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LA Regional News

06 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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Happy New Year to all of our Los Angeles SCBWI Members from the Regional Team and Board!

This year, Writer’s Day has an exciting new format that you won’t want to miss.

On Saturday, March 12th, we will be at the beautiful Skirball Cultural Center. Registration opens January 10th. Click on this link for the full details: http://losangeles.scbwi.org/events/la-writers-day-16/.

Main Stage: In the Magnin Auditorium, there will be a morning of talks by publishing professionals and author presentations in the afternoon. Each talk will allow time for questions from you, the audience. We will also have door prizes and the Sue Alexander Service and Encouragement Award.

Some of our faculty and their presentations:

wd2016_Bowen wd2016_Stein wd2016_Ohi wd2016_LaFevers

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Agent Jamie Weiss Chilton talks about SCBWI’s Writers’ Retreat

20 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by in Agent's Perspective, Writers' Retreat

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SCBWI’s interview with agent Jamie Weiss Chilton is filled with industry insight.JamieWeissChilton_by_Roxyanne_Young

CHRISTINE VAN ZANDT: What is an agent’s role at the SCBWI Writers’ Retreat?

JAMIE WEISS CHILTON: Each faculty member at the retreat facilitated several workshop groups (five writers per group). The writers read aloud from a work-in-progress and received feedback on those pages. I was so impressed by the participants’ openness to feedback, and I could see the revision process beginning during the group’s discussions. I enjoy giving feedback and especially love the great group discussions that develop during these workshop sessions. The revisions I heard on the last day, during the First Pages read-aloud session, were fantastic. Writers give each other great advice—it’s evident to me of what a great critique group can do for authors and illustrators, which leads me to your next question . . .

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SCBWI’s Working Writers’ Retreat: Kes Trester Interview (Sue Alexander Award Winner); and Insider View from Writer Sara Bayles

18 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Contests & Grants, SAG, Writers' Retreat

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Kes TresterOn September 11-13, 2015, writers from all around the globe attended SCBWI’sAnnual Working Writers’ Retreat; this year in a secluded Encino, California, location. As usual, tickets for this event sold out quickly.

I met up with the 2015 Sue Alexander Award winner, Kes Trester, on that Friday. Most retreat attendees share simple rooms with another writer. Kes and I sat together outside her room. In the still-humid LA evening, Kes imparted insight about writing, the retreat, and how writers can apply for this coveted SCBWI award.

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Talking with Chuck Sambuchino about Reference Guides, Query Letters, Agents, Writing a Synopsis, Word Count—and Clown Attacks

16 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Editor's Perspective

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GIVEAWAY: We’re giving away one copy of the newly-released Writers Digest 2016 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market. We enjoy reading your comments! Therefore, on October 30, 2015, one person who has commented (left a reply) attached to this post will randomly be selected for this fabulous prize.

I met up with Chuck Sambuchino on October 10th at the Writing Conference of Los Angeles, where he was the featured speaker. With humor and enthusiasm, Chuck SambuchinoChuck provided current marketplace insight and information. The breadth and depth of his presentations clearly revealed his expertise as a successful writer and editor for Writer’s Digest publications and as an author of his own two books. Read on for Chuck’s tips on reference guides, query letters, agents, writing a synopsis, word count—and clown attacks.

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