Regional Advisors
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www | Andrea Skyberg A former curator, now artist educator, Andrea loves anything with texture and patterns (must be that fiber arts degree). She believe the best art supplies are those found around the house in junk drawers or in the aisle of home repair shops. When she’s not teaching, illustrating, or writing, she’s biking the trails with her husband and two daughters, hanging out in bookstores, or riding around the streets of Milwaukee on her Springer Softail. Her favorite part of being the co-Regional Advisor for Wisconsin is working together with people who are passionate about writing for kids, and also planning the conference socials—karaoke and dancing anyone? If you’d like more of her story, please visit andreaskyberg.com. For inquiries about SCBWI-Wisconsin and its regional events and activities, email Andrea at: wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org |
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Rochelle Groskreutz Rochelle has been a self-employed copywriter (Words For Sale) since 1997, and started her children’s writing journey in 2009. The enthusiasm, talent and dedication of fellow members have inspired her since she joined SCBWI in 2012. She lives on a 6-acre farmette with her husband and three young daughters in Genesee, Wisconsin. For event ideas or information, contact her at rochellegroskreutz@gmail.com. |
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Illustrator Coordinator
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www | OPEN! The Illustrator Coordinator position is open. (Contact wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org if interested!) |
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Membership Coordinator
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www | Kristine Wrucke Kristine is a picture book writer and thinks there’s no better sound than children laughing. When she’s not writing she’s keeping busy with her husband, three sons and three dogs. She also loves cooking and crafting. Her latest obsession is weaving! Joining SCBWI is the smartest thing Kris has ever done and she owes Jan Brett a huge thank you for her suggestion to join! Kris now has the opportunity to pay it forward as the New Membership Coordinator of SCBWI Wisconsin. |
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Listserv Administrator
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www | Lora Hyler Lora Hyler is a former journalist, and executive speechwriter & manager at media and utility companies. She currently serves as CEO of her 15-year-old public relations and marketing company, Hyler Communications, based in Glendale, WI. She provides strategic communication plans, media outreach campaigns, media interview & public speaking training, and marketing programs to corporations, and non-profit organizations. Lora is a popular speaker at the Harvard Business School Dynamic Women in Business conference. She’s worked with such companies as Northwestern Mutual, Time Inc., Milliman, Quad Graphics, University of Wisconsin, and Marquette University. She has written hundreds of articles, several screenplays and an adult novel. She began her career as a journalist, working for NPR and ABC radio affiliates. Lora also appeared weekly for two years on Milwaukee NBC television affiliate, Today’s TMJ4 as a guest panelist. Lora’s debut middle grade novel, The Stupendous Adventures of Mighty Marty Hayes was published in March 2018. |
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Critique Group Coordinator
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www | Susan Twiggs Susan is the Critique Group Coordinator for SCBWI-WI. She is a published poet and on the journey to publishing for children. She practices yoga and has taught for many years. She believes in the power of mentoring and sharing what we know with each other. Her critique group offers continued encouragement and constructive criticism. She co-founded a high school mentoring program, Pathway Partners that continues to support teens in finding their careers. As the CGC-WI she will facilitate members in finding and creating their own support system so they can be the best writers possible. |
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Diversity Committee Co-Chair
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www | Mel Hammond By day, Melissa writes technical documentation about surgical software. By early morning, evening, and the middle of the night, Melissa writes middle grade and young adult books, usually at a coffee shop where the baristas think to themselves, “Why are you here every day?” .You can find her at SCBWI-WI events dancing, singing, telling stories, and trying to make friends with everyone. She works on the Diversity Committee because she believes that kids deserve to see authentic representations of themselves in the books they read, and that the SCBWI community is strongest when writers and illustrators from all backgrounds participate and feel welcome. |
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www | OPEN! The Diversity Committee Co-Chair position is open. (Contact wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org if interested!) |
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PAL Co-Coordinators
PAL is the SCBWI designation for “Published And Listed” members, those who have been published by SCBWI recognized organizations. AKA: publicity committee. PAL Coordinator (n.) Cheerleader, town crier, reminder. Utilizing social media and other outlets to share information and resources about organization activities and accomplishments with membership and the greater community. Prepares and distributes spring and fall release announcements.
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www | Sandy Brehl Reader, writer, retired (but still engaged) educator. Passionate about picture books and children’s literature. Author of ODIN’S PROMISE (2014), MG Historical Fiction, (Crispin, an imprint of Crickhollow Books) Contact: sbrehlhce@yahoo.com |
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Judy Dodge Cummings Judy has written 20 nonfiction books for children and teens. After teaching high school history for many years, Judy earned an MFA in Creative Writing for Children and began to write the history she so loved to teach. Her goal is to write books that transport young readers back in time. Her most recent titles include Tomb Raiders: Real Tales of Grave Robberies and The Civil War: The Struggle that Divided America. |
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Self Pub/Indie Coordinator
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www | Silvia Acevedo Silvia is a journalist turned novelist. During her 20 years in news, she’s interviewed presidential candidates, covered national and international stories, and given breaking news reports for CNN and local TV and radio stations around the country. She also occasionally guest hosts a morning talk show for the Milwaukee NBC station. Roman gods, however, were curiously absent during this time, so Silvia decided to bring mythology back into her life with her novels God Awful Loser, God Awful Thief, and the upcoming God Awful Rebel, set for release in 2018. |
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Area Representatives
In Wisconsin, we are divided into four areas: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast. Our Area Representatives work to connect members all over the state by offering smaller events – such as mingles/schmoozes, and workshops that are closer to members in those areas who may have trouble attending our larger events.
Southeast Area
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www | Becki Kidd, Area Rep Becki is active in the Wisconsin Chapter, often volunteering for the Fall Conferences and Spring Luncheons. Not a native of Wisconsin, her southern Texas drawl is often detected amongst the Midwestern dialect. A Graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature, Storyteller Academy, and recently participated in Jill Esbaum & Linda Skeer’s Whispering Woods Workshop. Becki loves the creative challenge of writing both picture books and middle grade novels. |
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www | Rebecca Hirsch, Illustrator Area Rep Rebecca has been an active member of SCBWI-WI, attending conferences since 2012. She received “Honorable Mention” for the piece she entered in the Fall Conference 2016 Illustrator competition. She was also awarded “Second Runner Up” with her piece for the 2017 Tomie dePaola Illustrator Award. She won the Illustrator competition at the Wisconsin Fall Conference in 2017. Rebecca lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters. She has a BFA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. |
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Northwest Area
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www | Kate Lindsay, Area Rep Kate has been a member of SCBWI since 2013 and enjoys working with children in many capacities. She has worked as a child welfare attorney, a therapist for autistic children, and recently became a certified special education teacher. In her spare time, she co-manages the Facebook page for SCBWI-WI and enjoys writing MG novels. She lives on a farm in Jim Falls, WI with her fiance and two dogs. For event ideas or information, contact her at kjlindsay12@gmail.com |
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www | Jeanne Styczinski, Illustrator Area Rep During Jeanne’s 30 year career as a kindergarten teacher, Jeanne read countless picture books and wrote/illustrated many stories in her classrooms. She could see the important role that children’s picture books play in students’ literacy development and how early connection with pictures books help students develop a love for reading. In 2013, Jeanne felt an urgency to pursue a life-long dream, to write and illustrate picture books for children beyond her classroom. She created a small publishing company, JeanneKay Publishing (jeannekaypublishing.com), a website (mrsjeanne.com), promotes writing and illustrating by presenting to elementary schools/libraries and has self-published three picture books, that have all won a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award (2014 Mama, How Does The Wind Start To Blow? and 2015 Papa Why Does The Sun Shine? and 2017 Who Will Be My Friend? |
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Northeast Area
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www | Terrie G. Seiler, Co-Area Rep Terri writes picture books, fiction and nonfiction, and chapter books. She completed her post graduate studies at UW-Milwaukee before moving to Illinois to work as a Youth Services librarian for over a decade. Terrie returned to Wisconsin to work in education as a teacher and school counselor. When she isn’t writing, she loves spending time with family and fellow creative authors, artists and educators. Her greatest joy in life is in the creative process and sharing her love of writing and children’s books to children of all ages. |
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www | Lisa Aikins, Co-Area Rep Lisa has been an active member of SCBWI since 2004. Prior to moving to Wisconsin last summer and becoming the co-NE rep, she was the ARA for the San Francisco North/East Bay chapter. She writes picture books and young adult novels, however, her fiction and nonfiction pieces have been published in numerous children’s magazines under her full name of Elisabeth Aikins. She graduated with a BA in Psychology and received her teaching credential in the state of CA but has spent most of her working life teaching special needs kids and serving coffee…when she’s not writing. She’s lives in Green Bay with her husband, three teen/young adult kids, a perky yellow lab, a grumpy gray tabby and a geriatric guinea pig who all give her lots of support and inspiration for her stories. |
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www | OPEN! The Northeast Illustrator Area Rep position is open. (Contact wisconsin-ra@scbwi.org if interested!) |
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Southwest Area
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www | Deb Buschman, Co-area Rep Deb has been a member of SCBWI for seven years. Her and her husband live in Pewaukee and have four grown sons and a crazy Saint Bernard who has no idea she weighs 140 pounds. When she’s not writing she’s a wine tasting hostess for a New Zealand Winery and she gets to hand out samples at grocery and liquor stores in her area. SO fun! Deb’s the member of a fabulous critique group that has taken her from her first 2,000 word picture book to where she is today. She just joined a second critique group to up her game and keep her on my toes. The kind and generous support she’s received from everyone she’s have met through SCBWI has kept her pre-published butt moving forward and constantly learning. She loves doing this and look forward to giving back as a volunteer. |
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www | Kerry Hansen, Co-area Rep Kerry is a teacher turned author. After earning her master’s in English, she directed a high school writing center for six years and wrote for big people. Then she had kids and discovered the magic of children’s literature. She now teaches preschool and writes for little people. Her picture book, Don’t Say Winter!, will be released in Fall, 2019. She lives in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin with her husband, two kids, and absurdly large dog. |
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Blog Editor
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www | Jane Kelley Jane grew up by a woods in Mequon, Wisconsin, a perfect place for her imagination to roam. After graduating from Northwestern University, she performed street theater throughout the Midwest. She moved to Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, and was inspired by their daughter, to write for kids. In 2010, she published her first middle grade novel, Nature Girl. She was the 2013 Thurber House Children’s Writer in Residence. She has written many more novels, including The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya, which was honored by the CCBC in 2014. Her most recent work is the chapter book series, The Escapades of Clint McCool. |
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Newsletter Editor
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www | Sandra Nichols Sandra is a writer, educator, and editor who has a keen interest in helping others find joy in creative expression. Sandra has a passion for history and learning. As an educator, she teaches both developmental writing and civics. She has been an active member in Wisconsin State Reading Association for the past ten years and is a regular contributor to their state journal. She has a BA in History from UW Milwaukee and an MA in English from UW Oshkosh. Currently, she teaches at Mid-State Technical College. |
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Newsletter Designer
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www | Leah Danz Ever since Leah could hold a crayon… she liked to eat them. She has since outgrown the phase of eating her drawing utensils, and today, she puts them to use as an Illustrator and Designer. She has been an SCBWI member since 2013 and has worked on illustration projects for BabyBug magazine, has created illustrations for the books Patsy Bea and Even Lions Wear Pajamas, and is working on illustrations for the upcoming book, Easter Elf vs. Christmas Elf written by Wisconsin author Rochelle Groskreutz (KWiL Publishing, 2019). Leah lives in Madison, WI, where she works as a Graphic Designer. |
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Social Media Co-Coordinators
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www | Liza Wiemer, Twitter Liza is an award-winning educator with over twenty-five years of teaching experience. HELLO?, her debut realistic contemporary YA novel, is set in Door County, Wisconsin and was published by Spencer Hill Press, NY. It was named a Goodreads Best Young Adult Novel. In addition, Liza has had two adult non-fiction books published through Random House and Gefen Publishing. Several of her short stories were included in the New York Times bestselling Small Miracles series. A die-hard Packer fan and graduate of UW-Madison, she’s married with two sons. Find her on Twitter: @lizawiemer, Instagram: lizamwiemer, Goodreads: Liza M Wiemer and lizawiemer.com |
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www | Kate Lindsay, Facebook Kate has been a member of SCBWI since 2013 and enjoys working with children in many capacities. She has worked as a child welfare attorney, a therapist for autistic children, and recently became a certified special education teacher. In her spare time, she co-manages the Facebook page for SCBWI-WI and enjoys writing MG novels. She lives on a farm in Jim Falls, WI with her fiance and two dogs. For event ideas or information, contact her at kjlindsay12@gmail.com |
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Webinar Coordinator
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www | Joanna Hinsey Joanna grew up in Green Bay where she walked home from school with her head in a book, filled notebooks with stories in junior high, then went to UW Madison for accounting and psychology only to open a dog daycare. If she could do it all over again, she’d definitely take a more direct route to writing. Instead, she taught herself by doing it, through writing and editing and conferences, and spent a year interning for a publishing company. She’s been a member of the SCBWI since 2011, co-organized Wisconsin’s first Agent Day webinar, and can be found online at www.joannahinsey.com. |
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Website/Tech Coordinator
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www | Michael Greer During the day Michael develops training courses for a non-profit in Milwaukee. At night he writes, illustrates, and reads lots of books. He’s currently writing a contemporary young adult novel and illustrating a one-word picture book. |
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