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Tag Archives: publishing

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

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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 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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Fall Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day 2026

15 Wednesday Jul 2026

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

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Alvina Ling, Analía Cabello, Andie Smith, Andrea J. Loney, Aubrey Hartman, authors, Carter Hasegawa, critiques, Fay Ryu Kelling, Haley Casey, illustrators, Judy Campbell-Smith, Karina Grande, Lindsey Aduskevich, Michaela Whatnall, pitches, Priscilla Burris, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members

by Beverly Plass, SCBWI SoCal Regional Advisor

When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Cal State University, Fullerton, and on Zoom
Registration is OPEN

Writers and illustrators are invited to a full day of speaker presentations, critiques, pitches, first pages, contests, and mingling with fellow creatives! This hybrid event is both in-person and via Zoom. Attendees will have access to the videos for 30 days following the event and receive submission guidelines from all our faculty.

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Toot Your Horn!

17 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Toot Your Horn!

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Tags

authors, fiction, illustrators, 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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SCBWI-L.A.’s Mentorship Contest Is Open! 

15 Wednesday Apr 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Contests & Grants, Los Angeles, Mentorship Contest, Tri-Regional News

≈ 1 Comment

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authors, contest, fiction, Julia Edwards, mentorship, middle grade, nonfiction, picture book, publishing, Rebecca Langston-George, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, Sherry Shahan, writers, YA

**Note: The SCBWI-L.A. Mentorship is a six-month program that alternates between various categories of writing and illustrating. In this post, our 2025 winner, author Julia Edwards, shares her experience with the program. The 2026 mentor will be announced at the end of the post.** 

by Julia Edwards

Last year, I was the lucky winner of the SCBWI-L.A. Mentorship Contest and got to work with middle-grade author Sherry Shahan for six months on my manuscript I Speak for the Trees.

Sherry Shahan and Julia Edwards in conversation over Zoom
Mentee Julia Edwards and mentor Sherry Shahan in conversation

I am so glad I met this human! She is enthusiastic, she asks essential questions, she elucidates truths. She dove into her own research to understand the heart of my story, and we had deep conversations about eco-anxiety, the Wood Wide Web of mushroom fibers that allows trees to communicate, women’s climbing camps, and more. 

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Toot Your Horn!

25 Wednesday Feb 2026

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Toot Your Horn!

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

authors, fiction, illustrators, 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!

Continue reading →

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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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10 Inspiring Kite Tales Quotes from 2025

31 Wednesday Dec 2025

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Agent's Perspective, Author's Perspective, Community Corner, Editor's Perspective, Illustrator's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, Adam Blackman, Alexander Vidal, Analía Cabello, authors, Brenda Scott Royce, Cassandra Federman, Christine Van Zandt, craft, Ellen Hopkins, Harshini Vankineni, illustrators, inspiration, Jaime Zollars, Jennifer Rofé, Jennifer S. Pitts, Jenny Turnbull, Judy Faulkner, Kelly Pellico, Micky O'Brady, Paige Vinten Taylor, Philana Marie Boles, publishing, publishing tips, quotes, SCBWI community, Sherry Shahan, writing tips

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 Judy Y Faulkner in Toot Your Horn!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

authors, fiction, illustrators, MG, middle grade, mystery, picture book, published, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, Spiritual, YA

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!

Continue reading →

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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

Tags

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

22 Wednesday Oct 2025

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

authors, Brett Duquette, Brian LaRossa, contest winners, illustrators, Marie Chan, middle grade, picture book, publishing, Rebecca Sherman, Robert Mellette, Robin Preiss Glasser, Sally Kim, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, Tina Athaide, YA

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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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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