22 Wednesday Dec 2021
Posted in Los Angeles
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.
Continue reading17 Friday Dec 2021
Posted in Central Coast
Image by Laura-Susan Thomas, SCBWI CenCal Regional Illustrator Coordinator.
24 Wednesday Nov 2021
Posted in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days
By Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
This year’s SCBWI CenCal Writers’ Day Creating with Hope! was a hybrid event. Saturday, October 30, was an in-person event with several author speakers. Day two, Sunday, November 7, was a webinar featuring Megan Ilnitzki, editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and an illustrator’s gallery. Our fabulous writing contest winners were announced at Sunday’s event.
Congratulations to all our contest participants, including our winners!
Continue reading13 Wednesday Oct 2021
Posted in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News, Writers' Retreat
By Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Need a boost to your creative juices? Join us for a weekend of writing and revising beside the sea on January 21 to January 23, 2022.
Our get-away-to-write retreat will be held at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort in San Simeon, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
14 Wednesday Jul 2021
Posted in Central Coast, Writers Days
Tags
Annelouise Mahoney, CenCal Writer's Day, critiques, Jamie Emaus, Kristen Nordstrom, SCBWI events, writing contest
By Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
SCBWI Central-Coastal California has set a date for Writers’ Day 2021. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, October 30.
This year’s Writers’ Day will be in two parts. The first will be in-person at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks with spotlight speakers. A featured guest will also speak on this day. The writing contest recipients will be announced and critiques distributed at this half-day event.
Spotlight speakers include:
Continue reading28 Wednesday Apr 2021
Posted in Author's Perspective, Central Coast, Tri-Regional News
Tags
Biomimicry, CenCal, Eiji Nakatsu, interview, Kristen Nordstrom, Mimic Makers, nonfiction, Paul Boston, STEAM, STEM
by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Kristen Nordstrom is the debut STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) author of Mimic Makers: Biomimicry Inventors Inspired by Nature, illustrated by Paul Boston (Charlesbridge Publishing, July 2021). The picture book profiles ten real-life scientists, engineers, and designers who copy nature to create amazing new technology. Thank you, Mother Nature!
Kristen teaches biomimicry and other topics to elementary-school students in a gifted science program, and is a member of NSTA, the National Science Teaching Association. She has written innovative curriculum, and has been honored with two writing awards from SCBWI for outstanding STEM manuscripts. Kristen took a moment from her busy schedule to answer some questions for the Kite Tales blog.
Continue reading12 Friday Mar 2021
Posted in Contests & Grants, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days
Tags
Celia Viramontes, Jim Cox, Virginia Pooler, Wakako Rollinger, Writers Day, Writers Day 2021, writing contest
by Brenda Scott Royce, SCBWI-L.A. Contest Coordinator
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” — novelist Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr
While our annual SCBWI-L.A. Writers Day will look somewhat different this year (we’ll be meeting virtually!), one thing that hasn’t changed is the contest. As usual, the manuscript contest is open to all who register for the event, and there’s no additional fee to enter. Submissions will be accepted in four categories: Picture Book, Middle Grade novel, Young Adult novel, and Other (which includes non-fiction and poetry). Winners receive a free written critique from one of the Writers Day faculty members PLUS free tuition to Writers Day 2022 (or equivalent). Winners and runners-up will be acknowledged in Kite Tales.
27 Wednesday Jan 2021
Posted in Author's Perspective, Central Coast, Tri-Regional News
Tags
interview, Karen Jameson, Kathleen Rushall, manuscript research, Marc Boutavant, Moon Babies, MSWL, picture books, Woodland Dreams
by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Karen Jameson is the author of Moon Babies, illustrated by Amy Hevron (Putnam, 2019). Her most recent book is Woodland Dreams, illustrated by Marc Boutavant (Chronicle, 2020). More stories are in the works. She was awarded the Sue Alexander Grant for the Working Writers Retreat (SCBWI-L.A.) for her lyrical picture book Woodland Dreams. Karen has retired from teaching to write full-time. She took a moment to answer some questions for the Kite Tales blog.
23 Wednesday Dec 2020
Posted in Los Angeles
In a year filled with challenges, our amazing storytelling community continues to thrive, feeding our creative souls in so many ways.
16 Wednesday Dec 2020
Posted in Central Coast
