California: Central/Coastal Regional events
Serious about improving your craft? SCBWI's regional events provide opportunities for professional growth and help you connect with a supportive, creative community.
Bring Books to Market Yourself! Learn to Self-Publish with Darcy Pattison, author of Publish a Kid's Book: Find Surprising Success Self-Publishing
Feb 17, 2026
2 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Storyteller, writing teacher, Queen of Revisions, and founder of Mims House (www.mimshousebooks.com) as publisher, Darcy Pattison has been published in ten languages. Her books, published with Harcourt, Philomel/Penguin, Harpercollins, Arbordale, Dayspring, and Mims House have received recognition for excellence with starred reviews in Kirkus, BCCB and PW. Five of her books have been honored as National Science Teaching Association Outstanding Science Trade books. Other awards include five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, four Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book (CA Reading Assn.), two Junior Library Guild selections, two NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, a NSTA Best STEM Book award, an Arkansiana Award from the Arkansas Library Association, and the Susannah DeBlack Arkansas Children’s History Book award. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature. Darcy’s blog, Fiction Notes at darcypattison.com was her online home base for years with over 350,000 readers a year. Darcy Pattison established the Arkansas chapter of the Society of Children's Book writers and Illustrators and served as Regional Advisor for six years. In 2008, Darcy established Mims House to publish the workbook for her highly regarded Novel Revision Retreat. She blogs about independent publishing at IndieKidsBooks.com.
CenCal's 2026 Writers Retreat - CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Mar 06, 2026 - Mar 08, 2026
5 event
Available seats 32
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, 9415 Hearst Dr, San Simeon, CA 93452
You decide how much you want to participate. Choose to do as much or as little as you wish. Early bird base price $349 members or $415 for non-members (after February 15 date member price is $385) non-members includes 4 meals (Fri dinner, Saturday breakfast and dinner, Sunday breakfast). Lodging is not included to allow commuters to participate. Includes a short introductory talk by literary agent Kayla Cichello of Upstart Crow, inspirational check-ins, optional critique groups, plenty of time to write and create, and evening campfire fun-perfect for those who just want to get away and concentrate on writing or illustrating.