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!

SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendars for the annual SCBWI-LA Working Writers Retreat at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino from October 16–18, 2026! More information on how to register and book your stay will come soon, so make sure you’re subscribed to the Kite Tales blog.

OPEN NOW
Sign up for the 2026 SCBWI SoCal Fall Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day before it’s too late! “Writers and illustrators are invited to a full day of speaker presentations, critiques, pitches and mingling with fellow creatives! We’ll have agents, an editor, an art director, published authors and an illustrator. 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.” This annual hybrid event will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

OPEN NOW
Grab a pen and paper for Craft, Creativity, & Community at SCBWI CenCal’s 2026 Writers & Illustrators Day! Join us for a day to connect with your fellow writers and illustrators, all while enjoying morning coffee, catered lunch, prizes, contests, and more! “In addition, we will be having a Pitchfest on Saturday, October 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In addition, all conference attendees are invited to a pre-conference webinar on Wednesday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m., featuring Bookstr’s Scott Richmond’s Stress-Free Guide to Social Media and Press…PLUS ONE live Pitch at the Pitchfest online on Saturday, 10/31/26. Critiques and pitches offered while supply lasts.” See you all in October!

SEPTEMBER 1–OCTOBER 31
Check out this free SCBWI Kidlit Series made possible by SCBWI and the Authors Coalition of America! SCBWI Kidlit Series: From Concept to Career, “presented by the Inland Northwest, Los Angeles, Midsouth, Southwest Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, and Wisconsin Regions,” is a great way to connect, learn, and move forward as we celebrate World Kidlit Month! For more information on how to access these presentations, click the link here.

SEPTEMBER 12
Meet up with your fellow SCBWI SoCal chapter members at Arvida Book Co. in Tustin, CA, on Saturday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a special presentation on How To Create a Stylized Character from Realistic Sketches by Lisa Johnston Hancock! “Lisa will discuss what the debut process has been like, her workflow and how she creates consistent stylized animals, like Great Bear, from realistic studies. She will then share a demo in either procreate or watercolor/mixed media. Attendees can also create their own work, if time is allowed.”

SEPTEMBER 20
Visit the SCBWI SoCal booth at the OC Children’s Book Festival on Sunday, September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA! “Buy books from our local members! Get autographs! Support your peers. This event draws 7,000 book-loving families to our local Orange Coast College and is geared toward 0-12 year-olds.” While registration to sell your own books and sign autographs are already filled, you can still be put on the waitlist by emailing SCBWI SoCal Regional Advisor Bev Plass at socal-ra@scbwi.org.

SEPTEMBER 26
Save the date for a fun day of bilingual storytelling at the Los Angeles Libros Festival! This free event will take place on September 26, 2026, at the Los Angeles Public Library Central Library and will feature a multitude of “Spanish-language and bilingual storytelling, musical performances, authors, workshops, books, and community” for the whole family.

SEPTEMBER 30
Get your portfolio pieces ready for the SCBWI Bologna Illustrator Scholarship! “Each year, a panel of judges will review submissions to this grant online. One winner will each receive a ticket to the Bologna Book Fair, travel fare, and a stipend for accommodations. The winner will have an opportunity to show their portfolios to publishing professionals, display their portfolio at our industry party in Bologna, and attend the prestigious fair.” Submissions will be open from September 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026.

SEPTEMBER 30
In honor of renowned and highly prolific children’s book author Jane Yolen, the SCBWI Jane Yolen Mid-List Grant “is awarded to a mid-career traditionally published author. The winner will receive $1500, plus free tuition to the In-Person New York Winter Conference, where they will be presented with their award by Yolen’s daughter, Heidi Stemple.” Submissions will be open from September 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026.

OCTOBER 3–4
“Rare Books LA returns to Los Angeles Union Station on October 3–4, 2026, with a stunning selection of antiquarian books, maps, fine prints, book arts, and more that you sink your teeth into. This year’s fair is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Anne Rice’s iconic novel Interview with the Vampire. A special 50th anniversary edition of the book published by Alfred A. Knopf will be available at the book fair bundled with a fundraiser ticket benefiting the Library Foundation of Los Angeles.”

NOVEMBER 1–30
The SCBWI Independently Published Pre-Publication Grant will be open to submissions from November 1 to November 30, 2026! This $2,500 grant provides financial assistance to offset the costs of self-publishing. For more information on how the grant money can be used and how to apply, click the link here.

NOVEMBER 14
Save the date for the OC Book Fair on Saturday, November 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Old Town Tustin! “The OC Book Fair is a literary extravaganza bringing you talented local writers alongside internationally acclaimed authors for an unforgettable celebration of the written word. Centered in the heart of Old Town Tustin, this event will combine the collective forces of indie bookstores across Southern California, offering unique finds sure to suit every reader’s taste.”

CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES!

Want to learn more about how to create comics and graphic novels for kids? Check out this free blog by Kids Comics Unite, where you’ll have access to video interviews by established creators in the field, tips and tracks to query agents, and more!

Are you interested in writing poetry for kids, but want to do a little more research beforehand? Take a look at the extensive selection of poems curated by poets.org! “Poems are curated around specific themes and are appropriate for young readers.” Click the link here if you are looking more on how to write Poetry for Teens.

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.