That time in the 90s you changed your hair color to match your patient.🤦🏼‍♀️🐯

SCBWI Texas Houston: Lure 'em in with Layers June 16, 2026: Does your picture book story feel "slight"? Does it feel like it just isn't going anywhere? What you need is layers. Adding them to your manuscript will give it richness and depth- and most importantly "re-readability". The marketability of your story increases with every layer, and it becomes all the more enticing to your readers, agents and editors. In this webinar, award-winning author Wendi Silvano will discuss 4 must-have layers and 15 additional types of layers that might fit your story-giving it extra depth and delight. scbwi.org/regional-virtual-e…

SCBWI San Francisco South: Self-Publishing 101 - Take Control of Your Books, Business, and Future June 8, 2026: Self-Publishing 101 will cover what's happening in the world of self-publishing (it's come a long way in the past 2-5 years!); when it makes sense to pursue self-publishing versus traditional; benefits and challenges of self-publishing; what it takes to self-publish a high quality children's book; how to make money as an author-publisher (this is the hardest part!); and how to stay motivated when it feels like everyone is hugely successful and you "haven't made it" yet. Author Ariane Erickson will show examples of the process, successes, and failures (some of them quite funny) using her books and publishing experience. scbwi.org/events/CA-San-Fran…

Had a fun time at @KristyLBoyce’s book signing at The Blue Couch in Grandview (followed by dinner at Trattoria next door with my SCBWI peeps)!

It’s another wet and wild Wednesday. Ugh! Did you know that tigers are excellent swimmers? Unlike most cats, tigers appear to enjoy water and seek it out for cooling off and hunting purposes. (My favorite patient, Globus, could often be found lounging in a pond on hot summer days.)Their swimming technique involves powerful strokes with their limbs, allowing them to glide through water with grace and stealth. (I know we’re not supposed to have favorites, but look at that face…..How could you not love that guy?)

New to the kidlit publishing world? Confused about terminology? Send us your burning questions and we'll discuss the answers at our Shop Talk Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30PM Eastern. Fill out this Google form by June 3! #SCBWI #kidlit docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…

This Wild Wednesday, I’m on sunny Sanibel Island, so we’re talkin’ turtles, specifically, loggerhead turtles. Loggerheads are the largest hard-shelled turtles. On average they weigh up to a high-end of around 440 lb, but the largest ever recorded was 1201lbs , and was over 6”7” long! And despite their size, they are excellent swimmers!

Have questions about the submission process? SCBWI HOUSTON has answers! Take a guided journey through the six key steps every author needs to take to prepare their writing for submission to agents, editors and contests. Premium Members: $15; Preview Members: $30 scbwi.org/events/six-steps-t…

Have we (SCBWI OHCenSouth) got a webinar for you! (If you want to purchase a critique, act quickly-only a few spots left!) Sometimes, you have to make your own luck! Join SCBWI summer portfolio showcase winner Merrill Rainey May 20th from 7-8:30pm for an evening conversation about his freelance illustration journey and his path to publication. Merrill will talk about the highs and lows in his career, the value of industry relationships, and the importance for advocating for yourself and your work. During his presentation, Merrill will also demonstrate an illustration technique he has been developing and discuss with participants the importance of creative play, as well as how important it is to observe and critique the world around you. This webinar will be recorded if you can’t attend live. To join the meeting, go to: scbwi.zoom.us/j/6395303835 Merrill has generously offered to do fifteen 15 minute Zoom critiques at half his normal rate. He will critique portfolios, dummies, or PB text-only projects. To purchase a 15 minute Virtual Critique, go to: buy.stripe.com/9B6cN60tUaHw1…. Once you’ve registered, look for an e-mail with instructions on how to submit your materials and schedule your session. You can purchase his latest book, ON THE AIR WITH DR. DOODLEBUG, using the QR Code in the graphic above or at this link: covertocoverchildrensbooks.c… (or wherever books are sold).

Welcome to the 2026 class of PB Rising Stars mentees! You are in for an amazing summer! And congratulations to all of the runners up & honorable mentions! Your work was chosen from thousands of applications! Everyone who applied should be so proud of themselves for doing the work and putting themselves out there! This is just the beginning!

It’s Wednesday, so let’s get wild! Alligators have about 75 teeth in their mouths at any one time, but as the teeth wear down or break off, they are replaced. As a result, many can have about 3,000 teeth throughout their lives. According to some sources, alligators can bite with a force of nearly 3,000 pounds per inch, making their bite among the most powerful in the world. I’ve never had an alligator patient, and quite frankly, I’m okay with that!🐊

SCBWI Nevada: The Intersection of Story, Product Design, Illustration and Branding May 17, 2026: Let's talk about storytelling and building connections with the people who enjoy what we do. Every line we draw, every sentence we write, everything we make is an opportunity to build relationships with our audience. The things we get "wrong", the little imperfections, are a window into the only thing we have to offer in a crowded market: ourselves. Q&A will follow the presentation and interview. This event will be recorded. scbwi.org/events/nevada-the-…

Looking forward to this one! SCBWI Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia: Bringing the Vision to Life - Board Book Creation Behind the Scenes May 14, 2026: In this informative, eye opening, and interactive webinar, author and early childhood educator Katrina Moore will take audience through an in-depth look into creating board books for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. She will break down their format, key features, target audience, and elements that make them stand out in a crowded marketplace, as well as give a behind-the-scenes look at the making of her Big Jobs For Little Babies board book series, from crafting through production. A Q&A will follow her presentation. scbwi.org/events/scbwi-mddew… 

There’s a new session of SCBWI U starting today! There’s still time to register! A new 3-part online course specifically for illustrators and author/illustrators who want to take their careers to the next level. The series focuses on using thumbnails to build your story, visual character development, and the secrets to building a winning portfolio. Tuition includes all three classes and access to video replays for 30-days after the final live session. (Classes may NOT be purchased individually). After registering, go to MEMBER HOME > MY EVENTS > MEETING INFO to access Zoom Links. scbwi.org/events/inside-the-…

Today’s the day! I can hardly believe it! In less than three hours, we’ll know the names of the last class of mentees to join the PBRS family! So exciting!!!!!! #EndofanEra

Hey, All! Wanna level up your picture book? A friend is teaching an amazing course on PB structure! You don’t want to miss it! If you can’t make it live, it will be recorded! For more info, go to: writeforkids.lpages.co/pictu…

It’s Wednesday and means is time for another wild fact! Axolotls can regrow their limbs. Axolotls can regenerate missing limbs and internal organs. An Axolotl can regrow missing limbs in a few weeks. If it sustains a head injury and recovers without any scarring, it can rebuild its lungs, heart, and portions of its brain. An axolotl can recover the same limb up to five times! 😳 By the sixth time, researchers found that few limbs could regenerate to their full potential and that scar tissue instead began to form. How cute are these little “water dogs”?

May the fourth be with you

On this rainy Wild Wednesday, you may be wondering what animals do in wet weather……Well, orangutans behave like us! It’s not unusual for adults to make an umbrella from a large leaf while the young ones like to splash and play in the mud. Kids! Am I right?😉