27 Wednesday Sep 2023
Posted in Central Coast, PAL
by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Save the date: November 4, 2023!
The SCBWI Central-Coastal California Region is hosting a School Visits Workshop. Alexis O’Neill, children’s book author, writing teacher, and school visits expert will present “The Art (and Business) of School Visits: Sharing Best Practices” on Saturday, November 4, from 9:45 am to 1:30 pm. The event will be held at the Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Rd, Camarillo 93016. Lunch will be provided.
Continue reading10 Wednesday May 2023
Posted in Industry Conferences, Industry News, Los Angeles, PAL, SoCal
Tags
Annelouise Mahoney, authors, C.K. Malone, Caroline L. Perry, Glenda Armand, Heather Buchta, illustrators, Janie Emaus, Jennifer Pitts, LATFoB, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Molly Ruttan, PAL events, published, R.S. Mellette, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, Tina Athaide, writing
by Annelouise Mahoney
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is an annual tradition of literary wonder. It’s the Coachella of book festivals, the largest in the country.
This year, as they do each year, the SCBWI Los Angeles chapter extended an invitation for its PAL members to sell and sign their books at a festival booth. SCBWI SoCal joined the L.A. chapter at the festival for the first time ever, sharing Booth #826. PAL members of the two regions who signed up could choose a two or three-hour time slot for either Saturday or Sunday of the event.
Continue reading14 Friday Apr 2023
Posted in Industry Conferences, Industry News, Los Angeles, PAL, SoCal
Tags
authors, illustrators, LATFoB, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, PAL events, published, R.S. Mellette, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, writing
by R.S. Mellette
Like James Brown said, it’s time to “Get up offa that thing.”
If you are reading this, chances are you are an SCBWI member, quite possibly in Southern California. That means you’re interested enough in writing and/or illustrating books that you’re willing to pay dues, go to mingles, take workshops, and generally give of your time and money to improve your craft. On Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23, you will have that opportunity at the largest book festival in the country, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
Much of this event is FREE, and SCBWI will be there to make you feel welcome.
Continue reading15 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Industry Conferences, Los Angeles, PAL, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, craft, Creative Toolbox, Henry Lien, publishing, R.S. Mellette, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, writing
by R.S. Mellette
Before attending Henry Lien’s Creative Toolbox Workshop in January, I wasn’t much of a workshop person. I’ve got a theatre (with an “re”) degree. I’ve studied all the great playwrights from the inside out—meaning I’ve played their characters, and there is no better teacher about what works and what doesn’t than a live audience. I have written screenplays. I’ve won awards for TV and film. I have books published with glowing reviews. I have earned my snobbish attitude!
But I’ve also been locked inside for two years, like the rest of us, so any chance to see another person face-to-face is a joy these days. Also, I know Henry. Author of the Peasprout Chen middle grade fantasy/adventure series, he sat on a panel I put together for L.A. Comic Con. He’s a really nice guy, so I should go wave the flag of the SCBWI-L.A. board, right?
Fine. I went.
Continue reading18 Wednesday Jan 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, PAL, SoCal, Tips and Tools, Tri-Regional News
Tags
authors, disability, illustrators, inclusion, Karol Ruth Silverstein, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, writing tips
by Karol Ruth Silverstein
Disability is everywhere, sometimes hidden, sometimes unmistakable. Disabled people make up the largest and most diverse minority group in the world. So—yes—disability should be abundant in our children’s literature as well. But is “bad” (i.e., inaccurate, inauthentic, insensitive) representation better than no representation at all?
Continue reading19 Wednesday Oct 2022
Posted in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, Danielle Davis, Mags DeRoma, picture book author, picture books, SCBWI members, school visits, theme, To Make, writing tips
by Danielle Davis
The North Star has always been a beacon for travelers, all over the Northern Hemisphere. A barely drifting constant. A guide.
I believe theme functions as that same kind of beacon for every story—and storyteller.
I’m not a mariner by any stretch, and sea sickness prevents me from even wanting to be one, but here goes:
Continue reading17 Wednesday Aug 2022
Posted in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, editing, middle grade, publishing, reality TV, TV writing, Twist My Charm, writing tips
by Toni Gallagher
Welcome back to our third and final “episode”! In my earlier articles, I shared how the wild and wonderful world of reality TV can help authors improve their stories, but now it’s time to face two of the toughest challenges of all: editing, and accepting notes.
Continue reading20 Wednesday Jul 2022
Posted in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools
Tags
Andy Cohen, cliffhangers, dialogue, middle grade, plotting, reality TV, SCBWI members, scenes, writing tips
by Toni Gallagher
Have you ever wondered why you sometimes can’t turn off a reality show? Sure, they have colorful cast members and outrageous premises, but producers need to craft every episode, scene by scene, to hold a viewer’s interest. So what does it really take to create scenes that satisfy?
Continue reading06 Wednesday Jul 2022
Posted in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, character development, comedy, humor, improv, plot, SCBWI members, stakes, writing tips
by Jorjeana Marie
I sat next to a somewhat distracted woman on an airplane recently. As she was settling, she asked me why I too was headed into the desert.
For comedy.
“In the desert?”
Yeah. Everyone needs to laugh right now.
Continue reading22 Wednesday Jun 2022
Posted in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, indie-publishing, marketing, publicity, publishing, reviews, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, self-publishing
by R.S. Mellette
So was it worth it? Hiring a publicist. Spending $20,000 to promote Kiya And The Morian Treasure, from a traditional publisher that’s no bigger than a self-published author? Let’s look at the numbers.
Continue reading
Kite Tales 