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by Beverly Plass, RA SCBWI SoCal

Keynote speakers (from left to right) Lucy Hamilburg, Savannah Brooks, and Courtney Stevenson stop by the photo booth.

SCBWI SoCal’s annual Fall Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day on October 7 was a big hit. The event featured speakers, critiques, pitches, first pages, contests, book signings, a portfolio table, a published book display, and a pop-up by San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe.

We started with a fun ice-breaker suggested by SCBWI member Kelly Powers—a snowball fight. People tossed balled up pieces of paper at each other—getting a lot of laughs. Afterward, each person opened their snowball to an ice-breaker question to engage with people near them. 

Snowball fight! SCBWI members get to know each other with a game.

Courtney Stevenson, editor at Quill Tree Books, HarperCollins Children’s, presented It’s Great, Now Fix It: The Writer’s Art of Being a Critique Partner. “Writing’s hard and first drafts are messy,” she said. “Another pair of eyes will take your manuscript to the next level.”

Writing’s hard and first drafts are messy. Another pair of eyes will take your manuscript to the next level.”

Courtney Stevenson

Savannah Brooks, agent at KT Literary, was engaging and full of examples in her presentation: Using Fact in Fiction.  

Lucy Hamilburg, agent at Hamilburg Agency, highlighted Best Practices for Querying an Agent. Not only did she break down and discuss the different parts of a query letter, but she also shared insight that the author’s voice is so important when submitting.

Art director Lauren Rille hosts an Ask Me Anything for illustrators.

Lauren Rille, art director at Simon & Schuster, shared industry insight and knowledge during an illustrator breakout session.

Illustrator Lisa Johnston Hancock led a session called ProCreate 101 that inspired illustrators to expand their horizons.

Illustrator Lisa Johnston Hancock gives a Procreate demo.

We featured two author panels. When asked about perseverance when faced with rejection, award-winning author Tina Athaide said, “Revision and perseverance are key.”

Best-selling author Laura Taylor Namey said, “I could paper my walls with query letters before I got my first deal.” Regarding rejection, she said, “It’s a challenge and some things hurt. If you write books, especially for kids, you’re going to hurt. Use it, embrace it. I try to employ it as a tool.”

I could paper my walls with query letters before I got my first deal….If you write books, especially for kids, you’re going to hurt. Use it, embrace it.”

Laura Taylor Namey

Award-winning author-illustrator Betty C. Tang said she’d tell her pre-published self to get a “thicker skin.” Award-winning author-illustrator Scott Sussman shared tips on school visits, YouTube, and ways he involves kids in his presentations to keep them engaged.

Author-illustrators Scott Sussman and Betty C. Tang

Attendees described the event as “excellent” and shared their takeaways from the experience:

Kim-Hoa Ung said, “I need to keep on trying and take every opportunity available to help improve my skills. And keep attending special events like this to network with others.”

“One key message that I heard was the importance of building your community, finding a writing group or critique group of like-minded, yet different enough, people to support each other’s growth,” Iris Widman said. 

Tim Burke summed it up: “Inspiration to keep on keeping on.”

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.

All photos by Alexander Grigg, courtesy of SCBWI SoCal.