I just finished attending a webinar hosted by the KS/MO chapter of the SCBWI. I have been doing illustration long enough now that a lot of these seminars (in person and online) are sort of reviewing things I’ve already picked up. But I did get a few points that were sort of new, or at least good to be reminded of. And it’s always good to get out there (metaphorically because it was on zoom) and actually discuss things.
The subjects were picture book dummies and working with art departments.
There was a lot of information, but the advice I took away was:
Tag: scbwi
MO/KS SCBWI Featured Illustrator
This month I’m honored to be SCBWI’s Kansas/Missouri PAL illustrator of the month for October. Check it out here: https://ksmo.scbwi.org/featured-illustrator/
SCBWI Bookstop
The Genie Loophole written by Paul Maguire and illustrated by Karen B. Jones (me) is now up on the SCBWI Bookstop! Check it out or browse other great SCBWI titles.
It’s a chapter book with one black and white image per chapter. Go to my portfolio for a peek at the illustrations.
It’s currently available in paperback from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers. It would make a great Christmas gift!
Synopsis:
It’s something that has crossed every kid’s mind… If you were given three wishes, what would they be? For Teddy Rogers, who one summer discovers a magic bottle on the beach and releases the genie inside, the answer is simple: Wish for a billion more wishes!
What follows is a series of unexpected situations, each crazier than the one before. Teddy soon learns that unlimited wishes can easily spin out of control… and sometimes into dangerous territory!
SCBWI Postcard Contest
I entered four designs into the SCBWI Postcard contest back in November. Here’s a link to a gallery displaying all the entries from the SCBWI artists who competed. http://scbwicontestentriesgallery.blogspot.com/
Building a Kite
The fourth and final kite-themed image for the SCBWI Postcard Illustration Contest.
Star-Gazing
My third kite-themed entry for the SCBWI Postcard Illustration Contest.
Flying a Kite
My second kite-themed entry for the SCBWI Postcard Illustration Contest.

A delighted boy is carried aloft by his kite while his mother chases behind in a panic.
Tree and Kite
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is having a Postcard Illustration Contest. I created some images for the competition. They are supposed to be kite-themed. Here’s the first one.
Boy Reading Published in SCBWI
So, I received my copy of the SCBWI Bulletin in the mail yesterday and I found out which of my images they picked to publish. Turns out it’s Boy Reading, an image I sent them in May of 2012. Yay! So, when they say they hang onto artwork to use later, they really aren’t kidding!
Published in the SCBWI Bulletin
I got a check in the mail from SCBWI. So, I guess that means they’re running one of my pieces in the Bulletin. I wonder which one. I guess I’ll have to wait for the issue to come out and I’ll see.