FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is Registration Open?

• We offer Early Bird Registration for a short time before opening regular registration. Please click here to see a list of important registration dates.

Additional important dates for the following 2024 Writers & Illustrators Day activities can also be found on the above page:

Deadline for applying for our Conference Scholarship
Deadline for entering the Writers Contest
Deadline for entering the Illustration Contest
Deadline for submitting your manuscript for a Written Critique
Deadline for submitting your illustrator links for a Live Pitch
Deadline for reserving room at the Illustrators Portfolio Table
Deadline for reserving room at the PAL (published & listed) Table
Deadline for submitting your information for the PAL Slideshow

Am I Eligible to Add a Written Critique or Live Pitch to My Registration? How do I do that?

SCBWI premium members registered for our Saturday 9/21/24 in-person Writers & Illustrators Day conference have the option of adding ONE Written Critique and/or ONE live Pitch occurring at our Sun 9/22/24 Zoom Pitchfest.

For detailed information on cost, eligibility, and the steps on how to register and prepare for a Written Critique click here.
For detailed information on cost, eligibility, and the steps on how to register and prepare for a Live Pitch click here.

How Much Cost to Attend Cencal’s 2024 Writers & Illustrators Day conference?

• Please click here for details on costs.

What is your cancellation/refund policy?

• Click here to see important Cancellation/Refund deadlines and details.

How do I register?

Go to our event's landing page and click on the <REGISTER> button, which will be green once registration opens. * Note: If registration is not yet open, you can still click on the <SCHEDULE> button to review the day's agenda. * Also, we highly encourage you to read through these Frequently Asked questions, as well as reviewing our Speakers’ Bios and Topics, and the bios of our Agents, Editors and Publishers who are offering Written Critiques and/or Live Pitches.

I registered for the conference. Where's my confirmation email?

At this time, SCBWI Headquarters does not issue a detailed confirmation email after you register. * You can confirm registration by viewing details under your Member Home > Events page. * For additional assistance, email Asst. Regional Advisor Paulina Hill (cencal-ara@scbwi.org).

Food & Drinks:

What food is included in the price for the 9/21/24 in-person conference?

Included in the price of our 9/21/24 in-person Writers & Illustrators Day Event in Camarillo are the following:

• 8:45am Doors open for registration and coffee/pastries and networking

• 12:00pm Lunch provided by Corner Bakery includes choice of sandwich lunch box with fruit cup, chips and a monster cookie OR a salad box lunch with fresh-baked bread and monster cookie. Water and soda drinks will be provided for your lunch meal. (Those with special dietary needs will have different options.) * You will be asked during registration for your lunch selection so that we can pre-order it.

• Click here for the full menu details/choices, and for other questions related to food at our event.

Writers & Illustrators Day Activities:

First Pages:

First Pages is an opportunity to receive feedback from our panel of agents and editors on your manuscript’s first page. * Click here for eligibility information and the process to submit your First Pages manuscript at our 9/21/24 in-person conference!

Writing Contest:

You may enter up to two (2) contest entries in our 2024 Writers Day Writing Contest, so long as they are in two different categories (picture book, middle grade or young adult). * Click here for eligibility information and the process & deadline on how to enter our Writing Contest!

Illustration Contest:

CenCal Illustrators are encouraged to share their website or online portfolio for a chance to win Most Promising Portfolio (and a prize)! This is a perfect opportunity to update and edit your online presence before the conference. * Click here for eligibility information and the process & deadline on how to enter our Illustration Contest.

Promotional Opportunity #1 for Published Authors - PAL DISPLAY TABLE:

We encourage PAL SCBWI CenCal Members to participate in our PAL showcase at Saturday’s 9/21/24 in-person Writers & Illustrators Day conference at the Camarillo Community Center. * Click here for eligibility information and the process on how to participate in our PAL Display Table.

Promotional Opportunity #2 for Published Authors - PAL SLIDESHOW:

To give you a bit of a promotional boost, we will be running a PowerPoint slide show of SCBWI CenCal PAL (Published and Listed) members during our Writers’ Day event in September. * Click here for eligibility information and the process on how to participate in our PAL Slideshow.

Promotional Opportunity for Illustrators - PORTFOLIOS TABLE:

We encourage illustrators to participate in our portfolio showcase at Saturday’s 9/21/24 in-person Writers & Illustrators Day conference at the Camarillo Community Center. * Click here for eligibility information and the process on how to participate in our Illustrators Portfolio Table.

Applying for Writers & Illustrators Day Scholarship:

SCBWI CenCal offers a scholarship for a $1 entry to our 9/21/24 Writers & Illustrators Day for one SCBWI CenCal member who otherwise might not be able to attend. * Click here for eligibility information and the process & deadline on how to participate in our conference Scholarship.

Onsite Bookseller & Author Signing:

Local Indie bookseller, Timbre Books, will be onsite at Saturday’s 9/21/24 in-person Writers & Illustrators Day conference at the Camarillo Community Center. * Click here for more information.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:

Location:

Where is the 9/21/24 in-person event being held?

• At the Camarillo Community Center: address is 1605 Burnley St, Camarillo, CA 93010.

Where do I park at the Event location?

• The Camarillo Community Center has ample free parking space in their parking lots for all registrants.

What is the Covid Safety Policy?

• We follow the self-screening policy adopted by SCBWI: https://www.scbwi.org/faq/global/scbwi-policies

I have additional questions.

• Please do not use the "help" button on the website. Instead, please email Asst. Regional Advisor Paulina Hill (cencal-ara@scbwi.org) for all conference inquiries in order to get a faster response.