Panel Banned but Not Silenced - Authors Tell Their Stories: Meg Medina

 

Meg Medina served as the eighth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. She is the author of many notable works for young readers of all ages, including the Newbery Medal–winning and New York Times bestselling book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, the first in a trilogy. Meg's work has won numerous distinctions over the years, including the Pura Belpré award, the Ezra Jack Keats Writer's Award, the Charlotte Zolotow prize, and the Margaret Wise Brown prize, among others. Her work examines how cultures intersect through the eyes of young people. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she grew up in Queens, New York, and now lives in Richmond, Virginia.

Moderator Lesa Cline-Ransome starts the panel with a quote from Toni Morrison: “The function of Freedom is to free someone else.”

She starts the panel on this tone, because this panel is about censorship and the eminent threat censorship poses to artists. Naturally, this takes us libraries, which are an oasis for public learning and access to literature. 

This takes us to our first question:

Q: The role of libraries in your life—

Meg didn’t have a relationship with a librarian specifically. But, the rhythm of the family, centered around a visit to the library after a visit to the Jack-in-the-Box. So to Meg, she associates the library with those small details of her childhood. 

Meg spoke on the silent reading times after school and the influence that the recommendations of Judy Blume’s books had on her. And that that experience is now being threatened. 

Q: Meg and Jason Reynolds are asked about their tenures as the national ambassadors for libraries — 

Meg speaks of her trepidation for Jason, who toured almost exclusively in rural America. Meg had to follow Jason as an ambassador - no easy feat. She notes that rules and conditions were getting progressively worse. Her ambassadorship included communities that could show her that the public and school libraries are in partnership.

They’re two silos, which contain their own rules. The public library has great programing that no one shows up to, so she wanted to see them together. 

She found out that it’s not the kids. She was treated with respect, but there was a stipulation in her contract for her safety. And that’s how sad the state of things are, that those things have to be considered. 

Q: Books teach us a fear of ideas. What are people really afraid of? 

From Meg’s perspective, she thought, years ago, that this isn’t the parent objecting about their specific kids, this is an organized movement. The banning is an offshoot of a larger narrative. For a while, she said, the industry would respond in a smaller way, but now it’s a well-oiled machine that acts in and of fear. 

In New York, Meg’s book, about a parent, a grandmother, and little girl, was taken down for “critical race theory.”

Q: What can be done? Solutions for banned books:

Meg has ambassadorship experience. She says the best position you want to have is to be in conversation with teens. That’s the strongest position. Even if you are reading something you don’t agreement, the beauty is in the conversation. Read and think and let them tell you what they think. That’s the most palatable way to ask, “are you crazy?!.” She respects the fact that parents want the best for their kids and think they’r doing the best for their kids. So she wants to tell parents there are different ways to do what’s best for them.
This is an industry of words. What are we waiting for, meg asks, we as writers can create slogans and verbiage that we can use and that resource of artists using art is a resource that’s largely untapped. 

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.

Panel: Banned But Not Silenced - Authors Tell Their Stories - Lesa Cline-Ransome and AS King

 
Lesa Cline-Ransome is a Newbery Honor Award winner and the author of numerous non-fiction and historical fiction titles for picture book, chapter book, middle grade and young adult readers. 

Lesa will be moderating this panel. She notes that Tony Morrison said, "The function of freedom is to free someone else." With the great rise of censorship, Lesa will moderate this panel to discuss what it means to write honestly in the time of censorship. 

Lesa asks: What role did librarians play for you as you were growing into a reader and a writer? 

For Amy (AS) King libraries played an incredible role for her, as she grew up in a corn field in Pennsylvania. Her librarian IS the reason. 

A.S. King has been called "one of the best YA writers today" by the New York Times Book Review. She is the author of more than 15 novels for young people and has won the LA Times Book Prize, the Michael L. Printz Award; and the Margaret A. Edwards Award, and the ALAN Award for lifetime achievement in the field of young adult literature. King is the co-founder of the USF MFAY program and is the founder of Gracie's House, a nonprofit that provides safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas. 

Because books bans stem from fear, Lesa asks: What are people really afraid of? 

Amy notes, that fear is everywhere. She believes people are afraid of hard conversations and real conversations. Kids not so much. Kids want to talk, because adults aren't talking to them. They are afraid of reality.

Why do you think books about marginalized girls are labelled disturbing rather than necassary? 

Lesa asks Amy about her novel Dig which confronts generational trauma, systematic racism, and other hard topics. 

Amy shares several stories, but sums it up to anything that makes adults uncomfortable, and goes outside that bubble of what someone wants their kids to learn, creates a problem for them with book (like Dig). It all goes back to fear. 

A final question from Lesa: How can conversations about banned book be framed as opportunities for dialogue rather than confrontation?

Amy says she's going to take Meg's and Jason's answer and tie it up (be sure to read the other panelist posts): Amy would like to teach parents and teachers this, something her mom gave to her all the time: Amy's mom was always reading the paper. She'd call her over and say, "Read this." And then she'd ask these magic words, "What do you think about that?" Then her mom would just listen and nod. Kids need people to model what critical thinking is. 

PANEL: Banned But Not Silenced: Authors Tell Their Stories: Jason Reynolds & Tiffany Jackson

PANEL: Banned But Not Silenced: Authors Tell Their Stories:

Jason Reynolds & Tiffany Jackson

Sarah Baker: "We all know censorship is affecting children's right to information and to live freely. It's the biggest challenge creators are facing today." But we were joined by a fantastic panel who were here to "speak to the power of resistance."

"The function of freedom is to free someone else."-Toni Morrison

Lesa: What role did libraries/librarians have on you as you were becoming into a reader?

Jason: To be honest, he didn't go to the library. He grew up as an "outside kid" where you could be yourself or whoever you were for that day and only went to his local library when it rained.  It was the only building that would be open but when they were there, they'd tell them to be quiet so they would leave! Ah, well! He admits that he "wasn't a reader" but had an Auntie who would gift him books for Christmas. Mostly the classics— Treasure Island, Little Women, Little Men, Little Engine That Could. Jason found them recently and saw that she inscribed them. Mind you, he still didn't' crack them open, but heard a lot about them (LOL). Though he never read them, to have the objects in his room meant a lot. To have a home library. 

Tiffany: Growing up in Brooklyn, Tiffany had a few library homes. She visited the library near Atlantic Terminal, and the big one at Grand Army Plaza. She loved visiting her school's, small, yet mighty library, that hosted the Scholastic Book Fair. That's where she found she could be a writer. Though she didn't have a specific librarian she connected to growing up, now having children (they visit the library 3 times a week), they are a part of her village.

Lesa: Book bans stem from fear, what are people really afraid of?

Jason: My theory is that they only take what they don't have. "People usually steal what they don't have." In this case, it is intellectual freedom. 

Why? The fear lies in that, because you weren't give intellectual freedom, you want to take it away. You're afraid that you don't have the capacity to engage, and instead humbling yourself, you shut it all down. "I feel really bad for them, because I know what they don't have. There's no way you can have it and do this."

He continued to talk about those who have no idea they are a part of the machine. They are inheriting order given to them through a specific narrative and they are carrying out those orders, not knowing what the orders are for. They build this "thing" but don't know why. That's the danger.

Tiffany: They can't control kids in the way they think they can. Kids are incredibly intune. They have a high B.S. meter! They don't like that their kids are learning outside of their "bubble," and they hate that they can't control that. Things are taken out of context and we are in the middle of a terrible, childish game of "Telephone."

They try to get rid of books, internet— any contact to the outside world but Kids are creating their own safe bubbles and they're holding these adults accountable. We couldn't correct adult in the past, but these kids nowadays are making adults sweat. 

A lot of the fear is about power and how to control that power. 

Lesa: Why do you think marginalized stories, specifically stories about Black girls, are labelled disturbing instead of necessary?

Tiffany: Any story with a black girl on cover is flagged. And it's sad. What I write about is based on statistics, but when these stories are banned, you understand that there is something much larger at play here. It's erasure. Banning often is trying to get rid of Black girls—young children— banning it for made up reasons.

She truly didn't have "the words." It get her choked up because it's hard to talk about. Having to live with the fact that her book continues to be one of the top banned books, still shocks, and hurts. "There is no honor in being banned." It has "subverted my dream," a dream she has had since she was 4 years old. She has worked very hard to get here and now has to move very different due to the risks of being banned. 

Lesa: How can conversation about banning be framed as an opportunity for dialogue rather than confrontation?:

Jason: Jason wonder, are there others ways to fight back? He wonders whether or not if we are being agitated enough. Given our countries history, we've seen many models but what it requires is— inconvenience. 

"There are a list of words they use." If they find these words, then the book is pulled. The thing is—most of the words are pedestrian words. What happens when teachers say we can't teach anymore because of all these words being banned. He wonders—what is the big moment that will set things in motion? Just something to consider...maybe it will be a some young teacher who stands up in that way, but not until we are inconvenienced will change begin to come. 

Tiffany: "I don't really have an answer." We are authors—we need to focus on our books. All she wants to do is writes stories about black girls and be left alone to write those books—not deal will all these bans, lawsuits, etc. 

Her favorite thing to do lately is to 'tell adults they are clowns!" Kids will remember this. "Do you want to be put into a nice nursery home nor not?" Think of your legacy. These kids are very aware and it's important to remind that the kids will only be kids for so long. 

Jason Reynolds is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books for children and young adults. A 2024 MacArthur Fellow, Jason is best known for his novels All American Boys (co-written with Brendan Kiely), the Track series, and Long Way Down, which received Newbery, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Honors. Among his many accolades, Jason was named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress for 2020-2022. He lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

www.jasonwritesbooks.com

Tiffany D. Jackson is the author of ALLEGEDLY (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books). TV professional by day, novelist by night, awkward black girl 24/7. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Film from Howard University and her Master of Arts in Media Studies from The New School University. A Brooklyn native, she is a lover of naps, cookie dough, and beaches, currently residing in the borough she loves with her adorable chihuahua Oscar, most likely multitasking.

Pitching Your Portfolio: What Art Directors Really Want with Mina Chung

Pitching Your Portfolio: What Art Directors Really Want

with Mina Chung

There is no such thing as a "perfect portfolio," but Mina gave us tips on how to make a stronger and more attractive portfolio. 

As you build your portfolio, consider that there is an imprint for every creator, so do your research. Take note of names, publishers, etc. Do what you love—going into bookstores! See what is being made, what you connect to and read the fine print. Find the Art Directors who made it. 

"Feature Work that You Want to Create"

Focus on your specific area. "Don't get sucked into a box you don't want to be in." You might have old pieces that you like but aren't a good representation of your voice anymore. "Know when to let go." Too many styles can be a disadvantage. 

Editing and curating should be exercised. In choosing your 10-12 pieces, don't just choose your favorites, cater to your genre whether it be picture books, middle grade, graphic novel, novelty, etc

"You'll be judge on your weakest piece." Pieces that are not up to the level of your best pieces shouldn't be included. "Less is more." 

Create compositions that tell clear narratives; strong visual storytelling is needed for children's literature. Create from experience. Put characters in an environment, and make each one tell a story.

"Create for Your Target Audience" 

"Find out who will be buying your books and find books that are geared toward that audience." Envision your book in the world,  and find comp titles. Remember "publishing is a business" Consider— who's the audience for this book? 

"Work on Your Own Stories"

Create your own work. Post your process. Draw characters. Put them in scenarios. Sometimes these characters develop into stories. But make work of your own. Sometimes book projects come out of these personal projects. 

"Children Featured Should Be Very Young for Picture Books"

Know what age range works for your targeted audience. When you are self-assessing, take a beat and look at the children you are drawing. Make sure they are the right portions, age, etc. Depending on what the story is and who it's for, the age of the child should reflect the story. 

"Evolution of a Picture Book Character"

Based on the vision, mass appeal, and consistency sake, development of the character can go through an evolution. Be mindful of limb sizes, head sizes, scale, etc. Scale studies/ character model sheets can help with the development, so you can see how they compare to one another, in service of the story that is being told. 

It was a very informative breakout session! I couldn't write fast enough! 

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.

Mina Chung (Art Director) is a New York born and bred designer and crafter, and like a true new yorker, complains about the weather four seasons long. She  got her start designing children's books at Sterling Publishing, then spent over a decade developing her craft and love for picture books at Dial Books/Penguin Random House. Mina joined the stellar team at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group in 2021 and is now the art director for their children’s book imprints: Baltzer+Brey, Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, Feiwel & Friends, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, and Roaring Brook Press.

www.mina-chung.com/

Mixing It Up: An Exploration in Mixed Media with London Ladd Part 1...and 2

 London Ladd is an award-winning illustrator who has featured artwork in numerous publications such as HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, the New York Times, Scientific American, and community-based murals throughout Syracuse. He received recognition from the American Library Association, Black Caucus of the American Library Association,  Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, American Illustration, World Illustration Awards, and multiple NAACP Image Award nominations. Ladd utilizes various materials, such as acrylic paint, cut paper, and tissue paper, to create vibrant textures throughout his artwork. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor at Syracuse University, where he received his BFA and MFA degrees in illustration.

    The energy of the first day of an SCBWI conference is palpable. It’s a Saturday morning in Times Square. There are so many artists collecting in a room with dreams and experience and wisdom… it’s buzzing. You really do feel the excitement and the camaraderie between all of these children’s book creators. 

I’m here with you at Breakout session 1…and 2. This year, there are a few sessions that are twins and have to be taken together. This particular one is with London Ladd, and he’s going to guide us through the controlled mess that is mixed media. 

And there’s nothing like a little mixed media in the morning. 

As soon as we walked into the space, London was already working and covered in paint. He started out with a presentation about his career before we started throwing our materials around.   

London didn’t grow up with children’s books. His first book was a gift he received for his daughter, “Goodnight Moon.” He was introduced to children’s books while at Syracuse, studying under James Ransome. Ransome introduced London to the great Jerry Pinkney and the great Bryan Collier and all the other great Black children’s book illustrators, which opened up the world of kidlit art. 

London believes that “style” is confining. He believes in voice and process. He believes in being tactile. He always a sketchbook. He paints ON his sketchbook. It’s touch, it’s feeling. It’s also materials. The materials are as varied and important as London’s style. Tissue paper acting as paint, drawing with tweezers, pages of magazines adhered on drawings. It’s all on the table (literally) and London’s a master over them. 

His approach to mixed media work is about 25% pre-conceived intent and about 75% improvisation. 

After his demo, we all broke out into our separate work stations and we tried our hand at speaking through our materials. 

 

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.

How To Sell Your Middle Grade Novel and Make It a Hit with Kids - Alyson Gerber

Alyson Gerber is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Liars Society series, a middle grade mystery set at a New England prep school. The Liars Society has been picked as a Best Book of the Year by the American Booksellers Association, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop and has been nominated for six state book awards, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award. The Liars Society #3: A Secret Escape will be in stores April 7. Alyson has an MFA from The New School in creative writing. She grew up in New England and now lives in New York City with her family. 

A key to writing for middle grade is knowing your audience. So, Alyson moves through the whole room getting to know us (our names and where we live) before she gives us the secrets to writing bestselling middle grade. 

Alyson believes where we are from defines a lot about us. 

Who is your audience? 

Middle grade readers are 3rd to 8th grade, a very wide age of readers (3rd graders and 8th graders are very different). Can you tap into each of those ages within in the story? Alyson find a sweet spot with 5th grade.

With middle grade readers, short chapters are a key to success. 

Tip: Study the way publishers or others pitch a book to help you craft yours. For example, check out this one for Alyson's Liar's Society. Watch it HERE.

Alyson emphasizes that as writers of middle grade, we need to be able to get back into that middle grade experience. It's a time when kids are experiencing things for the very first time. We need to get back into recalling what it was like to have experience for the first time (first heart break, first betrayal, first dismissal by adults). 

Work on your pitch, and the many different versions of it. You will always need it.

Alyson, suggests going outside your genre to find great comp titles. 

Think about your aesthetic and vibe! 

Alyson shares some highly recommended middle grade reads. 

The room is energized with attendees sharing their pitches with each other. Do I even spy Tiffany Jackson (author of the above Blood in the Water, and many other great novels)? 

Sketchbook Joy with Lala Watkins

Sketchbook Joy

with Lala Watkins

Lala is a JOY and here at SCBWI for the first time, she came to help us find some Sketchbook JOY! "I'm a Florida girl — Cold is not for her!" But she is excited to see snow and to talk about how to have fun and be playful in your sketchbook!

"Hi My name is Lala, rhymes with Holla! I love laughing till my stomach hurts, ice cream and doing what makes my heart emote the heart-eyed emoji."

"My work is like a summer pool party and everyone is invited!"

Lala's style, voice and career has branched over many different types of art making: from falling in love with lettering in school to finding competitions to put herself out there, she has worked in figurines, stationary, home decor, etc. 

Starting in motion design in school, she transferred into graphic design after a year. "I just wasn't into it." She would make notes for her friends, with little treats and gifts and on their recommendations ("Lala, you should do graphic design") she decided to try it. She had thought it was for "serious things," but soon discovered her own path.

Interning at Cartoon Network sparked her joy to do things for children. That exploration nurtured the seed of imagination and fun. Going on to work for Hello Kitty, it all helped her develop her style and voice. 

Sketchbook Joy: 

Cultivating Confidence through Sketchbook play

Anxiety.  

Anxiety. Anxiety. Anxiety. A lot of her sketchbooking is to prove to her anxiety that she can do it! "I want to make my anxiety a liar." Remind yourself that it's not what you think. You have a job, and you have to build being okay with moving through the discomfort. "Have a cry" and dive in.

The Drawing PEP TALK:
Lala uses her lettering to write out what she is going through. It's her "comfort spot" and helps her loosen up. "Make it messy, and have freedom without judgement." Write notes to yourself in your sketchbook. Make it a safe space. 

Experimentation:
Mess with materials that you've never used. Gouache, markers, color pencils, paper etc. Sketch on Post-Its. They are small, quick, and not precious. She loves working on her experimentation through portraiture. Experiment and see what comes from it. It helped in the development of one of her books, where she used textures she discovered in play and scanned them in to use for her bookmaking.

With a Q&A, and a sharing of her materials and sketchbooks, we got to meet the other attendees and mingle.  What a joy! 

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.

Lala Watkins (Author, Illustrator) is an author-illustrator extraordinaire whose work is like a summer pool party, and everyone's invited! She makes playful illustrations and lovely stories that make her heart (and yours) emote the heart-eyed emoji. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and Interactive Communications from Ringling College of Art & Design. She has worked as a product designer, product developer, illustrator, and graphic designer at Sanrio, Paper Culture, Cartoon Network and more. Let's be friends! Fun fact: She's in a long-term relationship with the sun so she lives in sunny Florida. Her favorite treat is ice cream and she is a charming hand lettering artist.

www.acaseoflala.com/

Picture-Perfect Pacing with Rotem Moscovich

Rotem Moscovich is the Editorial Director of Picturebooks at Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers. She's worked with many talented creators, including Greg Pizzoli, Minh Lê, Dan Santat, Doug Salati, Julie Fogliano, Ryan T. Higgins, Mac Barnett & Shawn Harris, Antwan Eady, Doreen Rappaport, Adam Rex, and Marla Frazee. Rotem loves picturebooks with clever characters and inspired/ing art, and connect with chapter books and graphic novels with characters that have inherent motivation and earned agency. rotem.nyc

A special aspect of the picture book is that it has a dual audience. The book is meant to be read aloud. The physical act of reading the text out loud while looking at the pictures.

Some books to sit with and consider pacing, and how that pacing helps to satisfy.   

Rotem has attendees look at a typed manuscript of Snow by Uri Shulevitz and decide where they would put the page breaks.

Make a book map with your own manuscript. Using a picture book storyboard (32 or 40 pages). Here's a great resources for that: Debbie Ohi Resources

Print out your manuscript in 3 columns using 8-9 point font. Cut it up to find your best pacing. 

Attendees hard at work.

Keynote: Meg Medina

 Keynote: Meg Medina

After a wonderful welcome, Sarah Baker introduced the amazing, the kind, warm and prolific Meg Medina took the stage. "I come here as a teacher but mostly, as your colleague."

We started with Story Time!

With a hilarious story of a travel mix-up in Houston, where she ended up at a hotel for a very different type of party instead of an invited book event—there was a lot of leather and confused looks of Meg in the lobby—Meg opened the keynote speak with this:

"Sometimes you think you're going somewhere and you've ended somewhere else, so it pays to check-in where you are. So let's do a check-in!"

Meg found her start at SCBWI, where she began at her local chapter in Virginia. She had been a writing teacher and "closeted poet" but not until SCBWI did she really make serious moves toward becoming a children's book writer. 

The meetings were in a small church, which she drove two hours to get to. They sat on uncomfortable folding chairs (she promises its improved since then) but still knew it was a magical space.She didn't know anything and had never really done anything in this realm but she knew she was sitting in room with other people with the "strange longing for the impossible."

Since the beginning of her career, A LOT has change. She remembers when Instagram and the new iPhone was launched. But being toward the back half of her career, she reflects on her where she started and where she is now. 

From her first book, Milagros (2008) to Graciela in the Abyss (2025), she has learned a lot, and much has changed. From her first one went into print and disappeared quickly to her most recent one has been celebrated, she wanted to represent the bookends of her career to show how things develop and change. Though she didn't want to totally go in about her process, she wanted to talk about what she thinks will be useful to us. 

She posed the question, "What's it gonna take to fly long term in this career?"

First, she encourages us to think big and lovingly about yourself and others.

Meg believes that at the beginning of your career, we tend to ask: How? How do i break-in? How do I write that query? How do I get an agent to represent me? How do I get to the next level? Stand out?

Though these questions are important, they are not essential.

She believes the important question is: WHY? Why do you do this work?

We all have different whys and it will change over the years.

Her "why" started as a "craving for a creative life —wanting to tell stories" to "living a examined life, and putting those examinations on the page to help pave the way for kids growing up." She wants to "walk alongside them through the good, bad and ugly times." Her advocacy for diversity and inclusivity will never, ever change! 

For Meg, growing up was a mixed bag. Though there were many challenges, it taught her that even through difficulty, you can also learn how to make it out. She is committed to help kids face contradictions in their life and to wonder how it all fits together. 

"Enter the Care Team"

Function a "tios" and "tias." When we write, we share stories of being/ living among flawed humans. We are helping them see the broken spots, and pursue higher aspirations, giving them an emotional and intellectual toolbox.

"Don't do this career to get back at your bullies or to be famous" 

Even after 20 years, she still struggles with writing. She goes through tons of drafts, and existential crisis' but this is what she comes to—her mantra, "I am still learning and I will be forever" so she wishes us a lifetime of "Sacred Suffering!"

It took her 15 years to finish writing Graciela in the Abyss, after false starts and many drafts. Pandemic brought us all to the "edge of the chasm" where we saw in real time the "withering" of books as we dealt with unprecedented times. This brought up the question—"What do we owe each other as a community?" After all the isolation, grief, sadness and loss. Meg revisited her novel and this time, she wanted to explore the darker side of existence. Though she never was a fantasy writer, she wanted to push herself. Meg did her research about oceanography, fantasy writing, world building, etc and dove in!

Meg says, after 20 years, "humility and trust" are essential parts of the journey. Commit to learning and changing things. Commit to being edited. Growth and learning go hand in hand in this career. Be open to collaboration and connection throughout your career. Over your whole career! 

"Scare yourself. Take risks." Lean into those relationships that fuel your creativity, expansion and artistic curiosity. But also, be mindful of what may drain your energy—public speaking, social media, updating websites, presentations, marketing. Be thoughtful and intentional how you navigate the intersection of art and commence, because that is where we sit. 

"Reframe "business" to something more meaningful." 

Make it feel more geared to community. Build relationships with other bookish people. When sharing out in the world, think:

- Am I expressing who I really am, professionally and personally?

- Am I dealing with something that I am adding to the community?

- Am I commenting on something that has happened in the world?

- Am I offering a way for people to know me and my work better?

BE INTENTIONAL and remember, it is focused on community. Meg encouraged us to take all that we can from this community but to put back in as well. Support teachers, librarians, artist who are being censored.

"If it is happening to one of us, it's happening to all of us." Give back, "bare witness and speak out in small ways." Donate, volunteer, do what you can for this community. 

"Write with the best that is inside you!" Keep learning and growing with the trusted people you meet along the way. Respect yourself as an artitst today and remember you are a part of something that is bigger and loves you. 

Meg Medina served as the eighth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. She is the author of many notable works for young readers of all ages, including the Newbery Medal–winning and New York Times bestselling book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, the first in a trilogy. Meg's work has won numerous distinctions over the years, including the Pura Belpré award, the Ezra Jack Keats Writer's Award, the Charlotte Zolotow prize, and the Margaret Wise Brown prize, among others. Her work examines how cultures intersect through the eyes of young people. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she grew up in Queens, New York, and now lives in Richmond, Virginia.

www.megmedina.com

Welcome with Sarah Baker

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.

Before we moved on to the keynote, Sarah announced the recipients of the Tomie dePaola Mentorship Award for Illustrators! 

Congratulations to Oana Mitsuk, Eva Lou Phillips, and Nolan Arthur Stadder! 

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.

Sarah Baker
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

Orientation for First Time Attendees

 Good morning, SCBWI. We started this morning with STANDING ROOM ONLY for conference orientation. If you've ever felt like you're the only one, know that you are not alone. Join us. 

And awkward picture of me, but look at all those happy, new friends. 

Now we get the conference! Follow along with us here. 

Also, follow the conference hashtag on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky.

Networking Happy Hour!

Networking Happy Hour!

After a full day of so many amazing keynotes, panels and breakout sessions, the attendees were able to kick back, grab a drink and chat about the day! The energy was electric and I wanted to know what they thought of the day. So I asked! 

Veronica Miller Jamison is a returner to the SCBWI conference and I wanted to know, What’s been your favorite part of the conference so far?

Veronica: The workshop with London Ladd! Having dedicated time to experiment with the techniques of an acclaimed veteran illustrator, gave me a chance to play and add to my visual language. Check out Veronica's beautiful art at www.veronicajamisonart.com and follow her on IG @veronicajamisonart

Sam Nelson

Hey Sam,  has there been any advice from the conference so far that you're excited to apply post-conference?

So much good advice and craft talk, especially in Emma Dryden's revision sessions. I have some projects that have gone through so many revisions but they begin to feel like bad remixes of the same old story with the old tools after awhile. Her guidance to write out both the emotional and action plots of a story in single sentences produced one of those 'aha' moments for me - and led to the first decent revision in months of a very silly booger book I've been picking at. 

IG: @TreeStoriesWithSam

Website: samnelson.xyz

Romy Natalia Goldberg (left) and Lydia P. Scott (right):

To Romy: What’s been your favorite part of the conference so far?

I love seeing people, year after year—reconnecting, and seeing where they are in their journey. The excitement of seeing each other across the room. This community truly contains the most genuine people. The support is palpable.

Learn more about Romy at romynatalia.squarespace.com.

To Lydia: What is one thing that stood out to you?

Meg Medina's keynote was very special. Always remember your "why." It will always lead you back to what is important.

Learn more about Lydia on IG @lydia.p.scott

Portfolio Showcase 2026!

Portfolio Showcase 2026!

With over 100 portfolios submitted, the Industry Night was buzzing. This being my third year attending, each year the quality of work has grown and grown! Such beautiful art by amazingly talented artist! Publishing professionals came together to review all of the work and it was fun to be a fly on the wall! They were rave reviews!

Early that day, the artist dropped off their portfolio to be judged, to be announced tomorrow, so stay tuned BUT this year SCBWI has introduced a new feature... 

Award-Winning Writing Showcase Winners— in the flesh!

Having been digital in the past, this year, SCBWI wanted to move to a more tactical way to experience writer's work. Each winner had a spread with all their information, loglines, writing samples, etc. It was available for attendees to browse and is a great way to showcase our writers, not only illustrators. 

We are looking forward to a weekend of fun, connection and growth! Follow along all weekend with our awesome Team Blog!

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.

Meet Team Blog 2026

Meet Team Blog 2026

Happy Conference! I am so ecstatic for this year's event! I can't wait to see old friends, network and meet new people, get some valuable info from the breakout sessions, etc. But before we get started, how about we introduce ourselves! 

MEET JOLIE

I’m a veteran teacher who works with writers at all stages to create meaningful, compelling stories for young readers. While I’ve taught privately and for many organizations, including the SCBWI, I’m excited to be teaching two upcoming certificate courses in writing for young readers through the University of San Francisco (online). Each year, I’m honored to host the SCBWI First-time Attendee Orientations at the SCBWI conference in New York (maybe I’ll see you there!), as well as the virtual conferences. It’s one of my favorite things. I’m also so proud to have been awarded SCBWI Member of the Year (2009). My short story “Ghosts Around These Parts” appears in the anthology The Haunted States of America. I’m represented by Kayla Cichello at Upstart Crow Literary.

For more information about Jolie, visit www.joliestekly.com.

*Jolie will be hosting the Orientation for First Timers on Saturday, Jan 17th at 7:15 AM - 8:00 AM. 

"Come get the lay of the land and meet fellow newbies"

MEET JUSTIN

Hi, I’m Justin Campbell,  author/illustrator and professional performer based in Brooklyn, NY. Graduate of Montclair State University with a BFA in Dance and a Minor in Art Studio & Design (Illustration), I now perform professionally, nationally, and internationally. As a visual artist, I love mixing visual and performance art, being inspired by my background in dance, movement, and theater. With the desire to be the “griot” of the family, I write stories that explore, and celebrate the interconnectivity, imperfection, and uniqueness of BIPOC people across the diaspora. I write for the child I was who struggled to navigate a world that did not see him and my greatest wish is to be a true storyteller OF and FOR the world, in the hopes of helping facilitate change for the future.

For more information about Justin, visit www.mermancam.art

And our newest Team Blog Member—

SIBU T.P.

Hi! My name is Sibu T.P. I was born and raised in New York, and am the first-gen child of Indian immigrants from Kerala. I spent most of my childhood scribbling and sketching, dreaming and imagining. Today, I tell stories through picture books as an illustrator and as a writer. I studied English lit at SUNY Stony Brook and illustration at the Hartford Art School. My author-illustrator debut, "Home, Home," is available now. When I'm not in front of my drawing board, I'm taking pictures while hiking and running from squirrels.

For more information about Sibu, visit www.sibudraws.com.