Cen South Ohio SCBWI

We are the Central and Southern Ohio chapter of #SCBWI

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

SCBWI Benelux: When Creativity Meets Marketing
October 22, 2026: Join Tita Berredo to discover new ways of showcasing your work! Find out how to make yourself memorable in a way that suits your style. It's not about being loud, but being seen as a creator.
https://t.co/pNaoaFpsHG

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

SCBWI New York West Central: Middle Grade Monsters and Mysteries with Emily Daluga
October 12, 2026: Whether it’s a classic whodunit or a new spine-chilling tale, kids can’t get enough of horror and mystery stories! Even though many young readers are struggling with reading right now, these two genres remain some of the most popular categories in middle grade. They continue to sell year after year and are getting more critical acclaim in awards and reviews. Kids are clamoring for their next great read—and publishers are eager to help them find it! In this presentation, we’ll discuss recent killer trends, investigate how to craft a satisfying story, and crack the case on how to help your project stand out in the market! https://t.co/FXxImiiSfz

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

@scbwi_ksmo From our friends in Kansas & Missouri:
Are you afraid of using photo references in your illustration practice for fear that it's "cheating"? Or the opposite: are you too reliant on them, and unable to use your imagination to draw? This webinar is for you then - as well as for everyone else in-between! Meredith Lucius, illustrator of six children's books, will show us how she uses art and photo references to guide her illustration practice. You'll learn how to use references in a way that doesn't feel like cheating and that inspires to create something new, rather than rigidly adhering to your reference. Participants will also get to practice on several photo references of children under Meredith's guidance. This webinar will be recorded and available for 30 days afterwards.  
When: October 28, 2026 from 7-8 pm CDT
Where: Zoom
Cost: $10 members/ $20 non-members
https://t.co/SJKoXSqpzz

[Cen South Ohio SCBWI @CSOhioSCBWI]

With a description like that, how can you not attend?

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

Do what you want. No one cares. Plus Q+A.- October 7th @ 7:00 pm (est)
An inspiring and inspirational talk from beloved children’s author and/or illustrator Bob Shea. Mr. Shea will draw and tell you things he hopes will help somehow. I’d love to say he won’t talk about his ADHD but he can’t seem to shut up about it. Do you follow him online? Holy cow. Is it a disorder or an entire personality? 
Bring snacks and a book in case you get bored. 

https://t.co/zJQjuhAOns

[Cincinnati Zoo @CincinnatiZoo]

Penny the red panda cub is slowly starting to explore outside of her nest box! She’s been spending time behind the scenes with her mom, bonding, growing, and recently, starting to practice her climbing skills!

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

SCBWI Kansas Missouri: Finding the Perfect Match - The Agent/Client Relationship
October 8, 2026: " Finding the right agent is much like dating. You must first ask questions about yourself and what you’re looking for in an agent. What makes a successful match? In this workshop, literary agent Sera Rivers and bestselling, award-winning author Brooke Hartman will discuss key components that create a successful client-agent relationship and share tips on finding the right agent for you. This workshop will be interactive; participants should come prepared with questions. A limited number of manuscript critiques are available for purchase. https://t.co/SA25pjjyqY

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

Bring depth to your novel by weaving layers like emotion, rich settings, character arcs, and sensory details to craft a compelling story. https://t.co/IEnFhV1HtD

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

Last call for authors and illustrators to apply! Ohio's newest little book festival is in its 6th year and going strong. 20-25 authors will be invited from applications received by 9/15.
Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers handles the book sales. The festival takes place March 20, 2027 and all the details (as well as the application form) can be found at this link. Please consider joining us in 2027! DEADLINE TO APPLY IS COMING QUICKLY! Sept. 15th! Great opportunity for SCBWI PAL members!

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

SCBWI England South and London: Too Many Ideas, Too Little Time with Susanne Schotanus
September 2, 2026: You're bright, creative, and have so many wonderful ideas! So why does it feel impossible to finish your writing project? Or maybe even start it? NEVER FEAR, Susanne is here to help! Susanne Schotanus is the world's first ADHD writing coach for adults — a role her clients chose for her. After five years coaching hundreds of writers, she's discovered that most of the ""writing problems"" people beat themselves up over are actually executive function challenges. Too many ideas, not enough time, paralysis when faced with a blank page, the inability to finish what you start — these aren't character flaws. They're signs that standard writing advice was designed for a brain you don't have. Susanne helps writers build systems that actually work for how they think — so they can get their stories out of their heads and onto the page.
https://t.co/cD45y6XbuH

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

Free event from our friends at SCBWI FL!
Query Wrangling 101: A Systematic Approach to Submission Sanity: Sep 17, 2026
Querying can be overwhelming, but a good tracking system changes the game. Learn practical methods for organizing every stage of the querying process, from researching agents and sending queries to tracking responses, requests, and next steps. Explore the online tools, discuss strategies for keeping information organized without becoming overwhelmed, and learn how to interpret the patterns emerging from your data. What do response rates, request rates, and rejection trends actually tell you about your query materials and strategy? By understanding the stories behind the numbers, you can make more informed decisions and query with greater confidence. Participants will leave with a customizable Excel template, recommended systems and resources, and a duplicable strategy for wrangling their querying journey. For more info, go to: https://t.co/SQtkcB4KZT

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

Finding The Funny, SCBWI Israel
With Ann Diament Koffsky, Christine Van Zandt, and bestselling author Michael Benner. Humor sells. We see proof of it on best-seller lists. Would you like to write a funny book but are nervous about trying? Afraid you’ll slip on the proverbial banana peel and go splat! Three agented, traditionally published authors share what they’ve learned from writing and publishing funny picture books. The presenters include an author-illustrator with starred reviews and 30+ books, a five-book award-winning author and freelance editor, and a debut author knocking it out of the park with a Barnes & Noble-selected series. Publishers include the Big Five, mid-size, as well as niche. Get the insider scoop on how they did it, what worked–and what didn’t–to help you decide whether funny is for you. Come join us and we’ll help you find your funny bone.
https://t.co/AoU3G3pFoM

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

Patterns, Play, & Picture Books: Revision Through Mentor Texts: An online Webinar by Marzieh Abbas
Do you have a spiffy picture book idea that isn’t looking as good on the page as it is in your head? Have you revised your picture book manuscript and still feel like it can be told in a way that kids will find more engaging, only you don’t know how? Are you ready to be playful with your manuscript and surprise yourself with the possibilities that different structures hold? Then get ready for a deep dive into mentor texts as we explore the world of picture book structures while generating ideas to apply to your WIP. In this webinar we’ll learn the difference between comp titles and mentor texts and how we can use them as we craft our stories. Marzieh will share how she uses picture books as references and how she keeps a detailed log of mentor texts so she can use them as she works through revisions. She will then walk you through the different picture book structures, using recent examples. Lastly, Marzieh will inspire you to apply the knowledge to your own revisions.
https://t.co/7OV4NP9AlB

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

SCBWI Germany/Austria: Intensive Workshop - Story Openings
August 24, 2026: What's the best way to get a reader's attention? In this 2-hour, in-depth online workshop, Tina Tocco teaches you how to launch a story! Learn different techniques, analyse various story openings, and (re-)write your own beginning in this hands-on webinar. Recording available.
https://t.co/ayFNU73deW

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

SCBWI Arizona: Picture Book Live Edits Webinar
August 22, 2026: Carter Hasegawa, Agent with Tugeau 2 Art & Literary Agency, will select up to four picture book manuscripts submitted by attendees and will edit them live during the workshop. You'll learn how an editor/agent approaches evaluating and editing a picture book manuscript, as well as learn about picture book design, pagination, etc. in ways that will affect the editing of a manuscript.
https://t.co/JOTtuiaNni

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

SCBWI Pennsylvania East: Drawn to Story - Crafting Characters and Crafting Smiles
August 22, 2026: Larissa Brown guides participants through the art of using humor as a storytelling superpower in picture book illustration. From cracking character expressions to crafting the perfect visual and text contradictions, you'll learn how strong story moments become comedic gold.
https://t.co/SjAPRPFYRF

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

SCBWI San Francisco South: Crack the Code: Reverse Engineering the Graphic Novel with Natascha Morris
August 22, 2026: Learn how agent Natascha Morris reverse engineers a story and how she has guided several debut graphic novelists through the process of preparing their graphic novel proposals. From inspiration and MSWL, she will go over the act of outlining and break down how to create a new manuscript. Whether you are working on a new idea or have no idea where to start, this proven method will help you crack the code on how to give editors and agents what they might be looking for. Handouts will be provided.
https://t.co/OZ1ON4LCes

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

Aid to Individual Artists (AIA) Award
Do you create art within a 40-mile radius of Cincinnati and are at least 18 years old? You may be eligible for the Summerfair AIA award, offering $5,000 grants to selected artists! AIA award recipients are also invited to showcase their work in the Summerfair Select exhibit.
Here's what you need to know:
•Eligibility: Open to individuals residing within 40 miles of Cincinnati who are 18 or older. Students over 18 enrolled in a degree program require faculty sponsorship.
•One Application Per Year: Artists can submit one application per year.
•Exclusions: Summerfair Cincinnati members and past Summerfair Cincinnati Aid to Individual Artists Award recipients within the last four years are not eligible.
The 2026 AIA Award Application is now open.

https://t.co/OC4leQmx0x

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

Did you enjoy our webinar with Adam Blackman last spring? Here’s another chance to learn from him courtesy of our friends at SCBWI Nevada!
The Power of Two - Direct Collaborations Between Authors and Illustrators with Editor Adam Blackman
August 22, 2026: We all know about the power of three. But when it comes to picture books, it takes two: text and art! The industry standard is that authors and illustrators work separately. Join us as acquiring editor for Cardinal Rule Press, Adam Blackman, discusses notable exceptions to this standard and explores how closer collaboration between authors and illustrators can lead to work that is more than the sum of its parts. This event will be recorded.
https://t.co/MEKwbYYK5j

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

SCBWI Texas Houston: Writing Strong Voice - How to Recognize It and How to Achieve It
August 22, 2026: Voice is a tricky thing, perhaps one of the slipperiest elements to develop in our writing—easy for readers to identify, but tough for writers to develop. Any editor will tell you that she knows a distinct writer’s voice when she hears it, especially when it draws her into a story and keeps her there. In this workshop we will read, study, discuss, and practice technique as we find our writer’s voices and learn how to hone them. Be ready to actively participate in the discussion.
https://t.co/4ayK6lUbMF

[Carrie Logsdon McCullough @MNZOODDS]

Also happening tomorrow! SCBWI Germany/Austria: De-Mystify Voice with Six Key Concepts
August 19, 2026: In this presentation, Kristin Tubb demystifies the slippery concept of “VOICE." Learn six key concepts that will help you grasp this elusive idea more clearly, and create the pull in your words that agents and editors are looking for.
https://t.co/AneYku8nRO