Category Archives: Tri-Regional News

An Interview with Karen Jameson, Picture Book Author

01 Wednesday Feb 2023

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Central Coast

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by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

After publishing a couple of picture books, Karen Jameson retired from teaching and became a full-time author. Karen Jameson’s books include Moon Babies, illustrated by Amy Hevron (Putnam, 2019); Woodland Dreams, illustrated by Marc Boutavant (Chronicle, 2020); and Farm Lullaby, illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan. Woodland Dreams is a Keystone to Reading List Award winner and is included on Bank Street’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year List 2021.

Two more books came out last year: Where the Wee Ones Go: A Bedtime Wish for Endangered Animals, illustrated by Zosienka (Chronicle, April 2022), and Time to Shine: Celebrating the World’s Iridescent Animals, illustrated by Dave Murray (Groundwood, May 2022). Karen has books coming out in 2023 and 2024.

It’s been two years since Kite Tales interviewed her. It’s time to check in!

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Disability Inclusion 101: Five Tips for Writing Disability “Right”

18 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Author's Perspective, PAL, SoCal, Tips and Tools, Tri-Regional News

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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?

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Happy Holidays from Your SCBWI Regional Team!

21 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by in Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News

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In October, we were inspired by our wonderful members who brought energy and enthusiasm to our first in-person event since 2019. Seeing faces, both new and familiar, chatting craft with faculty, answering questions for each other… this is SCBWI at its best. We hope that in this holiday season, you’re able to recharge your creativity by drawing close to your family and friends, and by celebrating all that is good and precious to you. Looking forward to seeing even more of you in 2023. Happy Holidays!

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Happy Holidays from SCBWI Cen-Cal!

14 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News

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Image by Laura-Susan Thomas.

Calling All Illustrators: Be a Mentor in 2023! But First … a Word from This Year’s Mentor

26 Wednesday Oct 2022

Posted by in Contests & Grants, Mentorship Contest, Tri-Regional News

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by Joseph Taylor

Editor’s Note: Mentorship proposals are now open to PAL Illustrator members of the Los Angeles Region for the 2023 Mentorship program! Read on to find out more about this rewarding experience and how you can help champion the next mentee!

A few months after starting a new job as editor of Muse magazine, I got the chance to focus on book writing with 2022 SCBWI-L.A. mentee Sarah Gottlieb. I was grateful to SCBWI-L.A. for offering a mentorship focusing on nonfiction for the first time and delighted to get the chance to work with Sarah.

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SCBWI CenCal Save the Dates: Fall and Winter Events 2022

12 Wednesday Oct 2022

Posted by in Central Coast, Critique Day, Tri-Regional News

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by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Join us for a couple of fun programs this coming November and December. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to write for a small press, be with us in November for our Small Press Webinar. Also, we will be holding a Critique-a Thon, online, in December. Please see the details below for both events.

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SCBWI CenCal Writers’ Contest Winners 2022!

12 Friday Aug 2022

Posted by in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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By Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

The SCBWI Central-Coastal Region held its Writers’ Day webinar, Perfect Your Pitch, on Sunday, July 10. Lynn Becker, author of Monsters in the Briny, and Lisa Kerr, author of Wake, Sleepy One: California Poppies and the Super Bloom, were our Spotlight Speakers, sharing their paths to publication. Agent Joyce Sweeney from The Seymour Agency offered advice on composing pitches and gave live feedback on a handful of pre-selected pitches.

A highlight of the event was the announcement of the winners of the writing contest.

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Lisa D. Kerr, Picture Book Author and Spotlight Speaker

03 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Central Coast

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by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Lisa D. Kerr is the debut author of Wake, Sleepy One: California Poppies and the Super Bloom, illustrated by Lisa Powell Braun (West Margin Press, April 2022), a nonfiction picture book about the California poppy super bloom. The story includes details such as the life cycle and plant parts of poppies, the desert habitat and its food web, as well as some early California history.

Lisa was a Spotlight Speaker at SCBWI CenCal’s How to Pitch to an Agent event on July 10. She took a moment to answer some questions for Kite Tales.

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An Interview with Lynn Becker, Picture Book Author

02 Wednesday Feb 2022

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Central Coast

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By Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Lynn Becker is the author of Monsters in the Briny, illustrated by Scott Brundage (Sleeping Bear Press, April 2022). What do you do with a grumpy kraken, a sickly sea serpent, and a tearful gigantic tortoise? You sing them a tune! The verse in this debut picture book follows the sea shanty rhyme of “What Do You Do With . . . ,” as the ship’s crew face each creature’s demand for comfort or attention.

Lynn Becker, former resident and volunteer member of the SCBWI Central-California Region, now lives and writes in Colorado. She took a moment to answer some questions for Kite Tales.

ANN ROUSSEAU SMITH: Congratulations on your debut picture book Monsters in the Briny, illustrated by Scott Brundage (Sleeping Bear Press, April 2022). What was the inspiration for writing about sea creatures?

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Happy Holidays from Your SCBWI Regional Team

22 Wednesday Dec 2021

Posted by in Los Angeles

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Did you know that studies have shown that expressing gratitude induces feelings of pleasure and contentment, which in turn can impact your overall health? We are all about expressing gratitude—for our amazing volunteers, for our wonderful members, and for being part of an industry that cares so deeply.   

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