Annual Writer’s Day for aspiring Children’s book writers & illustrators

CALLING ASPIRING CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS
Editors, Agents, & Authors Inspire at Annual Writers’ Day

Children’s writers cannot afford to miss this year’s SCBWI Central-Coastal California Writers’ Day (Theme – A creative life for me). The annual event promises to encourage, inspire, educate and illuminate aspiring and published children’s writers and illustrators alike of picture books, middle grade, and young adult stories.

Saturday, October 12 from 9am to 4:30pm at California Lutheran University, Preus-Brandt Forum, 60 West Olson Road, Thousand Oaks. Early bird registration is $112 for members of SCBWI, $140 non-members. Lunch included. To register go to: https://cencal.scbwi.org/events/writers-day-2019-a-creative-life-for-me/

Insightful speeches, a live Editors Panel and First Pages Critique are highlights. Industry insiders will share their vast knowledge of the children’s publishing world such as; breaking bad writing habits, self-editing, how to query agents, tackling tough topics in picture books, and how picture book writers fit into the big picture of their stories. Featured speakers include; Amanda Ramirez – assistant editor, at Schuster Books for Young Readers, Kari Sutherland – literary agent at Bradford Literary Agency, Charlotte Wenger –literary agent at Prospect Agency, and Rachael Stein – editor at Sterling Publishing.

Local published authors will share their stories and advice. Speakers include Nikki Bathelmess, Mary Hershey, Karen Jameson, and Karol Ruth Silverstein.
Attendees can enter up to two manuscripts into the free writing contest. Deadline September 4. Manuscript critiques, and illustrator dummy critiques are available in advance for $45.
New this year: A free follow up seminar “Polishing Your Pitch” hosted by Heather Cashman, agent with Storm Literary, former managing director or #Pitmad, #PitchWars, #PitchMadness. A new free portfolio mentorship with Carol Heyer for one lucky aspiring illustrator.
  
Central / Coastal California 2019 Writer’s Day is offered by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the largest children’s writing organization in the world supporting 22,000 published and aspiring children’s book writers and illustrators. Go to www.cencal.scbwi.org for more info.