Menu
Log in
Educating and Empowering Writers Since 2010
               Because We All Have a Voice Children's Book Writers of Los Angeles
 
 
Log in by clicking the avatar below:

Upcoming events

    • 13 Apr 2024
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register

    Leveraging Worldbuilding Rules to Create Iconic Characters

    with A.M. Dellamonica

    Our years of immersing ourselves in monster media—whether through lighthearted vampiric satire like What We Do in the Shadows or the intense high school zombie drama of All of Us Are Dead—have ingrained the rules of the classic monster narrative. Vampires thirst for blood, werewolves grapple with lunar transformations, and zombies… well, what’s the deal with zombie media these days? In this workshop, we explore how you can leverage the established “operating rules” of traditional horror monsters to enrich your worldbuilding, harnessing the legendary potency of these iconic creatures to weave your own tales.”


    ABOUT THE SPEAKER


    A.M. DELLAMONICA


    A.M. Dellamonica's first novel, Indigo Springs, won the Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic. Their fourth, A Daughter of No Nation, won the 2016 Prix Aurora for Best Novel. They have published over forty short stories in Tor.com, Asimovs SF, The Magazine of Fantasy and SF, and elsewhere, along with poetry, pop culture essays, and even the 2021 play Dressed as People, which they co-wrote with Kelly Robson and Amal El-Mohtar.  Their newest novels, Gamechanger and Dealbreaker, were released under the name L.X. Beckett and are solarpunk adventures that imagine humanity surviving climate change and creating a post-carbon economy.



    Find A.M. online:


    Website: https://alyxdellamonica.com/


    Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/alyxdellamonica.bsky.social


    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/alyxdellamonica/



    Purchase their books here:


    Child of a Hidden Sea


    Gamechanger


    Dealbreaker




    • 14 Apr 2024
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Online (Zoom)
    • 8
    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.





      • 05 May 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.





        • 02 Jun 2024
        • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
        • Online (Zoom)
        • 11
        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

        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

        Copyright © 2010–Present | Children's Book Writers of Los Angeles. (CBW–LA) | All rights reserved.

        Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software