05 Wednesday Apr 2023
Posted in Central Coast, Los Angeles, SoCal, Tri-Regional News
by Judy Faulkner and Michelle Lin, Kite Tales Co-Managing Editors
The seasons are changing—at Kite Tales, too.
Jessica Chrysler and Noel Csermak, two stalwart SCBWI Tri-Region volunteers, have recently stepped away from their respective long-time roles as KT’s managing editor and proofreader. If you’ve enjoyed the blog in recent years (as we know so many of you have!), they are two major reasons why.
Continue reading29 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Central Coast, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, CenCal, craft, Patricia Toht, poetry, publishing, rhyming, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, writing, writing tips
by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Join us on Thursday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. for a webinar with Patricia Toht titled “Let’s Get Rhyming!” Despite what some may insist, it’s not a crime to write in rhyme! But it does take effort to master your verse. Join author and Rhyme Doctor Patricia Toht as she shares her new releases, Together With You and Pick a Perfect Egg, along with other wonderful books in rhyme, and reveals key elements that make them shine. The price will be $12 for SCBWI members.
Continue reading22 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Contests & Grants, Mentorship Contest
by Cara J. Stevens
Note: In January, we invited picture book authors to apply for a six-month mentorship with one of our Published and Listed members. This year’s mentor, Cara J. Stevens, joins us to announce the winner and share some of the submission highlights.
I was blown away by the submissions I received for this year’s mentorship contest. Each story showed promise, and each author’s interview responses showed just how ready they all are to take their picture book writing to the next level.
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 reading08 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, Fina Mendoza Mysteries, Kitty Felde, MG, middle grade, novels, publishing, writing, writing tips
by Kitty Felde
There is nothing more scary than a blank screen. Starting a new novel from scratch is more terrifying than any roller coaster in any amusement park anywhere in the world.
That’s why I avoid an empty page.
Instead, I’m a great believer in germination. Instead of starting from bare earth, I plant the tiniest of ideas, giving them time to take root and put up shoots. I never know which seeds will fully blossom, but I’m willing to be surprised.
Continue reading01 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Toot Your Horn!
Tags
board book, middle grade, nonfiction, nonfiction anthology, picture book, published, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, young adult
SCBWI members’ publishing news is something to celebrate here at Kite Tales! Check out whose book is coming to a platform near you or around the world. Horn-tooting and digital hi-fives welcome in the comments!
22 Wednesday Feb 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Illustrator's Perspective
Tags
authors, illustrator tips, illustrators, Molly Ruttan, picture book, publishing, SCBWI members, Something Wild, writing tips
Molly Ruttan’s gorgeously illustrated, award-winning picture books often feature gently humorous, fantastical happenings cast within real-life settings. This unique perspective is at the forefront in the forthcoming Something Wild, which publishes next week (2023, Nancy Paulsen Books / Penguin Random House). Something Wild is the recipient of a Kirkus starred review.
Judy Faulkner: Welcome back to Kite Tales, Molly! You’ve been super busy since your appearance in 2019, when your illustrator debut, I Am a Thief!, came out. Now your fourth book is about to launch—your second as author-illustrator. Tell us about it!
Molly Ruttan: Thank you so much for having me back! It’s always such a pleasure to connect with my SCBWI family.
Continue reading15 Wednesday Feb 2023
Posted in Great News!
SCBWI loves celebrating our members’ successes and noteworthy news, and there are many! Read on to find out who’s got something to shout about. Digital high-fives welcome in the comments!
Continue reading08 Wednesday Feb 2023
Posted in #KTIllustrates, Illustrator's Perspective
Kite Tales welcomes artist Imelda Hinojosa to share her inspiration and process with the community in creating her work. Her piece for #KTIllustrates2022 displayed a joy for movement and color that best displayed the idea of the prompt: When we begin to play…
Congratulations again to our winner and read on to learn more about Imelda and to view her wonderful work.
Continue reading01 Wednesday Feb 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Central Coast
Tags
A Llama is not an Alpaca, authors, Karen Jameson, Moon Babies, picture books, rhyming, Time to Shine, Where the Wee Ones Go, Woodland Dreams
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!
Continue reading
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