Tri-Regions News and Views: Passing the Torch at SCBWI-L.A.

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As the Olympic torch makes its way to the 2024 Paris Games, the Los Angeles region has its own torch story to tell—this one about the passing of a torch as one volunteer-led era segues into a new one. Here’s the news from our Regional Team leaders, in their own words:

Sally Jones Rogan, SCBWI-L.A. Regional Advisor, with a message and a reminder

A Letter from Sally Jones Rogan 

Dear Los Angeles members,

Some weeks back, candidates were invited to apply for volunteer L.A. Regional Advisors. We are thrilled to announce that SCBWI Headquarters has appointed our very own Kim Wildman to step into the L.A. Regional Advisor role. 

Many of you will already know Kim as our highly capable Assistant Regional Advisor (ARA, or as we aptly renamed the title, “Always Running Around”)! Kim has many years of experience as a Regional Team volunteer and is perfectly suited to spearhead events, present member opportunities, lead the regional volunteer team, and undertake the administrative duties and reporting required by SCBWI Headquarters. 

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Interview with Jessica Wilson: Celebrating 60 Years of California Poets in the Schools, Part Two

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by Paige Vinten Taylor

Poet-Teacher Jessica Wilson, Los Angeles area coordinator for California Poets in the Schools

California Poets in the Schools Poet-Teacher Jessica Wilson brings poetry to students at elementary, middle, and high school levels. As CalPoet’s area coordinator for Los Angeles County, she onboards new Poet-Teachers and manages new opportunities for the program. Jessica is also active in the broader Los Angeles poetry community, including as founder and director of the Los Angeles Poet Society, whose offerings include year-round open mic events, a Creative Aging Senior Advocacy program, and Bilingual Poetry Workshops for all ages. 

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Interview with Meg Hamill: Celebrating 60 Years of California Poets in the Schools, Part One

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by Paige Vinten Taylor

Meg Hamill, executive director, California Poets in the Schools

California Poets in Schools (CalPoets) is a thriving program that encourages students to write. Established in 1964, the nonprofit has been successful not only in improving its students’ writing skills, but also in enhancing their personal development. Part of what makes it so special is that the medium used is poetry. I was fortunate to interview Executive Director Meg Hamill for Kite Tales

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Treasure Chest: July 2024

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

ONGOING
There are lots of opportunities for PAL and self-published SCBWI members in the coming months! Snag one of the few remaining slots at the SCBWI’s Orange County Book Fair booth. The event takes place in Old Town Tustin on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Register here.

The Los Angeles Kids Book Festival has limited seats available for published SCBWI members and will take place in West Hollywood Park on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about registering, click here.

Additionally, if you are a published SoCal member and would like to be put on the waitlist for the SoCal booth at September’s Orange County Children’s Book Festival, email Bev Plass at: SoCal-RA@scbwi.org.

ONGOING
Registration for the Virtual Summer Conference is still open! The online event will take place from August 1–August 4. Registration is $195 for premium members and $295 for non-members. There will be 50 jam-packed sessions to choose from on the topic of craft and the business of children’s book creation. Every attendee will have access to all content sessions for up to one month after the conference.

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SCBWI CenCal Writers and Illustrators Day 2024

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by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Join us for Writers and Illustrators Day 2024!

CONNECTING THE CREATIVE DOTS is Saturday, September 21, 2024, with an optional online pitchfest/portfolio review the following day, Sunday, September 22, for an additional fee. The first day is in-person at a new venue, the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Auditorium, 1605 E. Burnley Street in Camarillo. Lunch is provided.

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Write for Kite Tales!

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Looking for more ways to get your voice out?

Whether you’re a PAL member, independently published, or pre-published, Kite Tales wants to hear about your stories and experiences in the kid lit world. Writers, illustrators, translators, editors, publishers, agents, teachers, librarians, and more welcome!

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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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Treasure Chest: June 2024

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

ONGOING
Registration for the Virtual Summer Conference is now open. The online event will take place from August 1–August 4. Early Bird Registration for members before June 21 is $175. There will be 50 jam-packed sessions to choose from on the topic of craft and the business of children’s book creation. Attendees will have access to all content sessions for up to one month after the conference.

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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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SOCAL VOICES: A Conversation Among Andys

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by Andy Greene

Author, filmmaker, and podcaster Andy Greene

It was Friday, the day of the writers retreat. Part of me wants to add an exclamation point to that sentence, but that’s not how I felt that morning.

Everything had been packed. I had done my preparations. I had justified my lack of preparations. It was too late to do anything else. I was never one for cramming before a test. I preferred to stew . . . 

The weekend was a big opportunity—I would get to meet picture book agents and editors in person, face-to-face! They would read my work. (Gulp, they would read my work?!)

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