And the Mentorship Goes to...!!!

For everyone who has patiently waited for the results of the 2025 Illustration Mentorship, I am thrilled to announce that Penny Dullaghan, our mentor, has chosen to work with Melissa Bailey. 

Of the top three submissions, Penny said, "It was much harder than expected to narrow them down! Each artist brought wonderful strengths to the table, and I truly enjoyed sitting with their work to make my final decision. I’d love the opportunity to work with all of them, as they each have so much to offer and ways to continue growing."

Melissa Bailey

Melissa will work with Penny from April 1 to November 21, 2025. After their time together, Melissa will have an opportunity to submit to an acquiring editor or art director using one of SCBWI-MI's "golden tickets," which means no slush pile! Be sure to read Melissa's bio below.

Penny's first-place runner up is Maria Korovesis, who has one a one free entry to the 2025 Critique Carousel. 

The second-place runner up is Ken Eaton, who has won a $25 gift card to the SCBWI bookstore. 

Congratulations to all three winners! For all the other illustrators who submitted (including our two runners-up), we haven't forgotten about you. I will be sending you feedback on your submissions from all three judges before April 30. 

Middle-grade and young-adult novelists, get ready because you're up next for our 2026 mentorship!

Jay Whistler

Outgoing 2025 Mentorship Coordinator

Jessica Zimmerman

Incoming 2026 Mentorship Coordinator 

Melissa Bailey is an award-winning illustrator, author, and smiley person. She has illustrated over 60 children’s books (including bestselling Steve the Dung Beetle: On a Roll, recent release The Horse Who Wanted to Fly, and upcoming Mara Plants a Seed) and is the author-illustrator of two (Imara’s Tiara, cowritten with Susan R. Stoltz, and Pug is Happy). A member of SCBWI since 2013, she volunteers as a self-publishing advisor for SCBWI-Michigan.

 

When she’s not in her studio splashing paint or typing away at her keyboard, she’s probably outside taking a walk. If it’s too dark for walks, she might be cooking (and eating), bingeing old TV shows, drawing, or avoiding doing the dishes.