@Cory-Leick hello! I’m also an SCBWI member (since 2013). Editors/art directors who usually are closed for subs but accept unagented subs from attenders of SCBWI events is extremely common and a great opportunity!
However, when an art director is looking for dummies from illustrator critiques, they are looking for something that is submission-ready, not just a book idea. Sending a book idea that isn’t done baking yet could give the wrong impression — it’s an amateur move. Whatever you’re showing to an art director or editor, make sure that it is presented professionally.
While each agent/editor/art director has their own submission requirements, most are looking for dummies that contain at least 2 finished illustrations along with the sketches, so they can see your style and how you would approach the illustrations. They’re also looking for something they can acquire — that usually means that the illustrator is also the author.
If you’re not the author but doing a joint submission, that has the potential to be problematic. Do you have the author’s permission to submit a dummy using their story? What if the AD likes the text but not the illustrations? Or likes the illustrations but the story isn’t strong enough? That’s not saying that joint submissions never work, but it is rare.
SCBWI’s The Book (it’s a free PDF download for all members) has a really nice article about making a book dummy that you might want to check out.
Hope this helps, and cheering for your success with the illustration crit and submission!
