Hi! Keep reading for more info about tonight's SOCIETY OF CHILDREN BOOK WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS WESTSIDE SCHMOOZE, where I'll be the guest speaker...

The West Los Angeles branch of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators hosts a monthly "schmooze" for both aspiring and published children's book writers where they discuss the craft of writing books for children. Authors RITA CRAYON HUANG and LEE WIND are this year's co-coordinators for the group. (For more info on Rita and Lee, check out their websites here: http://rhcrayon.livejournal.com/ and http://www.leewind.org/). I'll be discussing everything from the craft of writing children's books and YA novels (specifically plot and humor) plus talking about my own publishing journey. I'll also be playing some of the pieces from GOOD ENOUGH (yes, I'm bringing my violin!)

The aim of the SCBWI WESTSIDE SCHMOOZE is "to be a forum for sharing and learning, a source of inspiration throughout the year, and a place to make contacts for ever-helpful critique groups. We welcome writers of every stripe--poets and novelists, nonfiction writers, magazine contributors, and picture book author/illustrators. We welcome people interested in attending just one meeting or those looking for a regular community of writers. We welcome anyone interested in writing for kids."

The SCBWI WESTSIDE SCHMOOZE is the longest-running schmooze in the region. They meet every second Wednesday of the month at the Fairview Branch Library Community Room, 2101 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Their meetings are in association with the Fairview Branch Santa Monica Library.

For more information on the SCBWI WESTSIDE SCHMOOZE, check out their website here: http://www.scbwisocal.org/schmoozes/westside.htm

Hope to see you there! Happy Writing!