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.

Indie Trailblazers by David Stricklen

 

Artwork by Melissa Bailey

You may have noticed our beautiful new Indie Trailblazers Icon on the SCBWI-MI website.

Indie stands for independent publishing. Authors have chosen independent publishing for a variety of reasons. Full creative control, frustration with the query process, and a quick turnaround to name a few.

As your Michigan indie coordinator, I thought that we could do a bit more for the indies who are trying to find their way. The trouble with working on an independently published project is that there is more than one way. The traditional path is well worn but the indie path is like cutting your way through the literary wilderness. That is why we call our indie authors, trailblazers.

There is an obvious need to point inquiring authors in the right direction. A helpful suggestion by someone who has already been down that path (and learned from trial and error) can save time and costly mistakes.

Indie publishing would include hybrid publishing (combines aspects of traditional and self-publishing – you hire your dream team), vanity publishing (publishers do it all for you for a price), self-publishing (the author does it all) and digital. All of these various publishing methods would fall under the indie umbrella. 

In an effort to provide the most current and accurate information for our members we have acquired three award winning or Kirkus review recommended indie authors to be our advisors: 

Melissa Bailey - Picture Book 

David Stricklen - Middle Grade

Melanie Hooyenga – Young Adult

Depending on the indie path that you are considering, you may contact one of our three advisors above that best fits your intended direction. Please keep in mind that they are not intended to take the place of a critique group. They are here to make helpful suggestions regarding the path you wish to take depending on your particular goals.

When choosing one of our indie advisors to answer your questions, you should not only look at their genre but also their process. 

• Do you plan to completely self-publish? 
• Are you going to enlist a dream team to complete the different aspects of publishing? 
• Pay a vanity publishing company? 
• Are you going to do your own artwork? 

Has one of our advisors already blazed that trail and done it successfully? It is my hope that you find this opportunity helpful as you take the first step in blazing a trail of your own.

You will find information about each of our indie advisors, as well as their published work and their step by step publishing process by simply clicking on the link below to the SCBWI-MI website:

https://michigan.scbwi.org/files/2020/08/Indie-for-info-Web-Page.pdf

Coming up on the SCBWI-MI Blog:

A new post from our Equity and Inclusion Team, a special book drive, Pinterest tips, Webtoons, a Writer Spotlight, Book Birthdays, and more! The Mitten blog is always looking for guest posts from SCBWI-MI members. Find our Submission Guidelines here.

Did you notice we have a new blog banner? Thanks to our new Featured Illustrator, Wendy Berry! Read her interview here.

SCBWI-MI Happenings:

Virtual Shop Talks and Workshops will continue in the months ahead. Information is posted on the calendar at the SCBWI-MI website. Follow our chapter on social media and subscribe to the MichKids listserv for reminders, updated information, and ongoing conversation. Everything you need to stay connected is here: https://michigan.scbwi.org/online/.

Save the date! 

April 23-25, 2021, more details to come.

Featured Illustrator Melissa Bailey

MEET MELISSA

This questionnaire goes back to a popular parlor game in the early 1900s. Marcel Proust filled it out twice. Some of our questions were altered from the original to gain more insight into the hearts and minds of our illustrators. We hope you enjoy this way of getting to know everybody.

1. Your present state of mind?

Relaxed, with an undercurrent of anxiety because we’re days away from April 15 and my taxes aren’t done yet. (See question 15.)

2. What do you do best?

Smile.

3. Where would you like to live?

There are so many fantasy places, but really, having lived away from them, I prefer to live close by family and friends. I like living in Michigan.

4. Your favorite color?

I don’t have one!

5. Three of your own illustrations:

6. Your music?

Very eclectic. I listen to everything (except rap and heavy metal). In my studio I usually go for singer/songwriter or modern folk.

7. Your biggest achievement?

Hmm. That’s a toughie. The thing I’m most proud of, I think, is being known as a kind & friendly person. No awards or accolades or successes mean more than being kind.

8. Your biggest mistake?

That’s not so tough! Back when I started freelancing, I wish I’d had the confidence to negotiate for something near the going rate for illustration instead of taking whatever was offered. But we all have to start somewhere and I learned from it.

9. Your favorite children's book when you were a child?

The Monster at the End of This Book starring loveable, furry old Grover. It’s a great book.

10. Your main character trait?

Cheerful.

11. What do you appreciate most in a friend?

Honesty and authenticity.

12. What mistakes are you most willing to forgive?

When someone gets it wrong but they tried their best.

13. Your favorite children's book hero?

Anne Shirley. Probably because I identified with her so strongly. Just like Anne, I was always dreaming, using extravagant words, and leaping before I thought it through.

14. What moves you forward?

A great idea. And more practically, the need to pay my bills is great incentive!

15. What holds you back?

Procrastination. It’s always in the background waiting to strike.

16. Your dream of happiness?

Right now, it’s a whole week of doing nothing but going for hikes with the poodles, reading, writing, drawing, and sleeping as late as I want to. Can we make it two weeks? It’s been a crazy, hectic year.

17. The painter/illustrator you admire most?

There are too many! One of my favorite illustrators is Erin Stead. Her work is brilliantly expressive, gently detailed, full of heart.

18. What super power would you like to have?

The ability to make time stand still. Or time travel. Either would come in handy.

19. Your motto?

“Always look on the bright side of life.” (Borrowed from Monty Python.)

20. Your social media?

Instagram: @melissa.bailey.illustrates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.bailey.illustrates/

Web: http://www.melissabaileyillustrates.com