Welcome Scribblers, Writers, Dreamers!

featured event:

Learn How to Self-Publish
a Picture Book in Two Days

Ever thought about making a picture book? Are you interested in self-publishing? Do you want to take control and make a living as an author? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the workshop for you!

Join best-selling, independent author A.J. Cosmo as he breaks down the steps to write, illustrate, market, print, and sell your independently published children’s book.

This workshop will encompass two days of detailed instruction and includes hands on demonstrations. Participants are encouraged to have a completed draft of a picture book manuscript and bring a laptop or tablet device, along with a notebook, to the presentations.

A box lunch will be provided both days. Space is extremely limited!

What you will learn:

Pricing, categorizing, and positioning your children’s book to sell
Industry standards for picture books along with the reasons for those guidelines
Creating your book by working with illustrators and editors without breaking the bank
Printing your book using on demand services or overseas printing
Marketing your book and making a living as a writer

*Fee includes workshop materials, handouts, and lunch on both days

*Optional signed copy of AJ's book Big Science: Galileo's Gamble

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

A.J. Cosmo is the author and illustrator of over thirty children's books ranging from picture to middle grade. An advocate of "professional self-publishing", he enjoys helping other authors achieve their dreams.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this fun, kid-friendly, read-along book, children and theirparents examine gravity through the eyes of a middle-school aged Galileo and his best friend Newton, who, spurred by the phenomenon of two objects falling, explore the question “Do heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones?” Children learn basic experimental design in the context of an easy to understand and engaging story that is sure to inspire further exploration and thinking.

Register here: www.cbw-la.org

Whether you seek a community of like-minded authors, dream of becoming a published author, or simply want to pursue and explore your writing hobby, joining a writing group like the Children's Book Writers of Los Angeles will help you.

CBW–LA offers critique groups and sessions, writing workshops, guest lectures, write-ins at local coffee shops, networking, writing support, and even publishing opportunities for our members and guests. Every month, there's something interesting on our calendar!

Once you've had a look around, be sure to check out OUR NEWSLETTER at medium.com for thoughts on writing.

Upcoming events

Learn How to Self-Publish a Picture Book in Two Days

21 Jul 2018 9:00 AM

Torrance Airport Meeting Room - Zamperini Field 3301 Airport Drive, Torrance CA 90505
Creating and Self-publishing Your Hardcover Picture Book

21 Jul 2018 1:00 PM

TBA
Saturday Critique Session: All Genres Welcome

28 Jul 2018 11:00 AM

Harbor Gateway Library- 24000 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90710
Artistic Cross Training: Learn to Sharpen Your Writing from Other Disciplines

11 Aug 2018 1:00 PM

TBA

HISTORY

Although the group's main focus is on writing for children, we welcome writers of all kinds, as well as those who love to read children's books.

Founded in 2010, we branched out to start publishing our members in 2013 through our annual Story Sprouts Writing Day Workshop. We have two Writing Resources and Anthologies under our belt: Story Sprouts and Story Sprouts: Voice as well as a collaborative Middle Grade novel called Kayla Wayman, Teen Time Traveler: Lost in the Stream.

Story Sprouts: Setting and Story Sprouts: Conflict are currently in development, as well as a yet-unnamed Middle Grade collaborative novel about a boy who gets sucked into his video game. Look for those soon.

We encourage you to attend the annual workshop and buy a copy of the previous Story Sprouts; they make an excellent writing resource, brimming with high quality poetry, short fiction and nonfiction by our Story Sprouts authors.

MISSION AND PURPOSE

Our workshops provide tips and lessons on the craft and business of writing. You'll learn how to create characters so real, they practically jump off the page, weave storylines to make an interesting plot, revise and edit your manuscript, write and submit query letters to agents and editors, and how the publishing industry works.

You can get helpful feedback on your manuscript through our critique sessions, and our creative writing sessions help in sparking the next great idea, or simply help you improve your writing skills so you can find your voice and style.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS

Events are open to members and non-members alike. Members get great discounts on our workshops and free access to our critique sessions. Be sure to RSVP to reserve your space at any event. We offer many takeaways and have limited space, so we want to make sure you get the most out of your experience.