Guest Speaker May 18: Rex Ogle, Author
REX OGLE is an award-winning author of over a hundred books, comics, graphic novels, and memoirs—most notably Free Lunch, Abuela Don’t Forget Me, Four Eyes, Pizza Face, and the Supernatural Society trilogy. He also reimagines classic literature as modern and fantastical graphic novels under the pen name REY TERCIERO, including titles such as Northranger, Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms, Doña Quixote: Rise of the Knight, and more. Before he got his first book deal, he worked as an editor at Marvel, DC Comics, Scholastic, and Little Brown Young Readers. Hit him up on Instagram @thirdrex, find out more about him at www.rexogle.com, or subscribe to his newsletter for free books and lots of fun at https://substack.com/@thirdrex
Topic: World-Building 101: How to Make Your Fantasy Stories Realer Than Life
No matter what story you're crafting--be it horror, supernatural, sci-fi, superhero, or something genre-bending--the very first step is to build a reality that's as real as the one we're in now. Join for some tips on addressing the 5 (or more!) senses, developing characters that may or may not be human, addressing the geo-political-socio-econ-etc. of your setting, and (my favorite part...) building a "world bible" so you have a constant reference guide at your side anytime you need it.
When: Sunday, May 18, 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 Writers Group
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 Group
Inland Empire Writers meet every third Saturday of the month via zoom for meet-up and critique groups.
Illustrators Group
Illustrators typically meet every second Saturday of the month in person and via zoom (hybrid).
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:
June 22 (submissions due 6/13) Speaker: Ariel Richardson-editor, Chronicle- Pep, Prod, Pause writer’s emotional journey
July: No Meet-up due to SCBWI National Conference
Aug 24 (submissions due 8/15) Speaker: Kaitlyn Sanchez, agent, Bradford- Ask an Agent
Sept 28 (submissions due 9/19) Speaker: Laura Stegman, author- Writing an Author Bio
Oct 26 (submissions du 10/17) Speaker: Lee Wardlaw, author- Poetry
Nov 23 (submissions due 11/14)