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Books Festivals, business, ComicCon, Conventions, Critique Day, Down The Rabbit Hole, LA Comic Con, LitFest, marketing, news, OC Book Fair, PAL events, SCBWI events, Working Writer's Retreat, Writers Day, writing
Need a creative pick me up? How about a new avenue for book promotion? Or maybe you just need some quality time with like-minded writers and illustrators working on their craft. SCBWI has you covered on the craft of kidlit and our region’s list of local book festivals and conventions is sure to broaden your creative perspectives!
SCBWI Sponsored Events for 2020
MARCH 28
Writers Day
Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles
Dive into craft and “Discover the Words Worth Keeping” with a full day of keynotes, critiques and agent pitch sessions. A special pre-event intensive with Harold Underdown will also give a new perspective on approaching revision to polish your work in progress. Contests, manuscript reviews and scholarships will also be available. Need more insight? Read author Charlotte Offsay’s recap of last year here.
MAY 17
Down The Rabbit Hole
Los Angeles
After a long hiatus this inspirational event has made a come back! Take a trip down the rabbit hole and unlock your creativity with a day trip paired with writing exercises to get your stories flowing. Check your emails and the regional events page for more information soon!
JUNE (DATE TBD)
Critique Day
Skirball Cultural Center
Connect and get feedback from SCBWI community members in market/genre-organized peer-to-peer critique groups. It’s a great way to get notes on your WIP and to learn the ins and outs of critiquing if you’re new to the practice. You may even end up with a regular critique group!
Read Amber June Davis’s recap of the 2019 event.
AUGUST (DATES TBA)
Annual SCBWI Summer Conference
Los Angeles
Spend four days learning from top authors, editors, agents and art directors with SCBWI members from all over the world. Manuscript and portfolio critiques, great food and parties too! Registration opens in April. Check SCBWI HQ for a schedule and updates.
Read Karol Ruth Silverstein’s recap of the 2019 summer conference.
SEPTEMBER (DATES TBA)
Working Writer’s Retreat
Los Angeles
Registration opens in July.
Spend three days focused on your WIP while learning from industry pros. Faculty, registration and exact dates will be announced soon, so keep an eye on the SCBWI-L.A. regional events page.
Read Jennifer Rawlings’ recap of last year’s retreat.
OCTOBER 3
SCBWI SoCal Writers and Illustrators Day at CSF
Fullerton, CA
A one-day conference packed with contests, critiques and giveaways. Last year’s event included a lunch with the editors and a gallery show with participating illustrator’s work. Check back for details here.
Non-SCBWI Events for 2020
APRIL 10-12
Wonder-Con
Anaheim Convention Center
Read Sarah Parker-Lee’s recap of the 2017 Wonder-Con.
April 18-19
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
University of Southern California
NOTE: SCBWI-L.A. Published and Listed (PAL) members may have the chance to exhibit their books. Please check the region’s events page and your emails for updates.
Read Jerry Mahoney’s recap of the 2019 festival.
APRIL 24 – 25
Yallwest
Santa Monica
MAY 16 – 17
LitFest
Pasadena
JULY 23 – 26
Comic-Con International
San Diego Convention Center
SEPTEMBER 25 – 27
L.A. Comic Con
Los Angeles Convention Center, CA
NOTE: SCBWI-L.A. Published and Listed (PAL) members may have the chance to exhibit their books or volunteer for the event. Please check the region’s events page and your emails for updates.
These festivals took place in 2019, but as of this posting, don’t yet have their 2020 dates listed:
Pasadena Loves YA
Pasadena, CA
Orange County Book Festival
Costa Mesa, CA
This list includes comic book conventions, which have an array of genre novelists, graphic novelists, publishers and illustrators exhibiting. Be sure to check event websites for more details, including any changes to date or location.
Is there a book festival or conference you are excited to attend this year? Share it in the comments section below!
For more fantastic content, community, events, and other professional development opportunities, become a member today! Not sure if there is a chapter in your area? Check here.
Photos by Jessica Chrysler.
Kite Tales 
Great post, but one question. The SCBWI annual events page (https://www.scbwi.org/annual-events-new/) has the LA Summer Conference on July 24-27. The list has it August TBA. Is it being moved? I’d love to go to it and Comic Con, which also on the July dates.
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Hi Andy! You are correct. It seems that the event dates had been posted after our article was published. The Summer conference usually landed on the first weekend of August, but it seems this year there’s been a change. Sorry for any confusion!
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