January 25 Meet-up Guest Speaker: Rex Ogle
REX OGLE is an award-winning author of more than a hundred books, comics, graphic novels, and memoirs—most notably Free Lunch (winner of the ALA/YALSA award for Excellence in Non-Fiction), Abuela Don’t Forget Me (ALA/YALSA award for Excellence in Non-Fiction finalist), Road Home (a Micheal Printz Honor and Stonewall Honor book), and middle grade graphic novels Four Eyes and Pizza Face. Under his pseudonym REY TERCIERO, he also re-imagines classics as modern and diverse graphic novels, including Meg, Jo, Beth, & Amy, Northranger (nominated for both Harvey and GLAAD Media Awards), and Dan in Green Gables. Born and raised in Texas, Rex now lives in Los Angeles where he writes every day—when he’s not reading X-Men, gaming with friends, or chasing his dog, Toby, trying to score a hug.
Sorry friends, we will not hold a Meet-up in Nov. or Dec.
We will offer the critique groups on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2:00 pm via Zoom
Please show up on time so you can go to your correct breakout room.
Where: Our meet-ups are virtual over zoom
The zoom link is provided in the bi-monthly email. If you'd like to be added to the email list, please contact Bev Plass at [email protected]
Cost: Free
SoCal welcomes you to join our monthly meet-ups to connect with other creative people and hone your craft. We mingle, have guest speakers, and celebrate writer successes. We generally meet on the fourth Sunday of the month from 1:00-2:00. Sometimes we change the dates due to holidays or other SCBWI events. We break into critique groups immediately following, using the same zoom link. Please read about the critique groups and submission deadlines for "SoCal Writers Group" below.
Meet-ups will resume in January, 25, 2026.
Topic: Choosing the Right Format and Audience for your Story
You have a brilliant book idea...Huzzah! But how do you want to tell it, and who do want to tell it to? Join us in learning the differences between prose, verse, and graphic novel storytelling, as well as figuring out the right target audience for your story--picture and chapter books, middle grade and young adult, new adult and adult--and the strengths and challenges of each.
Critique Groups
SoCal Writer Critique Groups
SoCal Writers typically meet every fourth Sunday of the month via zoom immediately following the meet-up. The same zoom link is used for both meetings.
Inland Empire Writers Critique Group
Inland Empire Writers meet every third Saturday of the month via zoom for meet-up and critique groups.
Illustrator Meet-ups
Illustrators typically meet every second Saturday of the month in person and via zoom (hybrid).
Illustrator Accountability Sessions
One-hour motivational work sessions held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month via zoom
Writer Submission Guidelines:
Picture Book (PB)
Submission length - Send in one manuscript. 1,000 words or less.
Document type - Word document (NOT Pages or PDF.)
Document name - GENRE (PB), LAST NAME, FIRST, TITLE
Document formatting - Size 12 font, Times New Roman. Double spaced. 1 inch margin on all sides.
Document header - Title/author last name (on the far left) and page numbers (on the far right)
Middle Grade (MG) / Young Adult (YA)
Submission length - Send in five pages (double spaced)
Document type - Word document (NOT Pages or PDF.)
Document name - GENRE (MG/YA), LAST NAME, FIRST, TITLE
Document formatting - Size 12 font, Times New Roman. Double spaced. 1 inch margin on all sides.
Document header - Title/author last name (on the far left) and page numbers (on the far right)
Note: If you are submitting a chapter that is later in the novel (not chapter 1), it is helpful to provide a “here’s what has happened so far” summary. It is also helpful to the critiquer if you include a complete synopsis of the novel so they can judge the excerpt within the entire context of the novel. These are merely suggestions, not requirements, to help you maximize the quality of the feedback from your group. First-time submissions: It is highly recommended you attend a meeting once before participating in a critique group. That way, you will know the process we follow. It is important you know the process as this is a moment of vulnerability for members of the group. We want to guide and inspire, not crush our aspiring writers.
Future Meet-up Dates:
Nov 23 (submissions due 11/14)
Jan 25 (submissions due 1/16) Guest Speaker: Rex Ogle, author. Topic: Choosing the Format/Target Audience: Prose, Verse, or Graphic Novels / Picture Book, Chapter Book, Middle Grade, YA, or Adult”
Feb 22 (submissions due 2/13) Guest Speaker: Mirka Hokkanen, freelance editor. Topic: “Agent Querying: Practical Steps”
Mar 22 (submissions due 3/13) Guest Speaker: Cynthia Baseman, author. Topic: “Writing with the Theme of Kindness”
Apr 26 (submissions due 4/17) Guest Speaker: Mia Araujo, author/illustrator. Topic: My Journey
May 24 (submissions due 5/15)
Jun 28 (submissions due 6/19)
Jul 23 (submissions due 8/14)
Sep 27 (submissions due 9/18)
Oct 25 (submissions due 10/16)
Nov 22 (submissions due 11/13)
Dec (No meeting)