Central Coast Regional News

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Writers’ Day 2015

Mark your calendars! SCBWI CenCal Writers’ Day 2015, “Steps to Success,” will be held Saturday, October 17, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, at California Lutheran University’s Preus-Brandt Forum.

California_Lutheran_University_Alum_Amber_Sims_Hinterplattner copy

Whether you are new to the world of writing for children or you have many books under your belt, please join us for a dynamic day filled with the latest information on craft, submitting your work, securing an agent, and marketing from industry professionals. Be inspired by local success stories. Learn more about friendly, fun-loving SCBWI CenCal and all we have to offer.

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SoCal Regional News

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We hope everyone is enjoying summer, but it’s time to mark your calendars for our upcoming Editor’s Day on October 3, 2015 at Cal State University Fullerton!

Editor’s Day is packed with plenty of opportunities for our attendees, including Manuscript Critiques, Pitch Sessions, a pre-conference Friday night Illustrator’s art exhibit, First Pages Panel, Portfolio Displays, Promo and Tear Sheet Critiques, lunch with the editors, PAL Book displays, book signings, and book giveaways. Don’t miss out on this fabulous chance to connect with industry professionals!

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Los Angeles Regional News

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Upcoming in the L.A. Region

The Working Writer’s Retreat

Sept 11-13, 2015 – Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Encino

A 3-day, 2-night intense revision retreat beginning and ending with a first page (~200 word) pitch session. The retreat opens Friday at noon and consists of critique sessions, revision time, and parties – including Saturday night karaoke. A practice first page session with an Author panel begins the fun which crescendos in a pitch session with four acquiring Editors and Agents. Members only.

Faculty Information and wait list registration: https://losangeles.scbwi.org/events/2015-la-wwr/

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Illustrator’s Gallery: Bob McMahon

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What have I done?! Two decades into my art career and I go and completely change my style! Have I gone crazy?! Well, yes and no. Being an artist means constantly learning and growing at your craft so you don’t stagnate or burn out. Change is a necessary part of being an artist.

Yes Way Kid art SM JPG

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Poet’s Perspective by Paige Taylor

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It’s Friday night, and I’m watching The King and I. “Et-cet-er-a, et-cet-er-a,cet-cet-er-a,” repeats the king slowly, with great satisfaction—you know the line. After a while, I begin to visualize etceteras stringing out into space:

     Somewhere in space, although you can’t sight ‘em,

Meet et al., etcetera, and ad infinitum.

Just hearing Yul Brynner say his words over and over sparked my quirky little poem.

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Volunteer in the Spotlight: Robert Mellette, P.A.L. Board Representative

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As a kid, I hated books. Reading for me was literally a chore. I used to live in fear of the question, “Have you done your reading today?”

In first grade I was diagnosed as dyslexic. Luckily, I lived in a town with a school that specialized in teaching dyslexic kids, and I had parents who made sure I got the training I needed to read at my grade level. By high school I read enough to get by and soon discovered science fiction, which was the first type of book I enjoyed reading on my own. Still today, I think of myself more as a sci-fi writer than a children’s book author. It’s been said that the golden age for science giction is 12 years old, so here I am, and proud of it.

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News from the Internet: From Children’s Book to Children’s App: Three Helpful Web Articles To Get You Started On Creating An App by Narda Lacey Fargotstein

1) Whether you have an idea for an app or are looking for an idea, you can start at iKids with this article—http://kidscreen.com/2013/09/09/how-to-make-a-childrens-app/—which breaks down the process of creating an app into five steps:

  • Competitive analysis
  • Design and testing methodologies
  • Finding a developer if you can’t build it yourself
  • Business models
  • Marketing

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Schmooze Spotlight: Antelope Valley by Nancy Whitesides

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As the wind whips across the desert landscape known as Antelope Valley, writers tumble into the bookstore for their monthly schmooze. The schmoozers are a small, somewhat disheveled yet endearing band of writers who learn from each other and share a love of writing.

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Illustrator’s Perspective: Drawing Animals in Picture Books by Jannie Ho

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PrintInspiration

One of the things that really inspired me to become a children’s book illustrator was the work of Richard Scarry. My favorite books of his include What Do People Do All Day? and Busy, Busy Town. His characters were mostly anthropomorphic animals, which I’ve always enjoyed more than human characters. Anthropomorphic animal worlds provide an escape from reality; an illustrator can use them to create atmospheres that seem safer and more innocent than any human world. Moreover, there are lots of opportunities to add funny details to animal characters and the scenes involving them. I love adding little touches like carrot themed prints for a bunny character or fish bone prints for a cat.

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Toot Your Horn and Great News!

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Kite Tales loves to celebrate our SCBWI members. Congratulations to all listed below!

TOOT YOUR HORN

A Day and Night in the Rain Forest, written and illustrated by Caroline Arnold (Picture Window Books) ages 5-8, nonfiction, ISBN: 978-1-4795-6074-5 (hb), ISBN 978-1-4795-6086-8 (paperback), Released January 2015

A Day and Night in the Desert, written and illustrated by Caroline Arnold (Picture Window Books) ages 5-8, nonfiction, ISBN: 978-1-4795-6072-1 (hb), ISBN 978-1-4795-6084-4 (paperback), Released January 2015

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