Tag Archives: Events

SCBWI CenCal SeasideWriters and Illustrators Retreat

21 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News, Writers' Retreat

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Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Join us for a weekend of embracing creativity: drop the judgement, try new things, clear the mind, accept mistakes, and record ideas. Our annual retreat takes place over the Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend, January 15–17, 2027, at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort in San Simeon.

Enjoy plenty of unstructured writing or illustrating time, plus shared meals, optional critiques, PAL (Published and Listed) tips, and short inspirational chats. No scheduled speaker, just fellowship, sharing, and a chance to get away and concentrate on writing or art.

You may book a room at a discounted rate, or if you live locally, you are welcome to commute.

Full details with pricing are posted on the website at scbwi.org/regions/cencal. Registration opens in early October. Early bird registration includes four meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and dinner, and Sunday breakfast—with Saturday lunch on your own) and use of the meeting room.

All critiques, talks, and get-togethers are free. Hotel rooms are not included in the price and must be booked separately with the hotel directly. Contact Co-RA Rebecca Langston-George at cencal-ra@scbwi.org with questions.

Please follow SCBWI CenCal from your SCBWI home to be added to our mailing list and be the first to know when further information is available.

For information on SCBWI CenCal events (open to all SCBWI members), go to the CenCal website.

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 provided by the SCBWI Central-Coastal Region and Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, San Simeon.

Throw a Birthday Party for Your Characters

14 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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by Kitty Felde

Tired of cranking out social media blasts to launch your new book? Why not throw a birthday party for one of your characters?

In my latest Fina Mendoza mystery, Home of the Brave, my young detective celebrates her 11th birthday. But her party gets hijacked by her matchmaking aunts, trying to fix up Fina’s congressman father with his former chief-of-staff. Fina barely gets to blow out the candles.

So I threw Fina the birthday party she should have had. And sold quite a few books along the way.

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Ask an Editor: Booking Agencies

07 Wednesday Oct 2026

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—What is a booking agency and is this service relevant to my career?

—Joshua, Los Angeles

Hello Joshua –

Agencies that book authors and illustrators to do presentations at schools, libraries, and related venues are called booking agencies or speaking agencies. I do not belong to one but have checked into two, How Now Booking and The Author Village, and have compiled information about other agencies based on feedback I received from authors and illustrators I interviewed.

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Ask an Editor: Author Visits—What Are They Like? (Part Two)

12 Wednesday Aug 2026

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 considering contacting local schools to earn money doing author visits. What are they generally like?

—Brianna, Los Angeles

Hello again, Brianna –

Let’s pick up where we left off last month. You’ve booked your author visit, and now you’re getting ready to spend your time with the class. Remember, each school visit will be unique.

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Ask an Editor: Author Visits—What Are They Like? (Part One)

22 Wednesday Jul 2026

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 considering contacting local school to earn money doing author visits. What are they generally like?

—Brianna, Los Angeles

Hello Brianna –

Each school visit is unique. Look into doing this if you feel comfortable speaking in front of people and enjoy interacting with kids. SCBWI.org has helpful information in its publication The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children. The “SCBWI School Visits and Speaking Engagements” section includes helpful articles and a sample contract.

Here’s a quick overview of what I’ve experienced.

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Ask an Editor: Literary Citizenship

28 Wednesday Jan 2026

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 keep hearing about “literary citizenship.” How does this apply to authors?

– KD, Redondo

Hello KD – For me, literary citizenship means establishing and maintaining relationships. It also means giving throughout our careers without expecting something in return; relationships aren’t a 50-50 thing. But, just wait; those relationships will pay off, guaranteed.

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No Tricks, All Treat: A Spirited SCBWI-L.A. 2025 Working Writers Retreat

12 Wednesday Nov 2025

Posted by in Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News, Writers Retreat

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by Judy Y Faulkner

It was Halloween. Many of us came in costume. We all bared our souls. We tendered—and tended—our words. Ate, played, and laughed together. This year’s SCBWI-Los Angeles Working Writers Retreat took place from October 31–November 2, and it was a sweet treat.

Faculty, attendees, and the SCBWI-L.A. team at the spirited SCBWI-Los Angeles 2025 Working Writers Retreat
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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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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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Go “Beyond the Brush” at SCBWI-L.A. Illustrators Day with Kait Feldmann

09 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Agent's Perspective, Illustrators Day, Los Angeles, Tips and Tools, Tri-Regional News

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Agent Kait Feldmann brings a PB and GN feast to Illustrators Day

Dive into visual storytelling for the modern picture book market with agent Kait Feldmann!

Kait Feldmann is an agent with KT Literary and was previously an editor with HarperCollins and Scholastic, overseeing an award-winning editorial list. Join us as she brings more than decade of experience and her unique perspective on kidlit art to SCBWI-L.A.’s Illustrators Day at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, CA, on July 13, 2025, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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