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by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

The SCBWI Central-Coastal Region held its in-person Writers and Illustrators Day on Saturday, September 20, at the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Auditorium in Camarillo. A few honors were presented during an inspiring day of speakers and camaraderie, and a fabulous lunch.

Congratulations to all our participants in the writing and illustration contests, including our winners! Each winner receives free entry to next year’s Writers and Illustrators Day.

Left to right: Patrice Karst, Leanne Pankuch, Jessica Woo, Rebecca Langston-George

MOST PROMISING PICTURE BOOK

Patrice Karst for Lovely Magic Dot

Patrice’s synopsis: Inspired by Carl Sagan and his reference to our Pale Blue Dot, I was inspired to create Lovely Magic Dot. This book is an ode to our beloved planet Earth. A love-song to the very best of this unique jewel amongst the spheres, and most importantly, our very home. A celebration of diversity, of the miracle of nature, and a cheer for every one of us living here. Paying homage to our glorious spinning globe, while at the same time whispering a gentle cautionary tale to take care of her, ourselves, and one another—One shining planet, one family, and one heart at time.

MOST PROMISING MIDDLE GRADE

Leanne Pankuch for The Haunting of Sia Wix

Leanne’s synopsis: When anxious and sassy twelve-year-old meteorology expert Sia Wix is sent to stay with her aunt in Crabbe Hollow, NY—the most haunted town in America—strange voices begin to talk to her over her weather radio: the voices of the dead. The town’s ghosts are being hunted and eaten by something dark and evil: the Shook, a supernatural being made of ravens who controls the town’s mayor. With the help of her friends—both living and dead—Sia investigates the town’s secrets, including connections to Nikola Tesla’s experiments and the spiritualist movement of the late 1800s. When a historic storm hits the town, offering the Shook the opportunity to trap (and eat) even more ghosts, Sia must face her fear of severe weather, work through her anxiety, and use her weather knowledge to stop the Shook and send all the ghosts back to the afterlife where they belong.

MOST PROMISING YOUNG ADULT

Jessica Woo for Dust

Jessica’s synopsis: Dust. It is not something we are normally afraid of. It is not something we would think that would bring about the downfall of society. But it did. The world we once knew is gone and from the ruins rose Damian, a charismatic, calculating, and self-declared savior. He founded the Caput, a regime built on rigid control. Only strict regulation, he said, could hold the Dust at bay.  With an army of Enforcers at his command, Damian promised order in a world teetering on the edge.

Then one day, Ayla—a strict rule-follower and devoted Caput loyalist—accidentally finds herself on the wrong side of authority. She broke one of the Caput’s rules potentially endangering her town and its people. Ayla and her mom are forced to flee to the last standing University. Hidden beneath its library lies the truth about her father’s death—and the origins of Kainos itself. Now, trapped beneath the Caput’s watchful eye, Ayla must decide whether to remain a pawn in Damian’s vision—or risk everything to free the minds of those who remain. Because in Kainos, knowledge isn’t just power.

It’s rebellion.

Left to right: Gela Kalaitzidis, Trish Heully

ILLUSTRATED BANNER WINNERS

Gela Kalaitzidis won the contest for the 2025 Writers and Illustrators Day Catch the Creative Wave

Trish Heully won the contest for the 2026 Retreat Choose Your Own Adventure

Claire Annette Noland, Volunteer of the Year

ALEXIS O’NEILL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Claire Annette Noland is the San Luis Obispo County Mingle Host. See information on our various mingles on our website: CenCal County Mingles. Claire received the Alexis O’Neill Volunteer of the Year Award for her enthusiastic commitment to the SCBWI CenCal Region. Congratulations, Claire!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

SCBWI CenCal is looking for volunteers. Please contact Rebecca Langston-George at cencal-ra@scbwi.org.

Congratulations to all our winners!

Join us next year for Writers and Illustrators Day 2026.

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.

Photos provided by Joan Bransfield Graham.