Poet-TeacherJessica Wilson, Los Angeles area coordinator for California Poets in the Schools
California Poets in the Schools Poet-Teacher Jessica Wilson brings poetry to students at elementary, middle, and high school levels. As CalPoet’s area coordinator for Los Angeles County, she onboards new Poet-Teachers and manages new opportunities for the program. Jessica is also active in the broader Los Angeles poetry community, including as founder and director of the Los Angeles Poet Society, whose offerings include year-round open mic events, a Creative Aging Senior Advocacy program, and Bilingual Poetry Workshops for all ages.
Meg Hamill, executive director, California Poets in the Schools
California Poets in Schools (CalPoets) is a thriving program that encourages students to write. Established in 1964, the nonprofit has been successful not only in improving its students’ writing skills, but also in enhancing their personal development. Part of what makes it so special is that the medium used is poetry. I was fortunate to interview Executive Director Meg Hamill for Kite Tales.
CONNECTING THE CREATIVE DOTS is Saturday, September 21, 2024, with an optional online pitchfest/portfolio review the following day, Sunday, September 22, for an additional fee. The first day is in-person at a new venue, the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Auditorium, 1605 E. Burnley Street in Camarillo. Lunch is provided.
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!
SCBWI loves celebrating our members’ successes and noteworthy news, and there are many! Read on to find out who’s got something to shout about. Digital high-fives welcome in the comments!
It was Friday, the day of the writers retreat. Part of me wants to add an exclamation point to that sentence, but that’s not how I felt that morning.
Everything had been packed. I had done my preparations. I had justified my lack of preparations. It was too late to do anything else. I was never one for cramming before a test. I preferred to stew . . .
The weekend was a big opportunity—I would get to meet picture book agents and editors in person, face-to-face! They would read my work. (Gulp, they would read my work?!)
The SCBWI Central-Coastal California Region offers free meet-ups known as Mingles, where writers and illustrators share knowledge, good news, fellowship, and improve their craft. Four of the Mingles are geared toward our writers, one for each of our four counties—Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. We also have a Mingle for our illustrators, hosted by Jaime Zollars, CenCal’s Illustrator Coordinator.
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
ONGOING A video and transcript of the Children’s Book Changemakers Special, presented by the SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund, are currently available on the SCBWI YouTube page.
In January, we invited illustrators to apply for a six-month mentorship with one of our Published and Listed members. This year’s mentor, Jaime Zollars, joins us to announce the winner and share some of the submission highlights.
It was a wonderful experience reading the entries for this year’s mentorship contest. It made me realize just how much I have missed my teaching days among so many promising students, and how exciting it is to share in the process of creating lasting stories. I loved reading the entrants’ goals, ideas, and thoughtful answers to my questions.
Editor’s Note: A longtime active member and generous volunteer with SCBWI-Los Angeles, Jennifer S. Pitts has played numerous roles in support of members of the regional kidlit community, embarking on her latest one just this year. As the region’s new PAL Liaison, she took a moment to give Kite Tales readers a sense of where she has come from, who she is, and her vision for her latest gig. If you are a PAL member, she is eager to hear your thoughts on the program, to make it most responsive to your needs. Here is her self-interview:
Longtime SCBWI-L.A. volunteer Jennifer S. Pitts is assuming a new role this spring. L.A. PAL members, say hello to your new regional rep.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
The library was my babysitter (along with my big brother) for most of my childhood. Escaping for hours into the world of children’s books made me want to be a part of that creative process.
As an adult, I have been a teacher, private school administrator, full-time wife, and mother, and a leader/coordinator of women at my church. Recently, I have returned to being a full-time wife and mother so I can dedicate more time to writing.
What was your introduction to SCBWI, and how long have you been with the organization?
Alexis O’Neal introduced me to SCBWI at a UCLA children’s writing event where she was sharing her insights on writing for children. After her presentation, she made time to chat with me in the hallway. She told me about SCBWI and encouraged me to pursue my dream. I joined SCBWI in 2005 and have been pursuing my dream ever since that lucky encounter with Alexis.
Kite Tales 