The SCBWI Conference Part of the Writing Life

Hi Friends! Just popping in for a quick hello and update, since it's been a while since I uploaded an interview or guest post or posted myself. (NOTE: I typically provide a monthly professional update in my newsletter if you are ever itching to find out what I've been up to--last month's newsletter readers got to see a photo of Pickle the Cat facing off with a wild turkey, and the month before that, subscribers who preordered Mama's Home (and Baby Too!) received access to a free professional picture book critique from me!) 

This past month I had the pleasure of attending the SCBWI-Oregon Spring Conference (Fun Fact: I received the first looks at the interiors of my first-ever picture book during a SCBWI-Oregon Conference back in 2009! I still think of that moment any time I gather with my SCBWI friends.)

Speaking of which, here is a photo of a gathering of fellow 12x12 members at the SCBWI-Oregon Conference -- that's two layers of professional friendship and collegiality there! (I don't recall who took the photo and I don't (yet!) know the names of everyone in the photo, otherwise I would have provided proper credit, but I wanted to share a little snippet of what it looks like to gather together with the kidlit community!)

I got so much out of the conference, and I have such deep gratitude for the SCBWI-Oregon volunteer leaders who put the conference together: Laura Byrd, Robin Chilstrom, Jordan Kim, along with the SCBWI-OR AdComm team. If YOU are looking for a way to get involved in the local kidlit community, definitely reach out to your local SCBWI chapter (you can check out available volunteer roles specific to SCBWI-Oregon here.)

I really loved the conference location--it was at the The Wingspan meeting space at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro. Easy to get to (driving and parking or using public transportation), and the tall ceilings and big windows provided a nice vibe and excellent natural light. 

The event opened with an amazing keynote from author Leslie Bernard Booth. If you ever get a chance to see her speak or do a book reading, GO! She is incredibly inspiring and her books are poetic and beautiful. 

I also got a lot out of listening to first pages critiques and an info-packed agent panel, and I benefitted from the business of publishing talks by editors Melissa Manlove and Matt Phipps. I left the conference charged-up and ready to get busy on new work and get ready-work out into the world.

Speaking of getting ready-work out into the world, my next book, Mama's Home (and Baby Too!) comes out on October 13, 2026. Two weeks ago I got to see/approve final proofs for the interiors, and this past week, I got to see/approve final proofs for the front and back cover and the spine (I don't think I've ever gotten to see/approve a book spine before!) 

I love this book so much, and I can't wait to share it with you. I've dropped in the final cover below -- and it's available for preorder everywhere books are sold, including bookshop.com--I hope you'll consider supporting your local indie bookstore. 

Mama's Home (and Baby Too!) by Dawn Babb Prochovnic and Adèle Dafflon

I've also now met with my publisher's marketing team to discuss promotional plans for the book and review/approve the press release that will go out with advanced copies (reach out via email, social media channels such as Instagram, Bluesky or my Facebook fan page, or through my contact form (at the left of this post on the desktop version), if you'd like to be considered for the list to receive an advance copy to review.)

We are also in the midst of planning fun little extras to go along with the book (and eventually be added to the resources section of the website). Stay tuned for a Bingo-style game and a matching game to help families play together and plan together as they wait for a new baby (and as we wait for this new book baby)!

For more posts like this, visit The Writing Life series on my blog.

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Disclosure: As an affiliate of Bookshop.org, I may earn a small commission from books purchased through the links in this post.