Welcome with Sarah Baker
We kicked off our 2026 Winter Conference with a warm welcome from Sarah Baker, SCBWI's Executive Director!
"It is so wonderful to be here with everyone and see friends I've known for decades and some new friends!" With a show of hands, more than half the room were newcomers! "Are you nervous to be here? Let's shake it out!"
The SCBWI staff has been hard at work to put on a truly special conference this year and it will have a great impact on your creativity and career! But the best part of the conference, besides all of the offerings, is that we get to connect with other book creators.
Thank you to the sponsors for helping support the conference!
Sarah emphasized how "creative rebellion" and coming together here to teach, celebrate, learn and elevate one another is more important than ever. "It is a disorienting time to be a person who values books when kid's imagination and attention are being ignored, and attacked. Where censorship, plagiarism, AI is trying to force the replacement for heart, imagination and literary."
But "we can tell the difference." We are gatherings to build the tools and relationships to build something alive, resonate and special for the next generation of readers! Books that connect them to a wider world of empathy, connection.
There mentorship will begin here at the conference! Check out their beautiful work!
Happy Conferencing to all!
Can't make it to the In-Person Winter Conference in New York City, join us online at the Virtual
Winter Conference featuring inspirational talks, industry panels and deep-dive Creative Labs,
taking place in February of 2026. Videos of all sessions are available to watch for
approximately 30 days after the event.
SCBWI Executive Director
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 Global Regional Teams. 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 May 2026: Becca & Bubbe's Bucket List, written by Laura Gehl, published by Rocky Pond Books.
sarahlynnbaker.com
sarahlynnbaker.com
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