• Home
  • About
  • #KT250 Contest Info
  • #KTIllustrates
  • #KTChat Event Info
  • Submissions

Kite Tales

Kite Tales

Tag Archives: critiquing

Ask an Editor: Critique Groups Today

20 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS in Ask an Editor

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

critique groups, critiquing, virtual critique

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Hello Christine – I think I’m ready to join a critique/workshop group. How do they work now that we can no longer meet in person, and how do I know someone won’t steal my ideas? Thanks.

—Maggie, Los Angeles

Hello Maggie – The information in my June 20, 2018 post with tips for finding a critique group through reputable sources such as SCBWI remains valid. Before the pandemic, critique groups revolved around WHO (writer’s category or genre) and WHEN/WHERE (time and location of meeting). Let’s take a look at what’s happening now. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Peer2Peer Critique Day 2019: Leave Your First-Timer Worries Behind

12 Wednesday Jun 2019

Posted by Erlina Vasconcellos in Critique Day

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

critique groups, critiquing, editing, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, writing

By Amber June Davis

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked into the Skirball Cultural Center on June 2, for my first Peer2Peer Critique Day. I’d been to critique groups and workshops over the years, but none with a professional reputation like SCBWI’s. My hands shook a little. Who would be there? Would they all be vastly more experienced than me? But I knew I was ready to take this step, and had six copies of a picture book manuscript I was proud of tucked under my arm. I pushed through the courtyard door.

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sue Alexander Grant is Open for Submissions! Here’s Why You Should Apply!

17 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by Sarah Parker-Lee in Contests & Grants, SAG, Writers' Retreat

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

agents, critiques, critiquing, Julia Edwards, published, publishing, SAG, SCBWI community, SCBWI events

By Julia Edwards 

If you are thinking about applying to SCBWI-LA’s Sue Alexander Grant, JUST DO IT! It was the best thing I could have done for my middle grade manuscript — twice! In 2017, I applied with a very early draft of Anno Catti: In the Year of Our Catand was lucky to be the first runner-up. Then, in 2018, after major rewrites, I applied again and received top honors and a free ride (!) to the coveted Working Writers Retreat weekend.

For those who have never been to WWR, here’s the deal: Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Ask an Editor: Where Can I Find a Critique Group?

20 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS in Ask an Editor, Critique Day

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

critique groups, critiquenic, critiques, critiquing, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – I think my YA novel is finished but would like to show it to other people for feedback. Where can I find a critique group?
—Effie, Culver City Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Need Help Finding a Critique Partner or Group – Peer2Peer Critique Day Can Help

16 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by Erlina Vasconcellos in Critique Day

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

critique groups, critiques, critiquing, Daka Hermon, SCBWI events

alexis-brown-82988-unsplash 2

Writers and illustrators, if you’re ready for the first step to taking your work in progress public, Peer2Peer Critique Day (formerly known as Critiquenic) returns Sunday, June 3 to the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

It’s an opportunity to connect with other SCBWI members, and you may even find a critique group or partner to continue with after the event.

Peer2Peer Critique Day is free, but registration is required and is open until Sunday, May 27 on the SCBWI Los Angeles website. It’s for current SCBWI members only. If you’re not yet a member, you can sign up here.

The event runs from 10:30 AM to 3 PM. Bring a lunch or purchase food at the Skirball’s café.

Critique Day coordinator Daka Hermon gives us the scoop on how to prepare and what to expect:

critiquenic2Erlina Vasconcellos: How will Peer2Peer Critique Day be structured? Do participants meet individually or in groups?

Daka Hermon: When registering, the attendees will choose a category: illustrations, picture book dummy or text, chapter book/middle grade, or young adult/new adult. Upon arrival, attendees will be placed into groups. The size of the groups will vary based on attendance, but it’s normally about five to six members.

EV: Writers and artists are notorious introverts. How are you hoping to coax them away from the solitude of their desks and creative caves?

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Sue Alexander Grant is Open. Why Should You Submit Your Writing?

25 Wednesday Apr 2018

Posted by Sarah Parker-Lee in Contests & Grants, SAG, Writers' Retreat

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Andrea Custer, contests, critique groups, critiquing, pitching, SAG, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, Sue Alexander, Sue Alexander Grant, writing

By Karol Ruth Silverstein, SCBWI-L.A. Contest Coordinator

It’s time once again to polish up those manuscripts and submit to the Sue Alexander Grant, the winner of which receives a guaranteed spot and free tuition to the SCBWI-L.A. September 2018 Working Writers Retreat.

The WWR is an intense critiquing weekend with critique sessions, revision time, and parties ­­— including karaoke! The retreat culminates in a first-pages pitch session with four acquiring editors and agents.

I recently caught up with last year’s Sue Alexander Grant winner, Andrea Custer, for her insight on the retreat, how it influenced her writing, and why you should apply for this grant to attend.

KAROL RUTH SILVERSTEIN: Did you put in a lot of work on your manuscript before submitting it to the Sue Alexander Grant or did you have a polished manuscript ready to go?

ANDREA CUSTER: I workshopped it with my critique group as I was writing the first draft. They are an amazing group, quite astute, and so I had the benefit of their comments early on and had already revised the first half of the manuscript based on their feedback. Submitting it for consideration for SAG was actually a bit of an impulse! I saw the reminder on Facebook that the submission deadline was coming up, and thought why not go for it? I had about a week to re-read, polish, and get it ready. I found out I’d won on my birthday! It was the best gift I’ve ever gotten.

KRS: What was your favorite part of the retreat? What was most valuable? Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Search This Blog!

  • View scbwilosangeles’s profile on Facebook
  • View SCBWISOCALLA’s profile on Twitter
  • View scbwila’s profile on Instagram

Enter your email to have new posts sent to your inbox!

Join 3,188 other followers

Resources, News, SCBWI Membership

SCBWI Membership


SCBWI-L.A. Events


SCBWI-CenCal


SCBWI-SoCal


LitMingle Calendar


Webinars


Critique Exchange


PAL Members

Blog Contents

My Tweets

What is SCBWI?

Founded in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children's writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a non-profit, 501 (c)3 organization. There are currently more than 22,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regional chapters writing and illustrating in all genres for young readers, making it the largest children's writing organization in the world.

Member Benefits

Members of SCBWI receive exclusive access to tools, information, and industry professionals as well conferences, workshops, and critiques. Click HERE to find out more. Join us and take your writing to the next level!

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Kite Tales
    • Join 3,188 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Kite Tales
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: