LA Schmooze

Westside Writers

PICTURE BOOK CRITIQUE. You bring your latest, hottest picture book manuscript, a group of your closest Schmooze friends lovingly point out each and every flaw.  Nah, just kidding!  Schmooze critique nights are actually the safest places to bring your “babies” – cruelty-free gatherings of like-minded artists, helping us all learn what’s working in our manuscripts and what might need some attention.  There’s nothing quite like listening to your words read by another writer, surrounded by supportive friends and yummy baked goods, to really let you hear what you’ve written.  Often the comments are completely surprising and immediately useful.  Plus, our critique nights have cured many a writers’ block.  If you don’t have material to bring – no worries.  We welcome everyone’s participation.  Come.  Share (or don’t).  …and eat!

The Westside Schmooze meets at the Fairview Branch Library Community Room
2101 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

Central-Coastal California

Workshop

“The Art and Craft of Novel Building.”

IInstructor: Kathleen Duey, author.

San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad Street and Monterey, San Luis Obispo, 93407.

Morning: “Writing Real People”, a deeper understanding of Character and Voice. 

Afternoon: “Writing Storylines That Rock” How to identify, avoid, and repair plot/fail.

$50 members / $70 non-members.

OPTIONAL: $45 written critique by Kathleen Duey of 10 ms pages and one page synopsis.

CLICK HERE for Information and Registration.

LA Schmooze

Hollywood Writers

TOPIC: Goal setting: How to complete a project! Please come prepared to discuss work habits and effective ways to make the best use of your time. Also, be prepared to share specific writing goals for the year.

PLACE: 1238 Meadowbrook Ave Los Angeles 90019 (That's west of La Brea between Olympic and San Vicente. Easy to get to by going down La Brea, or along Olympic, or down San Vicente. There's no worry about permit parking, so generally it's pretty easy, either on Meadowbrook or a street close by. 1238 is a big orange duplex, downstairs.

RSVP: Let us know if you plan to attend. Thanks!

LA Schmooze

Topic: 'Landing the Deal & Book Promotion'
(for both writers and illustrators)
Candace Ryan, PAL Liason will fill
us in on promotion events!

NEW VENUE 445 Fifteenth Street, Santa Monica Ca 90402
5 blocks north of Wilshire, halfway between Montana and San Vicente.

A two story Spanish style private home with a flag pole in front.

Residential street parking.

Central-Coastal California

Workshop

“How to Write for Educational Publishers.”

Instructor: Christine Peterson, Managing Editor, Capstone Press.

Fairview Baptist Church,113 E. Fairview, Bakersfield, CA 93307.

Learn the process of submitting work to educational publishers and how best to get your foot in the door. You will see examples of successful submissions packages and learn what kind of writing samples your packet should include. Optional: Bring along two copies of your sample cover letter for feedback.

$40.00 members / $55.00 non-members. Click here for more information and to register.

CLICK HERE for Information and Registration.

Hastings Branch Library Community Room
3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
(corner of Orange Grove and Sierra Madre Villa)

Library phone: 626-744-7262

NOVEL CRITIQUE. Just like last month – only wordier.  But not too wordy.  You only get to bring four pages of your latest middle grade or YA novel for review.  We know that seems like we’ll only be scratching the surface, barely glimpsing the brilliance of your magnum opus.  But you’d be surprised (we are every year) at how MUCH your fellow Schmoozers can find in just four pages.  You reveal your whole book in every word.  (Nervous?  Don’t be.  We’re all in this together.) 

Learn what works in your manuscript and what might need some attention in our patented Schmoozerific, cruelty-free environment.  As always, bringing material isn’t mandatory.  Bringing your brilliant constructive-feedback-giving skills is.  See you on March 14th!

The Westside Schmooze meets at the Fairview Branch Library Community Room
2101 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

Creative Toolbox

"Graphic Novels 101"

with author/illustrators Marla Frazee and Mac McCool

Comic strip, storyboard, contemporary, or classic? Learn how to catch the attention of young readers with this recognized aid topromoting literacy. Both writers and illustrators alike will benefit from this hands-on session with Mac and Marla while they demonstrate the basics of this evolving form of art and literature.

Toolbox registration [HERE]

For more information Click [HERE]

RSVP to Coordinator Suzy Block. [Click here to email Suzy Block.]

Let’s enjoy a fun, inspiring evening together and move forward in our common pursuit of making a contribution to the world of children’s illustration and literature!

NEW VENUE 445 Fifteenth Street, Santa Monica Ca 90402
5 blocks north of Wilshire, halfway between Montana and San Vicente.

A two story Spanish style private home with a flag pole in front.

Residential street parking.

Central-Coastal California

Workshop

“Passionate About Picture Books: Crafting a Good Story.”

Instructor:  Barbara Bottner, author/illustrator.

Topping Room, E.P. Foster Library, 651 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001.

This workshop will focus on discovering the sources for strong picture books, using character to develop plot and secrets of pacing your story.

$40 members / $50 non-members.

CLICK HERE for Information and Registration.

Central-Coastal California

Critiquenic

Topping Room, E.P. Foster Library, 651 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001.

Bring up to five manuscript pages (double-spaced) to be read for critique.

Free to members, $5.00 non-members.

CLICK HERE for Information and Registration.

Email Jody Shapiro at: jody@jodyfickesshapiro.com to register.

OC

Agent's Day

2012

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is pleased to offer you a spectacular program filled with opportunities to connect with outstanding agents. Join us for our Agent’s Day on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the beautiful Newport Sea Base in Newport Beach! Opportunities include: written manuscript critiques, agent presentations, and group discussions with the agents. Come out and join us and give your career the boost that it deserves!

Click HERE for Agent's Day details and registration form.

http://www.scbwisocal.org/events/oc_agents_day.html

4th or 18th

Date TBA

LA Schmooze

Westside Writers

COMEDY TONIGHT! Your humble Schmooze co-coordinators want to know:  When you say we’re “funny,” what exactly do you mean?  Are we some kinda clowns, here for your amusement??  Some kinda dancing monkeys?  Well, punks?  Huh?!? 

Ahem.  Now that you’ve gotten to know us (and have realized we only have about one joke apiece that we recycle, ad nauseam), Karol and Charlie are prepared to talk to you about the ins and outs of humor writing.  Accepting the trope that “we kill comedy when we study it,” join us for a night of murder.  We’ll stab, shoot, eviscerate, hang and suffocate comedy, all so that you – and your writing – may enjoy its many fruits (and, as always, baked goods).

Please feel free to bring some of your favorite funny books to share!

The Westside Schmooze meets at the Fairview Branch Library Community Room
2101 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

Look for metered parking behind the library, in front of the library on both sides of Ocean Park Blvd. and on the side streets right near the library, but note that it's permit parking only further down on the side streets.

LA Schmooze

Let’s enjoy a fun, inspiring evening together and move forward in our common pursuit of making a contribution to the world of children’s illustration and literature!

NEW VENUE 445 Fifteenth Street, Santa Monica Ca 90402
5 blocks north of Wilshire, halfway between Montana and San Vicente.

A two story Spanish style private home with a flag pole in front.

Residential street parking.

Central-Coastal California

Roundtable

“Extending the Life of Your Books.”

Goleta Public Library, 500 N. Fairway Ave., Goleta, CA 93117.

This professional exchange will focus on out-of-print books and e-publishing platforms. For published SCBWI P.A.L. authors and illustrators only.

CLICK HERE for Information and Registration.

Free. To attend, you must pre-register.

Writer's Day

Books and Beyond:
How to Make a Living (and a Life!) as a Writer

CLICK HERE for more Information.

WORKSHOPS

-Revision with Stacey Barney, editor (Putnam/Penguin),

-Pitching with Michael Bourret, agent (Dystel &Goderich)

-Novel Writing with Terri Farley, author of all 24 books in the Phantom Stallion middle grade series

Box lunch included. Details and registration posted mid-January at www.scbwisocal.org

ClairbournSchool, 8400 Huntington Drive, San Gabriel

Spring Retreat

South Coast Winery Resort and Spa.

LA Schmooze

Hastings Branch Library Community Room
3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
(corner of Orange Grove and Sierra Madre Villa)

Library phone: 626-744-7262

ArtWorks! Illustrators’ Day.

Instructor: Laurent Linn, Art Director, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Rd., Simi Valley CA 93063. 

An intensive, hands-on experience taking participants from text to sketches to final art with guidance and a culminating critique. Limited to 20 participants with space for others to audit.

$70 members / $40 audit-only.

CLICK HERE for Information and Registration.

ARTWORKS WEBPAGE http://www.scbwicencal.org/Artworks/

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Can’t get anywhere with your story?  Maybe that’s because your story is set in Nowheresville – or maybe NowhereSPECIALsville.  If your setting doesn’t excite you, rent a van, hire some starving students and move everyone to higher (story) ground.  From the magical educational paradise of Hogwarts to the ever-present rain of vampire-friendly Forks to the hardscrabble existence in District 12, setting always matters and often becomes another character in your story.  Sometimes a special setting can even help you create a story.  This is why you should take as many vacations as possible.  Come join us as we look into the role that setting plays.  How can YOU utilize this important tool?  If we told you here, you wouldn’t come to the Schmooze.  So our lips are sealed (until May 9th at 7:00 PM anyway).

The Westside Schmooze meets at the Fairview Branch Library Community Room
2101 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

It’s a Mystery

Discover the art and soul of your writing and illustrating as the MadHatter and White Rabbit lead you down the rabbit hole again!

Click here for more information.

Cliick HERE to register.

LA Schmooze

Westside Illustrators

Let’s enjoy a fun, inspiring evening together and move forward in our common pursuit of making a contribution to the world of children’s illustration and literature!

NEW VENUE 445 Fifteenth Street, Santa Monica Ca 90402
5 blocks north of Wilshire, halfway between Montana and San Vicente.

A two story Spanish style private home with a flag pole in front.

Residential street parking.

Critiquenic

Critiquenic - FREE EVENT! (SCBWI Members only)

Don't miss this fun day to have your manuscripts and portfolioscritiqued in a warm and supportive environment by published authors andillustrators. Great opportunity to find like-minded individuals to start yourown critique group. Bring your lunch and a blanket. We supply beverages anddessert!

Details and registration posted in April at www.scbwisocal.org

LA Schmooze

Westside Writers

HOW WE LEARNED TO STOP FRETTING AND LOVE THE REWRITE. The great, big, awful truth is that your manuscript isn’t perfect – yet.  And it may not be perfect for a while.  But never fear, dear Schmoozites!  The June 13th Schmooze will be all about figuring out how to rock your rewrites and improve your work by leaps and bounds with each new revision. 

Everyone is invited – make that encouraged! – to bring a before-and-after example of a paragraph or passage from your own work that has benefited from revision.  We’ll look at what you changed and why – and how it makes the writing better.

Plus:  Understanding editorial letters and ways to best utilize feedback from writers’ groups and critique events. 

LA Schmooze

Hastings Branch Library Community Room
3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
(corner of Orange Grove and Sierra Madre Villa)

Library phone: 626-744-7262

Friday 12 PM

to

Sunday 12 PM

A weekend for non-published and published writers to have theirmanuscripts critiqued in a supportive environment. Editors and Author willparticipate in all critique groups.
Early Bird fees available.

Five Critique Group meetings, Wine and Cheese social, Karaoke night,and the Sunday First Pages session, too!

Details and registration posted near the end of April at www.scbwisocal.org

Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Rd., Encino, CA.

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

LA Schmooze

Please note the date change.
Let’s enjoy a fun, inspiring evening together and move forward in our common pursuit of making a contribution to the world of children’s illustration and literature!

NEW VENUE 445 Fifteenth Street, Santa Monica Ca 90402
5 blocks north of Wilshire, halfway between Montana and San Vicente.

A two story Spanish style private home with a flag pole in front.

Residential street parking.

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Illustrators, art directors, portfolio evaluations, contests and more!

Annual Scholarship Contest winner announced - Wins free tuition to SCBWI Summeror Winter Conference plus a portfolio review!

ClairbournSchool, 8400 Huntington Drive, San Gabriel.

Details and registration posted in August at www.scbwisocal.org