April 26, Meet-up Guest Speaker: Mia Araujo, Author-Illustrator
Mia Araujo is an Argentine American artist and author, based in Orange County, CA. She graduated as valedictorian from Otis College of Art and Design, with a BFA in Illustration and a minor in Creative Writing. Mia has shown her art in galleries, museums, and conventions across the US and around the world, has illustrated book covers for other authors, and co-hosts Painted in Color, a BIPOC art podcast on Youtube. Her debut illustrated novel, Afia in the Land of Wonders, published by Scholastic in 2025, is a blend of her passion for visual storytelling and prose, a project that she has dedicated over a decade to crafting.
Writers Meet-up
When: Sun., April 26, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Speaker: Mia Araujo, Author-Illustrator
Persistence is Key: My 12-Year Journey to Publication
From the initial idea, to delivering the final art and manuscript to my publisher, it took me 12 years to bring my debut illustrated novel Afia in the Land of Wonders to life. I’ll share the ups and downs, and everything I learned along the way!
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)