May 24 Meet-up presenter: Carlene Griffith
Carlene went to SCBWI Winter Conference in New York and listened to inspirational authors, agents, publishers and art directors. Tune in as she shares about her experience and what she's learned. Bio: Carlene Griffith is a co-assistant Regional Advisor for the SCBWI’s SoCal chapter and a self-published author of 10 MINUTE PLAYS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES Volumes 1&2 and the ROSE MAIDELAIDEN series. She writes in many genres, including YA, PB, short stories, plays, and poetry.
June 13, Illustrator Meet-up Speaker: Christina Forshay
Join Christina Forshay for an inspiring and practical discussion on portfolio development, creative growth, and the importance of building your creative community. Christina will share insights from her professional journey, offer guidance on creating an effective illustration portfolio, and provide live portfolio critiques and feedback for attendees who bring work to share. The session will also explore how supportive creative relationships can help sustain and strengthen a long-term career in illustration. Christina is a Los Angeles–based illustrator who loves creating art that celebrates strong, brave children and animals through enchanting worlds filled with color, light, and shadow. Growing up in a diverse Mexican American community, she rarely saw families like her own represented in books or media, an experience that deeply shaped her understanding of belonging and representation. Through her work, she hopes diverse young readers can see themselves reflected in the stories they read and feel empowered, while also encouraging all children to appreciate cultures and experiences different from their own. When she’s not painting or drawing in her studio, Christina enjoys doing fun stuff like hiking, golfing and exploring new places with her two kids!
June 28, Meet-up Guest Speaker: Erin Tegan, Author
Erin Teagan writes middle grade fiction and non-fiction with a science focus including The Friendship Experiment (HarperCollins), Survivor Girl (Clarion), and two series for American Girl. After many years in the trenches, Erin accepted a challenge to write a manuscript in one month, which resulted in the publication of her debut novel. Since then, she has relied on her fast-drafting skills for several projects, a skill she is thankful she took the time to develop. Erin lives in Virginia with her family and her two droopy hound dogs Beaker & Bunsen Burner. Topic: Fast Drafting for the Not-So Speedy Writer Fast-drafting is a skill that many writers will use at some point in their careers. It could be for a deadline, an exercise, or a final push to get a stubborn idea on the page. We’ll explore practical tips and exercises that writers can do to find their focus and become a fast-drafter. We’ll share and discuss roadblocks to fast-drafting and brainstorm solutions, including how to turn off that annoying internal editor.
Writers Meet-up
When: Sun., May 28, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Speaker: Carlene Griffith
Topic: What I Learned at SCBWI Winter Conference
Where: zoom
The zoom link is provided in the bi-monthly email from "SCBWI SoCal." The link is in the header of the article referencing the meet-up.
If you'd like to be added to the email list for the meet-ups and zoom link, please follow our region.
To follow our region, go to SCBWI.org, Member Home, My Profile, Edit My Profile, Home Region and follow others that interest you, and click "California:SoCal."
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.
Illustrators Meet-up
When: Sat., June 13, 10:00 - 12:00 pm
Irvine Ranch Water District
(more info when you click "Illustrator Meet-ups" 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:
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)