California: SoCal

Join us for a one day hands-on workshop for illustrators, picture book writers, graphic novelists and and author-illustrators on March 15, 2025 at the Laguna College of Art and Design.

Are you a published author or illustrator and SCBWI member? Now’s your chance to sell and sign your books! SCBWI SoCal is renting a booth at the festival alongside SCBWI-LA. You can rent time in our booth, sharing your time with other SCBWI members. Registration opens in January 17, 9:00 AM.

Want to polish your middle grade or young adult novel? Join our four-day small-group intensive writer retreat in idyllic Idyllwild May 1-4, 2025. You’ll be able to hone your craft and polish your manuscript with the guidance of industry professionals. This event includes four critique group sessions lead by an agent or editor, a 1:1 coaching session, and optional paid written critiques. Our faculty include editors Joy Peskin and Alexa Pastor, and Agents Hannah Andrade and Kathleen Rushall. Registration opens January 11, 5:00 PM.

Our region includes Long Beach and the counties of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange. 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!