08 Friday Jul 2016
Posted in Ask an Editor
Tags
Welcome to “Ask an Editor” where our wonderful SCBWI members send in questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog. 
Dear Editor – I am writing and illustrating a picture book. Do my illustrations need to fit a vertical (tall) layout? I can’t find a book that’s horizontal, but that’s my preference when painting. —Ann, Los Angeles
Dear Ann – Great question! Industry experts respond. Continue reading
06 Wednesday Jul 2016
Posted in Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News
by Nutschell Anne Windsor
SCBWI-L.A.’s New Regional Team
From left to right: Sally Jones Rogan (Co-Regional Adviser), Kim Wildman (Asst. Regional Adviser), and Nutschell Anne Windsor (Co-Regional Adviser)
29 Wednesday Jun 2016
Posted in Illustrator's Gallery
Tags
Cintiq, digital illustration, how-to, illustrator tips, illustrators, Stephanie Olivieri, tools, Wacom
Illustrator and animation artist, Stephanie Olivieri, takes us on her journey from pencil to pixel in this quarter’s “Illustrator’s Gallery.” Read on for tools, tips, and encouragement if you’re looking to switch from hand drawing to digital, are deciding if you should, or would just like to compare digital notes with another fantastic illustrator!
I made the transition from hand drawing to drawing on the computer officially in 2012. It was something that I fought against for years, saying that people still needed and loved traditional art, but now that I’m digital, I have found that it’s invaluable. I sometimes will do a mixed media piece, but the freedom that an artist has once on the computer is amazing. I find that with enough practice, an artist can mimic traditional illustration and painting, with the biggest difference being drying time and the ability to make changes easily. Continue reading
22 Wednesday Jun 2016
Posted in Author's Perspective, SCBWI Summer Conference
New York Times best-selling author Shannon Hale (and SCBWI member) has published more than 20 children’s books. Her third Princess in Black book was released earlier this month; this middle-grade chapter book is part of Hale’s latest series.
CHRISTINE VAN ZANDT: Welcome! How long have you been writing books? Continue reading
17 Friday Jun 2016
Posted in Agent's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
agent, Bridget Smith, Dunham Literary, query, tools, writing tips, YA, young adult
Bridget Smith is more than an agent at Dunham Literary, Inc. She also studied anthropology and archaeology, worked as a radio DJ, fenced on the varsity team at Brown University, and helped design an experiment that she later performed in microgravity at NASA. So, she’s kind of awesome and you want her to represent your books.
Read on for Bridget’s insights into the kid lit community, how to include diversity in your books, and what happens after you get a full manuscript request.
15 Wednesday Jun 2016
Posted in Volunteer in the Spotlight
We love our volunteers at SCBWI and couldn’t exist without them! “Volunteer Spotlight” is a great way to get to know them for yourself and learn more about what they do – and how you can volunteer. Now meet Chester Perryess, Central/Coastal CA regional Schlepper and Minion:
I’m an introvert. I’m happiest at home making those characters come to life, or sequestered in my “shedio” narrating audiobooks, or researching etymologies for Wordmonger, my blog about words. Still, I volunteer out in the Big Scary World and encourage my fellow introverts to consider doing the same.
08 Wednesday Jun 2016
Posted in Ask an Editor
Tags
Welcome to our newest feature, “Ask an Editor,” where our wonderful SCBWI members send in questions which may be answered in an upcoming Kite Tales blog. You can remain anonymous if you wish.
Have a question to submit? Log in to your SCBWI account, then either click on the “Ask an Editor” image at the left or follow this link http://losangeles.scbwi.org/ask-an-editor/ and fill out the form. It’s easy!
Dear Editor – I write picture books. Why picture books are almost always 32 pages? Is this something I even need to care about while I’m writing? It’s all about writing the best story and staying within the word count, right?
—Notta Paige Counter
01 Wednesday Jun 2016
Posted in LitMingles!
Tags
“There is nothing permanent except change.”
-Heraclitus
The Westside Writer’s Mingle kicked off last fall with a bunch o’newness. SCBWI’s oldest local Mingle (since 1990) got a new name, a new location, and new coordinators.
Last June, beloved co-coordinators Karol Ruth Silverstein and Charlie Cohen stepped down after a successful 4-year run to make way for new coordinators, and unexpectedly, a new venue. After more than a decade at the Fairview branch of the Santa Monica Library, the Mingle moved 1.5 miles and roughly 5 minutes west, to the Ocean Park Branch of the Santa Monica Library.
27 Friday May 2016
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
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authors, BEA, Book Con, Book Expo America, illustrator tips, Justin Cronin, Laini Taylor, middle grade, Naomi Novik, Pierce Brown, Sarah J. Maas, Victoria Aveyard, writing tips, YA, young adult
Did you know there is an entire convention dedicated to books? Book Con is the public part of Book Expo of America, or BEA. Professional authors, publishers, book sellers, book buyers, etc. come together to share must-read books, delve into upcoming market trends, and build relationships with other literary professionals. There are panels with authors from all genres and a showroom full of major, indie, and niche publishers who sell or give away their books. (FREE BOOKS!) I went for the first time this year and came home with some amazing advice and insights from bestselling authors, including Naomi Novik, Pierce Brown, and Sarah J. Maas. And I’ll share them with you below! (My paraphrased versions unless specifically quoted.)
25 Wednesday May 2016
Posted in Illustrator's Perspective
Tags
agents, authors, illustrator tips, illustrators, John Nez, picture books, publishing, tools, writing tips
Prolific illustrator John Nez shares with us about the tools he uses, why life as a working illustrator really is work, how to be your own best advocate, and how to keep that “little mouse of creative happiness” alive and thriving through it all. Read on for some great insight, tips, and illustrative goodness!
Kite Tales 