California: SoCal

Ask Me Anything: Q&A for YOU with Editor and Picture Book Author, Christine Van Zandt No matter where you are on your journey toward publication, you've got questions. And we have answers! Join us for a fun and informative presentation where Christine answers YOUR questions utilizing her 15 years of experience as a children's book editor. She's also a traditionally published picture book author who sold her first book unagented and has passed on an offer of representation--but is now happily repped. She'll share behind-the-scenes info, all you have to do is ask!

Our region includes San Bernardino, Riverside, Long Beach and Orange County. We are a friendly group that provides meet-ups, critique groups, a spring MG/YA writers retreat and a fall conference. If you are just starting out or have a long-standing career as a writer or illustrator, you are invited to join us. We’re all about making connections!

If you'd like to be put on our waiting list, email Bev Plass: SoCal-RA@SCBWI.org. Our four-day retreat in the idyllic Idyllwild mountains will be May 30-June 2. Our event includes four small-group critique sessions lead by an agent or editor, a free 15-minute one-on-one coaching session with one of our faculty and optional paid written critiques prior to the conference. Our faculty include: Editors Rachel Diebel and Sally Morgridge, and agents Jemiscoe Chambers-Black and Alex Weiss.