by Beverly Plass, SCBWI SoCal Regional Advisor

When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Cal State University, Fullerton, and on Zoom
Registration is OPEN

Writers and illustrators are invited to a full day of speaker presentations, critiques, pitches, first pages, contests, and mingling with fellow creatives! This hybrid event is both in-person and via Zoom. Attendees will have access to the videos for 30 days following the event and receive submission guidelines from all our faculty.

Speakers:

• Karina Grande, Art Director at Little, Brown for Young Readers
• Alvina Ling, VP and Publisher of Alvina Ling Books, an imprint of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 
• Carter Hasegawa, agent at Tugeau 2 Art Literary Agency
• Michaela Whatnall, literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
• Aubrey Hartman, Newbery Honor–winning author
• Judy Campbell-Smith, author
• Andrea Loney, author
• Priscilla Burris, author-illustrator

Off-Site Critiques:

• Lindsey Aduskevich, Junior Literary Manager with Martin Literary Management
• Analía Cabello, Associate Agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency
• Haley Casey, Associate Literary Agent at Creative Media Agency
• Andie Smith, Associate Agent at Creative Media Agency

Check out our webpage for more information and to register: CLICK HERE

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Photos courtesy of SCBWI SoCal. Fall Harvest 2026 banner art by contest winner Fay Ryu Kelling.