The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Ohio North chapter regional children’s literature conference, Write Back Where We Belong, will take place in-person on September 16-17 at Tri-C Corporate College East (Warrensville Heights). Early bird registration launched on July 11 and will run through August 26. Registration closes on September 2.

This day and a half of in-person programming features over 20 on-site and offsite editors, art directors, agents, authors and illustrators. The conference keynotes feature multiple award-winning author, Andrea Wang, who recently won a Newbery honor and an Ohioana Book Award for her Ohio-based picture book WATERCRESS. Conference faculty teach writing-focused intensives and offer breakout sessions on elements of kidlit craft and inside information on the children’s publishing industry. Through the conference, participants also have the opportunity to get feedback on their own writing and illustrating from industry professionals through critiques with conference faculty. Illustrators have the opportunity to enter their portfolios into an art show judged by art directors, as well as conference participants. Mac’s Backs Books on Coventry will run the conference bookstore featuring books by conference faculty as well as published SCBWI Ohio North members. The conference will close with book signings by faculty and SCBWI Ohio North members, including Minnesota-based author Miranda Paul, Cleveland Heights author Tricia Springstubb, and Cincinnati-based author-illustrator Blythe Russo.

SCBWI Ohio North is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices in children’s literature and awarded two Underrepresented Diverse Voices conference scholarships to a current member and a non-member.

SCBWI is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization focused on writing and illustrating for kids. The Ohio North chapter started in 1990 and has a membership of over 200 northern Ohio writers and illustrators at all levels, focused on both traditional and independent publishing. This is the first in-person regional conference since 2019 and it’s drawing participants from all over Ohio, as well as surrounding states and Canada. SCBWI Ohio North will participate in Literary Cleveland’s Inkubator book fair on September 9-10 as a way to talk to more northern Ohio writers and illustrators about the nuances of writing fiction and nonfiction for younger readers.