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
The SCBWI-LA Writers and Illustrators Day: The Pen and the Palette is now open for registration! “Join us for Writers and Illustrators Day as we celebrate the art of storytelling to children through both word and image. We’re offering a day of marvelous industry speakers, networking with friends (old and new), and playful opportunities to build community. We hope you’ll leave inspired and empowered to craft stories that reflect the beauty, complexity, and wonder of childhood.” Speakers will include Andrea Brown Literary Agency senior agent Jamie Weiss Chilton, Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House executive editor Kelsey Horton, Donald Maass Literary Agency literary agent Kiana (Kiki) Nguyen, and painter, designer, writer, and illustrator Eugene Yelchin. For more information on registration, dates, times, and location, click the link here.

OPEN NOW
Submit your manuscript for the SCBWI-LA 2026 Writers & Illustrators Day Contest today! The Writing Contest will be accepting manuscript submissions until April 12, 2026. “The first-place winner in each category will receive a certificate, recognition at Writers & Illustrators Day and in Kite Tales, and a free written critique from one of our faculty members.” Click the link here for more information about submission guidelines.

APRIL 17
Join the SCBWI SoCal Illustrators group on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a special guest presentation by Linda Liu on her author-illustrator journey! “Linda Liu is a SoCal-based author, illustrator, and designer with a taste for tactile textures, saucy shapes, and palatable palettes. ​She uses her light, playful aesthetic to balance out deeper narrative concepts exploring social emotional learning and the human condition. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (BFA Illustration), Linda has since had her finger in many pies; from in-house graphic designer for finance and tech companies, to author/illustrator of award-winning picture books.” Please email Heather Soodak at socal-ic2@scbwi.org to be added to the illustrator emails and get the zoom link.

APRIL 17
Enter your middle grade manuscript for the Jewell Parker Rhodes Fellowship for Emerging Voices today! This fellowship by the Hachette Book Group “will award an annual $10,000 grant to an unpublished or self-published writer creating works for children.” You must submit the first three chapters of a novel targeted at a middle grade audience and a comprehensive synopsis of the novel. For more information, click the link here. Submissions close on April 17, 2026.

APRIL 18–19
There are still a few spots available for volunteers to help set up, take down, and run the booth at the 2026 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books! From April 18–19, 2026 on the USC Campus, there will be speakers, workshops, and booths full of books for attendees to see, including our very own SCBWI-LA and SCBWI SoCal Chapters! Registration to sell and sign your books at the SCBWI booths are already filled, but it’s still a great day to come out and join your local chapter friends! We hope to see you there!

APRIL 23
SCBWI PAL member and Children’s Literature Council of Southern California board member Nell Cross Beckerman will be hosting a virtual event on Booking Paid and Unpaid Author Visits at Public Libraries! Nell shares, “As an author myself, I often wondered how it would work for me to do a library program, so I went through the process of applying for both a free visit and to become a paid vendor. I will be sharing tips and tricks for this along with an LA County Youth Services librarian who is involved in the decision making process.” This learning opportunity will happen on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. (with a recording available for those who can’t attend live) alongside author Dana Middleton and librarian Annalisa Engh. It is free for CLCSC members and $25 for nonmembers. Click the link here to register for the webinar!

MAY 2–3
Make sure to support SCBWI CenCal at the Santa Barbara Literary Festival on May 2–3, 2026! “CenCal members have an opportunity to sign up for a slot to read from their book live on the lawn area and/or sell and sign their book(s) at our pop-up tent. We’re also looking for volunteers to help the Literary Festival as helpers/direction givers/book assistants, etc., and to help CenCal with the booth setup and tear down. There is no fee to participate in the festival except if you choose to go to a paid workshop. Events in the children’s area will run from approximately 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with set up happening beforehand. If you’d like to participate as a reader (20-30 minute slot), book seller/signer (2-hour slot) or volunteer please fill out this Google form.” Please direct questions to Rebecca Langston-George, co-RA SCBWI CenCal, at cencal-ra@scbwi.org.

MAY 16
Get ready for the Orange County Public Library Comic Orange event on May 16, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Aliso Viejo Library! “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. Stay tuned for our upcoming events!” This free event is always a big hit and a great way to meet local authors and illustrators, so don’t miss out on this festive day!

MAY 28–31
The SCBWI SoCal chapter’s Tahquitz MG-YA Writers Retreat is full! This “four-day small-group intensive writer retreat in idyllic Idyllwild” is a great place to “hone your craft and polish your manuscript with the guidance of industry professionals.” To be placed on the waitlist, email Bev Plass: socal-ra@scbwi.org

CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES!

Each year, the Children’s Literature Council of Southern California “is pleased to present awards to Southern California authors and illustrators for outstanding books published in the previous year.” To submit your books and be considered for the CLCSC awards, click the link here.

Are you getting ready to query agents? Here are the top websites by and about agents as identified in the 27th Annual 101 Best Websites from the May/June 2025 issue of Writer’s Digest.

SCBWI-LA wants YOU to join our fabulous team of volunteers! Please email losangeles@scbwi.org to ask about applying for any opportunities. Click the link here to learn more about the SCBWI-LA team and scroll to the bottom of the page to see what positions are currently open. You must be an SCBWI member residing within the Los Angeles Region to be an SCBWI-LA volunteer.

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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.