SCBWI Tri-Regions of Southern California

SCBWI-Los Angeles

The SCBWI-Los Angeles chapter is proud to represent the birth place of SCBWI. Many generous, talented and visionary individuals in the field of children's literature, education and entertainment, have resided within its boundaries over the years, and many more such individuals are still to come.

SCBWI-LA RAs Edie Pagliasotti and Claudia Harrington

SCBWI-LA RAs Edie Pagliasotti and Claudia Harrington

The chapter was sculpted and expanded through the amazing efforts of two women, Judy Ross Enderle and Stephanie Jacob Gordon, and the exceptional local volunteers who joined them. Each set of regional advisors who have followed in Judy and Stephanie's footsteps, and the selfless volunteers who donate their time, energy and creativity, have succeeded in keeping the region beating with the same passionate heart Judy and Stephanie instilled in it; the heart that all writers and illustrators of children's literature must have to persevere and grow - the heart they eventually give over to their reader.

When originally created, the region was called "Southern California" or "SOCA" and covered an impressive geographic area. Over the years, as SCBWI's membership blossomed into its fantastic numbers of today, volunteers established additional chapters throughout the region. In August of 2000, "SOCA" officially changed its name to better represent its current geographic boundaries, Los Angeles County, California. In 2002, it was renamed SCBWI-Los Angeles. Even though the chapter's physical size slowly reduced with time, it is still one of SCBWI's largest regions, home to over 1,300 members.

SCBWI-Los Angeles hosts six major events each year:

	Writer's Workshop - Winter - half-day workshop featuring speaker demonstrating nuts and bolts techniques on the craft of writing for children.
	Writer's Day - Spring - a one-day conference featuring speakers, a professional forum, writing contests, and awards.
	Critiquenic - Summer - free, informal critiquing sessions for writers and illustrators facilitated by published authors/illustrators, held after a picnic lunch.
	Writer's & Illustrator's Sunday Field Trip - Summer- hands-on creative field trip for writers and illustrators.
	Illustrator's Day - Fall - a one-day conference featuring speakers, juried art competition, contests, and portfolio reviews/display.
	Working Writer's Retreat - Winter - a three-day, two-night retreat featuring an editor, speakers, and intensive critiquing.

Click here to read about past Writer's Days and Illustrator's Days.

SCBWI-Los Angeles' members host smaller events throughout the year called Schmoozes. Schmoozes are informal get-togethers, often held monthly, where general topics are chosen for group discussion.
Complete information about area Schmoozes can be accessed on the Schmooze section of the website.
Details on all upcoming events and Schmoozes will be posted in the Calendar section when available.

The SoCal Speakers List has been discontinued. Other organizations to offer a speaker's list are:

The Children's Book Council at www.cbcbooks.org
The Children's Literature Council of Southern California at www.childrensliteraturecouncil.org
The Southern California Children Booksellers' Association at www.socalkidsbooks.com
The California Readers Program, associated with the L.A. Unified School District. Contact Marilyn Robertson by e-mail at CLICK HERE to e-mail Marilyn Robertson.
The California School Library Association (CSLA) and the California Reading Association (CRA) have jointly published an online directory of California authors and illustrators. You can access it at: http://www.schoolibrary.org/pdf/Author_Illus_Directory.pdf

SCBWI-Los Angeles Advisory Board:

Regional Advisors:

Board Members:

Lisze Bechtold
Judy Ross Enderle
Stephanie Jacob Gordon
Caroline Hatton
Dawne Knobbe
Sarah Laurenson
Mary Peterson
Sally Jones Rogan
Svetlana Strickland
Jaime Zollars

SCBWI-Los Angeles
P.O. Box 1728
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
310-573-7318
Claudia Harrington, CLICK HERE to e-mail Claudia Harrington
Edie Pagliasotti, CLICK HERE to e-mail Edie Pagliasotti

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