Aug 23 Meet-up Guest Speakers: Jodi Rizzotto & Kathleen Troy
Writers Meet-up
When: Sun., Aug. 23, 1:00 - 2:00 pm PT
Speakers: Jodi Rizzotto & Kathleen Troy
Topic: Self Publishing
Where: zoom
Cost: Free
Jodi Rizzotto is a retired elementary school teacher who lives in Southern California where she and her husband can ride their Harley all year long. She served as newsletter editor and secretary for their local Harley Owners Group chapter. Jodi credits SCBWI for sharpening her writing skills over the past ten years, as well as introducing her to an amazing group of writer friends. Currently, she serves as co-assistant regional advisor for SCBWI SoCal. Her audiences and genres include MG and YA contemporary fantasy, as well as adult speculative short stories that have been published in several anthologies. Check out her website.
Kathleen Troy is an award-winning author of two heartwarming mystery series, middle grade and young adult. She’s a children’s book publisher, movie producer, voice audio narrator, writing and law professor at Cypress College, businesswoman, and former Director of Education and Development for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Kathleen is President of Sisters in Crime, Orange County Chapter and an active member of California Writers Club as well as Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She has won several awards for middle grade and young adult books. Dog training is Kathleen’s passion, and she has achieved recognition, most notably for training service dogs for hospice work. She welcomes you to visit her websites: www.kathleentroy.com, www.dylanandfriendspublishing.com, order her books on Amazon https://amzn.to/4ffQBQI or email her: [email protected]
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/or via zoom.
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:
Aug. 23 (submissions due 8/14) Guest Speaker: Kathleen Troy (author, publisher) Self Publishing
Sep 27 (submissions due 9/18) - Tita Berrado - International Publishing
Oct 25 (submissions due 10/16) Ernesto Cisneros (author) His Author's Journey
Nov 22 (submissions due 11/13) Janice Hardy, The Story Beneath the Story
Dec (No meeting)