Upcoming Events
I'm excited to offer another FREE College Essay Zoom Webinar on Wednesday, August 14 from 7-8pm (Q&A after). We'll jump right into what college applicants are wrestling with now: How do you choose the right topic? How do you stand out from the crowd and avoid cliché? Are the rules "made to be broken", or do you break them at your peril? How can parents help, and when should they stay out of it? I'm here to help your student sort through the noise and write their bold, authentic story. Parents and students welcome, please feel free to share!
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84465074667?pwd=jjheka6F2hziDf06w4qxVk1fzFC1NV.1
Contact Jen to register and receive meeting passcode and a useful college essay organizer via Google Docs.
Rising seniors and forward-thinking juniors! Ready to kickstart (or dial in) your college essays and UC PIQ’s? I’ll demystify the process, point you in the right direction, and get you busy writing... while sharing do’s-and-don’ts and helpful tips I’ve learned from Admissions Officers, essay readers, and successful college applicants.
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82462058118?pwd=c3WnoeECjAxMk4AXBrgnhoUHu3O7m7.1
Contact Jen to register and receive meeting passcode and a useful college essay organizer via Google Docs.
Previous Events
Poetry Takeover! of Encinitas Library
That's right, we're taking over! For the second year, we bring you a full day of poetry programming, with workshops for young and old, a poetry reading featuring inspiring teen poet, entrepreneur and activist Otto Lana, and all-day book fair. Join us for a beautiful day of Poetry-by-the-Sea!
First Friday: Poems from the Salon
An evening of poetry with members of The Poetry Salon, a committed clutch of poets who have been writing and sharing together since the pandemic. If you've never experienced a poetry reading before, I highly recommend First Fridays at SD Writers, Ink, located in beautiful and historic Liberty Station.
K!SDPA Workshop at Escondido Library
Join poet and educator Jen Laffler at the dynamic Escondido Library for an inspiring day of creative word-play! This poetry workshop will dive deep into personification, and explore how this poetic device brings poetry to life. Poems created in this workshop may be published in the 2023 Kids! San Diego Poetry Annual.
This workshop is free of charge and all supplies will be provided.
15 Poets: Poetry Reading at San Diego Writers Ink, May 20, 2023
Join 15 of San Diego's finest female poets for an evening of inspiration, celebrating the reveal of the new cover for Bethel Swift's "Conversations with Good Men".
KidsWrite! Short Story Workshop, Online (Zoom)
Sunday March 26, 2023
Join Jen for an online, fun, *free* short story workshop for children and teens! We'll jump right into creating unique and immersive worlds using the theme of: The Day You Begin. Participants will be well on their way to creating a short story to submit to the KidsWrite Children's Writing Contest, with the chance to earn prizes and a free laptop. RSVP to poemseeds@gmail.com
Short Story Workshop Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5821202643
December 10, 10:30am - 12:30pm: Cursive, Kindness & Card-making @ Encinitas Library, Encinitas, CA
Join us in the Encinitas Library's Study Room, with its breathtaking ocean views. Jen will teach students of any age cursive handwriting basics (or beyond, depending on where they are at); students will create handcrafted cards to be given to North County hospice patients. This workshop is free of charge and card-making supplies will be provided. All ages are welcomed! Library link for more information:
https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6362f7ff6ee0ff3600ceb380
Sun, Oct 30Location is TBDOct 30, 2022, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PMLocation is TBD
Mon, Feb 28KidsWrite! Submissions Due!Feb 28, 2022, 12:00 PMKidsWrite! Submissions Due!
Sun, Oct 04Online Class via San Diego Writers, Ink.Oct 04, 2020, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PMOnline Class via San Diego Writers, Ink.Oct 04, 2020, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PMOnline Class via San Diego Writers, Ink.Are you a young writer who dreams of "getting published"? Together in this 1.5 hour-long class, we will learn how writers create and refine their work — all the way from first-glimmer-of-inspiration to ready-for-publication.
Sat, Jul 25SDWF Summer Festival days on Facebook LiveJul 25, 2020, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PMSDWF Summer Festival days on Facebook Live
Tue, Jun 09SDWF Summer Festival Days on Facebook LiveJun 09, 2020, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AMSDWF Summer Festival Days on Facebook LiveJun 09, 2020, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AMSDWF Summer Festival Days on Facebook LiveJen presents the Award Ceremony for the KidsWrite! San Diego Children's Writing Contest. Join us for a morning of poems, stories, and video presentations that will surely inspire you as Jen Laffler, KidsWrite! Director, presents the Award Ceremony for KidsWrite! San Diego Children's Writing Contest
Wed, Oct 30Jen's HouseOct 30, 2019, 9:00 AM – Nov 01, 2019, 11:30 AMJen's House, 1213 Village View Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA
Wed, Oct 23Jen's HouseOct 23, 2019, 9:00 AM – Oct 25, 2019, 11:30 AMJen's House, 1213 Village View Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA
Sat, Aug 24Liberty StationAug 24, 2019, 10:00 AMLiberty Station, Liberty Station, San Diego, CA, USA
Wed, Aug 14The Forum CarlsbadAug 14, 2019, 10:00 AMThe Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA 92009, USA
Sat, Apr 13Central Library, 400 Park St., San DiegoApr 13, 2019, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMCentral Library, 400 Park St., San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
Tue, Feb 26Del Lago Elementary SchoolFeb 26, 2019, 10:00 AMDel Lago Elementary School, 27181 Entidad, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, USA
Mon, Feb 04San Dieguito Heritage Museum at the HeriFeb 04, 2019, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PMSan Dieguito Heritage Museum at the Heri, 450 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA
10/22/22: Poetry Takeover! and K!SDPA Workshop @ Encinitas Library
Join us for a day of creative word-play! KSDPA and The Encinitas Library present a free poetry workshop with Jen Laffler, poet and educator. The theme? Personification. Poems created in the workshop may be published in the 2023 Kids San Diego Poetry Annual.
Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Save your spot by emailing Jen at poemseeds@gmail.com.
Young Writers: From Inspiration to Publication October 4, 2020! (Online)
Are you a young writer who dreams of getting published? Don't wait! Young Writers: From Inspiration to Publication is a 1.5 hour online class created to launch you on your journey! From that first moment of inspiration, through research and editing, all the way to finding the perfect contest or publication that's looking for work like yours -- we'll cover it all. For more information and to register: http://www.sandiegowriters.org/october-young-writers-jen-laffler/
Teen writer or poet? Join me for Teen Writers: From Inspiration to Publication. You will be amazed at all the opportunities out there for ambitious writers of all ages.
KidsWrite! Now Until January 5, 2021
Calling young writers, ages 6-18, who live in San Diego County:
KidsWrite! San Diego Children's Writing Contest is now accepting submissions for its 2020/21 theme: What The World Needs Now. No cost to enter. Winners and Finalists receive cash prizes. Please visit the KidsWrite! webpage at www.kidswriteSD.com for more information and to enter. Submissions close Jan. 5, 2021.KidsWrite! is a program of the San Diego Writers Festival, and is partnered with the Coronado Library and Union-Tribune Festival of Books.
Ongoing: Motivated Young Writers, A Resource For You!
New Pages is a useful,credible resource for publishing-minded writers of all ages to find contests and publications. While the information is not always perfectly up-to-date, the reviewers have done an excellent job of filtering out less-reputable contests and publications (the kind that are more about taking your money than helping you grow as a writer)
Young Writers Guide to Publications Magazines and journals seeking submissions from young writers.
Young Writers Guide to Contests Contests and competitions seeking submissions from young writers.