October 26 Meet-up Guest Speaker: Lee Wardlow
Lee Wardlaw is an award-winning author of 31 books for young readers including 8 written in verse. Lee’s newest title is My Book of Firsts: Poems Celebrating a Baby’s Milestones (Red Comet/Abrams), which is based on watching her son grow up. Her much-loved picture book Won Ton – A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (Holt), illustrated by Eugene Yelchin, received close to 50 accolades, including the Lee Bennett Hopkins Children’s Poetry Award, the Myra Cohn Livingston Poetry for Children Award, the Beehive (Utah) Children’s Choice Poetry Award, and the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award (CA/HI). The NCTE and ALSC also named it a Notable Poetry Book. Lee’s poems may be found in several anthologies, such as A Universe of Rainbows: Mulicolored Poems for a Multicolored World, edited by Matt Forrest Esenwine; and The Poetry of US: Poems that Celebrate the People, Places and Passions of the United States, edited by J. Patrick Lewis. She lives in Santa Barbara with her husband and two dog-disdaining cats.
The Curse of Verse: Why Editors Hate Poetry in Picture Books (and How YOU Can Change Their Minds!)
Presenter: Lee Wardlaw
Description:
If you’ve written a picture book in rhyme, is your manuscript doomed to a life of
rejection? What if you wrote your picture book in free verse? Or haiku? Or a series
of concrete poems? Is it cursed to remain slush even before you’ve stamped that
SASE – or hit send on your submission email? The answer to all the above: A
resounding NO. Truth is, editors don't hate poetry – only bad poetry. The solution?
Write only the good stuff – and that’s where this presentation comes in. The Curse
of Verse is a lively, informative talk that covers the basics of writing great picture
books in verse. You’ll also receive several hand-outs featuring poetry Tips &
Tricks-or-Treats, as well as recommended reading lists.
When: Sunday, Sept. 28, 1:00-2:00 pm
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.
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)