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
Register today for the SCBWI-LA Writers and Illustrators Day: The Pen and the Palette! “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.

MAY 1
The SCBWI 2026 Crystal Kite Awards will be open for submissions on May 1, 2026! The Crystal Kite Awards are peer-given awards to “recognize great books from fifteen SCBWI regional divisions around the world.” To learn more about eligibility, submission guidelines, and voting dates, click the link here.

MAY 2–3
Stop by the Santa Barbara Literary Festival on May 2–3, 2026, and support your fellow SCBWI CenCal chapter members! “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. We hope to see you there!

MAY 16
Bring your family to the annual 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

MAY 31
Submissions for the SCBWI A. Orr Fantasy Grant are due on May 31, 2026. “The A. Orr Grant is a new award for middle grade and YA fantasy and science fiction authors …The winner of the A. Orr Grant will receive tuition to the SCBWI Summer Conference, and $600 cash.” Click the link here to learn more about eligibility and submission guidelines.

JUNE 1
The SCBWI Volemos Grant will be open for submissions from June 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026. “Sponsored by Illustrator Angela Dominguez and author Meg Medina, this award is open to writers and illustrators of Hispanic/Latinx/Ibero-American heritage. Each year, one writer and one illustrator will be selected. The winners will each receive $500 along with a one-year SCBWI membership, and a coaching session to further their creative career. La beca está abierta a escritores de ascendencia latinx e iberoamericana al inicio de su carrera (que tienen de uno a tres libros publicados de manera tradicional, no autopublicados) o que todavía no han publicado de forma tradicional. La persona que gana recibirá $500 así como un año de membresía en la SCBWI y una sesión de tutoría para dar impulso a su carrera.” Click the link here to learn more and get your materials ready today!

JUNE 1
Prepare your submissions today in anticipation for the SCBWI Ezra Jack Keats Showcase Prize! “In honor of Ezra Jack Keats, the legendary author and illustrator of children’s books, SCBWI will award one cash prize of $3,500 to a promising BIPOC illustrator … The money can be used to advance professional artistic development and growth, and can include items such as supplies, equipment, research, learning experiences, travel, creative sabbaticals, child care, or any legitimate expenses that allow the winners to develop or improve their art.” Submissions for this prize will be open from June 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026.

JULY 1
Calling all SCBWI Translators! Perfect your pitch today for the SCBWI Pitch-Perfect Translation Grant! “The SCBWI Pitch-Perfect Translation Grant assists children’s book translators in the development of a specific translation project into English, which is not currently under contract. Up to two winners will be selected annually. Entrants will submit a written pitch of up to 500 words and a short translation sample of up to 500 words from the work being pitched. Each winner will receive $500 and the opportunity to craft a longer sample of up to 4000 words, which will be presented to agents, editors, and other industry professionals.” Submissions will be accepted from July 1, 2026, to July 30, 2026.

JULY 1
Get your manuscripts ready for the SCBWI Emerging Voices Award, “established with funding from Martin and Sue Schmitt of the 455 Foundation to foster the emergence of diverse voices in children’s books.” Writers or writer/illustrators from a marginalized identity that is traditionally underrepresented in children’s literature in America are welcome to submit the first 10 pages of their manuscript, along with an autobiographical statement and career summary. To learn more, click the link here! Applications will be accepted from July 1, 2026, to July 30, 2026.

JULY 11
Mark your calendars for the Festival of AAPI Books (FAB) Long Beach! This event, co-hosted by Bel Canto Books and the Long Beach Public Library, will return to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. “The event showcases renowned local adult, teen and children’s authors from across the Asian diaspora with interactive author talks, book readings, and signings. The day also includes children’s activities, cultural performances, and AAPI small business pop-ups.”

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.