The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, or SCBWI, is the largest writers group in the United States. There are also chapters in many countries around the world.

SCBWI offers three membership levels.

PAL (Published and Listed membership) is for those who have been published or produced by (or have a contract with) one of the publishers and/or production companies on SCBWI's approved list. This list excludes vanity presses, subsidy presses, and print on demand. It includes all those publishers listed on SCBWI market surveys, legitimate regional and small presses, foreign presses, widely published magazines, and production companies that distribute film and video to a broad audience.

Full membership is for those published by non-traditional means, including vanity and subsidy presses and print on demand. (All PAL members are also full members.)

Associate memberships are offered to those working towards their first publication, and those who are interested in the children's publishing industry or other forms of media for children.

For information on how to join SCBWI, click here.

The Midsouth Region serves SCBWI members who live in Kentucky and Tennessee. We have an active agenda of programs, events, and services to support our professional growth, such as annual conferences, a quarterly newsletter, an online listserv, an illustrators' page, and various volunteer-organized activities. Many of our members are experienced speakers and enjoy presenting workshops at schools, libraries, and conferences.

Illustration by Emily Kitos