Feb.14: Illustrator Meet-up Guest Speaker: Nicole Tugeau
Bio: Nicole Tugeau is the agent-owner behind the Tugeau 2 Art & Literary Agency since 2003. She is ecstatic about her ever-growing Agency and committed to working hard and ethically for the network of bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators that surround her. Nicole is a regular contributor to conferences and events, colleges and universities that support the visual arts and the children's publishing industry. She is an original founder of an independent agent network, KidLitAgents, that corresponds regularly to discuss industry, business and contractual topics. And as of October, 2025 Nicole serves on the Governance Committee of the American Association of Literary Agents. Nicole is a wife and mom of 3 "big" kids, a certified yoga instructor, avid snowboarder, and generally interested in all things related to books, home-improvement and travel.
Feb 22: Writer Meet-up Guest Speaker: Mirka Hokkanen
Mirka Hokkanen is a Finnish-American author-illustrator who likes quirky animal characters and stories that make kids laugh. Mirka is the creator for the graphic novel series Mossy and Tweed (Holiday House), the picture book series Kitty and Cat (Candlewick), and the non-fiction picture book series Little Seasons (OddDot). Mirka currently lives by Washington DC in Maryland, and loves to knit, sew and explore the outdoors with her three energetic kids.
Writers Meet-up
When: Sun., Feb. 22, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Speaker: Mirka Hokkanen
Topic: Agent Querying: Practical Steps
Are you ready to start querying but not sure where to start looking for an agent? How do you know if an agent is right for you? In this webinar, centered on practical steps, author-illustrator Mirka Hokkanen will share her process of finding and researching agents. After a short introduction on what a literary agent is and does, she'll share her process of finding and researching agents, and keeping track of queries. Mirka has been through the query trenches twice, and has worked with two different agents in three agencies.
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:
Feb 22 (submissions due 2/13) Guest Speaker: Mirka Hokkanen, freelance editor. Topic: “Agent Querying: Practical Steps”
Mar 22 (submissions due 3/13) Guest Speaker: Cynthia Baseman, author. Topic: “Writing with the Theme of Kindness”
Apr 26 (submissions due 4/17) Guest Speaker: Mia Araujo, author/illustrator. Topic: My Journey
May 24 (submissions due 5/15)
Jun 28 (submissions due 6/19)
Aug. 23 (submissions due 8/14)
Sep 27 (submissions due 9/18)
Oct 25 (submissions due 10/16)
Nov 22 (submissions due 11/13)
Dec (No meeting)