Happy 2015!

It is customary to ponder thankfulness, good cheer, and resolutions at this time of the year, and who are we to break with tradition? Here are a few things we are thankful for:

Awesome Writer’s Days * Peaceful Retreats * Productive Critiquenics * Supportive Schmoozes * Chocolate * Inspiring Illustrators *Encouraging Mentors * Fabulous Volunteers * Enthused Members * Hard-Working SCBWI-LA Board * Talented Teams * More Chocolate!

Let’s not forget the resolutions:

Write more consistently. * Enjoy the process. *Polish the Portfolio. * Delve deep into character. * Forget the dishes. * Actually send out the manuscript for real this time. * Attend an SCBWI event. * Don’t forget the kids!

We’ve already mentioned talented teams, and special thanks are due to our Kite Tales staff, who have morphed Kite Tales the magazine into this amazing blog. We hope you enjoy this snazzy new format, with all the info and links you need at your fingertips!

Our brand new PAL team will be working hard on bringing marketing opportunities to the attention of our Published members in 2015, while our regional team continues to sculpt fabulous events to benefit the whole membership.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that our Writer’s Days 2015 will be held at the beautiful Skirball Center on March 7th & 8th. We have an amazing lineup of presenters, including Julia Maguire, Editor at Alfred A. Knopf, Angie Chen, Asst. Editor at Farrar Straus and Giroux, Award-winning Non-Fiction Author Michelle Markel, Author/ Illustrator Mary Ann Fraser, as well as Julie Williams, Author and Poet. All are ready to inspire and top up your creative juices. Registration is available online.

Also in 2015, look for ‘Down The Rabbit Hole’ in the Spring, ‘Critiquenic’ in June, the ever-popular ‘Working Writer’s Retreat’, September 11-13, and ‘Illustrator’s Day’ in the Fall – where we get to honor Dan Santat with his Crystal Kite award! We are also planning an extra, whole new retreat for April of 2016. In fact, there is so much going on, we redesigned the calendar. Check it out!

2014 saw many changes across the board, and we are thankful to have dedicated volunteers step up to the plate, helping to run our LA region of over 1300 members. We’d like to offer a hearty cheer of “Welcome!” to those who are stepping up, three big cheers for those who are stepping down, and “Cheers!” to you, our members, for being part of the SCBWI community.

Only you know what you need to resolve for 2015, but furthering craft, nurturing readers, and contributing to a positive future seem like good things to include!

Happy New Year, Everyone,

Sally and Sarah

Co-Regional Advisors SCBWI-L.A.