Tag Archives: authors

Treasure Chest: January 2026

07 Wednesday Jan 2026

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

Check out more resources at the end of the post!

OPEN NOW
Last chance to register for the annual SCBWI 2026 Winter Conference in New York City! Join us from Friday, January 16, 2026, to Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Upon registering for the in-person conference, you will also get a $20 discount on the Virtual Winter Conference! The cost to attend does not include accommodations. For more information on how to book your room, click the link here.

Illustration by Merrill Rainey

OPEN NOW
If you can’t make it to New York City for the in-person conference, click here to register for the SCBWI 2026 Virtual Winter Conference! From Friday, February 6, 2026, to Saturday, February 7, 2026, “join us online for exclusive industry panels, hands-on sessions focused on the craft of writing and illustrating children’s books, plus valuable networking with fellow creators. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, gain insider knowledge, or connect with other talented authors and illustrators, this event is for you! If you can’t make it to the live sessions, video replays will be available to view through March 15th.”

OPEN NOW
Registration for the 2026 SCBWI SoCal Art Day Story Bloom: A Creative Workshop for Illustrators, Picture Book Writers and Graphic Novelists is now open! “Spend the day exploring guided art exercises, story-building activities, and collaborative play with fellow creators” on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Laguna College of Art and Design, Big Bend Campus. Early bird prices are offered until January 31, 2026 so grab your seat today!

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10 Inspiring Kite Tales Quotes from 2025

31 Wednesday Dec 2025

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

January is not just right around the corner—it’s tomorrow! But don’t panic. We still have time to make our resolutions or More/Less lists (see below and linked), and to dream big for 2026. Hopefully, revisiting some of the ideas and insights in Kite Tales’ 2025 posts through the quotes and article links below will provide a fresh sprinkle of information and inspiration to help you get started. Write on. Draw on. Read on!

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Toot Your Horn!

17 Wednesday Dec 2025

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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Treasure Chest: December 2025

03 Wednesday Dec 2025

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

Check out more resources at the end of the post!

OPEN NOW
Register today for the annual SCBWI 2026 Winter Conference in New York City! This weekend-long event runs from Friday, January 16, 2026, to Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Folks who register for the in-person conference will also get a $20 discount on the Virtual Winter Conference! The cost to attend does not include accommodations. For more information on booking your room, click the link here. “Special rates of $269 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 December 26, 2025.”

Illustration by Merrill Rainey

OPEN NOW
If you can’t make it to New York City for the in-person conference, click here to register for the SCBWI 2026 Virtual Winter Conference! From Friday, February 6, 2026, to Saturday, February 7, 2026, “join us online for exclusive industry panels, hands-on sessions focused on the craft of writing and illustrating children’s books, plus valuable networking with fellow creators. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, gain insider knowledge, or connect with other talented authors and illustrators, this event is for you! If you can’t make it to the live sessions, video replays will be available to view through March 15th.” Early bird rates are available through December 21, 2025, so don’t miss out on this special deal!

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Ask an Editor: What to Submit for an Agent Critique

05 Wednesday Nov 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 landed a critique from my dream agent at an upcoming writer’s event. I send in the manuscript ahead of time, then have a Zoom with them. Should I submit my best picture book manuscript or one that I’m struggling with?

– Paula, the Valley

Hello Paula – I’m always happy to hear that people are signing up for critique opportunities. How you proceed depends somewhat on your personality. Are you a planner or a pantser (e.g., you like to fly by the seat of the pants)? Pantsers tend to send in whatever story in whatever condition, figuring any feedback is good, and they’re willing to see where that submission takes them.

However, if you’re more of a planner, then consider the following information.

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Treasure Chest: November 2025

29 Wednesday Oct 2025

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

Check out more resources at the end of the post!

OPEN NOW
Registration for the annual SCBWI 2026 Winter Conference in New York City is officially open! This weekend-long event runs from Friday, January 16, 2026, to Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Join us for a weekend full of industry panels, consultations, breakout sessions, and publishing house tours! Sign up now to get early bird discounts! The cost to attend does not include accommodations. For more information on booking your room, click the link here.

Illustration by Merrill Rainey

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Fall Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day 2025 Brings Warmth to the Season

22 Wednesday Oct 2025

Posted by in Contests & Grants, Illustrators Day, SoCal, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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by Beverly Plass, SCBWI SoCal Regional Advisor

Fall Harvest Faculty (l-r): Sally Kim, Rebecca Sherman, Brian LaRossa, and Brett Duquette

Our Fall Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day at Cal State Fullerton and online was a huge success. Attendees got to hear a day full of inspiring speakers, enter writing contests and a portfolio contest, sign up for pitches and written critiques, get live feedback during First Pages, display published books, buy books from author and illustrator presenters, and participate in our daylong icebreaker bingo game.

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Treasure Chest: October 2025

01 Wednesday Oct 2025

Posted by in Contests & Grants, Illustrators Day, PAL, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days, Writers Retreat, Writers' Retreat

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

Check out more resources at the end of the post!

OPEN NOW
Register now for the annual SCBWI Los Angeles Working Writers Retreat 2025! This space-limited event will take place from Friday, October 31, 2025, to Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, CA. Throughout the weekend, there will be opportunities to learn from our faculty members: Editor Adam Blackman, Assistant Literary Agent Analía Cabello, Editor Matt Phipps, and Agent Moe Ferrara. Registration closes on October 12, 2025, at noon!

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Treasure Chest: September 2025

03 Wednesday Sep 2025

Posted by in Contests & Grants, Illustrators Day, PAL, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days, Writers Retreat, Writers' Retreat

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

Check out more resources at the end of the post!

OPEN NOW
Register for the annual SCBWI Los Angeles Working Writers Retreat 2025 today! This space-limited event will take place from Friday, October 31, 2025, to Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, CA. Throughout the weekend, there will be opportunities to learn from our on-site and remote faculty members: Editor Adam Blackman, Assistant Literary Agent Analía Cabello, Editor Matt Phipps, and Agent Moe Ferrara. Registration spots to stay on-site or commute are very limited so sign up now to avoid disappointment. We hope to see you there!

OPEN NOW
Registration for SCBWI CenCal’s 2025 Writers & Illustrators Day – CATCHING THE CREATIVE WAVE is still open! Join us at the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Auditorium in Camarillo on Saturday, September 20, 2025, for a wonderful opportunity to connect with writers, illustrators, and agents! This two-day event will take place in-person on Day 1 and will feature an optional online Pitchfest over Zoom on Day 2. To learn more about what’s in store, click the link here.

OPEN NOW
Grab your spot for the SCBWI SoCal 2025 Fall Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day! We have a wonderful lineup of speaker presentations, critiques, pitches, and opportunities to mingle with fellow creatives! This hybrid event will be held on October 4, 2025, at the California State University Fullerton, Titan Student Union, AND via Zoom. Attendees will have access to the videos for 30 days following the event.

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Ask an Editor: Advice for Selling at Tables

06 Wednesday Aug 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’m selling my book for the first time at an event. What tips can you share? I’m looking for things that have worked well for sales and that were cost-effective.

– Ellie, Pasadena

Hello Ellie – You’ll have fun! That’s one of the great things about being a kidlit author.

Authors who have been there and done that share their tips:

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