‘Hippy Holidays’ from SCBWI-Los Angeles!
25 Wednesday Dec 2019
Posted in Los Angeles
Category Archives: Tri-Regional News
Holiday Wishes from SCBWI Cen-Cal!
20 Friday Dec 2019
Posted in Central Coast
Image by Laura-Susan Thomas.
SCBWI CenCal Writers’ Day 2019: What’s Next?
22 Friday Nov 2019
Posted in Central Coast, Tips and Tools, Writers Days
Tags
Alexis O'Neill Volunteer of the Year, Carol Heyer Mentorshihp, CenCal Writer's Day, Charlotte Wenger, Illustration awards, Karen Jameson, Kari Sutherland, Karol Ruth Silverstein, middle grade, Nikki Barthelmess, Rachael Stein
by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
After numerous wildfires and road closure scares, we had a lovely, informative, and inspiring Writers’ Day on Saturday, October 12. Faculty included Kari Sutherland from the Bradford Literary Agency, Charlotte Wenger with Prospect Agency, and Rachael Stein, editor at Sterling Children’s Books. We also heard emotion-filled, inspiring speeches from three spotlight speakers: Nikki Barthelmess, Karen Jameson, and Karol Ruth Silverstein. After speeches, first page panels, and a writing contest, what’s the next step or steps a conference attendee might pursue? Continue reading
Meet April Halprin Wayland, Author, Poet, and Beach Retreat Instructor
16 Wednesday Oct 2019
Posted in Author's Perspective, Central Coast, Writers' Retreat
Tags
April Halprin Wayland, authors, Beach Retreat, Cencal 2020 Retreat, More Than Enough: A Passover Story, New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story, picture books, poetry, SCBWI events, To Rabbittown, writing, writing tips
By Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
(Photo: Morgan Eagle)
April Halprin Wayland will be joining us for our picture book retreat, January 10–12, 2020, in San Simeon, California. She writes poetry and picture books, including More Than Enough: A Passover Story and the Sydney Taylor Gold Book Award winning New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story. She was named UCLA Extension Writers’ Program Outstanding Instructor of the Year, and blogs with five other children’s authors at TeachingAuthors.com. April will be presenting four sessions during the retreat weekend, which is open to the public, and will include time to write, join small critique groups, stroll on the beach, and enjoy a beachside campfire in the evening.
ANN ROUSSEAU SMITH: Welcome to the Kite Tales blog! Most people love origin stories. Can you tell us a little bit about your first published picture book?
Continue reading
Too Much of a Very Good Thing? Or: The KITE TALES Team is Changing!
28 Friday Jun 2019
Posted in Tri-Regional News, Volunteer in the Spotlight
Sometimes doing a good thing, even a very good thing, is not necessarily the best thing for us. It’s hard to know when boundaries need to be placed, when risks need to be taken, when the unknown is better for us than the relative safety of routine. It’s hard to change. But as writers and illustrators, we must be protective of our time, our creative mental space, and recognize when a good thing, even a very good thing, could be getting in the way. Continue reading
Break In with Work-For-Hire Webinar
05 Friday Apr 2019
Posted in Central Coast, Tips and Tools, Tri-Regional News
Tags
Christine Peterson, educational writing, literacy support, nonfiction, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, webinar, work-for-hire, write for hire
By Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Wouldn’t it be nice if editors approached you, asking if you’re available to write a book? That’s the reality of the work-for-hire market, for fiction, nonfiction, or illustration. If you’d like to learn the secret to breaking in through work-for-hire, what to send and how to be successful, SCBWI-CenCal and Capstone Senior Managing Editor, Curriculum Strategy Christine Peterson have a webinar made just for you!
Capstone is a publisher of K-8 children’s books and digital solutions for libraries, classrooms, and consumers headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota. Christine has been with Capstone for 16 years, and has specialized in nonfiction content for K-5 students, including supplemental nonfiction texts, guided reading and literacy support materials, and curriculum instruction. They need writers and illustrators for their projects, but what are the benefits to you? Continue reading
Story Coach and SCBWI-CenCal Workshop Leader Lisa Cron on Plot vs. Story and Why Backstory is Crucial to Both
04 Friday Jan 2019
Posted in Author's Perspective, Central Coast, Tips and Tools, Tri-Regional News
By Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Lisa Cron, story analyst, speaker, UCLA Extension Writers’ Program instructor, faculty member of the School of Visual Arts MFA program in New York City, and author of Wired for Story and Story Genius, will be leading a workshop, Wired for Story: Becoming a Story Genius with Story Coach Lisa Cron, on Saturday, February 16, 2019, in Santa Barbara.
Lisa has worked as a story consultant for Warner Brothers and the William Morris Agency. As a story coach, she has helped writers, nonprofits, educators, and organizations master the power of story.
Lisa agreed to answer some questions ahead of her February workshop.
ANN ROUSSEAU SMITH: We are looking forward to your visit to the SCBWI CenCal region. What is a story coach? Continue reading
Happy Holidays from SCBWI-Los Angeles!
26 Wednesday Dec 2018
Posted by Sarah Parker-Lee | Filed under Los Angeles
Happy Holidays from SCBWI Cen-Cal!
21 Friday Dec 2018
Posted by Sarah Parker-Lee | Filed under Central Coast
SCBWI CenCal Writers’ Day 2018 Tips, Take-Aways, and Winners!
07 Friday Dec 2018
Posted in Central Coast, Contests & Grants, Writers Days
Tags
Allison Moore, Andrea Loney, Carol Heyer, Hannah Mann, Happy LaShelle, Lorin Oberweger, Mary Ann Fraser, Paula Wiseman, Sarah Jane Abbott, Terry Pierce
By Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News
Hannah Mann, Allison Moore, Sarah Jane Abbott
Numerous new attendees mingled with a sold-out crowd at SCBWI CenCal’s 2018 Writers’ Day on Saturday, October 13. Although the Central-Coastal California region hosts this event every year, ALL SCBWI members, as well as non-members, are welcome to attend, so keep an eye out for next year’s info on our website.
Two editors and two agents imparted their craft and industry knowledge to an eager audience. Sarah Jane Abbott, Associate Editor at Paula Wiseman Books and Beach Lane Books (Simon & Schuster), shared her insights on picture books with heart. Editor Allison Moore from Bloomsbury Children’s Books presented resource lists for crafting and submitting our manuscripts. Agent Hannah Mann from Writers’ House spoke of using personality flaws to create real characters. Continue reading
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