Why Creation is Resistance: Thoughts on Hope

Hey ya'll.

It's been a week. 

And to be honest, I've been feeling overwhelmed by it all. As artist, we are an empathetic bunch and with everything going on in the world, if you're like me, it can be paralyzing. Sometimes we think—what do I have to contribute? Especially when the situation we're in feels abysmal...

Well, know that you're not alone. We are in unprecedented times and it is beyond overwhelming but remember, creation is a form of resistance. As we have seen, the first things that are attacked are the artists and education, the very values we as bookmakers know to be the true liberation of the heart, mind and soul.

So today, I want to share some quotes and poems that I've found that remind me to keep hope in my heart and that creation is a form of resistance. Our voices cannot and will not be silenced.

“When I would feel overwhelmed by what was going on in the world, I would just say to myself: ‘Hope is a discipline.’ It’s less about ‘how you feel,’ and more about the practice of making a decision every day, that you’re still gonna put one foot in front of the other… It’s work to be hopeful. It’s not a fuzzy feeling. You have to actually put in energy, time, and you have to be clear-eyed, and you have to hold fast to having a vision. It’s a hard thing to maintain. But it matters to have it, to believe that it’s possible to change the world.”

– Mariame Kaba

“Hope is essential to any political struggle for radical change when the overall social climate promotes disillusionment and despair.”

– bell hooks

“I can’t be a pessimist because I’m alive. To be a pessimist means that you have agreed that human life is an academic matter, so I’m forced to be an optimist. I’m forced to believe that we can survive whatever we must survive.”

– James Baldwin

“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”

– Howard Zinn

Here are some poems that I revisited that uplifted my spirit.

Caged Bird

By Maya Angelou

Still I Rise

By Maya Angelou

A Ritual to Read to Each Other

By William E. Stafford

Stay safe, stay defiant in your joy and take care of one another. And don't forget to create. Create, create, create. We are the ones who will rebuild the world with love, hope and healing. So remember the world needs your stories. 

Keep Calm and Tell Stories

The exciting winter conference is over and we're back to everyday life. Despite the freezing weather accompanied by snow, the conference was full of energy and happy vibes from passion for learning and connecting. It was a great reminder of how inspirational in-person conference can be.

My first SCBWI experience was the 2014 NY winter conference during my last semester of grad school. As inspirational as it was, I also felt overwhelmed and intimidated. People I met couldn't have been kinder or nicer, but I couldn't help feeling small and sensing that the door to publishing was tightly shut. Everything changed though when I started interning at a publishing house after graduating and finally saw behind the curtain. I joke that I took the job to steal (or let's say, learn) industry secrets so I could publish my own books. It's only half a joke. That was genuinely my intention when I started, but I fell in love almost immediately. The collaboration, the process of making books together, being part of something bigger—it was exhilarating. I learned so much from artists and coworkers alike. Witnessing the entire journey of each book—from before the beginning to after the end—and seeing how different every process was mind-blowing. A decade flew by working on both sides of the industry before I made the leap to focus on making books full-time. That was exactly a year ago.

A view from the Macmillan Children's Publishing Group office where I worked for seven years. This was from the Flatiron Building before they moved to the current Financial District in 2019. Macmillan offered a tour of the office to those who signed up during the winter conference.

Working on books is often lonely. You might think everything will be better once you sign your first contract, but you quickly realize the loneliness persists. Sometimes it feels like no one cares about your book except you, that your editor/art director/agent doesn't respond quickly enough, and even when your precious book is finally out in the world, it doesn't get the attention it deserves.

These are all common feelings. However, I'd like to share what I've learned from my not-too-long-but-not-too-short career working on both sides of the publishing table, hoping to ease some of that frustration creators feel.


1. There is a whole team behind you and your book. Creators typically communicate with just one or two people—your editor or art director. But there's an entire team working on your book: copy editors, production managers, sales, marketing, and publicity folks. (And that's not even counting the warehouse workers, reviewers, booksellers, librarians, educators, and your readers!) People want you to succeed. Even if you don't see them working, know they're there cheering for you and your book.

2. Collaboration and communication is key. Always communicate. Be open and direct about your needs. I often hear illustrator and author friends frustrated about not hearing back quickly enough. I can relate! But they'd be surprised to hear that publishers have the same issue with some creators. Over-communication is better than under-communication. Don't be afraid to ask questions, ask for what you need, and let them know when you need more time.

3. Work on several projects simultaneously. Because waiting is inherent in publishing, it's best to juggle multiple projects so you can always focus on something else while waiting to hear back. That way, you're not too emotionally tied to one project. Plus, we've all experienced needing to step away from a project to return with fresh eyes, right? Always have something else cooking.


There are many downs in this journey, just as there are ups. Go through it with dignity. Seek community—you'll discover you're not alone. Keep calm and tell your stories.

________________________________________________________________

Aram Kim is an award-winning author and illustrator of many acclaimed picture books, including the Yoomi, Friends and Family series. Aram's work has been recognized by the Junior Library Guild, Bank Street College of Education, the Mills Tannenbaum Award for Children's Literacy, and more. Raised in South Korea and now living in Queens, NY, she creates stories that bridge traditional Korean culture with universal childhood experiences. Find more about Aram's work at AramKim.com.

Post In-Person Conference/ Virtual Conference Still to Come!

Phew! What a magical weekend! Thank you to all who attended! You all make the event as special as it is! The connections, the laughter, the WORK that you all brought during this past weekend was inspiring!

For those who couldn't attend, don't forget that SCBWI offers a Virtual Winter Conference as well! February 6-7, you can join in the fun with exclusive industry panels, hands-on sessions on writing and illustrating, as well as networking opportunities to meet other creators.

Take the leap and experience the chance to boost your children's book knowledge, and career! 

"Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, gain insider knowledge, or connect with other talented authors and illustrators, this event is for you! If you can't make it to the live sessions, video replays will be available to view through March 15th."

Register HERE for the 2026 Virtual Winter Conference!

SCBWI Winter Conference: A Guide to Curating Your Best Work as Illustrators

My First SCBWI Conference in 2014

SCBWI winter conference starts tomorrow! I'm excited to meet the illustrators who signed up for 1:1 portfolio reviews with me—they'll be the first people I connect with during a weekend packed with sessions and gatherings I'm thrilled to be part of.

It has been exactly a year since I left the business side of the publishing industry to focus fully on making my own picture books. Having worked as a designer and art director for a decade, my favorite part of the job was always meeting illustrators—artists who, like me, are passionate about visual storytelling. I’ve had the privilege of working with everyone from debut artists to award-winners, as well as many aspiring creators. Today, I want to share some practical tips for selecting the pieces that make it into your promotional materials and portfolios. As artists, we are inevitably attached to all our creations, and it’s hard to look at them objectively. So, here are some questions to ask when you select your pieces.

For Promotional Pieces

• Subject matter: Can you envision the image as a page from a children's book? (Skip the figure drawing from art class—focus on narrative scenes.)
• Emotions: What is the character feeling, and what is causing that emotion? The story should be clear, not ambiguous. (Avoid simple "smiley face" closeups; even a cute face needs a story behind it.)

• Character interactions: If the piece involves two or more characters, show their relationship. Interaction is everything!

• Setting specificity: Ensure the environment is specific. While abstract backgrounds work well within a book, a promotional piece should show off your ability to build a world.
  
  

For Your Portfolio

• Appropriate subject matter: Include children from your target age groups (3–7 for picture books, 8–12 for middle grade, 13+ for YA), animals, and adult-child interactions.

• Compositional Variety: Vary your compositions, perspectives, and formats. Showing a mix of spot art, single pages, and double-page spreads demonstrates your range.

• Inclusivity: Show diverse characters in terms of race, gender, ability, and body type.

• Variety in settings: Include domestic, school, indoor, outdoor, urban, and natural environments.

• Consistency: Include sequential art pieces that demonstrate your ability to maintain character consistency throughout a story.

These points may sound clinical, but I hope they serve as a helpful checklist when you feel lost or wonder what might be missing. Above all, remember: it’s about emotion. Can viewers feel what the character is feeling? Does the piece tell a story?

My portfolio (l) and a dummy (r) I was preparing for the 2014 winter conference.
That's not the image I would include as a portfolio cover today. The dummy never became a book.

Like many others, I started my journey through SCBWI with my very first conference in New York in 2014. Later that same year, I attended a regional conference where I met my first editor, Grace Maccarone from Holiday House, who published my debut and four more books. SCBWI is where you hone your skills, meet industry professionals, find your people, and build a lasting support system. Whether you are attending in person or online—Happy Conferencing!

_______________________________________________________________________

Aram Kim is an award-winning author and illustrator of many acclaimed picture books, including the Yoomi, Friends and Family series. Aram's work has been recognized by the Junior Library Guild, Bank Street College of Education, the Mills Tannenbaum Award for Children's Literacy, and more. Raised in South Korea and now living in Queens, NY, she creates stories that bridge traditional Korean culture with universal childhood experiences. Find more about Aram's work at AramKim.com.

Thoughts before this Year's Conference

The week is finally here! The In-Person 2026 Winter Conference! It is such a special and exciting time, which I look forward to every year. As authors, artists and illustrators, it can be very solitary work and I always relish the times when we can be in community. As I think about last year and what I looked forward to and the goals I set for myself, I decided to browse over the blogs from last year. 

So as we gear up for the eventful weekend, I wanted to reshare this amazing Closing Keynote by Sophie Blackall from last year's conference. I was blown away by this keynote and I revisit it all the time. Sophie Blackall had a quiet power, so warm and inviting, that I was captivated and her advice changed my perspective as an artist and a person. If I could go back in time and watch it all over again, I would. 

Some of my favorite points were:

• Remember People's Name
• Give Voice to Your Own Astonishment
• Stand Tall

I decided to reread the blog and I'm glad I did. As I prepare to attend the In-Person Conference as the new Chief Blogger, I want to bring some of this energy into my experience this year. Meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends, staying curious, and standing tall—excellent advice to remember.

So here's the final moment of the 2025 Winter Conference to bring us into the 2026, with the excitement and joy to continuing growth and discovery in our journey as creators. See you very soon!

Why Do You Want to Make Children's Books?

Hello everyone, Happy New Year!

My name is Aram Kim, your fellow author/illustrator of children's picture books. Please allow me to ask you: Why do you want to make children's books? I'm curious. I genuinely am.

I moved to New York City from South Korea in 2006 with two gigantic suitcases, a laptop, and a backpack—the maximum I could bring on an international flight. I arrived in late summer, a couple of weeks before school started, where I was going to study illustration. While exploring the city, I ended up in the Union Square Barnes & Noble. While browsing the shelves, I reached the children's book section and felt captured by a magic spell. I couldn't walk away. Every single book I picked up was beautiful. But the real shock came when I picked up this book: In the Night Kitchen. 

I didn't even know who Maurice Sendak was back then, but I could tell the book was a masterpiece. Every panel of illustrations was mesmerizing. The story made me laugh and smile. The harmonious combination of story and illustrations was packaged seamlessly with design that felt just right. All of this…for 7 dollars! To me, it was the perfect form of art: the extraordinary pair of story and art beautifully designed together in an object you can touch, hold, and even hug, with a price that anyone can afford. What else could be more perfect?

What's perhaps more shocking is that it never occurred to me making children's books could be my career—even while I was learning to illustrate for a living. I couldn't begin to think that maybe, just maybe, I could also make children's books. After many years of boring but necessary detours, I finally realized I wanted to make children's books. I never looked back. I knew I had found home.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of my debut picture book, Cat on the Bus, which I made with the immense fortune of having guidance from Pat Cummings. When the book came out, instead of feeling excited and happy, I worried I wouldn't be able to publish a second book. Six books later, and after ten years of working in publishing from both sides of the table, I still wonder if I can keep making books.

If you're reading this blog, you probably already know the uncertainty of being in this world, whether you're a published creator or looking to publish. The anxiety comes just as often as the happiness. The uncertainty never leaves—not about my love of picture books or what a wonderful art form they are, but about my future. Can I keep making them while paying bills? Can I keep myself from falling into a rut? When uncertainty looms, reminding myself why I want to make children's books always helps. I think of that moment when I fell in love with picture books. I still have that paperback edition of In the Night Kitchen I bought at the Union Square Barnes & Noble in summer 2006. I keep it as if it's a signed first edition. It's a good tangible reminder of why I want to make children's picture books.

So, I want to ask you at the beginning of this new year: Why do you want to make children's books?

_______________________________________________________________________

Aram Kim is an award-winning author and illustrator of many acclaimed picture books, including the Yoomi, Friends and Family series. Aram's work has been recognized by the Junior Library Guild, Bank Street College of Education, the Mills Tannenbaum Award for Children's Literacy, and more. Raised in South Korea and now living in Queens, NY, she creates stories that bridge traditional Korean culture with universal childhood experiences. Find more about Aram's work at AramKim.com.

SCBWI 2026 In-Person Winter Conference— Just Around the Corner

 

Happy New Year, all! 

Hope you rang in the day with love, joy and laughter, surrounded by family, friends. pets, plants, good food, good conversation, amazing desserts, treats for your pets, pets for your treats, dancing, good books, happy time, happy days, happ—sorry...I'm just so grateful for the new year!

And with that "25" ticking over to "26," you know what that means...

WE ARE JUST OVER A WEEK AWAY FROM—

Justin—stop screaming...

...My bad. I can't help it, I'm so excited.

I know. Just bring it down two notches.

Okay, fine...

...

......

.........

THE 2026 WINTER NEW YORK CONFERENCE!

I couldn't resist!

We kick off the conference with the Illustrators' Intensive "ACTION! Harnessing the Visual Energy of Movement", a curated and focused intensive, geared towards all illustrators, no matter where you are in your journey. Check out the Illustrators' Intensive interview series here on the blog with the amazing Pat Cummings, Cecilia Yung, and Laurent Linn! 

Which is then followed by the Portfolio Showcase for Illustrators during SCWBI Industry Night when the children's publishing world comes together to enjoy the spectacular art of our talented community! I always enjoy perusing through the hundreds of portfolios. It is quite inspiring! And once the judging is complete, it is open to the public! So come on by, enjoy the art, and meet some fantastic artists!

The weekend is jam-packed with so many opportunities for the attendees. From Keynotes and Panels: Inspiring Wisdom from Industry Experts, to socials, to the selection of Craft and Business Breakout Workshops, there is something for everyone!  

Register HERE and join the fun! It is never too late to invest in your career, your art and YOU!

Start of Year Checklist: How to START the Year Off Strong—and Healthy! [Part 3]

End Start of Year Checklist:

How to START the Year Off Strong and Healthy!

Part 3

Happy New Year!

Let's ring in 2026 with the last installment/the first of the new year! With the new year here, and last year behind us, I know we are all excited to jump right into our "new selves." But my philosophy is to ease your way into new habits through healthy and sustainable routines, and practices. Here are some pointers on how to start off your year, just right!

1. Not Spring Cleaning, but a Winter Cleanse

Spring isn't here yet, believe me, I know. But you don't need spring to be here to cleanse your space. 

If you know me, you know I love a whosit and a whatsit, with more than twenty thingabobs lying about the house—What??? They were on sale! With so many things in my small space, it can feel cramped, physically...and mentally, too. 

Start the year with a gentle cleanse. Look through old clothes, old papers, things you stored away because "you were going to use it for something" and get rid of it. Donate, sell, trash—cleanse your space now so you can invite the new into your life. I love donating books that I've read to the Community Library outside of the fire department in my neighborhood. As they say, one man's trash is another man's whatsit-galore!

You can wait until spring to go "full out" on the cleaning, but for now, cleanse your space this winter!

2. Brain Dumps

The year has ended, and the rush to finish everything has come and gone. 

You didn't complete everything you set out to complete. I know I didn't and that's okay. And it's okay if you didn't as well. I say, throw it in a brain dump! Write it down, save it and look at it in a few weeks. Celebrate that you made it through the year. Celebrate all that you've accomplished. Throw everything else in a brain dump. You have another 365 days to get it done, but for now, you don't have to crystalize what those things are just yet. 

Brain dumps are a great way to keep track of those thoughts that come around your mind without having to worry about remember it. With the revitalized energy of the new year, we can feel overwhelmed with new, new, new but breathe. You don't have to do it all at once. Grab a steno pad, construction paper, anything you can get your hands on, and write it down. Things you wanted to accomplished but didn't, things you might want to do. No need to organize them just yet. Just get it down!

3. Creative Play

Find the joy again. Yes, you have deadlines. I have deadlines. We ALL have deadlines! But you deserve to play when it comes to your creativity. Here are a few tips:

- Crack open that sketchbook, and draw the first thing that comes to mind. Doesn't have to be pretty.

-Look up some writing prompts and write a one page short story. Character build. As my roommate and I say, grab your barbies and make them do stuff. Play with your writing. 

-Same thing with drawing prompts. If you can't think of something off the top of your head, no worries. There are tons of drawing prompts out there. Hey, maybe you'll discover something new that you love to draw.

-Use materials you've been wanting to experiment with. Experiment on scrap paper. Throw it away, rip it up if you have to. Don't be precious. Create with abandon! You'll never know what mistake will become a new personal technique or process.

4. Growth Check

Now that you've unplugged, rested, replenished and reviewed your year, it's time to have a "growth check." See where you were a year ago. What have you learned? What challenges did you have then that are no longer a problem today? Most of the time, we grow gradually so we don't feel the full extent of our growth. I know there was a moment in time when I had a meltdown about color palettes, and now, though still working at it, I feel so much more capable—a gradual growth that I had to recognize within myself. 

Growth isn't linear, but when we take the time to reflect on where we were and where we are now, it can really inspire us to keep going.

* * *

Again! Happy New Year to you all! Thanks for tuning in and cheers to a strong and healthy year ahead!

End of Year Checklist: How to Finish the Year Off Strong—and Healthy! [Part 2]

End of Year Checklist:

How to Finish the Year Off Strong and Healthy!

Part 2

With all the presents having been opened and all the holiday food baked, stewed, and roasted, I hope you've enjoyed the holiday festivities. As the year comes to a close, and the post-holiday week is upon us, here are a few more points on our "End of Year Checklist" that will help us end the year with energy, excitement, and purpose!

5. Review Your Work

This is a new one for me. To be honest...in the past, I wouldn't review my work. I made it —now what's next? Maybe I didn't like what I made or I have a "vision" of where I want to be. I've always been about forward momentum but lately, I've been presented with the idea of truly sitting with my work. See what worked. See what didn't. Moving ahead in the career is definitely on all of our minds, but it is wise to take in your previous work. And by take in, I mean, really focusing in on the work, almost like it's new.

What I've discovered in doing this is that my voice is quietly hidden amongst the work. Themes, and ideas and techniques present themselves to me, and it has helped me shape and sharpen my particular voice as an artist. Some of these older ideas connect to what I'm creating now and sometimes, I remember ideas that I may have forgotten along on the way. 

Review your work, and appreciate it all, good or not, for it was a part of the journey to bring you to this point.

6. Unplug

Unplug, my friends. From social media, from television, from the phone, the inter-webs. Unplug from it all. Not forever, but long enough to where you can reset your brain and decompress. Especially from social media. My goodness! The dopamine hits that we get from scrolling is fine in short spans but in the long run, it isn't the healthiest. 

Turn your phone off. Put your phone in the other room. Go analog for half a day. Take a walk—don't forget to bundle up — or even stare out the window. I like to join my cat Edward as he keeps up with his soap opera stories, "What the Neighbors are Doing Today!" It's free of subscription and pretty interesting, if you ask him. 

Whether you are engaged in something else, or just staring off into a daydream, unplug from the fast-paced world, and catch up with yourself. 

7. Refill your Inspiration Cup

The Little Mermaid. Princess and the Frog. Gravity Falls. Absolutely Fabulous. Studio Ghibli. Lemony Snicket Books. Steven Universe...

These are the things, the media, I've consumed lately. These are my absolute favorite things. These are the movies, books, shows, etc that inspire me, that make me tick creatively. 

After a year of a lot of creating, which I am so grateful for, I know I have to refill my cup. Reconnecting with these inspirations of mine help me get back on track, redirecting me back to my creative compass. Just yesterday, I rewatched the finale of Steven Universe and cried like a baby. Mind you, I've seen it tons of times, but it resonates deeply and reminds me of the work I want to create, the type of stories I want to tell and reflects my creative sensibilities back at me as I grow as an artist. 

Make a list of what inspires you. From childhood to now, rediscover and reconnect with some of them. You'll be surprised how it can reveal parts of your inner self and get you back into your artistic spirit.

8. Sleep

Amidst all the activity, parties, get togethers, potlucks, dance offs, make sure that you are getting adequate rest. And I mean, actual rest. Take naps! Sleep in! Go to bed early! Just this week I took a nap from 4:30pm to 9pm, moved over to my bed and then slept from 11pm to 8am after playing Pokemon on my Nintendo 3DS. I was committed to being horizontal, no matter what!

Throughout the year, especially during the latter part, I know that we try to cram everything in and sleep is one of the first things to be "slept on"—see what I did there? But during this time, if you have the opportunity to as I know we all lead different lives, try to find restful, replenishing sleep. Your body and mind will thank you. 

*  *  *

I hope this list helps you garner some inspiration, healing and rest as the year wraps up. You deserve it! Here is part one of the "End of the Year Checklist" series, in case you've missed it! 

Stay tuned for the third, and final installment of this series, to round off our checklist. Till then, take care!

End of Year Checklist: How to Finish the Year Off Strong—and Healthy! [Part 1]

End of Year Checklist:

How to Finish the Year Off Strong and Healthy!

Part 1

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate! As we come to the end of another year, I always like to reflect on what this year entailed but more importantly, how I can bridge the gap to usher in a the healthy transition into the New Year. Never was a resolutions kind-of-guy, but want I do like to practice is the continuation of positive habits and ways of being. Here are some of my personal tips!

1. Warm Ups

Physical warm ups, mental warm ups, artistic warm ups, they all count! I'm an early riser so before I start my day, I do a nice stretch and then, with coffee in hand, I sit at my art table with all the items for my daily routine. I do my tarot and journal for my mental health "warm up." I'm coming to the end of my 5 Year Q&A journal, and it is wild to see you I've become over these past few years. Then, if a question sparks something in me, I expand in my journal journal, mapping out my thoughts, feelings, etc. Then, I sketch randomly, warming up my artistic brain. 

Whether I'm creating that day or not, the warms ups, all around, keep me feeling healthy and ready to go. Plus, being able to see where I've been and where I'm going is a great boost!

2. Get Your Energy Moving: 

Get your energy moving! 

Do mundane things, like chores, walks, organizing. Quiet and simple movement helps your brain shut down and reevaluate, rejuvenate and reset. 

Even have a dance party, by yourself, in your room. Celebrate a year full of ups and downs, victories and failures by taking a step back from productivity and a step forward to resetting your energy. Shake it out and let the mind relax and the body take over! 

3. Write What You've Accomplished and Scratch that Baby Off

I am the king of To-Do lists. 

My To-Do list has a To-Do list, and I love to fill them up and scratch off what I've accomplished. I even have a system where different types of scribbles mean different things. Yeah, it's a bit extra but hey! It gets me to the work and keeps me going. 

But this year, write a list of what you've accomplished. It could be artistically, or even just in life! Goals that you'd been working toward, things that happen to come to fruition naturally, little victories that brought you joy, comfort and a sense of productivity and relief. Write them all down and scratch them babies off! I have a yearly planner specifically for keeping track of what I've done and whenever I feel like I haven't done anything with my life, I look back at my scribbles and remember, the engine was healthy (enough) and keep me moving forward. 

4. Hydrate

Plain and simple. 

Hydrate. 

No worries, I'm not judging. You can drink while you read this. But I can't tell you how many times I was on the brink of a meltdown and all I needed was to drink some water. 

It is the element of life and a simple solution to help balance the body. Being a dancer, I love me some water, and I have sooooo many cute water bottles so there are "water stations" everywhere in my home. So grab that cup and let's toast our water together. 

Stay tuned for more "End of the Year Checklists!" Let's end this year with flying colors, together!

2026 Illustrators' Intensive: Interview with Laurent Linn

 

Here to round out our interview series for the upcoming Illustrators' Intensive, is the multi-faceted, and talented, Laurent Linn, artist and art director of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. I'm so excited to have him on the blog so I'll let Laurent introduce himself! Check it out!

1. It feels very full circle, as you were one of the first people I met when I attended my first SCBWI virtual conference, so I'm super excited to have you here on the blog! Though many of the readers know how talented, insightful and giving you are to the children's publishing world, in your own words, tell us about yourself and your role within SCBWI!

I’m so happy to be speaking with you for the wonderful SCBWI Blog! I wear different hats in the children’s book world and, by day, I’m an art director at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, where I work with wonderfully talented illustrators, authors, and colleagues on picture books, middle grade novels, and teen novels. (And many of the illustrators I work with are SCBWI success stories!)

With SCBWI, I am the President of the SCBWI Board of Directors, having been elected to this role at the end of 2024. It’s a true honor and also full-circle for me. I’ve been involved with SCBWI for over 20 years— attending and speaking at conferences around the US and globally, serving on the Advisory Council, and doing what I can to help support, encourage, and celebrate our incredible members. I first came to SCBWI as an attendee myself and knew right away I’d found my community. It soon became a deeply important part of my life and helped shape my career in children’s publishing as well as an illustrator and author myself.

As President of the Board of Directors, I am very grateful that I get to be able to look at the big picture of where the organization is now and where we want to grow it in the future. Our SCBWI community is so important and needed— especially now when, not only do children need our transformative stories more than ever, but we also need this caring and supportive creative community for ourselves.


2. What makes the Illustrators' Intensive unique compared to some other art intensives and workshops?

The Illustrator’s Intensive that we create for the in-person Winter Conference is always a special event. It’s a rare opportunity to dive deep into important aspects of specifically illustrating for children’s books. Other intensives or classes often cover broader territory and don’t bring in the rich variety of speakers that we have in-store for our intensive. We always choose a very specific topic and invite top experts in the field to show us how they bring their stories to life in singular ways. And, also unlike other sessions some may have seen, we present the intensive as peer-to-peer, professional to professional, not teacher to student. We recognize that attendees are serious about their craft.

Cecilia Yung, Pat Cummings, and I are on the SCBWI Advisory Council together and each year the three of us plan and host the Winter Illustrators Intensive with the intent of focusing in on a specific theme that is essential to creating successful children’s book illustration.

3. What inspired the creation of this year’s theme or curriculum?

For this year, we wanted to take advantage of being in-person and bring movement and action itself into the room. And this year's theme, ACTION! Harnessing the Visual Energy of Movement, is something we’ve been wanting to dive into for quite a while. We’ll start off with a hands-on figure drawing workshop led by the inspirational Eugenia Mello, then explore how to weave rhythm into your art with the legendary Rudy Guttierez, learn how emotion and motion work together with Jensine Eckwall, and end with a bang with celebrated comics and graphic novel illustrator Shawn Martinbrough.


4. How does the Illustrators' Intensive support artists who may be beginners or intermediate, and advanced?

The Illustrator's Intensive is specifically designed to be meaningful for all illustrators, no matter where they are in their craft or career. We'll dive deep into techniques, approaches, and specifics of movement and energy in narrative illustration—there will be new ideas for all. Published and professional children's book illustrators can experience new approaches to your craft as well as gain insights into new ways of thinking about your own work. For experienced illustrators who are pre-published but are well-versed in this field, it’s an opportunity to learn from industry professionals and learn how they make their art stand out. And those just starting out will gain a rich understanding of an aspect of illustration you may not have considered before, with tips and tricks and insights.


5. What message would you give to someone who is unsure about joining the program?

This intensive is an exceedingly rare opportunity to explore an aspect of children’s book illustration that is essential yet rarely focused on. It’s a special opportunity to invest in your own art in rich ways that could help shape how you tell your needed stories so they stand out.

Laurent Linn

Art Director, Author, Illustrator

About
As Art Director at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Laurent collaborates on picture books, middle grade, and teen novels with both celebrated and new illustrators. He is also the author/illustrator of the YA novel, Draw the Line.

Laurent is the President of the SCBWI Board of Directors and is Co-chair of the SCBWI Advisory Council. He is also Artistic Advisor for the Original Art exhibit at New York’s Society of Illustrators. Laurent began his career as a puppet designer/builder in Jim Henson’s Muppet Workshop for shows including the Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island films, eventually becoming Creative Director for the Sesame Street Muppets, winning an Emmy Award.

laurentlinn.com

2026 Illustrators' Intensive: Interview with Cecilia Yung

For our next blog post, I'm so pleased that we are joined by the fantastic, Cecilia Yung, the former Executive Art Director and Vice President at Penguin Random House, who will be answering some of your questions about the upcoming 2026 Illustrators' Intensive! 

When I attended my first In-Person Conference in 2021, I took part of Cecilia's session, and I still revisit those notes today! I'm so thankful to Cecilia for joining us here on the Official SCBWI blog, and am excited to share her insights!

1. Though you do not need any introduction, being a brilliant leader and advocate for children's literature and art, would you please tell us a little about yourself and your role within SCBWI.

I’ve been working in children’s book publishing since 1980 and I recently retired after working as art director at Penguin Random House for 30 years. I’ve been on the Advisory Council of SCBWI since 2004 and I’m still working with the Illustrator Committee to plan programs for illustrators.


2. What make the SCBWI Illustrators' Intensive different/ unique compared to other intensives and workshops?

Many workshops target entry level illustrators and introduce picture book illustration as a template. SCBWI Illustrators’ Intensives address the needs of working early and mid-career illustrators, and our programs deconstruct the multi-faceted craft of visual storytelling by deep diving into specific issues, one topic at a time. At every Intensive, we invite a number of distinguished illustrators with distinctly different styles to contrast their process and solutions. The multiple viewpoints give an illustrator a range of tips and tools, but also provide a context for their own work and encourage them to fine-tune their true voice using their personal set of tools in a real world setting.


3. How does the Illustrators' Intensive help develop the artistic voice and professional readiness of the participating illustrators? 

Outside of an academic setting, there are few places for a professional to continue to develop and grow. The Intensive is an information gathering opportunity for a working illustrator looking to up their game. They will be surprised and inspired to see that established professionals also need to find ways to challenge themselves regularly and find exciting solutions. The Intensive might show them new ways to use the skills and tools they already have, but they might be prompted to experiment with ideas they had not previously considered. The goal is for everyone to personalize the new-found information and insights to create artwork that serves their story but is also true to their own vision.


4. What aspects of this intensive do you think will challenge the participants the most...in a good way?

In the process of creating a picture book, even the most experienced illustrator is likely to get stumped by some aspects of it, and it’s not unusual for that to happen in an intensive as well. An illustrator seeing their own work in this setting may be intimidated by their peers, or feel overwhelmed by the options, or realize that their skills may not be adequate for the task. It's helpful to know that self-doubt is ever-present in a lifetime of creative work, and is a necessary engine of growth. The best way to deal with doubt is to find the right place to ask questions, explore answers, and find a way through. The Intensive is such a place.


5. What message would you give to an artist who maybe unsure about attending the Illustrator's Intensive?

Come join us for the information and inspiration, and stay for the community. You will need all of it in your illustration career.

Cecilia Yung

Art Director, Illustrator

About

Cecilia Yung is the former Executive Art Director and Vice President at Penguin Random House where she was responsible for illustration and design for two imprints, G. P. Putnam's Sons and Nancy Paulsen Books. Over four decades in the industry, she is fortunate to have worked with some of the major illustrators of children’s books, but the highlight of her work is to discover and develop new talent. She is on the Advisory Council of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) as well as a member of its Illustrators Committee.

ACTION! Harnessing the Visual Energy of Movement

An Intensive for Illustrators, Friday, January 16th

Movement is the key that unlocks the themes, narratives, and emotions of an illustrated book. Visual stories rely on movement to bring characters to life, introduce change in static scenes, drive the engine of the narrative, and propel the reader to the visual climax. In individual scenes, motion can reveal characters’ personalities, articulate body language, and fuel the energy of the moment. But how do we achieve that in a two-dimensional medium like a book? Four noted illustrators will show us their unique ways of harnessing motion effectively and dramatically without the benefit of animation, sound, or dimension. Join us to learn how they bring their stories to life and make it look effortless.