Spring Holiday in the Park 2025

Join us for our free, in-person event for our San Francisco/South premium members on Sunday, March 16th from 12pm - 3pm. New location this year! We will be at the Garden House at Shoup Park in Los Altos.

There is ample indoor and outdoor space to gather and meet your fellow writers and illustrators. At this event:

• Optional Manuscript Critiques -This is an extra add-on for $75. Register in advance to receive a 15-minute, in-person manuscript critique from a local published author! More details below.

• Speed Meeting – meet others in your town or find a critique partner!

• Portfolio Show – illustrators, bring your portfolio for your chance to win a “People’s Choice” award – the prize is to be our "Featured Illustrator" on our website, plus a free portfolio consultation at our upcoming Illustrators Day!

• Guided writing and drawing activities – bring your sketchbook or your journal as we take a moment to refresh our creative energy in with some low-key guided activities.

• PAL (Published and Listed) member meetup - PAL members, meet other fellow published authors to discuss how SCBWI can help your career this year!

• Book and art supply swap! Leave a book or art supply on our swap table and take a book or art supply home with you. Gently used items are fine – reuse, reduce, recycle!

• Door prizes! Including signed books!

(Tentative and subject to change):

12:00 – 12:30: Arrival, peruse the portfolios and swap tables.

12:30 - 1:30: Speed Meeting – Four 15-minute sessions to meet different groups of people according to category – by town, genre, and other categories including need for critique partner!

1:30 – 2:30: Guided Writing and Illustrating, PAL member meetup

1:45 – 3:00: Manuscript Critiques (registrants will be given a 15-minute time slot)

2:30 – 3:00: More socializing, door prizes, and portfolio show winner announced

Do you have a manuscript that could use an extra set of eyes and an experienced opinion? We are pleased to offer the opportunity to have your work reviewed by a local published author – Christine Evans (PB only, online), Charlotte Cheng (PB only), and Sam Subity (MG/YA).

Manuscript critiques include a 15-minute face-to-face consultation. Charlotte and Sam will meet with you at the Spring Event on March 16th between 1:45-3:00 pm. UPDATE: Christine will also meet you in person at the Spring Event, but if you can't make it, she can also meet you online on Friday, March 14th between 10am - 11:30am PST.

Meet Our Faculty >

After you register, you may add on a manuscript critique with the author of your choice. The fee for a critique is $75. Note: There are NO REFUNDS for the manuscript critique. Only register for one if you are sure you will be able to make the in-person consultation. If you are unable to attend the in-person consultation, we will email your written feedback to you.

Manuscripts for critique will be due by Friday, February 21st.

Please read more about the manuscript critique submission guidelines here!

Illustrators - bring your portfolio for our Portfolio Show!

We will have a "People's Choice" contest where the portfolio with the most votes will win a prize!

The winner will receive a spot as the Summer Featured Illustrator on our website PLUS a free portfolio consultation at our Illustrators Day Event in September.

Click here for general portfolio guidelines!

The Garden House at Shoup Park

400 University Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94022

Entrance marked with small sign on residential street curb "Shoup Park/ Garden House".

You may also enter via unmarked entrance from crosswalk on 377 University Ave.

Limited onsite parking and free neighborhood parking on University Ave and Lincoln Ave is available.

More parking is available in nearby downtown Los Altos (about 12-15 min walk).

By registering for our event you agree to the SCBWI Policies, including the Covid Policy for U.S. Events and the Non-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment Policy. You must be 18 years of age or older to attend any SCBWI event.

We will have hand sanitizer and complimentary disposable masks available.

Click REGISTER FOR EVENT at the top of the page.

Then go all the way to the bottom of your screen.

In the dark blue footer, click the green button labeled: "BOOK A SEAT". It's at the very bottom, right-hand corner of your screen!