Katie is available for conference panels, workshops, and keynotes.
Reach out at Hello@katiemazeika.com
Katie has experience speaking on panels and running workshops on illustration, writing and illustrating picture book biographies, and re-evaluating and recharging an illustration portfolio.
Katie has also presented on what makes good disability representation in children’s book , how to talk about disability and neurodivergence openly, and how to illustrate disabled characters respectfully while avoiding common tropes and mistakes, among other topics.
May 3, 2025- Ohioana Book Festival, Columbus, Ohio -panel: Empowering Children Through Picture Books
May 18, 2025- Claire’s Day Maumee Ohio
May 31, 2025- Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books , Pittsburgh, OH -panel: Disability Made Visible
June 26-30, 2025- ALA Annual Conference -panel: Changing the Status Quo: Picture Books That Differentiate
July 6-9, 2025 The Highlights Foundation- Summer Camp in Illustrati
Disibility Beyonds the Stacks:
What to look for when picking books to represent the neurodivergent and disabled community. How to discuss those books with readers. What happens when good books get disability representation wrong?
PAST Conference Workshops and Panels:
Prioritizing Disablity Represpresentation in Kidlit, The Indiana Federation of Libraries 2024 Conference
Digging Deeper: Shedding Light on Hidden Histories, (Panel) SCBWI Middle of The Map 2024 Conference
Making Positive Disability Representation in Children’s Books a Priority, Ohio Educational Media Libraries 2024 Conference
Claiming Space: Disability Representation on the Page, (Panel), Columbus Book Festival 2024
Disability Representation in Picture Book Illustration, (two-night workshop co-taught with Kaz Windness). The Highlights Foundation 2024
Using Authentic Stories About People with Disabilities to Advocate and Be Inclusive of All Students, (panel), National Council of Teachers of English 2023 Convention
Neurodivergent and Disabled Authors and Author-Educators on Kidlit, (panel), National Council of Teachers of English 2023 Convention
The Power of Pivoting: When the Only Way Forward is Changing Direction, (Keynote) SCBWI Ohio: North Conference 2023
Making Your Portfolio POP: Advice from Both Sides of the Query
