SCBWI California: SoCal

Welcome to SCBWI California: SoCal

If you are just starting out or have a long-standing career as a writer or illustrator, you are invited to join us. We are a friendly group that provides meet-ups, critique groups, a spring MG/YA writers retreat, a hybrid fall conference and book festival opportunities. Our region includes Long Beach and the counties of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange. We’re all about making connections!

Our Regional Team

Upcoming Events

Illustrator Meet-up Speaker: Lisa Johnston Hancock, Sat, Sept. 12, 11:00AM-1:00PM

Lisa is an author-illustrator who will discuss how to create a stylized character from realistic sketches.

Orange County Children's Book Festival, Sunday, Sept. 20, Booth Orange 016

Visit our SCBWI SoCal booth at the OC Children’s Book Festival! Buy books from our local members! Get autographs! Support your peers.

Meet-up Guest Speaker: Tita Berredo, Sun, Sept. 27, 1:00-2:00 PT

Join an insider‑focused talk about the world’s biggest and most influential event in children’s publishing: the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Fall Harvest Oct. 3; Registration is now 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 on Sat, Oct. 3, 2026 8:30-5:00 at Cal State University, Fullerton or Zoom.

Our Team

Meet-ups and Critique Groups

Events

Newsletter & Kite Tales Blog

Member Good News

Gayla Bratta

Nadia Roldan

Writers and Illustrators Connect

Membership

Find out why membership matters.

Becoming a translator

Translation: Some Frequently Asked Questions, by Avery Udagawa

Keep in touch

To inquire about local events, awards, or opportunities, please email Bev Plass: [email protected]