Breakout Session 2 - Plots, Bots, & Knots: How to fix your YA novel with Stacey Lee

Stacey Lee is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of historical and contemporary young adult fiction, including The Downstairs Girl, a Reese’s Book Club Summer 2021 Young Adult pick, and her most recent novel, Kill Her Twice, a School Library Journal best book of the year.  A native of southern California and fourth-generation Chinese American, she is a founder of the We Need Diverse Books movement and writes stories for all kids (even the ones who look like adults). Stacey loves board games, has perfect pitch, and through some mutant gene, can smell musical notes through her nose. Connect with her @staceyleeauthor on Instagram, and @staceylee.author on Facebook.

Stacey will focus on the 3 core elements of plot: goals, obstacles, stakes.

Without these 3 elements your story lacks the gas your story needs to drive itself to its destination. 

1. GOALS

• Our character needs to want something
• Goals come in all sizes
• Goals need to be specific
• Goals change as the plot evolve

2. OBSTACLES

Types: physical, other people, a threat, internal struggle

There's no specific number of obstacle your novel needs. A rule of thumb: for every goal, your character needs at least one obstacle working against it. The more obstacles, the more interesting. 

3. STAKES

What is on the line for the character?

• what your character stands to gain or lose
• personal, shaped by the characters values
• internal stakes
• external stakes

So ask yourself:

What's at stake for your character? 

What is the worst that can happen?

What do they stand to lose?

If you want to view this session to hear the full content, along with the rest of the conference,

register at https://www.scbwi.org/events/virtual-summer-conference-2025. Replays of the

conferences will be available until September 14th, 2025.

Writing from the Immigrant Experience Author Panel: Paula Yoo (moderator) / Zahra Marwan

Paul Yoo is an accomplished writer. RISING FROM THE ASHES: LOS ANGELES, 1992. EDWARD JAE SONG LEE, LATASHA HARLINS, RODNEY KING, AND A CITY ON FIRE (Norton 2024) won the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award & SCBWI Golden Kite Award/Nonfiction Older Readers. FROM A WHISPER TO A RALLYING CRY: THE KILLING OF VINCENT CHIN AND THE TRIAL THAT GALVANIZED THE ASIAN AMERICAN MOVEMENT (Norton 2021) won the Horn Book Award, longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist. Other books include the YA novel GOOD ENOUGH (HarperCollins 2008) and nonfiction picture books from Lee & Low Books about Dr. Sammy Lee, Anna May Wong, and Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Paula’s TV credits range from NBC’s THE WEST to The CW’s SUPERGIRL and multiple pilots. She enjoys playing violin & with her 4 cats!

Paula starts by noting how nuanced talking about the immigrant experience is. She holds up all the panelists books and her enthusiasm for all of them is contagious. She even made the potato curry recipe in the back of The Spice Box by Meera Sriram (panelist) and brought it to make us all salivate.

During conversation about language, Paula shares for those who might not know, that there has been a movement in the last 20 years to stop italicizing words written in a foreign language as not to other them. 

Fun fact and connection with panelist Edwidge Danticat: Paula was a huge fan of Edwidge's adult short stories, and when Paula was writing for The West Wing, episode 414, they were sitting around the room, with Aaron Sorkin, pitching ideas for a revolution happening, and Paula had read Edwidge's story Children of the Sea which Paula used as an example and that's what lead to the storyline for that episode. How cool is that!

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Working as a traditional artist with watercolor and ink, Zahra Marwan creates work that reflects her cultural roots in Kuwait as well as her life now in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She loves poetry and independent cinema and how quiet and mysterious the night is. She is deeply fond of the sea.

Her debut picture book, Where Butterflies Fill the Sky, was published by Bloomsbury Books and named one of the New York Times / New York Public Library’s 10 Best Illustrated Books as well as NPR’s Best Books of 2022. The week before receiving the Dilys Evans Founders Award from the Society of Illustrators, she was honored with an award by the UN Human Rights Commission for creating art that brings visibility to statelessness, indigenous groups, and minority rights.

Where Butterflies Fill the Sky about not wanting to leave her home as a child and the luck of coming to New Mexico. And Zahra's latest book The Sunflowers relates to the art our ancestors have left us in a way to connect with family. 

In discussing language, Zahra shares that she grew up speaking Arabic. Now living Quebec, she speaks to people in both Arabic and French, and she notes that when she is in public and speak Arabic, she feels more scared than if she was speaking French. Simply introducing herself and saying her name prompts questions from people. For Zahra, the personal is always political, and she is alway navigating how to survive in countries that don't want her. 

Zahra believes that Arabic language is so rich and inspires her art. Her art is stunning, and Paula (our moderator) notes that there are so many easter eggs in the art that Zahra let's us know about in the author's note. Do take a look!

Her book iWhere the Butterflies Fill the Sky received an award from the United Nation Human Rights Commission for brining visibility to statelessness, indigenous, and minority rights. 

Zahra has felt really lucky to work with editors she has. They have taken her, and what she wants to do, seriously--the stories from her culture and what she understands her culture to be as opposed to constant Ramadan stories.  Zahra says, "There's more to the Middle East."

This panel discussion is deep and personal, and one you'll want to listen to. I hope you will.

If you want to view this session to hear the full content, along with the rest of the conference, register at https://www.scbwi.org/events/virtual-summer-conference-2025. Replays of the conferences will be available until September 14th, 2025.

Breakout Session 1: Smells Like Tween Spirit with Julia DeVillers

Julia DeVillers is a bestselling and award-winning author of middle grade and YA books, including: MEET ME AT WONDERLAND (Simon & Schuster), MEET ISABEL and NICKI (American Girl), and HOW MY PRIVATE PERSONAL JOURNAL BECAME A BESTSELLER, which was adapted into the Disney Channel Original Movie “Read it and Weep.” She also has sold a TV pilot to CBS inspired by her life and a true crime show to Oxygen. She has been featured in The NY Times, People, Good Morning America, NPR’s Weekend Edition, and USA Today.

Smells Like Tween Spirit

Julia asks us to think of one character you remember vividly from childhood, and then think of 3 adjectives that made you love them. 

Where does Julia come up with her ideas for your character? Often real life experience. Julia's job at Chuck E Cheese as Chuck E Cheese inspired her latest book, a middle grade romcom MEET ME AT WONDERLAND. Julia suggests mining your own experiences. 

An exercise, because middle graders often about experience many first. Pick one, and write about it in a couple of sentences.

• First huge embarrassment
• First big changes (moving, puberty, middle school
• First loss
• First betrayal
• First crush/ first time a crush like you back

Tip: If you have trouble getting back to that time, it can help to play music from that time in your life. 

3 key elements of developing your character, know their:

• desires
• fears
• quirks

Julia notes that voice isn't just dialogue. It's how they sound. How they think. It's their word choice, tone, and rhythm. It's how they sound in their thoughts and in their dialogue. 

Code switching. It's great to remember kids sound different depending on who they are with. 

Julia notes that our character should experience growth. They don't need to fix all their flaws or become a new person, but still earn some insight, especially about themselves. "We want to see your character mess up, learn, try again, and grow."

"Creating characters is about getting the slang term right or perfect, it's about capturing that wild, awkward, amazing smell of being a tween." Julia asks, "If we bottle teen spirit, what would it smell like?" Ha! Fun considerations. What does it smell like to you, reader?

If you want to view this session to hear the full content, along with the rest of the conference, register at https://www.scbwi.org/events/virtual-summer-conference-2025. Replays of the conferences will be available until September 14th, 2025.

The Big Picture in Children's Publishing - Tara Weikum / Saho Fujii

Sharing summaries of two of the panelists this morning, see the Official Conference Blog for other panelists' summaries: 

Tara Weikum,VP and Publisher of Storytide, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has been at Harper for over 20 years. Her list focuses on middle-grade and teen fiction, and she is particularly drawn to stories with unexpected twists on a familiar premise; high-concept teen fiction; magical realism; and heartfelt middle grade with a unique point of view. Her list features authors such as Tahereh Mafi, Katherine Applegate, Lexi Ryan, Mackenzie Reed, Moira Buffini, and Jake Maia Arlow, among many others. Storytide brings together books that have both public and critical acclaim in the MG and YA categories. Tara's inspiration for her work came after college when she took a course on publishing and has been involved in the industry editing ever since. Book creators coming up with new stories continue to inspire Tara every day as an editor.

Saho Fujii is Executive Art Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Saho went to school to be a picturebook illustrator, but ended up getting a design job in publishing right out of college and has been designing for books ever since. She loved picture books as a kid and still does, and says she cannot stop herself from buying more beautiful picture books, Saho considers them as fine as any fine art painting. Growing up in Japan she loved American and European picturebooks and their windows into Western life and culture beyond her own country. Saho has designed for all categories in children's books but now focuses primarily on picturebooks and some of the creators she's worked with include Aaron Becker, Sophie Blackall, Bryan Collier, Christopher Denise, Michaela Goade, Grace Lin, LeUyen Pham, Jerry Pinkney, and Javaka Steptoe, among others.

What makes a great agent to Tara? 

Tara has seen it all and can feel when an agent is 'checked out' or is not being a good advocate for their clients and that impacts if Tara as a publisher wants to continue working with them long term, and publishing is a small town. A great agent can help with issues that arise from either the publisher/editorial side or from the creative side, a good agent helps keep these various working relationships going during tough internal or external times.

How does Saho find new artists?

Saho goes to agency websites first, and does encourage unagented creators to get an agent and we are reminded that most publishing houses are closed to non-agented submissions. But for illustrators, there remains the option to send in postcards and Saho does like to receive postcards. She also looks to Instagram for illustration, as do her colleagues. She used to like to check out Etsy but it's so big now that it's a bit time consuming to be on there. A lot of agent's websites have great search engines and Saho considers that to be a huge help and timesaver. For short term project deadlines Saho turns to agents for their picks on artists who are available immediately or work fast.

Saho, when thinking about receiving very unique art samples in the past, like 3D models or beautifully printed calendars, or even just Express or Urgent mail... That is all unneccessary. One simple printed postcard with one big image on the front and maybe some spots on the back is enough. Saho puts favorite postcards up on her office wall.

The Big Picture in Children's Publishing - Kait Feldmann / TeMika Grooms

 The Big Picture in Children's Publishing - An Industry Panel

Kait Feldmann / TeMika Grooms

Warmly introduced by Sarah Baker, TeMika Grooms, our moderator, is a "New York Times bestselling illustrator of picture books" who will lead us through thoughtful conversation about where the children's publishing industry is now, and where it's headed. TeMika, SCBWI's Manager of Illustration and Design, is "a creative force in our community, and is known for her teaching, her leadership, and a deep commitment to supporting fellow book creators."

TeMika Grooms: Tell us a little bit about what you do, as well as what inspires you in your business as a creative and as a person who publishes books.

Kait Lee Feldmann: Hi, my name's Kait Feldman, I'm an agent at kt Literary. I started as an editor and edited as an assistant. I worked on picture books through YA, and when I became an acquiring editor, I zeroed in on picture books. For 10 years I worked at Scholastic and HarperCollins as an editor of picture books and graphic novels and last year, I joined kt Literary. I only represent illustrators and author/illustrators. 

Kait is open to submissions and you can find more information on Kait's website, katefeldman.com.

TeMika: Thank you all for introducing yourselves and sharing what inspires you most. So, I have questions about relationships between agents, publishers, and clients. Some of our audience may already have agents, and some of them may be in different parts of their publishing career. What do you think is the mark of a great agent for those who have an agent, and for those who don't. 

Kait Lee: I think a great agent is someone who is your business partner and your creative partner. You want someone who understands your vision for the stories you've submitted, but also, where you want to go in your career. l've had people query me where there's something I really like about their work, but they're going in a different direction than me and as an agent, I would never want you to mold yourself to what I want.

Your agent's vision/ skill set should match what you want. Also, do you want an agent who's more editorial, who can collaborate on the creative process, or do you want someone who's going to be more of a business partner to get your work out there. Some agents are more editorial than others, so that's always a good thing to ask.

TeMika: How do you find new clients for people without agents?

Kait Lee: My advice is always to do a reverse search. Start with the books on your own bookshelf or the books that you check out from the library most often. Take note of the authors or the illustrators, and then look up who their agents are. Google it. Sometimes if it's a novel, you can look in the acknowledgements in the back. Look up the authors/illustrators of your comp titles and who represented them. Publishers Weekly has a twice-weekly newsletter called Children's Bookshelf. It's free to subscribe, and it drops on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It has great articles as well as deal announcements. You can look up recently published books to see what's out in the market and what's coming in the next few years.

TeMika: How often would you like to see a submission from someone who's querying? 

Kait Lee: As an editor, I think everyone can relate to "Inbox Avalanche" and the ongoing battle with our inboxes. When I respond to a submission and a new submission comes back immediately after that, it can be overwhelming so as an agent submitting to editors, I try to keep that in mind. I always appreciated the agents who weren't in my inbox constantly. As an agent, I think it's a little different. But if you submit to me and then wait to hear back, I will usually give you feedback because I'm working with artists. If I pass once, it's pretty much just a pass. But if it's about a particular story I'm interested in, I will let you know if I want to see a revision or see your other works.

TeMika: Picture books are a little different, nowadays. Can you tell us if you are seeing anything that's unusual within the picture book space?

Kait Lee: One thing that l've been super excited to see in the last few years is the graphic novel format making its way over into picture books, creating a kind of hybrid with panels, and speech bubbles. I'd say we're not at a point where really long picture books that become graphic novels work but adapting the composition of graphic novels into that 32-page format is something that is fun to explore.

Also, editors are asking for two things that are kind of the polar opposites but one is horror/scary stories for kids, and also, whimsical/goofy books, especially with kids of color. Kids of color tend to be only in educational books about something traditional, or something where learning is a significant part of it. And though we do need those books, we also need the ones where it's just silly, magical stories about kids getting into trouble. Just adventure.

TeMika: Let's talk about Al now. All technology changes. It influences our creative process. What kinds of changes are you seeing in terms of Al?

Kait Lee:  Most publishers at this point, contractually, have a clause that says you cannot use Al to generate your content. There's no test, as far as I know, but that's not something you want to try to skirt around.

On the submission side, I do have a form letter specifically for Al submissions, because I'm getting a lot of them. A lot of the submissions I'm getting are authors who don't realize you don't need to pair yourself with an illustrator. It is not industry standard, but sometimes they will generate Al to help me visualize the book.

"I just tell them, you don't need to do that. In fact, don't do that. And then a gentle explanation of the reasons why Al is bad."

TeMika: l'm a person who loves technology, but I don't think there's anything that can replace human ingenuity, creativity, lived experience, relationships that you've had, and the things that you're actually trying to say. As much as we use it as a tool, I want to encourage everyone to keep creating, too because it's super important. So, I know that you all talked about what inspires you but now, I want to know a little bit about what you hope your legacy to be.

Kait Lee: I think I want to work on the books that would have brought me joy as a kid, which I think is how I operate now. I want to work on the books that make me feel something. I want to continue on things that make me happy, that refuel, and energize me. I want to feel hopeful, but really, I want books where characters eat each other, and get into trouble and mischief.

"I started off inspirational, but if I'm being honest, I want my legacy to be wreaking havoc in the world through a picture."

ROCK ON, KAIT LEE!

Don't forgot that you can access this panel and rewatch through your membership portal until September 14th, 2025!

Kait Lee Feldmann (Agent) is a children’s book agent at kt literary representing illustrators. She has been romping around as a children’s book publishing for the past decade, previously as an editor at HarperCollins and Scholastic. Her list as editor included award-winning books that received a Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, and Sibert Honor; the Ezra Jack Keats Award; and appearances on Best of lists for The New York Times, NPR, Kirkus, and more. In 2020 she received the CBC Diversity Outstanding Achievement Award. Kait resides in a hoarder’s paradise in Los Angeles, surrounded by books. You can review her client wishlist at her website: kaitfeldmann.com/mswl

TeMika Grooms (Manager of Design and Illustration) is a Georgia-based writer and illustrator creating stories with a belief that all children should be able to see themselves as the hero within the pages of a book. In 2021, she was selected as an Illustration Mentee in the We Need Diverse Books Program and was a member of the first cohort for the Highlights Foundation and The Brown Bookshelf Amplify Black Stories program.  She is the illustrator of several children's books, including Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready! by Senator Raphael G. Warnock, Getting Us to Grandma's by Nadia L. Hohn, and A Century for Caroline by Kaija Langley.

The Big Picture in Children's Publishing : Patrice Caldwell

 

Patrice Caldwell  is seeking commercial, character-driven fiction for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers as well as narrative nonfiction. Across the board, she is especially looking for middle grade and young adult science fiction & fantasy, mythology retellings and reimaginings, romance novels, and anything that can be categorized as horror and/or gothic literature. Patrice loves to champion stories from writers & illustrators from marginalized backgrounds. She does not represent picture books.

Before becoming a literary agent, Patrice was an editor at Disney-Hyperion and, before that, Scholastic. She went to Wellesley College, where she studied Political Science and English, and is the founder of People of Color in Publishing, a grassroots organization.

Patrice just started her own agency in February--The Caldwell Agency. It has a DEIA focus at its heart, not to be exclusionary but to be inclusionary. Patrice wanted to really think about what it means to build an agency that is accessible and has tools to support its creators. Part of why Patrice moved from editorial to agenting was the ability to work with a writer for their entire career, to be an advocate for them. 

Patrice believes the mark of a great agent is someone who's passionate about the thing you want to do. Patrice also says your agent isn't someone you should be afraid of. You want to have an agent that you feel comfortable sharing information with.

Patrice encourages: Don't discount a young/new agent. With the additional note: there are several new agents that will be with The Caldwell Agency soon. A great thing to know for those of you who are looking! 

Great tip: Before you sign with an agent, you should talk to a client or two. Patrice advises you don't talk to their most successful client. Things are going really well for them, so it might be more useful to talk to someone who's debut is just coming out. Or, a writer that's been through several rounds of revisions with her on the same project. 

Patrice notes that the market is all over the place, and that it's harder than ever to sell a debut, but it's never been easier for a previously published writer to do really interesting things (when it comes to genre blending).  

Things her writers are exploring: more illustration, shorter pages, playing with format, and more interactive. 

What do you hope your legacy to be? Patrice shares the choice to start this agency is now her legacy. She's very proud of the work she's done and knowing that her clients books didn't exist a few years ago. Patrice is happy to feel like "I've done good work and I'm happy with the work I've done."

If you want to view this session to hear the full content, along with the rest of the conference,

register at https://www.scbwi.org/events/virtual-summer-conference-2025. Replays of the

conferences will be available until September 14th, 2025.

The Book Chooses You with Soman Chainani

Soman Chainani’s debut series, THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD & EVIL, has sold over 4.5 million copies, been translated into 35 languages across six continents, and has been adapted into a major motion picture from Netflix that debuted at #1 in over 80 countries. His book of retold fairytales, BEASTS & BEAUTY, also debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List and is slated to be a limited television series from Sony 3000. In 2026, Soman unveils a brand new universe with YOUNG WORLD, a global political thriller. 

In his career, Soman has visited more than 800 schools around the world, where he continues to share his secret with students of all ages: that reading is the path to a better life.

When Soman wrote The School for Good and Evil, he kept it under wraps, so when completed and on the shelf, it was as if the book was dropped by magic. But in these times of AI, and process being manufactured so quickly and easily, he realized it's important to show the process of how books come to be; an artisanal stamp of how it was created. Soman now tries to open the doors of writing, just like Willy Wonka did with the Chocoalate factory, so people can see behind the door. To see how the book is created. 

This has become his mantra. To pull back the curtain. Soman has a substack, Diary of a Novel, tracking the week by week making of his latest book. He also has a podcast called Plot Twist- revealing everything!

"This has become my entire ethos," he says. "I'm all about showing you how the thing came to be."

The book chooses you. 

This is how writing started for Soman. Out of college, he joined his father's business, but he was always found working on his book in the corner, and in fact, work realize he'd been working on his little fairy tale project all day long. That little fariy tale was The School for Good and Evil. 

Fast forward to when the book was finished and on submission, 16 of 17 editors said no. Just one said YES. A good reminder that it only takes one yes! 

Soman walks us through the next books that also chose him. He found that when books organically came out of him, that's when the good stuff happened.

 However, after his many books, he found himself pigeonholed in fairy tales, and that chance for an instant sale pushed him into writing books that were not choosing him. He chose to let go of a sure thing, and let his brain start working on something very different. He had an idea: What happens if teenagers interrupt a presidential election between two old zombies? That book is called Young World and it's coming out this May (cover reveal coming in September).

But after turning in pages of this new book, his agent was honest with him. The concept was great, but the writing was not that good. Soman couldn't write this book like he did the middle grade fairy tales. So he threw out everything and started over. This time he started in diary form. 

Soman leaves us with this great wisdom, perhaps giving us all a mantra to walk away with:  "The book chooses you every single time...the more you trust yourself and what your body and your voice is telling you to create, and you have the right people along the way who support you and don't push you towards money and easy answers, the more you'll get what's meant to be your career."

This talk! The reactions in the chat. The emojis flying up. If you're not signed up for the conference, it's not too late to registerer. 

If you want to view this session to hear the full content, along with the rest of the conference,

register at https://www.scbwi.org/events/virtual-summer-conference-2025. Replays of the

conferences will be available until September 14th, 2025.

Welcome and Introduction Sarah Baker

 Welcome and Introduction Sarah Baker

We opened up the 2025 Summer Conference with a welcome and introduction from the wonderful, Sarah Baker, the Executive Director of SCBWI. 

There were over 440 people signed in to the conference, all saying hi from all corners of the globe! "Over  the next few days, you will have access to a really incredible lineup of keynotes, panel, and really interesting and important breakout sessions deigned to support you!" 

SCBWI has brought together some of the most talented voices in the children's book world to share their insights and experiences. From crafting to storytelling to the realities of the publishing industry and how to navigate it all, this conference will have so much valuable information.

"So, wherever you are on your path. You belong right here, right now, and we really hope that you enjoy this conference."

No matter where you are on your creative journey to publication, the conference was designed to help you grow your skills, spark new ideas and connect with other creators. Sarah reminded the viewers to check out the Virtual Portfolio Showcase, available through the SCBWI homepage, featuring over 150 illustrators. "It is fun to see what people are making right now. "

You can also join Peer Critiques as well as the NEW Coffee Lounge Virtual Hangout, where you can meet fellow attendees. 

Reminder: Attendees will have access to the full video library. Every single session that is offered at the conference, every keynote and panel, will be available to watch all month long via the membership portal. You can enjoy them until September 14th, so you can revisit your favorite sessions or catch up on anything that you missed. 

"On behalf of all of us at SCBWI, we want to thank you for being here, for taking the time and investing in your own career and your own creativity."

sarahlynnbaker.com

Sarah Baker (she/her) is the Executive Director of SCBWI, where she leads the SCBWI staff and works closely with the Board of Directors, the Advisory Council, and the official SCBWI volunteers. She joined the SCBWI staff in 2011. Sarah graduated from UCSB with a major in Studio Art and began her career in children’s book publishing at Penguin Young Readers Group, where she designed children’s books. Sarah is also a children’s book illustrator, with her debut illustrated picture book coming out in 2026: Becca and Bubbe's Bucket List, written by Laura Gehl, published by Rocky Pond Books.