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Educating and Empowering Writers Since 2010
               Because We All Have a Voice Children's Book Writers of Los Angeles
 
 
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Upcoming events

    • 10 Nov 2024
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Online (Zoom)
    • 6
    Register

    ONLINE CRITIQUE SESSION
    FOR CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS

    Calling All Children's Book Writers: Picture Book, Early Reader, Chapter Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, New AdultAll genres welcome

    Whether you’ve written a just handful of pages or you’re putting the finishing touches on your opus magnus, getting another set of eyes on your manuscript is a wise course of action.  At our critique sessions, you'll get constructive feedback for your manuscripts, meet potential critique partners and make new friends.


    THE VALUE OF A CRITIQUE SESSION

    As writers, we are very close to our work and oftentimes we miss certain details on story development or story elements like characters, setting, etc.

    Critique sessions allow other people with “fresh eyes” to have a look at your writing sample and read them as your future readers would, providing you with valuable feedback to improve your writing skills and get your manuscript submission-ready.

    In all our Critique Sessions, we give you feedback in the most TACTful way possible.

    TACT = Finesse, thoughtfulness or having a keen sense of what to say or do to avoid giving offense; skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situations.

    TACT is also the technique we use for our critiques:

    T = Terrific

    We share what we loved in your piece, what worked in your story and what we liked about your plot, setting, character, pacing, etc.

    A = Author Questions

    In the last few minutes of your critique time, we encourage you, as the author, to ask questions either about your story or to  clarify the comments you received.

    C = Constructive Comments We deliver, in the politest way possible, comments that are specific and helpful to help you improve your story. 

    T = Talent Talent can get you far, but hard work can get your farther. We always end by encouraging you, the author, to keep on writing. We remind you that we are here to help you achieve your writing goals.





      • 26 Nov 2024
      • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
      • Online on Zoom
      Register

      A Commitment to Story: Monthly Virtual Write-Ins

      Last Tuesday of the Month (no meeting December)

      We're throwing it back to the 20-teens and bringing back an old CBW-LA favorite: the weekday write-in. But this time... virtual!

      Back in the day, we used to host two hour quiet writing sessions at a coffee shop in Manhattan Beach—time for our members to get together and sit together to work on any current writing project. Mostly quiet time, there was also an opportunity to check in briefly about the projects and voice questions or stumbling blocks. Members outlined, wrote early drafts, edited, and even worked on pitches and marketing proposals for their work.

      As time went on and schedules shifted, we got away from the format, but now we're reintroducing it. Just a little bit different. 

      Shorter (one hour). 

      Later (evenings). 

      And Virtual (our members live all across the country now, coast-to-coast, so let's make it easy to connect).

      The format will be similar: brief connection and dedicated quiet writing time. 

      We'll take 10 minutes at the start to check in with a sentence about each person's intention for the writing time and a breathing exercise to drop into creative flow, then we'll set a timer to write for 40-45 minutes. At the end, we'll wrap up with a brief coming together (5-10 minutes) and release. We'd love to see your face at the beginning and end during check-in, but please feel free to turn off the camera during writing time and breathing exercises.

      This is a  supportive community offering to help you carve out time, each month, devoted to the craft and joy of writing stories. Free for CBW-LA Members, $10 for non-members. 


      • 01 Dec 2024
      • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
      • Online (Zoom)
      • 10
      Register

      ONLINE CRITIQUE SESSION
      FOR CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS

      Calling All Children's Book Writers: Picture Book, Early Reader, Chapter Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, New AdultAll genres welcome

      Whether you’ve written a just handful of pages or you’re putting the finishing touches on your opus magnus, getting another set of eyes on your manuscript is a wise course of action.  At our critique sessions, you'll get constructive feedback for your manuscripts, meet potential critique partners and make new friends.


      THE VALUE OF A CRITIQUE SESSION

      As writers, we are very close to our work and oftentimes we miss certain details on story development or story elements like characters, setting, etc.

      Critique sessions allow other people with “fresh eyes” to have a look at your writing sample and read them as your future readers would, providing you with valuable feedback to improve your writing skills and get your manuscript submission-ready.

      In all our Critique Sessions, we give you feedback in the most TACTful way possible.

      TACT = Finesse, thoughtfulness or having a keen sense of what to say or do to avoid giving offense; skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situations.

      TACT is also the technique we use for our critiques:

      T = Terrific

      We share what we loved in your piece, what worked in your story and what we liked about your plot, setting, character, pacing, etc.

      A = Author Questions

      In the last few minutes of your critique time, we encourage you, as the author, to ask questions either about your story or to  clarify the comments you received.

      C = Constructive Comments We deliver, in the politest way possible, comments that are specific and helpful to help you improve your story. 

      T = Talent Talent can get you far, but hard work can get your farther. We always end by encouraging you, the author, to keep on writing. We remind you that we are here to help you achieve your writing goals.





      Past events

      29 Oct 2024 A Commitment to Story: Monthly Virtual Write-Ins
      26 Oct 2024 Write a Novel in a Month
      06 Oct 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      24 Sep 2024 A Commitment to Story: Monthly Virtual Write-Ins
      22 Sep 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      18 Aug 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      17 Aug 2024 Master the Art of Organizing Your Writing Life!
      07 Jul 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      02 Jun 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      05 May 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      14 Apr 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      17 Mar 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      04 Feb 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      27 Jan 2024 JUMPSTART YOUR WRITING CAREER 2024: FIND YOUR PATH TO PUBLICATION
      14 Jan 2024 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      03 Dec 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      12 Nov 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      28 Oct 2023 Prosthetic Dreaming: How to Use ChatGPT, Meditation, and Surrealism to Unlock Your Creativity
      08 Oct 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      10 Sep 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      19 Aug 2023 Wearing Your Character in Meditation
      13 Aug 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      16 Jul 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      01 Jul 2023 Write a Novel in a Month
      04 Jun 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      03 Jun 2023 Have Story Will Travel: Finding the Story Structure Method that Works For the Story You Want to Tell
      21 May 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      13 May 2023 Kit and Caboodle: Crafting Irresistible Picture Books From Idea to Query
      23 Apr 2023 Novel Writing Bootcamp
      02 Apr 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      19 Mar 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      05 Feb 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      28 Jan 2023 JUMPSTART YOUR WRITING CAREER 2023: FIND YOUR PATH TO PUBLICATION
      22 Jan 2023 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      04 Dec 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      20 Nov 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      09 Oct 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      01 Oct 2022 Three Character Revealing Secrets That Make Editors Swoon
      11 Sep 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      14 Aug 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      24 Jul 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      09 Jul 2022 Querypalooza: How to Write an Eye-Catching Query and Hook an Agent
      26 Jun 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      15 May 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      09 Apr 2022 Achieve Your Writing Dreams: How a Mom of Three Published a Picture Book that Debuted as a #1 Release on Amazon
      03 Apr 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      19 Mar 2022 Does Your Story Have a Passport? Creating Universal Stories that Reach Wider Audiences
      13 Mar 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      19 Feb 2022 Eight Precious Writing Tips No One Talks About
      06 Feb 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      29 Jan 2022 JUMPSTART YOUR WRITING CAREER 2022: FIND YOUR PATH TO PUBLICATION
      09 Jan 2022 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      14 Nov 2021 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      17 Oct 2021 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      25 Sep 2021 Visually Sketching Out Your Plot
      12 Sep 2021 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      08 Aug 2021 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      11 Jul 2021 Online Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      10 Jul 2021 The Joy of Revision: See Your Work Anew
      19 Jun 2021 Nonfiction Observation for Fiction Writers (or: Why Spying is Good for You)
      17 Apr 2021 SUBMISSION STUDIO: Writing Queries, Strategizing Submissions, and Ten Ways to Translate “No” to “Yes!”
      27 Mar 2021 Character and Conflict for Picture Book, Middle Grade and Young Adult Authors
      28 Feb 2021 JUMPSTART YOUR WRITING CAREER: FIND YOUR PATH TO PUBLICATION
      18 Oct 2020 The Magical Scene Trifecta and Other Strategies for Writing Scenes
      25 Jul 2020 CBW-LA Virtual Happy Hour: Are You Feeling All Write?
      18 Jan 2020 Jumpstart Your Writing Career: Find Your Path to Publication
      05 Oct 2019 Pitch Ready: How to Revise Your Manuscript and Get it Ready to Pitch to Agents and Editors
      14 Sep 2019 Inspiration, Imagination and the Creative Spirit
      27 Jul 2019 Novel Writing Bootcamp
      31 Mar 2019 Sunday Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      23 Mar 2019 The Building Blocks of Structuring Children's Books (Picture Books, Middle Grade & Young Adult Novels)
      26 Jan 2019 Jumpstart Your Writing Career: Find Your Path to Publication
      03 Nov 2018 Story-Telling for Social Justice & Advancement
      28 Jul 2018 Saturday Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      21 Jul 2018 Learn How to Self-Publish a Picture Book in Two Days
      28 Apr 2018 Saturday Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      24 Mar 2018 Saturday Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      10 Mar 2018 Crafting & Writing Your MG/YA Series in 12 Months
      20 Jan 2018 Jumpstart Your Writing Career Workshop + Author Headshot Day
      09 Dec 2017 Unlock Your Novel: Middle Grade and YA Critique (11am- 2pm)
      02 Dec 2017 Saturday Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      18 Nov 2017 Unlock Your Novel: Middle Grade and YA Critique (11am- 2pm)
      28 Oct 2017 Saturday Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      14 Oct 2017 Unlock Your Novel: Middle Grade and YA Critique (11am- 2pm)
      07 Oct 2017 FIFTH ANNUAL CBW-LA Writing Day Marathon—Story Sprouts: Fables, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales (Workshop + Anthology)
      30 Sep 2017 Saturday Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      23 Sep 2017 Kickstarter Crowdfunding Success Strategies
      09 Sep 2017 Unlock Your Novel: Middle Grade and YA Critique (11am- 2pm)
      26 Aug 2017 Creative Meditation: Generating Story Ideas Using Mindful Practices and Other Creative Processes
      12 Aug 2017 Saturday Critique Session: All Genres Welcome
      22 Jul 2017 Revision Strategies for Novel Writers: From Line Edits to Queries
      10 Jun 2017 How to Write a Query Letter and Find a Literary Agent with Seth Fishman of the Gernert Company Literary Agency
      03 Jun 2017 Saturday Critique Session: Middle Grade & Young Adult
      08 Apr 2017 Structure, Structure, Structure! Creating Detailed Outlines & Engaging Pitches
      04 Mar 2017 BEYOND THE HERO'S JOURNEY: Other Powerful Mythic Themes and Trends for Children's and Young Adult Storytelling
      18 Feb 2017 Creative Writing Exercise Extravaganza 2
      10 Dec 2016 Creative Writing Exercise Extravaganza
      12 Nov 2016 QUERYPALOOZA 2: HOW TO WRITE AN EYE-CATCHING QUERY AND HOOK AN AGENT WITH EVE PORINCHAK OF THE JILL CORCORAN LITERARY AGENCY
      22 Oct 2016 Saturday Critique Session: Middle Grade & Young Adult
      15 Oct 2016 Critique Session: Picture Books, Early Readers, Chapter Books!
      08 Oct 2016 Publishing Your Book on Kindle:The Complete Process
      17 Sep 2016 Critique Session: Picture Books, Early Readers, Chapter Books!
      27 Aug 2016 Saturday Critique Session: Middle Grade & Young Adult
      13 Aug 2016 Critique Session: Picture Books, Early Readers, Chapter Books!
      06 Aug 2016 How Fiction Writers Can Use Poetry Techniques to Amp Up Their Prose
      23 Jul 2016 Twenty Reasons You're Not Getting Published with Literary Agent Steve Hutson
      25 Jun 2016 Author Marketing Secrets: How to Authentically Connect with your Readers through Social Media & Beyond
      14 May 2016 CBW-LA Writing Day Marathon—Story Sprouts: Conflict (Workshop + Anthology)
      23 Apr 2016 Beyond the Book Deal: Charting the Path Ahead
      16 Apr 2016 Date Change: Saturday Critique Session: Open to All! (1-4pm)
      26 Mar 2016 Novel Writing Bootcamp
      19 Mar 2016 Saturday Critique Session: Middle Grade & Young Adult
      27 Feb 2016 The Secrets of “Show Don’t Tell”
      27 Feb 2016 CBW–LA Write-In Session
      20 Feb 2016 Saturday Critique Session: Open to All! (1-4pm)
      23 Jan 2016 Kickstarting Your Writing Career Workshop 2016
      19 Dec 2015 Saturday Critique Session: Open to All! (1-4pm)
      05 Dec 2015 CBW-LA Co-op at the Author Alley
      14 Nov 2015 Collaborative Novel Launch Party & 5th Year Anniversary Celebration
      08 Nov 2015 SUNDAY Critique Session: Middle Grade & Young Adult
      07 Nov 2015 Take a Scene from Ho-hum to Holy Crap!: Writing that Gets an Editor's Attention
      24 Oct 2015 From Kickstarter to Good Morning America: One Writer Shares Her Secrets to Success
      17 Oct 2015 Saturday Critique Session: Open to All!
      26 Sep 2015 QUERYPALOOZA: HOW TO WRITE AN EYE-CATCHING QUERY AND HOOK AN AGENT WITH EVE PORINCHAK OF THE JILL CORCORAN LITERARY AGENCY
      05 Sep 2015 Critique Session: Middle Grade & Young Adult
      29 Aug 2015 Critique Session: Open to All!
      22 Aug 2015 Understanding and Unlocking Amazon and Online Marketing
      25 Jul 2015 Picture Book Workshop: The Power of Critique Groups & Writing Tips I’ve Learned Along the Way
      25 Jul 2015 CBW–LA Summer Write-In Session
      20 Jun 2015 How to WOW Agents and Editors at Your Next Writing Conference
      13 Jun 2015 Critique Session: Middle Grade & Young Adult
      23 May 2015 Using a Story Map to Find the Holes in Your Story
      21 May 2015 CBW–LA Third Thursday Weekday Write-In
      09 May 2015 Critique Session: Open to All!
      25 Apr 2015 Story Sprouts: Setting, FULL–DAY Writing Workshop and Anthology
      16 Apr 2015 CBW–LA Third Thursday Weekday Write-In
      11 Apr 2015 Critique Session: Middle Grade & Young Adult
      19 Mar 2015 CBW–LA Third Thursday Weekday Write-In
      14 Mar 2015 Presenting Your Fantasy or Mythic Story
      07 Mar 2015 Critique Session: Picture Books, Early Readers, Chapter Books!
      28 Feb 2015 Critique Session: Middle Grade & Young Adult
      24 Jan 2015 Critique Session: Open to All!
      15 Jan 2015 CBW–LA Third Thursday Weekday Write-In
      10 Jan 2015 Kickstarting Your Writing Career Workshop 2015
      06 Dec 2014 Novel Critique Session
      20 Nov 2014 CBW–LA Third Thursday Weekday Write-In
      08 Nov 2014 Write the Truth: Creative Nonfiction and Real World Inspiration
      16 Oct 2014 CBW–LA Third Thursday Weekday Write-In
      11 Oct 2014 Story Sprouts 2014 Launch Party
      04 Oct 2014 Baiting the Hook: Nabbing the Reader With Your First Page
      27 Sep 2014 Write Stories That Change the World & Pitch Them to TV & Movie Producers
      18 Sep 2014 CBW–LA Third Thursday Weekday Write-In
      13 Sep 2014 Picture Book/Chapter Book/ Early Reader Critique Session
      23 Aug 2014 Do You Give...Good Voice? How to Find (and Nurture) Your Writing Personality
      09 Aug 2014 Novel Critique Session
      12 Jul 2014 Establishing Your Independence: Marketing Secrets from a Best-Selling Independent Author
      28 Jun 2014 Do You Give...Good Voice? How to Find (and Nurture) Your Writing Personality
      14 Jun 2014 PICTURE BOOK/CHAPTER BOOK/EARLY READER CRITIQUE SESSION
      31 May 2014 Writing Day Anthology Workshop: Get Published with CBW-LA
      19 Apr 2014 MIDDLE GRADE/YOUNG ADULT CRITIQUE SESSION
      29 Mar 2014 Novel Writing Bootcamp
      22 Feb 2014 Honing Your Middle Grade Writing Voice: A Workshop with Author Kristen Kittscher
      08 Feb 2014 PICTURE BOOK/CHAPTER BOOK/EARLY READER CRITIQUE SESSION
      11 Jan 2014 Kickstarting Your Writing Career Workshop 2014
      09 Nov 2013 MIDDLE GRADE/YOUNG ADULT CRITIQUE SESSION
      02 Nov 2013 Anthology Launch Party & Year End Celebration
      05 Oct 2013 NONFICTION/ MEMOIR CRITIQUE SESSION
      26 Sep 2013 Picture Book Workshop: The Power of Critique Groups & Writing Tips I’ve Learned Along the Way
      07 Sep 2013 PICTURE BOOK/CHAPTER BOOK/EARLY READER CRITIQUE SESSION
      17 Aug 2013 Potent World-Making: What's Myth Got to Do With It?
      27 Jul 2013 Query Critique Session
      20 Jul 2013 Writing Between the Lines: The Power of Multiple Revisions A Workshop with YA Author Carmen Rodrigues
      22 Jun 2013 Writing Day Anthology Workshop: Get Published with CBW-LA
      25 May 2013 Queries, Loglines and Blurbs: Oh My! Workshop with Author Samantha Combs
      13 Apr 2013 CRITIQUE SESSION
      30 Mar 2013 The Author's Platform: Blogging with the Bird
      12 Jan 2013 Kickstarting Your Writing Career Workshop & Lunch Social 2013

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