Welcome Scribblers, Writers, Dreamers!
ANNOUNCEMENT:
FINDING A STORY STRUCTURE THAT WORKS FOR THE STORY YOU WANT TO TELL
with Tim Cummings
Saturday, October 17th, 2026, 10 AM - 1 PM PST on Zoom
How am I supposed to know how to structure my novel when so many ways exist, and no one will tell me definitively whether any particular way is better than the other? The Classic Story Structure, The Hero’s Journey, The Seven-Point Structure, The Kishotenketsu Method, The Three-Act Structure, The Snowflake Method, A Disturbance and Two Doors, The Story Circle, Freytag’s Pyramid, and Fichtean Curve...are you kidding? Why so many? And, why are they all...kinda the same? Let’s discuss and set down on a landing pad that works as a foundation for your book.
NOTE: This workshop will be hosted over Zoom from 10AM - 1 PM PST. Attendees will receive the link once they register for this event.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
TIM CUMMINGS
Tim's debut novel, 'Alice the Cat' (Fitzroy Books) was chosen as an American Book Awards 'Best Book' Finalist for 2023, received a Bronze Medal in the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Awards, and is a Finalist in both the 2024 National Indies Excellence Awards for Teen Fiction and the Independent Author Network's Book of the Year Awards.
His follow-up novel, 'The Lightning People Play' (Black Rose Writing) was published in 2025 and hailed by Kirkus Reviews as a "heartfelt story about family" and by Readers' Favorite as "an emotional journey, with close narration focusing on Kirby's fear, his fierce loyalty, and his fragile hope. The mix of theater, magic, and real-life stakes is just so beautifully done."
He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University Los Angeles and a BFA from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts. He has appeared in 200+ projects across theatre, film, television, voice-over, and new media.
Tim is an octopus and spider enthusiast. He goes wild for anything with eight legs. He recently discovered he is a masterful hula hooper and can whirl non-stop for eons. He possesses enviable collections of stickers, labradorite, night-sky projector lights, vintage vinyl, and rare first-edition hardcover copies of some of his favorite novels. No one has ever made a better vat of chili, and his lasagna is infallible.
He teaches writing for UCLA Extension Writers' Program, runs private workshops, and coaches authors.
Learn more about Tim here: timcummings.ink
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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
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Kayla Wayman, Teen Time Traveler: Lost in the Stream A Story Sprouts Middle Grade Collaborative Novel
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