SCBWI 2026 Virtual Conference Keynote Speakers

The keynote speakers for this year's event will be none other than Pam Muñoz Ryan and Brian Selznick! Check out their bios below!

Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Pam Muñoz Ryan is an "American author and the 2026 U.S. nominee for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award. She is the author of ECHO, a Newbery Honor book and the recipient of the Kirkus Prize. She has written over forty books, including the novels ESPERANZA RISING, BECOMING NAOMI LEÓN, RIDING FREEDOM, PAINT THE WIND, THE DREAMER, ECHO, and Mañanaland. She is the author recipient of the National Education Association’s Civil and Human Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for Multicultural Literature, and is twice the recipient of the Pura Belpré Medal and the Willa Cather Award."

"Honors include the PEN USA Award, the Américas Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, and the Orbis Pictus Award."

To read more on Pam Muñoz Ryan, visit her website HERE!

Brian Selznick is an award winning author and illustrator of many books for children and young adults, including The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Run Away With Me, Wonderstuck, Big Tree and many, many more. 

"To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beloved Harry Potter series, Brian created new covers and a box for all seven books."

"Other books include The Marvels, The Doll People trilogy by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin, The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley and Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Muñoz Ryan."

His work ranging from novels to short stories to works on the big stage, Brian has "written the story for a new version of The Nutcracker at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, choreographed by Tony Award winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (An American In Paris). Brian has worked professionally as a puppeteer with Basil Twist, and he’s created three toy theater pieces directed by Dan Hurlin."

To read more on Brian Selznick, visit his website HERE

Have you registered for the 2026 Virtual Conference yet? Register HERE! Hope to see you there!

Illustrators' Intensive 2026 Virtual Conference

On Sunday, August 2nd, at the end of what shall be a fantastic virtual conference, Pat Cummings, Laurent Linn and Cecilia Yung will be hosting the SCWBI Illustrators' Intensive!

PERSONAL IS POWERFUL: 

Transforming Individual Expression into Universal Communication

Your experiences, interests, and passions are what make you unique as an illustrator and writer. But how do you incorporate these personal aspects into your work in ways that are compelling and relatable to even the youngest reader?

The secret is building a strong emotional connection between your story, your images, and your reader. Powerful storytellers shape their experiences to create dynamic visual narratives that help us make sense of our lives. They reframe personal anecdotes that enable us to recognize ourselves in their stories. They capture specific and nuanced details that invite us into their world. As illustrators, they take advantage of color, composition, expressions, and body language to express the emotions of the experience, so that their fascination, excitement, and disappointment become ours. Their personal stories are grounded in the shared experience—as much about us as they are about them.That’s the thrilling alchemy of storytelling.

Three successful illustrators show how their perceptions shape their unique styles and share the different ways they translate their distinct experiences into impactful visual stories that resonate with readers of all ages.

Who Should Attend?

The Illustrators' Intensive is open to SCBWI Premium Members only. There is an additional $95 fee. Members can purchase the Illustrators Half-Day Intensive as a package with the Portfolio Showcase for a reduced rate.

Check out these interviews from the 2026 Winter Conference with Pat Cummings, Laurent Linn and Cecilia Yung to hear why the Illustrators' Intensive is right for you!

2026 Illustrators' Intensive: Interview with Cecilia Yung

2026 Illustrators' Intensive: Interview with Laurent Linn

2026 Illustrators' Intensive: Interview with Pat Cummings

Summer 2026 Virtual Conference: Portfolio Showcase

Summer 2026 Portfolio Showcase

Our annual Summer Portfolio Showcase is a career-launching opportunity for children's book illustrators! This juried showcase is a terrific way to get your illustrations in front of top publishing professionals. This year’s format will be a three-image portfolio, with links to your SCBWI Member Profile Illustrator Gallery. 

For Conference attendees only, you must submit your work by JULY 17. Artwork uploaded after this time, may not be seen by the judges.

Portfolios are judged as a whole, not on any individual image. The judges are looking for children’s book publishing appropriateness, consistency of a strong illustrative “voice” throughout, and fresh and unique styles.

Visit the Portfolio Awards page to learn how to enter.

You must be registered for the conference to participate and you must be a Premium Member. Participation in the showcase is an additional $75. Members can purchase the Portfolio Showcase as a package with the Illustrators Half-Day Intensive for a reduced rate. 

The showcase winners and honor recipients will be announced live on Zoom at the Summer Conference Wrap-Up and Awards on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Get your art in front of industry professionals at our career-launching online showcase. 

PRIZES

1 Gold Award (1) winner will receive:Free admission to the next Virtual Summer Conference,
Two phone/virtual meetings with art directors/agents who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio,
A one year renewal of your SCBWI membership, and
Two images from your portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.*

1 Silver Award winner will receive:Two phone/virtual meetings with art directors/agents who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio,
A one year renewal of your SCBWI membership, and
One image from your portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.*

2 Bronze Award winners will receive:One phone/virtual meeting with an art director or agent who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio.
One image from the winner’s portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.*

Images from the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners’ portfolios will be displayed in a special showcase in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair along with their name, website, and country of origin. There will be more than 30,000 people and 1500 exhibitors from 100 countries attend this renowned book fair.