SCBWI CenCal SeasideWriters and Illustrators Retreat

21 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News, Writers' Retreat

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Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Join us for a weekend of embracing creativity: drop the judgement, try new things, clear the mind, accept mistakes, and record ideas. Our annual retreat takes place over the Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend, January 15–17, 2027, at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort in San Simeon.

Enjoy plenty of unstructured writing or illustrating time, plus shared meals, optional critiques, PAL (Published and Listed) tips, and short inspirational chats. No scheduled speaker, just fellowship, sharing, and a chance to get away and concentrate on writing or art.

You may book a room at a discounted rate, or if you live locally, you are welcome to commute.

Full details with pricing are posted on the website at scbwi.org/regions/cencal. Registration opens in early October. Early bird registration includes four meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and dinner, and Sunday breakfast—with Saturday lunch on your own) and use of the meeting room.

All critiques, talks, and get-togethers are free. Hotel rooms are not included in the price and must be booked separately with the hotel directly. Contact Co-RA Rebecca Langston-George at cencal-ra@scbwi.org with questions.

Please follow SCBWI CenCal from your SCBWI home to be added to our mailing list and be the first to know when further information is available.

For information on SCBWI CenCal events (open to all SCBWI members), go to the CenCal website.

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 provided by the SCBWI Central-Coastal Region and Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, San Simeon.

Throw a Birthday Party for Your Characters

14 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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by Kitty Felde

Tired of cranking out social media blasts to launch your new book? Why not throw a birthday party for one of your characters?

In my latest Fina Mendoza mystery, Home of the Brave, my young detective celebrates her 11th birthday. But her party gets hijacked by her matchmaking aunts, trying to fix up Fina’s congressman father with his former chief-of-staff. Fina barely gets to blow out the candles.

So I threw Fina the birthday party she should have had. And sold quite a few books along the way.

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Ask an Editor: Booking Agencies

07 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine—What is a booking agency and is this service relevant to my career?

—Joshua, Los Angeles

Hello Joshua –

Agencies that book authors and illustrators to do presentations at schools, libraries, and related venues are called booking agencies or speaking agencies. I do not belong to one but have checked into two, How Now Booking and The Author Village, and have compiled information about other agencies based on feedback I received from authors and illustrators I interviewed.

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Treasure Chest: October 2026

30 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by in Central Coast, Contests & Grants, Illustrators Day, Los Angeles, PAL, SoCal, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond

Check out more resources at the end of the post!

OPEN NOW—REGISTRATION EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER 7, 6:00 p.m. PST
Register today for the SCBWI-LA Working Writers Retreat at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino from October 16–18, 2026! “Give yourself the gift of dedicated writing time. Spend a quiet weekend immersed in your children’s book, surrounded by other writers devoted to theirs. Bring a manuscript, an idea, or simply the desire to get work done. We’ll give you time to think, wander, write, and reconnect with your creativity. Meals and snacks included!” For more information about the annual retreat, the cost to stay on-site, or the cost to commute, click the link here.

OPEN NOW
Sign up now for Craft, Creativity, & Community at SCBWI CenCal’s 2026 Writers & Illustrators Day! Join us for a day to connect with your fellow writers and illustrators, all while enjoying morning coffee, catered lunch, prizes, contests, and more! “In addition, we will be having a Pitchfest on Saturday, October 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition, all conference attendees are invited to a pre-conference webinar on Wednesday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m., featuring Bookstr’s Scott Richmond’s Stress-Free Guide to Social Media and Press…PLUS ONE live Pitch at the Pitchfest online on Saturday, 10/31/26. Critiques and pitches offered while supply lasts.” See you all in October!

Art by Jaime Zollars

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Great News

23 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by in Great News!

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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!

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Toot Your Horn!

16 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by in Toot Your Horn!

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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!

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It’s the 2026 SCBWI-Los Angeles Working Writers Retreat

09 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by in Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News, Writers Retreat

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by Kim Wildman, SCBWI-LA Regional Advisor

The Working Writers Retreat 2025 creative crew

Step Out of Your Daily Life. Step into Your Creative Self.

Imagine an entire weekend dedicated to one thing: your writing or illustrating.

Come join a small group of supportive people who share your goal of creating excellent books for young readers. Leave behind the cooking, cleaning, and endless emails to gift yourself rare uninterrupted creative time in a peaceful, inspiring setting. Write. Draw. Revise. Brainstorm. Receive thoughtful critiques. Share with fellow creatives who understand the joys and challenges of bringing a book to life. 

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Treasure Chest: September 2026

02 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by in Central Coast, Contests & Grants, Illustrators Day, Los Angeles, PAL, SoCal, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond

Check out more resources at the end of the post!

OPEN NOW
Register today for the SCBWI-LA Working Writers Retreat at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino from October 16–18, 2026! “Come join a small group of supportive people who share your goal of creating excellent books for young readers. Leave behind the cooking, cleaning, and endless emails to gift yourself rare uninterrupted creative time in a peaceful, inspiring setting. Write. Draw. Revise. Brainstorm. Receive thoughtful critiques. Share with fellow creatives who understand the joys and challenges of bringing a book to life.” For more information about the annual retreat, the cost to stay on-site, or the cost to commute, click the link here. Registration closes on October 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. PST or when all spaces are filled. This retreat fills up quickly so register early to reserve your space.

OPEN NOW
Sign up for the 2026 SCBWI SoCal Fall Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day before it’s too late! “Writers and illustrators are invited to a full day of speaker presentations, critiques, pitches and mingling with fellow creatives! We’ll have agents, an editor, an art director, published authors and an illustrator. This hybrid event is both in-person and via zoom. Attendees will have access to the videos for 30 days following the event and receive submission guidelines from all our faculty.” This annual hybrid event will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Illustration by Fay Ryu Kelling


OPEN NOW
Grab a pen and paper for Craft, Creativity, & Community at SCBWI CenCal’s 2026 Writers & Illustrators Day! Join us for a day to connect with your fellow writers and illustrators, all while enjoying morning coffee, catered lunch, prizes, contests, and more! “In addition, we will be having a Pitchfest on Saturday, October 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition, all conference attendees are invited to a pre-conference webinar on Wednesday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m., featuring Bookstr’s Scott Richmond’s Stress-Free Guide to Social Media and Press…PLUS ONE live Pitch at the Pitchfest online on Saturday, 10/31/26. Critiques and pitches offered while supply lasts.” See you all in October!

Art by Jaime Zollars

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Ask an Editor: Author Visits—What Are They Like? (Part Two)

12 Wednesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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“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’m considering contacting local schools to earn money doing author visits. What are they generally like?

—Brianna, Los Angeles

Hello again, Brianna –

Let’s pick up where we left off last month. You’ve booked your author visit, and now you’re getting ready to spend your time with the class. Remember, each school visit will be unique.

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Treasure Chest: August 2026

05 Wednesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Central Coast, Contests & Grants, Illustrators Day, Los Angeles, PAL, SoCal, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond

Check out more resources at the end of the post!

SAVE THE DATE—OCTOBER 16–18
The SCBWI-Los Angeles Working Writers Retreat is October 16-18, 2026, at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino. More to come soon!

RSVP NOW FOR AUGUST 16
Join SCBWI-Los Angeles on Sunday, August 16, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at the Valley Relics Museum for our 3rd Sketch Crawl of the year! Get inspired by the vivid and extensive collection of historical artifacts of the San Fernando Valley. Bring your sketchbook, favorite drawing materials, and a friend! Non-members are welcome. $15 museum entry fee paid at the door. Please email any questions to lauraburris@scbwi.org. We hope to see you there! NOTE: All SCBWI events are age 18+ only.

Art by Laura Burris

OPEN NOW—REGISTER BY AUGUST 20
Be part of the annual SCBWI-LA Critique Day on August 23, 2026! This is a FREE event for SCBWI Premium members, but you must register to obtain the Zoom link. PLEASE NOTE: You are not registered until you press the green BOOK A SEAT button at the bottom of the registration page. You may need to scroll to the bottom or reduce the size of your screen if you haven’t found it.” Open to PB, MG, YA/NA writers and illustrators! REGISTRATION CLOSES August 20, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

OPEN NOW
Register today for your spot at 2026 SCBWI SoCal Fall Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day! “Writers and illustrators are invited to a full day of speaker presentations, critiques, pitches and mingling with fellow creatives! We’ll have agents, an editor, an art director, published authors and an illustrator. This hybrid event is both in-person and via zoom. Attendees will have access to the videos for 30 days following the event and receive submission guidelines from all our faculty.” This annual hybrid event will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Illustration by Fay Ryu Kelling


OPEN NOW
Get ready for a day of Craft, Creativity, & Community at SCBWI CenCal’s 2026 Writers & Illustrators Day! Join us for a day to connect with your fellow writers and illustrators, all while enjoying morning coffee, catered lunch, prizes, contests, and more! “In addition, we will be having a Pitchfest on Saturday, October 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition, all conference attendees are invited to a pre-conference webinar on Wednesday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m., featuring Bookstr’s Scott Richmond’s Stress-Free Guide to Social Media and Press…PLUS ONE live Pitch at the Pitchfest online on Saturday, 10/31/26. Critiques and pitches offered while supply lasts.” See you all in October!

Art by Jaime Zollars

Continue reading →