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!

LAST CALL—MAY 27
Entries for the SCBWI LA Mentorship Contest 2026 are due at 11:59 p.m. on May 27, 2026! This six-month mentorship with author-educator Rebecca Langston-George “is open to authors in the earlier stage of their career. Rebecca is equally comfortable with fiction or nonfiction writers and happy to help with picture books, middle grade, or young adult. While Rebecca is open to most genres, she is not the best fit for rhyme (internal rhyme is okay), romance, or high fantasy.” To learn more about the contest, click the link here. Submissions must be emailed to scbwilacontests@gmail.com.

LAST CALL—MAY 31
If you haven’t already bought your ticket for the SCBWI-LA Writers and Illustrators Day: The Pen and the Palette, register today! “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.

SAVE THE DATE—JUNE 6
Add the annual SCBWI-LA Critique Day to your calendars on June 6, 2026! Critique Day is a free event on Zoom where you can “share your words or illustrations with a supportive small group who will give you feedback on your efforts.” Once the event page is listed, make sure to register so that we can send you the free Zoom link! “PLEASE NOTE: You are not registered until you press the green BOOK A SEAT button at the bottom of the registration page. You may need to scroll to the bottom or reduce the size of your screen if you haven’t found it.”

OPEN NOW
Submissions for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards are open until midnight PST May 31, 2026! “You must be a current member to nominate your book and at the time the award announcement is made. This award is open to SCBWI authors, illustrators, and translators.” Round 1 of the voting process will take place from June 1, 2026, through June 22, 2026, midnight PST. Click the link here to submit today!

SAVE THE DATE—JULY 30–AUGUST 2
Take your children’s book career to the next level at the Virtual SCBWI Summer Conference 2026! “Dive into every aspect of the children’s book world, from writing and illustrating to translating, marketing, and self-publishing. Put your art in front of industry pros in the career-launching Portfolio Showcase. And get inspired by sessions tailored for illustrators, picture book authors, nonfiction writers, graphic novel creators, and more—no matter your path or publishing background. Best of all? You’ll have access to all sessions through September 13th, so you can learn and grow at your own pace. Join us and invest in your passion. It’s time to bring your stories to life!” Registration for this fabulous online conference will be open in early June so stay tuned!

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.

JUNE 15
Submissions for the Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award are open until 11:59 p.m. EST on June 15, 2026! The goal of this award is to “encourage the development of high-quality children’s picture books that resonate with readers of diverse backgrounds and experiences, that in some manner draw from the rich cultural experiences of this country—whether they manifest in character, theme, setting, plot, or are derived simply from the artist’s own experience of identity.” To learn more about the submission guidelines and eligibility criteria, click the link here.

JUNE 30
Submit your middle grade or young adult manuscript for the New Visions Award by 11:59 p.m. EST on June 30, 2026! “Established in 2012, the New Visions Award is given biennially to an unpublished writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer for a middle grade or young adult manuscript … New Visions Award winners receive a standard publication contract, including Lee & Low Books’s basic royalties and an advance in the amount of $15,000.” Click the link to learn more!

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 4,000 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
Prepare your manuscripts 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
Save the date 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.”

AUGUST 23
Grab your free ticket today for the 4th Annual Los Angeles Kids Book Festival on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at West Hollywood Park! As “LA’s largest event celebrating early education, bilingualism, and multiculturalism,” there will be lots of opportunities to meet fans, sign books, and do giveaways in a lively, family-friendly setting! For folks who are interested in registering as a vendor, click the link here to learn more about pricing and logistics. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES!

“Become part of a global community united by a shared passion for children’s literature” and join an SCBWI Critique Group! Getting started is very simple. “Whether you’re a picture book author-illustrator or a middle grade or YA novelist, our search and filtering tools are designed to connect you with members who truly get what you’re working on.” Click the link here and find your group today!

Learn how to write a children’s book and master essential storytelling skills through free articles provided by Write for Kids! These articles, advice, and guides “cover the most important techniques used by successful children’s authors. Whether you’re starting with a new idea or revising a completed manuscript, these guides will help you strengthen your story and improve your craft.”

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.