Wayfinding 2025

29 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Central Coast, Los Angeles, SoCal, Tri-Regional News

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by Judy Faulkner

wayfinding | ˈwāˌfīndiNG | noun the process or activity of ascertaining one’s position and planning and following a route

No single blog post can put us firmly on our individual career paths, but this week’s post can help us discover our routes by putting us in closer touch with folks who will help us shape them. These colleagues, teachers, and friends are the members of our own SCBWI community. For those new to the organization or the area, and for those who haven’t fully delved into the new website or aren’t yet familiar with the Kite Tales blog, here’s some 2025 wayfinding to help you get where you want. 

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“Wild Things” Continues

22 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Community Corner

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by Nina Snyder

Those lucky enough to have seen the traveling exhibition Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles this past summer know it’s a show worth seeking out. There’s still a chance to take it in, with a plane hop to Denver. Or hop online to view the virtual events and extras—one happening live this week, most available through the show’s run—created for this new iteration. Rocky Mountain SCBWI member Nina Snyder provides details.

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Ask an Editor: Should I Self-Publish?

15 Wednesday Jan 2025

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 – I’ve been trying to land an agent for four years, but have had no success. Should I self-publish my book?

– Hana, Culver City

Hello Hana – It typically takes 3–5 years from when a manuscript is polished and querying begins until an author lands an agent or publisher, and there is no guarantee a manuscript will get picked up. I understand that’s a long time to wait on a chance.

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Spark New Ideas in the New Year

10 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in Central Coast, Illustrator's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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by Jaime Zollars

Happy New Year!

I hope you all ended up on the nice list and took some time to rest and reflect before diving into goals for a new year. Have you made a list of resolutions?

I’ve always been quite a fan of lists. They hold so much promise. To-do lists, goal lists, recipe lists, gift lists, idea lists, bucket lists, reading lists—the list goes on. While I must admit that I’ve been known to transfer the unchecked items off any given list to its next incarnation (sometimes indefinitely), the simple practice of writing them can spark growth and creativity.

In the spirit of new ideas for the new year, here are four fun list-making exercises that may jump-start your creative streak in 2025:

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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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