57th Annual Author-Go-Round
57th ANNUAL AUTHOR-GO-ROUND
North and South County Author-Go-Round Events
South County Author-Go-Round
- Date: January 21 & 22, 2027
- Location: SBCEO Auditorium
- Cost: $12 per student
- Who: Students in grades 5–8
- Registration links:
North County Author-Go-Round
- Date: February 4 & 5, 2027
- Location: Abel Maldonado Community Center, Santa Maria
- Cost: $12 per student
- Who: Students in grades 5–8
- Registration links:
Registration for all Author-Go-Round dates closes Friday, December 18, 2026.
When registering, please include any special accommodations or food allergies so all staff and students can fully participate.
FAQ
- How many students may we bring?
- Can students eat lunch at the event?
- May students purchase books at the event?
- Are students required to read the authors' books in advance?
How many students may we bring?
Can students eat lunch at the event?
May students purchase books at the event?
Are students required to read the authors' books in advance?
Event Resources
John Parra, Lee Wardlaw, Rebecca Langston-George, and Joan Bransfield Graham at AGR.
James Buckley Jr., Sherry Shahan, Kathleen Contreras, and Wendelin Van Draanen at AGR.
Students display book covers they designed at the event.
Students get to engage with author Wendelin Van Draanen.
Three students enjoying Author-Go-Round.
Students with poet Joan Bransfield Graham.
Books illustrated by John Parra on display.
Kathleen Contreras talks about her book featuring Fernando Valenzuela.
Students having fun at Author-Go-Round.
Students holding their AGR booklets, signed by the authors.
Author James Buckley Jr. helps students write a collaborative story.
One of the iconic Author-Go-Round ponies.
Author James Buckley with a student.
Author/Illustrator John Parra stands with two students.
Illustrator James Parra creates creates an interactive illustration with students.
Rebecca Langston-George signs an autograph for a young fan.
Students complete an activity at AGR.
Author Kathleen Contreras stands with a student holding a signed Author-Go-Round poster.
Posters from Author-Go-Round.
Author Kathleen Contreras looks on as students complete an activity.
Students pose with author Rebecca Langston-George.
Students taking part in a creative activity at Author-Go-Round.
Local author Lee Wardlaw entertains students at Author-Go-Round.
Author Sherry Shahan with a student at Author-Go-Round.
James Buckley Jr. talks about writing at Author-Go-Round.
Wendelin Van Draanen with a student at Author-Go-Round.
Sherry Shahan shares some of her Alaskan adventures that inspired her books with students.
About
SBCEO’s Author-Go-Round inspires students to consider the journeys of writing, drawing, and publishing as they spend quality time with published authors and illustrators. In this intimate "Q&A" type of event, students learn about the values of persistence, resilience, and creative expression firsthand.
We invite students in grades 5-8 to engage with published authors and illustrators as they learn, wonder, and reflect on the publishing process in this unique literary event.
Press
Event Contact
Sachi Shiroma
Administrative Assistant
sshiroma@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext 5222