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Category Archives: Central Coast

An Interview with STEM Author, Kristen Nordstrom

28 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, Central Coast, Tri-Regional News

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Biomimicry, CenCal, Eiji Nakatsu, interview, Kristen Nordstrom, Mimic Makers, nonfiction, Paul Boston, STEAM, STEM

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Kristen Nordstrom is the debut STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) author of Mimic Makers: Biomimicry Inventors Inspired by Nature, illustrated by Paul Boston (Charlesbridge Publishing, July 2021). The picture book profiles ten real-life scientists, engineers, and designers who copy nature to create amazing new technology. Thank you, Mother Nature!

Kristen teaches biomimicry and other topics to elementary-school students in a gifted science program, and is a member of NSTA, the National Science Teaching Association. She has written innovative curriculum, and has been honored with two writing awards from SCBWI for outstanding STEM manuscripts. Kristen took a moment from her busy schedule to answer some questions for the Kite Tales blog.

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An Interview with Karen Jameson, Picture Book Author

27 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, Central Coast, Tri-Regional News

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

interview, Karen Jameson, Kathleen Rushall, manuscript research, Marc Boutavant, Moon Babies, MSWL, picture books, Woodland Dreams

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Karen Jameson is the author of Moon Babies, illustrated by Amy Hevron (Putnam, 2019). Her most recent book is Woodland Dreams, illustrated by Marc Boutavant (Chronicle, 2020). More stories are in the works. She was awarded the Sue Alexander Grant for the Working Writers Retreat (SCBWI-L.A.) for her lyrical picture book Woodland Dreams. Karen has retired from teaching to write full-time. She took a moment to answer some questions for the Kite Tales blog.

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Happy Holidays from SCBWI Cen-Cal!

16 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by Farrha Khan in Central Coast

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

SCBWI community, SCBWI members

Image by Laura-Susan Thomas.

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How Does a Contest Submission Get to Be ‘Most Promising?’

11 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by Farrha Khan in Central Coast, Contests & Grants, Tips and Tools, Tri-Regional News

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writing contest tips, writing contests, writing tips

by Anonymous SCBWI Contest Judge

Years ago, I’d sit among other eager writers, waiting to hear if my submission had won “Special Mention” or even better, “Most Promising.” Watching the elated winner claim their award, I’d wonder why my story didn’t capture the prize.

Now as a contest judge who’s “been there,” I hope that sharing my insights on how to take a story from good to impressive will help another aspiring writer.

Judges respond to stories that engage us. I may love some genres more than others, but when judging, I set aside personal preferences and look at the caliber of the work.

I read contest submissions multiple times to answer two key questions:

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SCBWI CenCal Writers’ Day 2020: The Winners Are…!

04 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Central Coast, Tri-Regional News, Writers Days

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CenCal Writer's Day, contest winners, Erin Siu, middle grade, picture book, young adult

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

This year’s Writers’ Day consisted of three separate webinars. On Saturday, September 26, after a fabulous presentation by Erin Siu, associate editor at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group’s imprints, Square Fish, and Feiwel & Friends, the winners of our writing contest were announced.

Thank you to all our anonymous judges, who were chosen from outside our region. The judges’ comments are included in the list of honorees below. Most Promising will receive free entry to next year’s CenCal Writers’ Day. Special Mention will receive half-off Writers’ Day admission.

Congratulations to all our contest participants, including our winners!

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Hope in the Mail: An Interview with Wendelin Van Draanen

14 Wednesday Oct 2020

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, Central Coast

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fiction, Flipped, Hope In The Mail, inspiration, interview, nonfiction, Sammy Keyes, Wendlin Van Draanen, Writing Life

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Wendelin Van Draanen, a member of the SCBWI Central-Coastal California region, has written more than thirty novels for young readers and teens. She is the author of the 18-book Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes series, and wrote Flipped, which was named a Top 100 Children’s Novel for the 21st Century by SLJ, and became a Rob Reiner directed Warner Brothers feature film.

Her first non-fiction book, Hope in the Mail: Reflections on Writing and Life, is part memoir, part writing guide, and part publishing insight.

ANN ROUSSEAU SMITH: Congratulations on your newest book Hope in the Mail: Reflections on Writing and Life! You have written many novels, why a non-fiction book, why now?

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Launching a Debut Book in the Middle of a Pandemic–Or, This Isn’t Really Happening, Is It?

15 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by Farrha Khan in Author's Perspective, Central Coast

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Book Launches, Claire Annette Noland, debut book, pandemic, published, publishing tips

by Claire Annette Noland

The announcement was posted in Publisher’s Weekly. The cover was revealed. The date was set and events were scheduled. My debut picture book was ready to launch.

Or was it?

Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way to Win, published by Cardinal Rule Press and illustrated by Alicia Teba, features a competitive girl set on winning her school’s field day events. The book’s release was scheduled to coincide with end-of-the-school-year activities. In March, when the pandemic caused us to shelter at home, we thought it would soon be over. Then reality set in. Schools, bookstores, and parks closed. Suddenly, my calendar was empty. But the book was being released and I wasn’t going to give up on my dream of it reaching children. It was time to make a new plan:

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An Interview with Kirsten W. Larson, Nonfiction Author

22 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Central Coast, Writers Days

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Tags

Author Tips, CenCal Writer's Day, critiques, Kirsten W. Larson, picture books

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

Kirsten W. LarsonKirsten W. Larson, former NASA employee, is the author of numerous nonfiction books and magazine articles for curious kids. Her most recent book is a nonfiction picture book biography. Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane (Calkins Creek, February 2020) explores the failures and successes of self-taught engineer Emma Lilian Todd as she tackles the challenges of designing an airplane in the early 1900s.

Kirsten agreed to take a few moments from her busy schedule promoting her book to answer a few questions on the origins of her riveting new book. Continue reading →

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Four Counties, Four LitMingles

22 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Central Coast, LitMingles!, Tri-Regional News

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Allison Crotzer Kimmel, Camarillo Public Library, Claire Noland, County Mingle, critique groups, Lori Anaya, Mari Talkin, meetups, networking, pitches, Rebecca Langston George, Russo's Books, The Sandbox, workshops

by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison

SLO County Mingle

San Luis Obispo County Mingle

The SCBWI Central-Coastal region offers regular, free meet-ups, known as LitMingles. All LitMingles are hosted by volunteers. Whether you want to connect with other writers, learn about craft, or build a community of support, your LitMingle hosts are ready to plan for your needs.

Our County Mingles were newly created in 2019, and our current LitMingle hosts are Allison Crotzer Kimmel, Kern County; Claire Noland, San Luis Obispo County; Mari Talkin, Santa Barbara County; and Lori Anaya, Ventura County. I wanted to check-in and see how the meet-ups are progressing. 

ANN ROUSSEAU SMITH: Welcome to the Kite Tales blog! What is the purpose or mission of a LitMingle, either in general or more specifically for your County Mingle?

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Holiday Wishes from SCBWI Cen-Cal!

20 Friday Dec 2019

Posted by Erik Gonzales-Kramer in Central Coast

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Tags

SCBWI community, SCBWI members

CenCal Holiday 2019

Image by Laura-Susan Thomas.

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