**Note: The SCBWI-L.A. Mentorship is a six-month program that alternates between various categories of writing and illustrating. In this post, our 2024 winner, illustrator Kristin Marine, shares her experience with the program and last year’s mentor, Jaime Zollars. The 2025 mentor will be announced at the end of the post.**
by Kristin Marine
I applied for the SCBWI-L.A. Mentorship Contest in 2024. I had a portfolio on my website, a few written stories, and a book dummy. I felt pretty good when I reached out to illustration agencies in search of representation, but I heard more than once that I wasn’t quite “ready.” I wasn’t sure what ready looked like, and I hoped a mentor might help me figure it out.
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
UPDATE – EVENT NEXT WEEK! MARCH 25
Award-winning author Matthew Burgess, Caldecott Medalist Doug Salati, and three-time Caldecott Honoree Marla Frazee will join forces for Illustrating the Power of Poetry!, a conversation about collaboration, the power of poetry and the process of illustrating poems for children. This free event takes place on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at Once Upon a Time Bookstore, 2207 Honolulu Avenue, Montrose, CA 91020. After the conversation, the creators will be available to sign books. “This gathering would be beneficial to teachers, librarians and anyone who works with children to inspire their creativity.” For more information, visit Once Upon a Time.
OPEN NOW Join your friends and peers at the 2025 Art Day: Illustrators and Writers Connect, SCBWI SoCal! This one-day hands-on workshop runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Laguna College of Art & Design on March 15, 2025. Our fun-filled day near the ocean will include warm-up exercises, “draw off and hands on activities,” as well as presentations from award-winning authors and illustrators.
OPEN NOW Sign up today for the SCBWI-LA Sketch Safari at The LA Zoo! Pack your drawing materials and wear your comfiest walking shoes as you trek the Los Angeles Zoo with illustrator Alexander Vidal on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The cost of registration also includes admission to the zoo. “While this is a sketch event, writers are welcome to share the fun for story inspiration!” Although the event is only two hours long, folks are more than welcome to spend the rest of the day at the zoo!
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
OPEN NOW We are deeply saddened by the devastations that have impacted our artist friends as a result of the Palisades and Eaton fires. “The LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund (the ‘Fund’) is a pooled fund led by the J. Paul Getty Trust with support from a coalition of major arts organizations and philanthropists.” If you are in need of financial support, applications must be submitted by Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. For more information about eligibility, click the link here. If you would like to donate in support of the Fund, please go directly to the Getty’s website here.
OPEN NOW Registration for the SCBWI-LA Sketch Safari at The LA Zoo is now open! “Join illustrator Alexander Vidal and SCBWI peers for a fantastic, in-person illustration event at the Los Angeles Zoo” on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “While this is a sketch event, writers are welcome to share the fun for story inspiration!” The cost of registration also includes admission to the zoo.
OPEN NOW The in-person 2025 SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City may have passed, but it is not too late to register for the SCBWI Virtual Winter Conference 2025! “Don’t miss this chance to boost your children’s book career! Join us online for exclusive industry panels, hands-on sessions diving deep into the craft of writing and illustrating children’s books, and valuable networking with fellow creators.” The online event will take place ONLINE from February 21–22, 2025. Register today!
OPEN NOW Register now for 2025 Art Day: Illustrators and Writers Connect, SCBWI SoCal! This one-day hands-on workshop will take place at the Laguna College of Art & Design on March 15, 2025, and feature several award-winning guest speakers! If you would like to register for written critiques, the deadline to sign up is February 13, 2025. Scholarship applications to attend Art Day 2025 are due February 27, 2025, by 10:00 p.m. Winners will be notified by March 1, 2025. For more information about the Art Day: Equity and Inclusion Scholarship, click here.
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
OPEN NOW Make sure you register for the in-person 2025 SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City and book your stay soon! “Special rates of $215 per night (plus tax) are available for attendees on single and double rooms. A limited number of rooms are available at this rate up until January 6, 2025.” Click here to learn more! For those who are unable to attend the in-person conference in New York City, the Virtual Winter Conference 2025 will be taking place February 21–22, 2025.
OPEN NOW Join us at the beautiful Laguna College of Art & Design on March 15, 2025 for 2025 Art Day: Illustrators and Writers Connect, SCBWI SoCal! This “one day hand-so workshop for illustrators, picture book writers, graphic novelists and author-illustrators” will include “presentations, interactive activities and off-site written critiques.” Registration is now open so click here to sign up!
OPEN NOW Register for the 2025 SCBWI SoCal Tahquitz MG-YA Writers Retreat! This “four-day small-group intensive writer retreat” will take place from May 1, 2025 to May 4, 2025 in Idyllwild-Pine Cove. “You’ll be able to hone your craft and polish your manuscript with the guidance of industry professionals.” Spots are going very quickly so sign up today!
When I saw last year’s call for SCBWI mentors, I was instantly motivated to apply. I credit the SCBWI with my first successes as an illustrator, and I miss teaching and mentoring college students (something I did for several years before going back to full-time freelance work). It seemed like an exciting opportunity to share some of the knowledge I’ve learned along the way and to give back to the organization.
Mentee Kristin Marine and her mentor, Jaime Zollars, express a shared love for books at the CenCal 2024 Writers and Illustrators Day
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
OPEN NOW Register now for the 2025 SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City to grab your seat at an early bird rate! In addition to our inspiring keynotes and industry panelists, we will also be hosting Creative Labs for attendees, “offering an in-depth exploration of the business or craft of illustrating and writing children’s books.” Click here to learn more!
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
OPEN NOW Registration for the 2025 SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City is now open! “This year’s event features must-attend keynotes from Newbery Medal–winning author Meg Medina, Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Sophie Blackall, and Caldecott Honor–winning author/illustrator Peter Brown.” If you are unable to attend the in-person conference from January 31, 2025–February 2, 2025, the Virtual Winter Conference will take place February 21–22, 2025.
Whether connecting creative dots, harvesting winning marketing techniques, or bringing home new accolades to put into query letters, Tri-Regions members have been crafting a fall season to remember. And we’re only three weeks in! Here are some highlights so far:
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
ONGOING Join the SCBWI Illustration Community in October for 31 days of drawing fun as part of SCBWI Artober 2024! Throughout the month, get inspired with daily prompts to create new art while working in any medium you like. “The goal is to develop a daily practice of creating new art.” Be sure to share your work with the #scbwiArtober2024 hashtag on Instagram and Twitter (X).
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
OPEN NOW Registration for the popular SCBWI Los Angeles Working Writers Retreat is now open! Join fellow writers from September 27–29, 2024, at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino “for a weekend of immersive writing, critique, revision and camaraderie.” This annual retreat will have plenty of quiet work spaces, social evenings, and even group critique sessions led by four publishing industry professionals! Spots are filling up very quickly!
Kite Tales 