2025 SCBWI Ohio North Regional Conference: Where Stories Take Flight
October 3–4, 2025 at Tri-C Corporate College East in Warrensville Heights, Ohio
Pricing:
Standard registration: $240
Member discount rate: $215
Registration Deadline: September 22, 2025
https://www.scbwi.org/events/2025-scbwi-ohio-north-regional-conference/register-info
Key Dates:
8/25: Publication Celebration & Conference Bookstore Form DUE for anyone with a book that released between Sept. 2023- Sept. 2025
8/26: Preconference Manuscript Prep Event via Zoom with Gloria G. Adams & Jean Daigneau
SEPTEMBER '25
9/1: Early Bird Conference Registration CLOSES
9/1: Last day to purchase critiques
9/1: Manuscripts/Dummies for Faculty Critiques DUE
9/1: Accessibility and Dietary Needs Form DUE
9/1: PRECONFERENCE Pitch Party PREP Submission Form DUE
9/2: Cut-off Date for submitting illustration postcards for distribution to faculty
9/9: Pitch Party PREP Event with Merrill Rainey
9/12: Last day for SCBWI Ohio North room block prices at the Cleveland Marriot
9/22: Conference Registration CLOSES
9/22: Friday Night Conference Pitch Party Submission Form DUE
9/25: Last Day for full conference refund (No refunds on critiques)
9/26: Session 3C: Getting Started in Middle Grade with John Rudolph Form DUE (for conference attendees registered for breakout session 3C)
OCTOBER '25
10/3- ⭐Friday Afternoon Intensives (1:00-4:00 pm) Mix & Mingle Dinner and Pitch Party
10/4: ⭐Full-day Saturday CONFERENCE
Preconference Events (optional and free):
Manuscript Prep (on Zoom): August 26, with Gloria G. Adams and Jean Daigneau offering tips on formatting and pitching
Pitch Party Prep (on Zoom): September 9, featuring author/illustrator Merrill Rainey, including real-time pitch feedback
SCBWI
Conference Options/Events:
Art Show & Portfolio Showcase:
Illustrators may display their unpublished work (mounted prints only), with both Grand Prize and People’s Choice awards. Winners receive professional critiques, and artwork is shared on SCBWI’s social media.
https://www.scbwi.org/events/2025-scbwi-ohio-north-regional-conference/art-show-portfolio-showcase
Critiques by Industry Professionals:
Optional add-on critique sessions for both manuscripts and portfolios are available during the conference.
Written-only, in-person, or live Zoom critiques can be purchased.
Purchase deadline: Monday, September 1, 2025
OHIO NORTH FACULTY
Attending in person:
Joann Hill, Creative Director, Disney Hyperion
Katie Carella, Editorial Director, Acorn & Branches
Emily Feinberg, Executive Editor, Macmillan
Daria Peoples, Author-Illustrator
Lindsay Bonilla, Author
Elise McMullen-Ciotti, Senior Executive Editor, Lee & Low
Dr. Kristy Boyce, Author
John Rudolph, Agent, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
Jane Smith, Author-Illustrator
Kelly Pelsue, Agent, Morgan Gaynin
Emily Feinberg, Executive Editor, Macmillan
Virtual critiques:
Kerry Martin, Creative Director, Holiday House
Melia Parsloe, Associate Art Director, Astra Publishing House
Katie Heit, Editor, Scholastic
Written-only critiques:
Anjanette Barr, Agent, Dunham Literary
Lee Melillo, Associate Agent, Dunham Literary
Rachel Orr, Agent, Prospect Agency
Vicky Weber, Agent, Creative Media Agency, Inc.
Jazmia Young, Associate Agent, Curtis Brown, Ltd.
https://www.scbwi.org/events/2025-scbwi-ohio-north-regional-conference/friday-mix-and-mingle-dinner-pitch-party
The Friday Night Mix and Mingle Dinner
An optional add-on for $60.
The cost includes a dinner buffet (cash bar) and evening programming.
5:00 - 5:45 pm Pre-Dinner Breakouts (pick one when you arrive)
Option 1: Conference 101 - Orientation for first-time conference attendees with Gloria G. Adams, Author and Editor, and Jean Daigneau, Author, Editor, and Former SCBWI Ohio North Regional Advisor
Option 2: Prompt & Create- Get your creativity flowing with communal time to write or illustrate inspired by written and visual prompts with Merrill Rainey, SCBWI Ohio North Co-Regional Advisor
6:00 - 7:00 pm Mix and Mingle Dinner (cash bar)
7:00 - 8:00 pm Live Pitch Party with Emily Fienberg, Katie Carella, Joann Hill, and John Rudolph moderated by Merrill Rainey
Pitch Party Details:
Attend our Pitch Party, included in the Mix and Mingle Dinner conference add-on for $60. During the Pitch Party, presubmitted pitches from dinner attendees will be randomly shared on a screen. While viewing, our Pitch Party panelists will conduct live critiques. A Google Form will be shared with Mix and Mingle attendees to allow them to submit their pitches in advance. *Due to time constraints, not all pitches may be shared.
Not only may your pitch be viewed by the panelists, but we will also ask Mix and Mingle attendees to select their favorite pitch for a chance to win the People's Choice Award! The People's Choice Award winner will be announced on Saturday, October 4. The winner will be awarded a written critique by Katie Carella, Executive Editor, Scholastic.
https://www.scbwi.org/events/2025-scbwi-ohio-north-regional-conference/friday-mix-and-mingle-dinner-pitch-party
Also check out other Business events in Beachwood, Conferences in Beachwood, Arts events in Beachwood.
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