05 Wednesday Apr 2023
Posted in Central Coast, Los Angeles, SoCal, Tri-Regional News
by Judy Faulkner and Michelle Lin, Kite Tales Co-Managing Editors
The seasons are changing—at Kite Tales, too.
Jessica Chrysler and Noel Csermak, two stalwart SCBWI Tri-Region volunteers, have recently stepped away from their respective long-time roles as KT’s managing editor and proofreader. If you’ve enjoyed the blog in recent years (as we know so many of you have!), they are two major reasons why.
Continue reading29 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Central Coast, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, CenCal, craft, Patricia Toht, poetry, publishing, rhyming, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, writing, writing tips
by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Join us on Thursday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. for a webinar with Patricia Toht titled “Let’s Get Rhyming!” Despite what some may insist, it’s not a crime to write in rhyme! But it does take effort to master your verse. Join author and Rhyme Doctor Patricia Toht as she shares her new releases, Together With You and Pick a Perfect Egg, along with other wonderful books in rhyme, and reveals key elements that make them shine. The price will be $12 for SCBWI members.
Continue reading15 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Industry Conferences, Los Angeles, PAL, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, craft, Creative Toolbox, Henry Lien, publishing, R.S. Mellette, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, writing
by R.S. Mellette
Before attending Henry Lien’s Creative Toolbox Workshop in January, I wasn’t much of a workshop person. I’ve got a theatre (with an “re”) degree. I’ve studied all the great playwrights from the inside out—meaning I’ve played their characters, and there is no better teacher about what works and what doesn’t than a live audience. I have written screenplays. I’ve won awards for TV and film. I have books published with glowing reviews. I have earned my snobbish attitude!
But I’ve also been locked inside for two years, like the rest of us, so any chance to see another person face-to-face is a joy these days. Also, I know Henry. Author of the Peasprout Chen middle grade fantasy/adventure series, he sat on a panel I put together for L.A. Comic Con. He’s a really nice guy, so I should go wave the flag of the SCBWI-L.A. board, right?
Fine. I went.
Continue reading01 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Toot Your Horn!
Tags
board book, middle grade, nonfiction, nonfiction anthology, picture book, published, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, young adult
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 hi-fives welcome in the comments!
22 Wednesday Feb 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Illustrator's Perspective
Tags
authors, illustrator tips, illustrators, Molly Ruttan, picture book, publishing, SCBWI members, Something Wild, writing tips
Molly Ruttan’s gorgeously illustrated, award-winning picture books often feature gently humorous, fantastical happenings cast within real-life settings. This unique perspective is at the forefront in the forthcoming Something Wild, which publishes next week (2023, Nancy Paulsen Books / Penguin Random House). Something Wild is the recipient of a Kirkus starred review.
Judy Faulkner: Welcome back to Kite Tales, Molly! You’ve been super busy since your appearance in 2019, when your illustrator debut, I Am a Thief!, came out. Now your fourth book is about to launch—your second as author-illustrator. Tell us about it!
Molly Ruttan: Thank you so much for having me back! It’s always such a pleasure to connect with my SCBWI family.
Continue reading15 Wednesday Feb 2023
Posted in Great News!
SCBWI loves celebrating our members’ successes and noteworthy news, and there are many! Read on to find out who’s got something to shout about. Digital high-fives welcome in the comments!
Continue reading08 Wednesday Feb 2023
Posted in #KTIllustrates, Illustrator's Perspective
Kite Tales welcomes artist Imelda Hinojosa to share her inspiration and process with the community in creating her work. Her piece for #KTIllustrates2022 displayed a joy for movement and color that best displayed the idea of the prompt: When we begin to play…
Congratulations again to our winner and read on to learn more about Imelda and to view her wonderful work.
Continue reading04 Wednesday Jan 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Contests & Grants, Mentorship Contest
Tags
contests, illustrators, Joseph Taylor, mentorship, picture book, Sarah Gottlieb, SCBWI members, writer
by Sarah Gottlieb
About this time last year, I was drowning in “champagne rejections.” I had a wonderful but complicated idea and had spent a lot of time working on a manuscript and query letter. What was causing agents to write complimentary emails but not take the plunge? Or worse, to say, “Call me if someone makes you an offer!” I knew I had a great idea—the agents said as much—but I didn’t know why they wouldn’t bite.
I thought of all of the writers I’d met and wondered if a mentor could help. I checked SCBWI-L.A. to see if they had any information on mentorships and, to my delight, this very mentorship contest was open for submission. AND the mentor was Joseph Taylor, the editor of MUSE, the children’s science magazine. I couldn’t believe my luck.
Continue reading21 Wednesday Dec 2022
Posted in Los Angeles, Tri-Regional News
In October, we were inspired by our wonderful members who brought energy and enthusiasm to our first in-person event since 2019. Seeing faces, both new and familiar, chatting craft with faculty, answering questions for each other… this is SCBWI at its best. We hope that in this holiday season, you’re able to recharge your creativity by drawing close to your family and friends, and by celebrating all that is good and precious to you. Looking forward to seeing even more of you in 2023. Happy Holidays!
Continue reading14 Wednesday Dec 2022
Posted in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News
Image by Laura-Susan Thomas.
Kite Tales 