Ready, Set, Enter: The Writers Day Contest Is Open!

29 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Contests & Grants, Los Angeles, Writers Days

Tags

authors, middle grade, Nicholas Ponticello, Patricia Toht, picture book, SCBWI community, Vincent X. Kirsch, writing contest, young adult

by Brenda Scott Royce

SCBWI-L.A.’s signature event, Writers Day, will be back in 2024—and with it comes the Writers Day Contest, an opportunity for all attendees to enter for a chance to win prizes and public recognition of their work.

Why enter writing contests? Prizes are awfully nice, and hearing your name announced as the winner is a definite thrill. A contest win can get you a step closer to publication. And just entering can be a reward in itself, providing the boost you need to polish your manuscript and send it out into the world.

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Ask an Editor: Query Letters—When to Start Writing One?

01 Wednesday Nov 2023

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

#AskanEditor, authors, Christine Van Zandt, editor, middle grade, nonfiction, novel, picture book, publishing, query letters, writing tips, YA

“Ask an Editor” is a quarterly forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine—I’ve finished the first draft of my middle-grade mystery but still have a ways to go before it’s ready for me to submit it to literary agents. When do I start writing my query letter?—Ava, Los Angeles

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SoCal Represents at OC Children’s Book Festival

04 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Community Corner, SoCal, Tri-Regional News

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Amin Sharif, author-illustrator, authors, Bronwen Butter Newcott, Heather Buchta, illustrators, middle grade, Nazli Tahvili, OC Children's Book Festival, picture books, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, Shiho Pate, Susi Schaefer, Susie Yi, Tootie Nienow, YA

by Beverly Plass, RA SoCal SCBWI

*Heather Buchta (left), Bronwen Butter Newcott, Susie Yi and Susi Schaefer sell their books at the OC Children’s Book Festival.*

Thousands of book-loving families flocked to the OC Children’s Book Festival at Orange Coast College on October 1. The event featured hundreds of booths as well as several on-stage presentations. SoCal SCBWI hosted a booth with its published authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators.

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SCBWI CenCal Writers’ Day Winners 2023!

20 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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Alexis O'Neill Volunteer of the Year Award, Elizabeth Kuelbs, Leanne Pankuch, middle grade, Paulina Hill, picture books, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, young adult

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

The SCBWI Central-Coastal Region held its in-person Writers’ Day on Saturday, September 9, at the Camarillo Public Library. After an inspiring day of speakers and camaraderie, a few honors were presented, with the winners receiving free entry to next year’s Writers’ Day.

Congratulations to all the participants in the writing contest, including the winners:

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Toot Your Horn!

30 Wednesday Aug 2023

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Toot Your Horn!

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

middle grade, nonfiction, picture book, published, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI members

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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Ask an Editor: What Is an R&R?

19 Wednesday Jul 2023

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

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Tags

#AskanEditor, authors, Christine Van Zandt, editor, middle grade, novel, picture book, publishing, writing tips, YA

“Ask an Editor” is a quarterly forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine–When I queried my YA novel to a few agents, one sent me an “R&R” (revise and resubmit) request. Should I do this?—Effie, Los Angeles

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Toot Your Horn!

07 Wednesday Jun 2023

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Toot Your Horn!

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board book, Graphic Novels, middle grade, nonfiction, picture book, published, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, young adult

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Here’s a Secret About Diverse Books

24 Wednesday May 2023

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Author's Perspective, Industry News

≈ 1 Comment

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#WNDB, Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, authors, diversity, Judy Blume, Little Divas, middle grade, Philana Marie Boles, publishing, We Need Diverse Books

by Philana Marie Boles

Since its inception in 2014, I have applauded the refreshing “We Need Diverse Books” initiative. Yet internally, as a multi-published author, I’ve also whimpered a weary cry whenever I see those words. I’ve wanted to remind anyone who will listen, “But we’re here. We’ve always been here. Diverse books just need to be seen and supported.”

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Plant a Seed of an Idea and Watch it Blossom into Your Next Book

08 Wednesday Mar 2023

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

authors, Fina Mendoza Mysteries, Kitty Felde, MG, middle grade, novels, publishing, writing, writing tips

by Kitty Felde

Kitty Felde at Literary Hill BookFest on Capitol Hill 2022

There is nothing more scary than a blank screen. Starting a new novel from scratch is more terrifying than any roller coaster in any amusement park anywhere in the world.

That’s why I avoid an empty page.

Instead, I’m a great believer in germination. Instead of starting from bare earth, I plant the tiniest of ideas, giving them time to take root and put up shoots. I never know which seeds will fully blossom, but I’m willing to be surprised.

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