March 22: Writer Meet-up Guest Speaker: Cynthia Baseman
Cynthia Baseman is the author of the #1 Amazon New Release Young Adult/Teen Social Issues Weirdos Welcome. She writes stories that sit at the intersections of healing, humor, and humanity. From a deeply personal memoir Love Mom: A Mother’s Journey From Loss to Hope to Lip Monsters: Momo Motormouth, a whimsical children’s series created to spark curiosity, to her newest YA novel Weirdos Welcome, celebrating neurodivergent first love, she's drawn to the moments that make us feel most alive. Cynthia is a Focus Film award winner, a Nicholl Fellowship finalist, and an Emmy- nominated producer. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, four cockatiels, and rescue dog.
April 11, Illustrator Meet-up Speaker: Linda Liu
Linda Liu is a SoCal-based author, illustrator, and designer with a taste for tactile textures, saucy shapes, and palatable palettes. She uses her light, playful aesthetic to balance out deeper narrative concepts exploring social emotional learning and the human condition. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (BFA Illustration), Linda has since had her finger in many pies; from in-house graphic designer for finance and tech companies, to author/illustrator of award-winning picture books. She will present: Saving Scraps: Her Author-Illustrator Journey (see more by clicking "Illustrator Meet-up link below)
Writers Meet-up
When: Sun., March 22, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Speaker: Cynthia Baseman
Topic: Writing with the Theme of Kindness
How, as authors, do we help create a culture of caring? As artists and creators, how do we dig deep into our sense of empathy, compassion and emotional intelligence? Let's talk about what we reflect in our choices of storytelling through dialogue, character and setting. Using examples from different genres, let's find the keys that can open the door to humor, self-awareness, forgiveness so we can write with kindness.
Where: zoom
The zoom link is provided in the bi-monthly email. If you'd like to be added to the email list for the meet-ups and zoom link, please contact Bev Plass at [email protected]. If you'd like to be added to a critique group email list, please choose which group (see buttons below) and email that critique group leader.
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:
Apr 26 (submissions due 4/17) Guest Speaker: Mia Araujo, author/illustrator. Topic: My Journey
May 24 (submissions due 5/15) Guest Speaker: Carlene Griffith (author, RT) “Winter Conference Highlights”
Jun 28 (submissions due 6/19) Guest Speaker: Erin Teagan (author)- Fast Drafting
Aug. 23 (submissions due 8/14) Guest Speaker: Kathleen Troy (author, publisher) Self Publishing
Sep 27 (submissions due 9/18)
Oct 25 (submissions due 10/16) Ernesto Cisneros (author) His Author's Journey
Nov 22 (submissions due 11/13)
Dec (No meeting)