.

To learn more about Katie and to see some of her work go to: https://www.katieeberts.com

Welcome, Katie!

***Rebecca and Katie have come up with new and exciting ideas for our SCBWI-MI illustrators. More information coming soon!***

SCBWI-MI Scholarship Page

NEW GRANT ALERT!

Thinking about creating or updating your website, but the fees gotcha down? Need promotional materials, but they don't fit into your budget? Maybe you want to take a business development class, but tuition is crazy!

All of these are important parts of your career and we want to support you. If you can use a boost in your business consider applying for our new...

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANT!

Accepting applications June 4th-July 5th. Click the button on the left for more info and to apply.

There's still time to apply for the

2021 Illustrator Mentorship Program!

The picture book illustration mentorship is with Dow Phumiruk.
The middle grade/young adult illustration mentorship is with Bea Jackson.

Winners receive a year-long mentorship including 6 exchanges of artwork and critiques. The submission window closes on June 7, 2021.

For more information about the program please click on the link below.

SCBWI-MI Illustrator Mentorship Program

AWESOME RESOURCE FOR INDIES!

If you are an indie author or illustrator then you will definitely want to take advantage of the opportunities that can come from filling out the Indie Assessment Form.

To learn more about your indie coordinators and what they can do for you, click the link below.

Indie Trail Blazers

Update on the Marvelous Midwest 2022

multi-region conference:

The conference schedule and presentations are being finalized. The bookstore is contracted. Lodging details are complete.

Stay tuned for more!

SCBWI-MI | www.michigan.scbwi.org