Treasure Chest: January 2025

03 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in Contests & Grants, Critique Day, Industry Conferences, PAL, SCBWI Mentorship Program, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News, Writers Retreat, Writers' Retreat

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Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond

OPEN NOW
Make sure you register for the in-person 2025 SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City and book your stay soon! “Special rates of $215 per night (plus tax) are available for attendees on single and double rooms. A limited number of rooms are available at this rate up until January 6, 2025.” Click here to learn more! For those who are unable to attend the in-person conference in New York City, the Virtual Winter Conference 2025 will be taking place February 21–22, 2025.

OPEN NOW
Join us at the beautiful Laguna College of Art & Design on March 15, 2025 for 2025 Art Day: Illustrators and Writers Connect, SCBWI SoCal! This “one day hand-so workshop for illustrators, picture book writers, graphic novelists and author-illustrators” will include “presentations, interactive activities and off-site written critiques.” Registration is now open so click here to sign up!

OPEN NOW
Register for the 2025 SCBWI SoCal Tahquitz MG-YA Writers Retreat! This “four-day small-group intensive writer retreat” will take place from May 1, 2025 to May 4, 2025 in Idyllwild-Pine Cove. “You’ll be able to hone your craft and polish your manuscript with the guidance of industry professionals.” Spots are going very quickly so sign up today!

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10 Inspiring Kite Tales Quotes from 2024

27 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in Agent's Perspective, Author's Perspective, Community Corner, Editor's Perspective, Illustrator's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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Photo by Tairon Fernandez on Pexels.com

It’s been a roller coaster of a year. But that means there’ve been ups as well as downs. Joy, growth, progress, breakthroughs, satisfaction. So, take a moment to peruse our traditional year-end inspirational quotes column, which this year includes a baker’s dozen. We need ’em! And we have them, thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to share your time, expertise, images, thoughts, words—and reasons for huzzahs—with all of us through Kite Tales. Now, let’s hop in the time machine together and take a look back at some of the highlights.

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Happy Holidays, Tri-Regions!

18 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by in Central Coast, Community Corner, Los Angeles, SoCal

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Season’s Greetings from your Tri-Regional teams!

Happy Holidays!
May the warmth and good cheer of the season spark your creativity.
From the CenCal Team

Wishing you the joys of creativity and the comfort of community this holiday season. 
Warmly, the Los Angeles Regional Team

For more fantastic content, community, events, and other professional development opportunities, become a member today! Not sure if there is a chapter in your area? Check here.

Images created by: Kristin Marine (CenCal), Jessica Cooper (Los Angeles), and Briana Young (SoCal)

­­­Be an SCBWI Mentor in 2025! But first … a word from our 2024 mentor

11 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by in Contests & Grants, Los Angeles, Mentorship Contest

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by Jaime Zollars

When I saw last year’s call for SCBWI mentors, I was instantly motivated to apply. I credit the SCBWI with my first successes as an illustrator, and I miss teaching and mentoring college students (something I did for several years before going back to full-time freelance work). It seemed like an exciting opportunity to share some of the knowledge I’ve learned along the way and to give back to the organization.

Mentee Kristin Marine and her mentor, Jaime Zollars, express a shared love for books at the CenCal 2024 Writers and Illustrators Day

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Treasure Chest: December 2024

04 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by in Contests & Grants, Industry Conferences, PAL, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News, Writers Retreat, Writers' Retreat

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Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond

OPEN NOW
Register now for the 2025 SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City to grab your seat at an early bird rate! In addition to our inspiring keynotes and industry panelists, we will also be hosting Creative Labs for attendees, “offering an in-depth exploration of the business or craft of illustrating and writing children’s books.” Click here to learn more!

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Toot Your Horn!

27 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Toot Your Horn!

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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 high fives welcome in the comments!

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Great News

20 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Great News!

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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!

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Writing as a Fool’s Errand

13 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Author's Perspective

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by Kelly Pellico

Writer Kelly Pellico asks, “Is writing a fool’s errand?”

I’ve spent 148,628* hours reading, studying, and writing picture book manuscripts. I’ve scoured library shelves and listened to an endless stream of craft advice through podcasts, webinars, classes, and conferences. And . . .

(Insert suspenseful page turn)

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Treasure Chest: November 2024

06 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Contests & Grants, Industry Conferences, PAL, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News

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Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond

OPEN NOW
Registration for the 2025 SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City is now open! “This year’s event features must-attend keynotes from Newbery Medal–winning author Meg Medina, Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Sophie Blackall, and Caldecott Honor–winning author/illustrator Peter Brown.” If you are unable to attend the in-person conference from January 31, 2025–February 2, 2025, the Virtual Winter Conference will take place February 21–22, 2025.

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Ask an Editor: How Much Should I Share on My Website?

30 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – Should I post all or part of my manuscript on my website? I’m pre-published and seeking an agent.

—Stan, Los Angeles

Hello Stan – I realize it seems simpler to have your work on your website and have others come there to view it, but that goes against the expectations of our industry and increases your chances that your ideas or content may be used in ways that do not benefit you.

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