SCBWI-L.A.’s Mentorship Contest Is Open!

15 Wednesday Apr 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Contests & Grants, Los Angeles, Mentorship Contest, Tri-Regional News

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authors, contest, fiction, Julia Edwards, mentorship, middle grade, nonfiction, picture book, publishing, Rebecca Langston-George, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, Sherry Shahan, writers, YA

**Note: The SCBWI-L.A. Mentorship is a six-month program that alternates between various categories of writing and illustrating. In this post, our 2025 winner, author Julia Edwards, shares her experience with the program. The 2026 mentor will be announced at the end of the post.**

by Julia Edwards

Last year, I was the lucky winner of the SCBWI-L.A. Mentorship Contest and got to work with middle-grade author Sherry Shahan for six months on my manuscript I Speak for the Trees.

Sherry Shahan and Julia Edwards in conversation over Zoom — *Mentee Julia Edwards and mentor Sherry Shahan in conversation*

I am so glad I met this human! She is enthusiastic, she asks essential questions, she elucidates truths. She dove into her own research to understand the heart of my story, and we had deep conversations about eco-anxiety, the Wood Wide Web of mushroom fibers that allows trees to communicate, women’s climbing camps, and more.

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The Nature of Nonsense

08 Wednesday Apr 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Poet's Perspective

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National Poetry Month, Paige Vinten Taylor, poetry, writing

by Paige Vinten Taylor

Have you ever thought about writing nonsense poetry for children? It holds such great appeal, and librarians will tell you that poetry collections of this genre are among the favorite books that kids take home.

What makes nonsense poetry so popular? Perhaps most important, it is whimsical and imaginative. But rather than trying to define it further (since its borders are ever-widening), looking at some common elements is probably more useful.

Wordplay

“Betty Botter bought some butter,
But she said this butter’s bitter…”

Who among us as children didn’t try to repeat “Betty Botter Bought some Butter” or “Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers”? These tongue twisters, classics that have been with us for centuries, offer an engaging challenge to kids when reading them aloud or memorizing them. Today there are even whole books written with that style, for example, Margaret Mahy’s Bubble Trouble.

Tweaking words in humorous ways for the sake of rhyming is another time-honored technique. Chris Harris, in his poem “The Modern Dinosaur,” cleverly messes with our language by using “thinked” as a punch line set-up for “extinct.” And in “The Hungry Giraffe,” he pairs “swallow” with an unexpected “tomallow.”

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Announcing the Winner of the 2026 SCBWI-L.A. Writers & Illustrators Day Art Contest

25 Wednesday Mar 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Contests & Grants, Illustrators Day, Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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authors, contest winner, contests, Eori Tokunaga, illustrators, Illustrators Day, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, Writers Day

by Brenda Scott Royce

While the parchment in Eori Tokunaga’s illustration is blank, the scene is bursting with possibility. From the mouse hefting pen to paper to the caterpillar munching an impressionistic pattern to the ants marching in to make their own mark, each critter seems poised to create in its own way. So, it’s no surprise that this illustration was selected as the winning entry in the contest to create the theme art for SCBWI-L.A.’s upcoming Writers & Illustrators Day.

*The winning image represents an experience “bursting with possibility.”*

Read on to learn more about Eori, her process, and what inspired her winning entry…

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New! SCBWI-Los Angeles Sketch Crawls

18 Wednesday Mar 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Los Angeles, Sketch Crawl, Tri-Regional News

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author-illustrator, Illustration, illustrator, Jessica Cooper, Laura Burris, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, writer

by Judy Faulkner

*Sketch Crawls kicked off with a meet-up at the downtown Los Angeles Public Library*

Los Angeles area kid lit creatives have a new, fun way to gather. Hosted by illustrator Laura Burris, the SCBWI-Los Angeles Sketch Crawls are free events open to all, SCBWI members and the general L.A. community alike.

*The library atrium captured the artists’ imaginations*

Jessica Cooper, illustrator coordinator for the region, shares her impression of last month’s inaugural event.

“We had such a fun time at the first SCBWI-Los Angeles Sketch Crawl, hosted by illustrator Laura Burris.

“We went to the Central Los Angeles Library where we sketched and explored the exhibits and beautiful architecture. The library was built in 1925, so they have a 100-year anniversary exhibition inside the library, complete with an opened 100-year-old time capsule.”

Upcoming Sketch Crawls are planned for later this spring and in the summer. They’re great opportunities to sketch, socialize, and soak up inspiration at some iconic spots around the city.

Jessica, Laura, and the entire L.A. regional team extend a warm invitation to all. “If you’re in the LA area and you’re a children’s book illustrator, writer or creator, come join us for our next Sketch Crawl event. Check out the SCBWI-L.A. homepage for more details.”

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.

Photos and graphics by Laura Burris; Artwork courtesy of Sketch Crawl participants.

Double the Fun! SCBWI-L.A. Launches Contests for Writers and Illustrators

11 Wednesday Mar 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Contests & Grants, Illustrators Day, Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

authors, contests, illustrators, Illustrators Day, Rilla Jaggia, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, Trenise Ferreira, Writers Day

by Brenda Scott Royce

“There’s nothing quite like sitting on the edge of your seat at the SCBWI-L.A. Writer’s Day, holding your breath as the winners of the contest are announced,” says author-artist Rilla Jaggia. “I’d done this before, never expecting to hear my name. But in March 2024, as the judge’s description was read, I knew the winning YA manuscript was mine. And there it was, the title of my work and my name on the giant screen. Surreal!”

Rilla Jaggia, right, accepts Writers Day award from Brenda Scott Royce — *Rilla Jaggia accepts Writers Day 2024 award from SCBWI-L.A. Contest Coordinator Brenda Scott Royce*

As a previous winner myself (and our region’s Contest Coordinator), I can echo Rilla’s sentiments. The thrill is real, and to me, the morale boost that comes with winning (or placing) in any contest is more precious than the tangible prizes. Just entering can be a reward in itself, providing the motivation you need to polish your manuscript and send it out into the world.

So, I’m happy to announce that the contest is back! After a year’s hiatus, SCBWI-L.A. is hosting Writers & Illustrators Day in May 2026. And this year we are offering TWO contests: 1) The writers contest we’ve come to know and love, and 2) a brand new competition for illustrators.

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Toot Your Horn!

25 Wednesday Feb 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Toot Your Horn!

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

authors, fiction, illustrators, picture book, published, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI members

SCBWI members’ publishing news is something to celebrate here at  Kite Tales!  Check out whose book is coming to a platform near you or around the world. Horn-tooting and digital high fives welcome in the comments!

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Be an SCBWI Mentor in 2026! But first … a word from our 2025 mentor

11 Wednesday Feb 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Contests & Grants, Los Angeles, Mentorship Contest, Tri-Regional News

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illustrating, Julia Edwards, mentor, mentoring, mentors, mentorship, Mentorship Award, MG, nonfiction, PAL, PAL events, picture book, Sherry Shahan, writing, YA

by Sherry Shahan

I’ve been a proud member of SCBWI since the mid-1980s. I was a young, unpublished writer who met other dreamers at a National Convention in Southern California. Forty or so years later, we remain best of friends, with children’s books that cross age groups and genres. I was thrilled to be selected as the mentor for the 2025 SCBWI-Los Angeles Mentorship Contest for Middle Grade Authors. Giving back is a rewarding way to honor the many mentors who helped shape my career.

Two cover images from Sherry Shahan's books Ice Island and Spicy Hot Color / Colored Picantes

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Ask an Editor: Literary Citizenship

28 Wednesday Jan 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, Events, Jane Friedman, libraries, publishing

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – I keep hearing about “literary citizenship.” How does this apply to authors?

– KD, Redondo

Hello KD – For me, literary citizenship means establishing and maintaining relationships. It also means giving throughout our careers without expecting something in return; relationships aren’t a 50-50 thing. But, just wait; those relationships will pay off, guaranteed.

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SCBWI CenCal’s Writers and Illustrators Retreat by the Sea

14 Wednesday Jan 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News

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Alexis O'Neill, Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, CenCal Writers and Illustrators Retreat, illustrators, Kayla Cichello, Rebecca Langston George, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, Trish Heully, writers

*Art by Trish Heully, winner of the 2026 retreat logo contest*

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Join us for a weekend of adventure, pursuing creativity at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort in San Simeon along the beach – March 6-8, 2026. You decide how much you want to participate. Choose to do as much or as little as you wish.

*The Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, San Simeon*

The early-bird price of $350 includes all meals, a short introductory talk by literary agent Kayla Cichello of Upstart Crow, inspirational critique groups, plenty of time to write and create, and evening campfire fun – perfect for those who just want to get away and concentrate on writing or illustrating.

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10 Inspiring Kite Tales Quotes from 2025

31 Wednesday Dec 2025

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Agent's Perspective, Author's Perspective, Community Corner, Editor's Perspective, Illustrator's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, Adam Blackman, Alexander Vidal, Analía Cabello, authors, Brenda Scott Royce, Cassandra Federman, Christine Van Zandt, craft, Ellen Hopkins, Harshini Vankineni, illustrators, inspiration, Jaime Zollars, Jennifer Rofé, Jennifer S. Pitts, Jenny Turnbull, Judy Faulkner, Kelly Pellico, Micky O'Brady, Paige Vinten Taylor, Philana Marie Boles, publishing, publishing tips, quotes, SCBWI community, Sherry Shahan, writing tips

January is not just right around the corner—it’s tomorrow! But don’t panic. We still have time to make our resolutions or More/Less lists (see below and linked), and to dream big for 2026. Hopefully, revisiting some of the ideas and insights in Kite Tales’ 2025 posts through the quotes and article links below will provide a fresh sprinkle of information and inspiration to help you get started. Write on. Draw on. Read on!

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