Welcome Scribblers, Writers, Dreamers!
ANNOUNCEMENT:
THE ULTIMATE CHECKLIST FOR SUBMITTING TO EDITORS:
10 TESTS A NOVEL MUST PASS TO PROVE IT'S REALLY READY FOR SUBMISSION
AND HOW TO REVISE IF NEEDED
with Deborah Halverson
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 1-4 PM PST on Zoom
Too often, YA/MG manuscripts are submitted to editors before they are truly ready. And since you only get one chance with a particular editor, you can’t risk sending out a manuscript that’s not the best it can be.
But how can you know when your manuscript is really ready? You think it is, but how can you know for sure? Learn ten actionable tests for knowing when a novel is really, truly ready to submit... along with ways to whip the manuscript into shape if it fails a single one of them.
is the award-winning author of Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies and Writing New Adult Fiction, as well as numerous teen novels, books in a series for struggling readers, and a picture book. Formerly an editor at Harcourt Children's Books and now a freelance editor specializing in picture books and Young Adult/Middle Grade fiction and nonfiction, Deborah has been working with authors—bestsellers, veterans, debut, and aspiring—for twenty-five years. She is also the founder of the popular writers’ advice site DearEditor.com and serves on the advisory board for the UC San Diego Extension “Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating” certificate program. DeborahHalverson.com / Connect with Deborah on your social media platforms: https://linktr.ee/deborahhalverson
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
DEBORAH HALVERSON is the award-winning author of Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies and Writing New Adult Fiction, as well as numerous teen novels, books in a series for struggling readers, and a picture book. Formerly an editor at Harcourt Children's Books and now a freelance editor specializing in picture books and Young Adult/Middle Grade fiction and nonfiction, Deborah has been working with authors—bestsellers, veterans, debut, and aspiring—for twenty-five years. She is also the founder of the popular writers’ advice site DearEditor.com and serves on the advisory board for the UC San Diego Extension “Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating” certificate program. DeborahHalverson.com / Connect with Deborah on your social media platforms: https://linktr.ee/deborahhalverson
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
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HISTORYAlthough 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 PURPOSEOur 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 EVENTSEvents 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. HOW TO JOIN(Online form currently down) To send a check, download the membership form below and mail it along with your payment to: CBW-LA
| OUR BOOKS
Kayla Wayman, Teen Time Traveler: Lost in the Stream A Story Sprouts Middle Grade Collaborative Novel
Story Sprouts |
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