18 Wednesday Feb 2026
Posted in Great News!
SCBWI loves celebrating our members’ successes and noteworthy news, and there are many! Read on to find out who’s got something to shout about. Digital high-fives welcome in the comments!
Continue reading11 Wednesday Feb 2026
Tags
illustrating, Julia Edwards, mentor, mentoring, mentors, mentorship, Mentorship Award, MG, nonfiction, PAL, PAL events, picture book, Sherry Shahan, writing, YA
by Sherry Shahan
I’ve been a proud member of SCBWI since the mid-1980s. I was a young, unpublished writer who met other dreamers at a National Convention in Southern California. Forty or so years later, we remain best of friends, with children’s books that cross age groups and genres. I was thrilled to be selected as the mentor for the 2025 SCBWI-Los Angeles Mentorship Contest for Middle Grade Authors. Giving back is a rewarding way to honor the many mentors who helped shape my career.
04 Wednesday Feb 2026
Posted in Contests & Grants, Industry Conferences, PAL, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News
Tags
author-illustrator, authors, awards, board book, Boyds Mills, Callawind Book Publishing, CenCal Writers and Illustrators Retreat, Charlotte Huck, Darcy Pattison, Golden Kite Awards, illustrators, LATFoB, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, middle grade, Nicole Tugeau, PAL, PB Rising Stars, published, SCBWI Art Day, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, SCBWI Virtual Winter Conference, scholarship, SoCal MG/YA Writers Retreat, Tahquitz, volunteer, workshop, Writers & Illustrators Day, young adult
JUST ADDED—February 28, 11AM–2PM
Sketch Crawl! On Saturday, February 28, the new SCBWI-Los Angeles Sketch Crawl program will have its first meet-up at the downtown L.A. Central Public Library. This is a free program, open to all. For more information, click here.
OPEN NOW
There is still time to register for the SCBWI 2026 Virtual Winter Conference! From Friday, February 6, 2026, to Saturday, February 7, 2026, “join us online for exclusive industry panels, hands-on sessions focused on the craft of writing and illustrating children’s books, plus valuable networking with fellow creators. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, gain insider knowledge, or connect with other talented authors and illustrators, this event is for you! If you can’t make it to the live sessions, video replays will be available to view through March 15th.” Click here to register today!
OPEN NOW
Choose your own adventure at the SCBWI CenCal’s Writers and Illustrators Retreat by the Sea! Early bird registration for this gorgeous weekend by the beach in San Simeon from March 6, 2026 to March 8, 2026 will be available until February 15, 2026. Registration does not include lodging to allow commuters to participate. There will be plenty of time to work on your projects while also engaging in optional critique groups and inspiration check-ins! For more information on how to book your stay in or near San Simeon, click the link here.
OPEN NOW
Grab your spot now for the 2026 SCBWI SoCal Art Day Story Bloom: A Creative Workshop for Illustrators, Picture Book Writers and Graphic Novelists! “Spend the day exploring guided art exercises, story-building activities, and collaborative play with fellow creators” on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Laguna College of Art and Design, Big Bend Campus. Our workshops will be led by Joey Spiotto and Raissa Figueroa!
28 Wednesday Jan 2026
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
Tags
#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, Events, Jane Friedman, libraries, publishing
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.
Hi Christine – I keep hearing about “literary citizenship.” How does this apply to authors?
– KD, Redondo
Hello KD – For me, literary citizenship means establishing and maintaining relationships. It also means giving throughout our careers without expecting something in return; relationships aren’t a 50-50 thing. But, just wait; those relationships will pay off, guaranteed.
Continue reading21 Wednesday Jan 2026
Posted in Critique Day, Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News
by the SCBWI-Los Angeles Regional Team
Don’t miss this great opportunity to share your words or illustrations with a supportive small group who will give you feedback on your efforts.
Bring 5 pages of your work-in-progress to our Zoom Critique Day, and meet friends and fellow creatives as we read and react to each other’s manuscripts. You might find new critique partners!
Continue reading14 Wednesday Jan 2026
Posted in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News
Tags
Alexis O'Neill, Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, CenCal Writers and Illustrators Retreat, illustrators, Kayla Cichello, Rebecca Langston George, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, Trish Heully, writers
by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Join us for a weekend of adventure, pursuing creativity at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort in San Simeon along the beach – March 6-8, 2026. You decide how much you want to participate. Choose to do as much or as little as you wish.
The early-bird price of $350 includes all meals, a short introductory talk by literary agent Kayla Cichello of Upstart Crow, inspirational critique groups, plenty of time to write and create, and evening campfire fun – perfect for those who just want to get away and concentrate on writing or illustrating.
Continue reading07 Wednesday Jan 2026
Posted in Contests & Grants, Industry Conferences, PAL, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News
Tags
12x12, author-illustrator, authors, awards, CenCal Writers and Illustrators Retreat, Charlotte Huck, Critique Day, Great News, Hachette Book Group, Highlights Foundation, illustrators, middle grade, PAL, PB Rising Stars, Picture Book Creators Conference, published, SCBWI Annual Winter Conference, SCBWI Art Day, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, SCBWI Virtual Winter Conference, scholarship, Storystorm, Toot Your Horn!, volunteer, workshop, young adult
OPEN NOW
Last chance to register for the annual SCBWI 2026 Winter Conference in New York City! Join us from Friday, January 16, 2026, to Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Upon registering for the in-person conference, you will also get a $20 discount on the Virtual Winter Conference! The cost to attend does not include accommodations. For more information on how to book your room, click the link here.
OPEN NOW
If you can’t make it to New York City for the in-person conference, click here to register for the SCBWI 2026 Virtual Winter Conference! From Friday, February 6, 2026, to Saturday, February 7, 2026, “join us online for exclusive industry panels, hands-on sessions focused on the craft of writing and illustrating children’s books, plus valuable networking with fellow creators. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, gain insider knowledge, or connect with other talented authors and illustrators, this event is for you! If you can’t make it to the live sessions, video replays will be available to view through March 15th.”
OPEN NOW
Registration for the 2026 SCBWI SoCal Art Day Story Bloom: A Creative Workshop for Illustrators, Picture Book Writers and Graphic Novelists is now open! “Spend the day exploring guided art exercises, story-building activities, and collaborative play with fellow creators” on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Laguna College of Art and Design, Big Bend Campus. Early bird prices are offered until January 31, 2026 so grab your seat today!
31 Wednesday Dec 2025
Tags
#AskanEditor, Adam Blackman, Alexander Vidal, Analía Cabello, authors, Brenda Scott Royce, Cassandra Federman, Christine Van Zandt, craft, Ellen Hopkins, Harshini Vankineni, illustrators, inspiration, Jaime Zollars, Jennifer Rofé, Jennifer S. Pitts, Jenny Turnbull, Judy Faulkner, Kelly Pellico, Micky O'Brady, Paige Vinten Taylor, Philana Marie Boles, publishing, publishing tips, quotes, SCBWI community, Sherry Shahan, writing tips
January is not just right around the corner—it’s tomorrow! But don’t panic. We still have time to make our resolutions or More/Less lists (see below and linked), and to dream big for 2026. Hopefully, revisiting some of the ideas and insights in Kite Tales’ 2025 posts through the quotes and article links below will provide a fresh sprinkle of information and inspiration to help you get started. Write on. Draw on. Read on!
Continue reading24 Wednesday Dec 2025
Posted in Central Coast, Los Angeles, SoCal, Tri-Regional News
by Kim Wildman, Regional Advisor, SCBWI Los Angeles
As the year wraps up, we hope you remember that your words and pictures to the children of the world matter. They play a vital role by planting seeds of hope, building courage, and lighting up young minds to the endless possibilities in front of them.
Please join us in our 2026 programming as we continue to grow, learn, and challenge ourselves to reach new heights, finish more projects, and touch more hearts with wonder.
Happy Holidays!
From the CenCal Team
May the spirit of the season spark your creativity in new ways.
Los Angeles Regional Team
Wishing you joy, time with loved ones,
and inspiration this holiday season.
Warmly, The SCBWI SoCal Regional Team
For more fantastic content, community, events, and other professional development opportunities, become a member today! Not sure if there is a chapter in your area? Check here.
Images created by: Zuri Timmons (CenCal), Jessica Cooper (Los Angeles), and Lisa Johnston Hancock (SoCal)
17 Wednesday Dec 2025
Posted in Toot Your Horn!
Tags
authors, fiction, illustrators, MG, middle grade, mystery, picture book, published, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, Spiritual, YA
SCBWI members’ publishing news is something to celebrate here at Kite Tales! Check out whose book is coming to a platform near you or around the world. Horn-tooting and digital high fives welcome in the comments!
Kite Tales 