10 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Author's Perspective
Robin Reul has been writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pen. Though she grew up on movie sets and worked for years in the film and television industry, she ultimately decided to focus her attention on writing contemporary young adult novels. Learn “How she writes” and get some great tips to add to your own writer’s toolbox!
03 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Community Corner
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a dynamic community of professionals and aspirings. Here’s one member’s story about how SCBWI has influenced their work and connected them to publishing professionals, life-long friends, and the tools they need to share their stories with children of all ages.
SCBWI 2013 Summer Conference
My name is Sarah Parker-Lee. I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in 2013, at the suggestion of an editor from Simon and Schuster, who is also a member. She told me, if I was serious about writing for children, and I wanted publishers and agents to know it, I needed to be here. And she was right. Nothing has influenced my work more or guided me on my career path like the SCBWI.
23 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
![MARTA_jckt_1p[2]](https://scbwikitetales.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/marta_jckt_1p2.jpg)
Writing about my busiest day now as an illustrator and author is a little tricky. In the past, it would have included teaching. For almost six years, I have taught at the Academy of Art University while pursuing my publishing career. Teaching is incredible. I’ve learned so much about the process of creating a book by explaining it to eager, enthusiastic students. However, working two full time careers at the same time, like I’m sure many of you know, is both physically and mentally draining.
16 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Volunteer in the Spotlight
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When I joined SCBWI I was still a bit hardened from working the grind as an actor in Hollywood. Though it did have its good moments, acting really wore down my love for storytelling. I was desperate to find it again. I knew it was there. While working at Vroman’s bookstore I finally realized that writing for kids and teens was my medium.
The first SCBWI event I attended was LA Writer’s Day, and the warmth and support I felt from the get go was exactly what I needed (even though I’m pretty sure I didn’t speak to one person and was happy the outfit I chose matched the walls). Not long after that, the opportunity arose to become a co-editor of Kite Tales, the newsletter for the Southern California tri-regions. Continue reading
09 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Illustrator's Perspective
Daniel Howarth
Heidi, my wife and the author of How to Catch a Falling Star, will no doubt argue about the origin of this story and the ‘superstition’ it is based on. But what I do know, is that we have been catching leaves, usually whilst walking the dogs … or kids, since we first met back in 1991. And for those who aren’t familiar with the notion, if you catch a falling leaf before it hits the ground then you are granted a wish. Not as easy as it sounds, even on a blustery day when it appears to be snowing leaves. The last leaf that falls from the tree being the most magical.
02 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Poet's Perspective
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One of the greatest things about writing poetry myself and teaching it to both children and adults is that you are never too young or too old to express your truth. Whether you are experiencing the wild highs and lows of high school dating or marriage, whether you are a child or parent coping with divorce, or whether you are a child or a grandparent eating sticky popsicles in the summertime, through poetry you can capture what it means to love, feel fully alive, and be human.
25 Wednesday Nov 2015
Posted in Industry News
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Before starting this article, I asked my writer friends if they’d heard of Scrivener. Some had, others hadn’t. Several had even purchased it, but then did nothing more. The majority, however, admitted they were intimidated by Scrivener and, prior to my research, I fell into that category. I hope then that this brief introduction, meant to pique your curiosity rather than teach you how to use the software program, will get you over to their website, LiteratureandLatte.com, to see more of what Scrivener can do.
11 Wednesday Nov 2015
Posted in Great News!, Toot Your Horn!
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Kite Tales loves to celebrate our SCBWI members. Congratulations to all listed below!
TOOT YOUR OWN HORN!
A Girl Undone by Catherine Linka, St. Martin’s Press, ages 12+, dystopian, ISBN: 978-1-2506-8675, released June 24, 2015
Hotel Transylvania 2 Movie Novel by Stacia Deutsch, Simon Spotlight, ages 3-7, movie tie in, ISBN: 978-1-4814-4819-2, released August 18, 2015
04 Wednesday Nov 2015
Posted in Los Angeles
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LitMingles: Our new name for the Schmoozes. LitMingles are free meetings throughout L.A. County on a variety of topics. To learn more about one in your area, please visit: http://losangeles.scbwi.org/mingle-calendar/
2016 Contests:
Mentor Contest: Win a 6 month Mentorship for a MG or YA Author. Contest opens for entries from March 1-31, 2016. Watch for more information on the Mentor and contest details coming soon. SCBWI-L.A. members only. http://losangeles.scbwi.org/contests/mentor-contest/
28 Wednesday Oct 2015
Posted in LitMingles!
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Change is good, right? Everyone says so. It’s generally thought of as a necessity for growth. Adapt or perish and all that.
As writers and illustrators of material for children, we count on our audience changing, “graduating” from picture books to easy readers and chapter books, and then onward to the ever-expanding and constantly shifting world of novels for young readers and teens.
Similarly, SCBWI has made lots of changes as an organization over the years, and recently they made another one – they decided to rename our Schmoozes. The idea was to switch to something that sounded a bit more professional, and didn’t carry with it the possible negative connotation of gossip.
West Side Schmooze
Kite Tales 