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Tag Archives: Events

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

12 Wednesday Aug 2026

Posted by Christine Van Zandt HOT DOG! 2026 JLG gold-standard selection in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, author, author visits, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, editor, Events, publishing, school visits, virtual resources

“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 Christine Van Zandt HOT DOG! 2026 JLG gold-standard selection in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

#AskanEditor, author, author visits, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, editor, Events, publishing, school visits, virtual resources

“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 Judy Y Faulkner in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, Events, Jane Friedman, libraries, publishing

“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 Judy Y Faulkner in Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News, Writers Retreat

≈ 1 Comment

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Adam Blackman, Analía Cabello, craft, Events, Jennifer Rofé, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, working writers retreat, writing

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 Christine Van Zandt HOT DOG! 2026 JLG gold-standard selection in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

≈ 1 Comment

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#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, critiques, editor, Events, publishing

“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 Christine Van Zandt HOT DOG! 2026 JLG gold-standard selection in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

≈ 2 Comments

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#AskanEditor, Amanda Davis, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, Events, Jocelyn Rish, Keila V. Dawson, marketing, Micky O'Brady, Moni Ritchie Hadley, publicity, publishing, R.S. Mellette, Tina Athaide, Tracy Gold, websites

“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 Judy Y Faulkner in Agent's Perspective, Illustrators Day, Los Angeles, Tips and Tools, Tri-Regional News

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craft, Events, illustrators, Illustrators Day, Kait Feldmann, SCBWI events

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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Storm Clouds and Sunny Spirits at LA Times Festival of Books

07 Wednesday May 2025

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Industry Conferences, Los Angeles, PAL, SoCal, Tri-Regional News

≈ 2 Comments

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Ann Suk Wang, Annelouise Mahoney, authors, Book Festivals, Dan McCauley, Events, Glenda Galvan-Garcia, illustrators, Janie Emaus, Jennifer S. Pitts, Joy Hwang Ruiz, Judy Campbell-Smith, Kimberly Tso, Kobina Commeh, Kumiko Yamada-Yuge, LATFoB, Lauren Gallegos, Lori Polydoros, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Molly Ruttan, PAL, PAL events, R.S. Mellette, Sasha Mayer, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, W.R. Miller, writers

by Jennifer S. Pitts

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

Though originally a tribute to the ancient Persian royal couriers, this enduring phrase also perfectly captures the spirit of SCBWI’s LA and SoCal PAL members, who braved unpredictable weather to complete their own “appointed rounds” at the 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

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See You at the LATFoB!

11 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Industry Conferences, Los Angeles, PAL, SoCal, Tri-Regional News

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authors, Book Festivals, Events, illustrators, LATFoB, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, PAL, PAL events, writers

Friday Special Edition

Join SCBWI at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books!

  • When: April 26–27
  • Where: USC, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089
  • Booth # 826

PAL authors and illustrators from the LA and SoCal regions will be appearing and signing their books in the famed Booth #826. Here’s the weekend schedule of Signing Authors and Illustrators to help you make your plans:

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“Wild Things” Continues

22 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Community Corner

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art, Denver Art Museum, Events, exhibition, exhibitions, Illustration, Maurice Sendak, Nina Snyder

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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What is SCBWI?

Founded in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children's writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a non-profit, 501 (c)3 organization. There are currently more than 22,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regional chapters writing and illustrating in all genres for young readers, making it the largest children's writing organization in the world.

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Members of SCBWI receive exclusive access to tools, information, and industry professionals as well conferences, workshops, and critiques. Click HERE to find out more. Join us and take your writing to the next level!

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