California: San Diego 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.
2026 2027 Season Ticket September-April Meetings
Aug 15, 2026 - Dec 20, 2026
8 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
The SCBWI San Diego Virtual Chapter Meeting Season Ticket pays for all chapter meetings from September 2026 through April 2027 and provides discounts on other chapter events.
September 19, 2026, 2-4 p.m. (PT) - How To Hook An Agent: Fishing For The Perfect Match, with Paige Terlip, Agent and Co-Founder, Starling Literary + Media
Sep 19, 2026 - Sep 20, 2026
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
How To Hook An Agent: Fishing For The Perfect Match. The querying process can be stressful with an ocean of possibilities. How to Hook an Agent shares tips and tools to help writers stay afloat during the querying storm. From crafting a dynamic query to exploring what it's like to read submissions and how I manage my query box, discover how to catch the best agent for you—and if you should throw them back!
Author Mentorship with Kade Dishmon or Zoie Konneker, Editors from Peachtree Publishing
Sep 27, 2026 - Apr 15, 2027
1 event
Online event
Available seats 16
Offers SCBWI Premium Member authors the opportunity to work directly with Kade Dishmon or Zoie Konneker.
October 17, 2026, 2-4 p.m. (PT) How to Build a Rollercoaster: Creating an Emotional Arc That Moves Your Story with Melissa Manlove, Executive Editor at Sourcebooks
Oct 17, 2026 - Oct 18, 2026
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Have you been told your book is “too quiet” or “needs more arc”? Do you have a vignette or mood-piece that wants to become a whole story? In this webinar we’ll look at how these rich beginnings can turn into extraordinary connections with your reader--and whether your ‘rollercoaster’ leaves your readers’ hearts pounding…or just makes them pleasantly dizzy, we’ll explore how you can end up with a ride that is worth the price of admission!
November 14, 2026, 2-4 p.m. (PT) *Meet the Editors Featuring Editors from Scholastic, Sourcebooks, and Viking
Nov 14, 2026 - Nov 15, 2026
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Meet The Editors: Get an inside look at the world of children’s publishing with editors from Scholastic, Sourcebooks, and Viking. They’ll introduce their publishing houses and the lines they acquire. They’ll also highlight favorite past and current projects and reveal their wish lists for future projects. There will be time at the end for a Q&A, and attendees will receive submissions guidelines following the meeting.
January 16, 2027, 2-4 p.m. (PT) - Fabulous First Pages with Agent Rachel Orr, Prospect Agency
Jan 16, 2027 - Jan 17, 2027
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
In FABULOUS FIRST PAGES, Rachel Orr from Prospect Agency will take a look at what makes a strong, enticing beginning in picture books and novels, using examples from classic texts, her own clients’ work and manuscripts from San Diego SCBWI Season Ticket Holders. She’ll give tips for how to catch an agent’s eye in those opening lines, and warn against common pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. If time allows, Rachel will offer thoughts on how best to wrap-up a manuscript as well. Don’t miss it!
Author Intensive, March 27, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (PT) - Industry Q&A and Virtual Pitch Roundtable
Mar 27, 2027 - Mar 28, 2027
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Industry Q&A followed by Pitch Roundtables: Four industry professionals will take your questions. For an additional fee, you can then attend Zoom pitch roundtables, where you will have an opportunity to pitch your project to an editor and an agent.
April 3, 2027, 2-4 p.m. (PT) - Laugh Out Loud: Writing Humor for Kids for PB, MG, and YA Authors & Illustrators with Adria Goetz, Senior Literary Agent and Illustration Coordinator at KT Literary.
Apr 03, 2027 - Apr 04, 2027
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
In this workshop senior literary agent Adria Goetz delves into how to incorporate humor into books for young readers. The instructor will examine successful humor-driven books, decode the secret to their success, and identify specific techniques you can use in your own work. Humor is a fantastic entry point into reading, particularly for kids who are intimidated by books, so the instructor takes silly books very seriously.