California: Central/Coastal Regional events

SCBWI CenCal's 2026 Writers & Illustrators Day - CRAFT, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY

SCBWI CenCal's 2026 Writers & Illustrators Day – CRAFT, CREATIVITY, and COMMUNITY Join us for CenCal's Writers & Illustrators Day on Saturday 10/24/26 at the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Auditorium, 1605 E. Burnley St. in Camarillo (same location as last year). *** Our theme this year is Craft, Creativity, and Community! Our logo artwork is courtesy of local CenCal artist Jaime Zollars. You’ll learn about creativity from publishers Carrie Turley and Lara Law of Lawley Publishing, Rachel Diebel, editor at Feiwel & Friends, and Julie R. Sanders, literary agent at SteelWorks Literary. Plus, you’ll be inspired to create by author Lynn Becker (Ghost Town in the Mountains) and Merry Miller-Gass (Rover Rolled Over). In addition, we will be having a Pitchfest on Saturday, October 31st, from 9:30am to 2pm. In addition, all conference attendees are invited to a pre-conference webinar on Wednesday, October 21st, at 5:30pm, featuring Bookstr's Scott Richmond's Stress-Free Guide to Social Media and Press! There will be prizes, morning coffee, catered lunch, photo opportunities, first pages (chance drawing to get feedback on your anonymous first page), a Writing Contest, an Illustrators Portfolio table, Author Display Table and a wonderful opportunity to connect with other writers and illustrators. .** SCBWI members registered for the 10/24/26 conference have the option to add up to ONE Written Critique (handed out at the end of the day on 10/24/26—no in person meeting) PLUS ONE live Pitch at the pitchfest online on Saturday, 10/31/26. Critiques and pitches offered while supply lasts. *** See FAQs and other info below.