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!

APRIL 9
Register to attend Writing Poetry for Children with April Halprin Wayland through UCLA Extension! “In three hours of lecture, group participation, and individual writing time, you learn the basics of writing poetry for children, play with different forms, and learn to hear children’s poetry with new ears.” This class is free to attend and will take place on April 9, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Click here to save your spot!

APRIL 12
“Expand your craft as authors and illustrators” at the SCBWI SoCal Illustrators Group meet-up: Zines and Storyteller Workshop! The meet-up will be in-person and through Zoom on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with guest speaker Eori Tokunaga. “During the workshop, there will also be time for folks to make their own zines about anything they would like.” The in-person meet-up will take place at 15500 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA 92618, in the Irvine Ranch Water District Community Meeting Room. To join the meet-up via Zoom, click here.

APRIL 23
Kite Tales: A Blog Published for the SCBWI Tri-Regions of Southern California is open for news! If you have something professionally noteworthy to share for our “Great News” column or would like to talk about a recent book that has been published on “Toot Your Horn,” let us know at the link here by April 23. You must be a member of SCBWI CenCal, Los Angeles, or SoCal to submit.

APRIL 23
Be sure to submit your entry for the SCBWI-L.A. Mentorship Contest 2025 by 11:59 p.m. on April 23, 2025! This year’s contest will be a six-month mentorship for a middle grade author in the earlier stage of their career with author Sherry Shahan. “This will likely consist of twice monthly emails and a monthly Zoom check-in, though Sherry is flexible and open to whatever suits the mentee’s schedule and lifestyle.” During the six months, Sherry will help “guide an author toward completion, revision, or development of a single middle grade manuscript.” Click here to learn more about eligibility and application instructions. Entries must be emailed to scbwilacontests@gmail.com.

APRIL 26–27
There are still a few open spots to volunteer with SCBWI-L.A. and SCBWI-SoCal on April 26 and April 27, 2025, at the University of Southern California for the 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books! Click here to see the schedule and list of volunteering opportunities. For those who are interested in book-signing slots, you may sign up for the waitlist on the registration page. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

MAY 1–4
All spots for the SCBWI SoCal Tahquitz MG/YA Intensive Writers Retreat are completely filled. If you would like to get on the waitlist, please email Bev Plass at socal-ra@scbwi.org. For more information about the retreat, click the link here.

MAY 1
Calling all illustrators! The Annual Fall Conference Illustration Contest for SCBWI-Alaska and the Alaska Writers Guild is now open to everyone! “We need one image or a set of cohesive images that can be used for posters, program cover, postcard, and website banners.” Please email submissions to alaska-ic@scbwi.org by May 1, 2025. For more information, click here.

MAY 10
Stop by the Tustin Library on May 10, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the 2025 Comic Orange event! “Comic Orange promotes literacy in our community by highlighting our graphic novel collections, celebrating comics, and engaging the community by offering an annual family-friendly event.” The event is free to attend, so come see some of your favorite authors and illustrators, as well as our artists in the Artist Alley!

JUNE 22
Design and submit an illustration to be used as the website banner for SCBWI SoCal Fall Harvest 2025! The selected winner will get attributed on the SCBWI SoCal website and receive free registration to attend the event. Submit your illustration to Bev Plass at socal-ra@scbwi.org by June 22, 2025, and mention “SCBWI SoCal Fall Harvest 2025.” You must be an SCBWI member who lives in the SoCal region to be considered (Long Beach or counties of Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside). Click the image to the right to learn more about submission requirements, or contact Bev Plass.

JUNE 25
Are you interested in writing children’s books but are not sure where to start? Sign up for Introduction to Picture Books through UCLA Extension with April Halprin Wayland on June 25, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time! This free class will go over practical tools to help you “jumpstart your picture book writing” and provide “practical advice from award-winning authors who were once beginners themselves.” Click here to learn more!

CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES!
Announcing a new initiative exclusively for SCBWI Premium members! SCBWI University “empowers you to hone your craft, build meaningful connections, and gain the confidence to bring your stories to life” through deep dives into writing or illustrating children’s books. The first three-part online course, Mastering the Art of Picture Book Writing, will begin on April 8, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time. “Tuition includes all three classes and access to video replays for 30-days after the final live session. (Classes may NOT be purchased individually).”

Take a look at this new YouTube Channel, Coffee with the Authors, featuring SCBWI-CenCal members Wendelin Van Draanen and Mark Parsons! Their free and friendly channel seeks to “give emerging writers useful information about the craft and business of writing” along with “some real-world insights.” New episodes will be posted every Wednesday. “We’ll also be fielding questions viewers leave in the comments, and hopefully begin conducting interviews.”

Hear all about the illustration side of picture books firsthand from SCBWI SoCal member Shiho Pate! Shiho talks about her illustration process and explores how her past and current portfolios influence her publishing career through her new blog. Click here to read more!

Are you looking for a specific picture book course? Highlights Foundation might just have you’re looking for! Highlights Foundation offers a variety of picture book workshops throughout the year. While some classes may be free to attend, others will have a tuition cost. Find something that fits you!

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