California: San Francisco North and East Bay

Welcome to SCBWI California: San Francisco North and East Bay!

This region of SCBWI serves Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, Mendocino, and Alameda counties. We are a vibrant community of ideas, events, and creativity to help you improve your craft and knowledge of children’s writing and illustration. Click below to sign up for our regional newsletter!

What's On

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Mandala Springs Creative Retreat

The Spring 2025 creative retreat will be at a new location, Mandala Springs Retreat Center in bucolic Cobb, near Kelseyville, Lake County. This retreat is now open to SCBWI Members AND non-members! Register by March 1!

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Children's Picture Book Treasure Hunt

Join fellow writers to find and discuss great mentor texts! Come prepared to search the library for great picture books to share with others. FREE and IN-PERSON! Members and non-members welcome!

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Making the Leap from NF PB to MG NF Proposal

Join children's book author Jessica Stremer and Holiday House Executive Editor Sally Morgridge as they dive into the world of long-form nonfiction books for kids, and discuss their most recent title FIRE ESCAPE: How Animals and Plants Survive Wildfires. This session includes an outline of what to include in your nonfiction proposal and practical tips for staying organized as your research.

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Sonoma County Meet-Up: Story Charades

Play Your Way Into Story! Story Charades is a fun, lively mash-up of your favorite, interactive summer camp games. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow creatives, explore components of story (such as character, setting, etc.) and create a story, together.